Barcelona SC’s 1-0 win over Estudiantes de La Plata on 29 April 1971 in Argentina is a brilliant event that must always be remembered for what it represented. Not all Ecuadorians today are close to that event or did not experience it like many of us did 52 years ago. But that triumph reached enormous significance because it had several collateral aspects, such as the defeat of the reigning three-time Copa Libertadores champions, and Barcelona SC snatching the undefeated from the all-powerful Team America at their stadium.

This is how Barcelona SC and Estudiantes de La Plata would agree for the first match of the Copa Sudamericana playoffs

In addition, there were other very specific components, such as a Catholic priest among the protagonists, Barcelona SC had a formidable team and played in the semi-final stage of the Libertadores. The environment was sensational and such a triumph, at that time, was something that rarely happened in Ecuadorian football. That is why they say that the qualification of the feat was not presented by the Ecuadorian press, but by the Argentine press.

‘Against Barcelona SC you have to take precautions. We will have courage and rebellion. Let’s win,’ says Eduardo Domínguez, DT of Estudiantes de La Plata

You have to read, for example, what the magazine thinks Graphics about how Barcelona SC arrived and what level they set it as a team, as well as the strengths that Estudiantes highlighted. There was only recognition for the career of Albert Spencer, who was playing his final years as a professional. However, the three-time American champion was surprised by unforgettable players.

Juan Manuel Basurko: from the goal with Barcelona against Estudiantes, which could not exist, to the hero who spoke little about the feat of La Plata

When you review the sports life of Juan Manuel Basurko, you will always remember the goal he scored against Estudiantes. He does not stop talking about the blessed boots of the Basurka priest. Today, the problem is that such feats are gradually not respected in our sport. The new generation doesn’t care about them, they don’t read, they don’t want to be told about the past, and they try to diminish or diminish their value. It is not true, as they say, that Barcelona SC won another match in the Cup in 1971.

Barcelona SC: This is the voice of Juan Manuel Basurko, the priest behind the exploits of La Plata!

If you haven’t experienced it, read about that match against Estudiantes. This must be remembered and recognized as a feat. Trying to tarnish an event that touched the country is disrespectful. I said that to those who protest with the sentence “they will talk about the feat of La Plata again!”. You have to be sensitive and respect the past.

If not everyone experienced the emotions that others enjoyed, at least read, find out the content of what happened or talk to people who can give you a testimony about that 1-0 Barcelona. Things must be measured by the moment they happened. For example, knowing who Barcelona SC faced, who made up the Canarian team of 1971, or what efforts were made by the bullfighting management. If checked name by name, that yellow team will confirm that Barcelona SC had a great team. All of them were very representative people in the history of the club.

Not knowing the victory in the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores, which had a worldwide resonance, is a sign of disinterest, of not wanting to recognize the value of La Plata’s feat or of preferring to live only with the emotions of the present, modernity. .

About a year ago I spoke in Machala with a group of students pretending to be journalists. I gave them some recommendations. I advised them, among other things, not to imitate anyone and try to be themselves. And one more thing: have respect for history. Those who do not respect history will find it difficult to respect their profession. It is as if today’s philosopher does not respect and remember the former philosophers. Or that a psychologist does not review the books of his colleagues from other times. Or that the lawyer is not interested in books or cases from the past.

You have to respect history to understand the subject you are studying. Anyone who wants to be a journalist must find out the things that happened in order to report them. You have to learn from the past, period. I recommend that current journalism students start by being sensitive to what happened. A little or a lot, but they must be involved in Ecuador’s past and its circumstances in order to be able to understand the present. (OR)