Edinson Cavani Faces Hostile Reception from Boca Juniors Supporters
Edinson Cavani, the former Manchester United forward, is enduring a difficult period at Boca Juniors, where he has been booed by his own fans and publicly urged to consider retirement by Argentina legend Oscar Ruggeri. The 39-year-old Uruguayan striker, who has earned 136 caps for his national team, joined Boca from Valencia in 2023 but has seen his time in Argentina marred by persistent injury issues.
Injury-Plagued Stint and Fan Backlash
Cavani's tenure with Boca Juniors has been a rollercoaster, highlighted by a productive 2024 season where he netted 20 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions. However, he has failed to replicate that form since, largely due to ongoing fitness concerns. The situation reached a low point on Friday when Cavani made his first start since September in a goalless draw against Racing Club, only to be met with jeers from the home crowd at La Bombonera.
The reception was so negative that it prompted Oscar Ruggeri, a revered figure in Argentine football with stints at Boca Juniors, Real Madrid, and River Plate, to speak out. Ruggeri described the fan abuse as a "sin" given Cavani's illustrious career and implored the striker to hang up his boots. "He has to stop playing," Ruggeri stated via Marca. "It's a sin that this star is insulted in that way with the immense career he has."
Ruggeri's Emotional Plea for Retirement
Ruggeri, who is now 64 years old, expressed personal distress over Cavani's situation, noting that while they have only met a few times, it pains him to witness the veteran's struggles. He emphasized the physical demands of playing in Argentina at nearly 40 years old and suggested that Cavani might be delaying retirement in hopes of turning things around. "It's tough to play in Argentina these days at 40," Ruggeri remarked. "For me, he's not making the decision because he wants to keep trying to turn things around and leave."
This is not the first time Ruggeri has advised Cavani to contemplate his future. In January, he highlighted that Cavani's body is struggling to cope with the rigors of professional football, leading to inconsistent performances and fan mockery. "I see some people laughing, others teasing him, and I think he is so great that he has to make the decision himself," Ruggeri explained. "He has to make the decision that if his body can't take it anymore, this is as far as he goes."
The Broader Context of Cavani's Career
Ruggeri pointed out that Cavani has nothing left to prove, given his successful career, and that recurring injuries are a clear signal from football itself. "The career he had, what more is it going to give him?" he questioned. "He came, tried to do it, but physically he couldn't. But when these things happen, notice that every time he's about to start, something else happens. These are signals that football is giving him."
As Cavani navigates this challenging phase, the debate over his future intensifies, with fans and pundits alike weighing in on whether he should continue or heed Ruggeri's heartfelt advice to retire gracefully.
