A key element in measuring the relevance of Alberto Spencer Herrera, the best Ecuadorian footballer of all time, came from the pen of the prestigious Uruguayan journalist Atilo Garrido, who wrote this about the star in 1990: “His dark figure is forever linked to the history of the Copa Libertadores. He looked like a cougar which crouches and waits in the forest for the defenders of the opposing defense. Suddenly, as if launched by a magical springboard, he emerged like a sharp knife from its sheath, seeking the infinity of the sky, and, when he was at the highest point, when he surpassed all his rivals in leaping, applied the fierce blow of his claw… The end was always the same. The ball in the net, the defenders helplessly look at each other as he went to cheer in front of the stands…

Share the petition: The ‘Alberto Spencer’ Award

The Ecuadorian is the top scorer in the history of the Libertadores with 54 goals (48 with Peñarola and six with Barcelona). It is the undisputed symbol of the most important club tournament on the continent. Spencer is the patriarchal figure of the most popular Uruguayan team, a country where he arrived in 1960 “as if destined” to lead, in the Aurinegro club from Montevideo, “a complete change of course: from regional football he moved to football all over the world”, said Uruguayan journalist Ricardo Lombardo in 1969.

Pelé’s revelation about Alberto Spencer Herrera’s fatal header: ‘He was better than me in that respect’

Spencer hit Peñarol, with decisive points – hence his nickname A man with an important goal- three American crowns and two world championships. The quality of the tricolor was so great that in 1966, the French journalist François Thebaud, director A look at football, who said: “He is the only player whose qualities and style remind me of the formidable Pelé. Spencer has the same balance as the great Brazilian, strength, incredible acceleration, feel that allows him to avoid shots, impeccable technique. Also an outstanding header.”

Alberto Spencer Herrera’s family makes a request to the Conmebol president before the Copa Libertadores final in Guayaquil

Conmebol leaders have the fearsome striker who has universalized the Copa Libertadores with goals since its inception in 1960 on an awkward and disrespectful waiting list. There has been no response to the request of the descendants of the legend for two years. The widow of the star born in Ancón in 1937 now joins the request of her three children.

Alberto Spencer, one of the ‘greatest’ in the history of the Copa Libertadores

On the occasion of the Libertadores final played in Guayaquil in 2022, two shoots Magical headJacqueline and Alberto Spencer Capetillo, made the same request to Alejandro Domínguez, the president of Conmebol, that they had already made in 2021: that “once and for all” the trophy that the top scorer of the cup receives annually bears the name of Alberto Spencer.

“We are coming (to Guayaquil) also because of a personal and family proposal to ask the people of Conmebol to put Alberto Spencer’s name on the Copa Libertadores goalscorer’s trophy once and for all,” said Alberto, son of the fallen netminder. in 2006.

Regarding Domínguez’s silence on the request, he noted: “We told him in Montevideo last year, we told him via Twitter and we didn’t get a response. I hope that this year (in the Guayaquil final), now that we are in the country that belonged to him, he will be able to make it effective as well, because we believe that it is fair and that sixty years of being the scorer of an international competition is nothing small and it is not accidental either. “.

On social networks, last Friday, Jacqueline Spencer addressed the request addressed to Domínguez and his board: “On your birthday, dad, we hope that Conmebol will soon respond to the request of the family to officially name Albert Spencer to the trophy for the top scorer of each edition of the Libertadores, as recognition for half a century, you were the top scorer of that Cup.”

In order to ensure that the Libertadores top scorer award is named after Spencer, he did not think until now of the Ecuadorian being vice-president of Conmebol, a position held by Francisco Egas, head of the Ecuadorian Football Association.

Jacqueline Spencer was announced on the social network by the brothers Alberto and Walter Spencer, and María Teresa Capetillo, the widow of Crack, which is the emblem of Peñarola.

They say to Domínguez that “after 16 years have passed since the physical departure of Albert Spencer and we have the award for Fair Play in 2005, we believe that if Conmebol agrees to this proposal, it will be a very important honor that will contribute to highlighting his figure as an exemplary sportsman. ” , inside and outside the sports arenas.”

As reinforcement for the fulfillment of the dream and the act of justice, the Spencer Capetillos are collecting digital signatures to support their request to the Conmebol and in a few days they have 547.

Atilio Garrido said: “Alberto Spencer has set an unsurpassed record in the Copa Libertadores de América, entering the gallery of the unforgettable through the wide doors of popular idolatry: he is the top scorer in the entire history of the Cup.” This immortal person is so far denied by Conmebol the recognition requested by his children, grandchildren, widows and those who sign the digital petition. (D)