Edinson Cavani has placed Boca Juniors on par with Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Following a free transfer in 2020, Edinson Cavani spent two years at Manchester United, making 59 appearances and scoring 19 goals.
The Uruguayan arrived with a savage reputation as one of Europe’s greatest strikers, renowned for his exploits at Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain, but his move to Old Trafford came when he was beyond his peak.
United made similar signings in the years that led to Cavani’s arrival when Ed Woodward adopted a transfer policy that saw him try to hang his coat on marque signings.
While the Zlatan Ibrahimovic deal had its benefits, United also bought poorly, as seen with Radamel Falcao and Odion Ighalo.
Sadly, Cavani didn’t really get to experience the atmosphere at United as the vast majority of his goals for the club came without fans in the stadium. This was due to games having to be played behind closed doors at the height of the pandemic.
Edinson Cavani compares Boca to Man Utd and Real Madrid
Despite not getting to play in front of the United fans as often as he would have liked during his time at Old Trafford, Cavani has made an incredible comparison to celebrate his current club Boca Junior’s 120th anniversary.
Cavani spent a season at Valencia after leaving United in 2022 before returning to South America where he signed for Argentine outfit Boca Juniors.
It has been a positive experience for the Uruguayan superstar and he believes the passion and history at Boca compares to European giants United and Real Madrid.
“What it represents in the world is something huge,” Cavani told ESPN. “A football watches a game at La Bombonera and says, ‘I can’t wait to be there’; that desire comes over you.
Cavani added: “Boca is on the same level as Real Madrid and Manchester United in terms of passion and history.”
The 38-year-old has scored two goals in eight games for Boca this season.
Manchester United influence at Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors are one of the biggest clubs in Argentina, which explains how they can attract big names towards the end of their playing careers.
They are also renowned for developing young players such as Aaron Anselmino, who was linked with a move to Manchester United before reaching an agreement to join Chelsea.
Something that makes Boca Juniors even more appealing is the fact their current squad contains three former United players, including Cavani. The other two include Ander Herrera and Marcos Rojo.
Herrera, who spent five seasons at Old Trafford, joined Cavani and Rojo at Boca in January to make it a trio of former United players in the dressing room.
It’s a fantastic way for European players – like Herrera – to retire as they get to experience true passion for football in another continent before hanging up the boots.
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