Manchester United fans know an elite striker when they see one, and Edinson Cavani made an instant impression.
During the bizarre Covid-impact 2020/21 season where fans were largely banned from stadiums, supporters had to largely contend with watching Edinson Cavani from afar.
It was bittersweet, because this was a genuinely outstanding striker who was quite clearly at the tail-end of his career, signing for Manchester United a decade later than he should have.
Cavani’s United career included some notable highlights, his home and away demolition of Roma, his winner against Southampton, his first against Everton, and his long range stunner against Fulham.
The Uruguayan struck 17 goals during that season, before it all began to unravel.
Edinson Cavani shines at Boca Juniors
2021/22 was a lot trickier. Cristiano Ronaldo arrived and took Cavani’s number seven shirt, and he was clearly put out. Cavani later said he would have quit United if he knew Ronaldo was joining.
Edinson Cavani spent more time on the bench and in the treatment room than on the pitch that season, scoring only two goals.
He signed for Valencia in Spain for a season, before returning to South America to make a long-awaited move to Argentine side Boca Juniors.
Now in his second full year at Boca, after a steady yet unspectacular 10 goals in 44 appearances in his first, Cavani has found his magic goalscoring boots again.
Cavani has been on fire lately, netting 17 goals in 25 games for Boca Juniors, his most prolific form in years.
His latest goal was a strike in the Copa Sudamericana last 16, the winner against Brazilian side Cruzeiro.
Cavani has scored five goals in six games in the tournament, and in all competitions he has eight goals in his last 10 matches, plus one red card.
His iconic archer’s celebration now a regular sight at Boca’s famous Bombonera stadium.
Cavani has still got it
Edinson Cavani’s form for Boca Juniors is now even better than his spell at Manchester United, where his 17 goals in 20/21 came in 39 appearances.
The Uruguayan is now 37 and is benefiting from retiring from international football earlier this year.
Speaking after the win, Cavani told El Grafico: “One is always ready, one is ready to know where one can do damage. I was reading the play and when Zenón received the ball between the lines, I already knew what I had to do.”
It’s great to see Cavani banging in the goals and continuing to thrive, even if it just makes us wonder what might have been if United had signed him when he was 24 and not 34.
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