Miguel BORJA

Colombian clubs now hold both South America’s titles, after Atletico Nacional added the Libertadores to the Sudamericana Cup won by Santa Fe in December. And centre-forward Miguel Borja was involved in both.

At Santa Fe he was a substitute who made so little impression that he was considered surplus to requirements for this year’s Libertadores. He therefore rejoined Cortulua, where he picked up confidence by scoring 19 goals in the apertura championship, breaking the short-tournament record which had been held by Jackson Martinez. Having played the first half of the year without a centre-forward, Nacional then drafted him in for the closing stages of the Libertadores.

There was no time for a dress rehearsal, but right from the off it was a perfect marriage: a team full of passing and movement that created chances for a quick, uncomplicated and in-form goalgetter.

In four games – the two legs of the semis and the Final – he scored five times to become his team’s top scorer in the tournament.