The emotional mural they made to Juan Fernando Quintero on the streets of Argentina

“It's the club I want and I'm going to give it my all”: those were the words with which Juan Fernando Quintero announced his desire to return to River Plate. The Colombian footballer, who came from playing in Chinese football, has won the accolades of the 'Millonaria' fans with his good performances and, every day, it is confirmed that he is one of the idols of the institution.

Although Quintero has only started two of the six matches played in the League Cup, his contributions have been present, as he has accumulated three scores. In fact, in River's last match, 'Juanfer' reported with a goal, which helped round out the 4-0 win against Gimnasia for the sixth date of the championship.

The performance of the Antioquian footballer is very happy with the fans, so one of them took the opportunity to dedicate a mural to him just a few meters from the Monumental stadium, in Buenos Aires (Argentina). The work, located on one of the walls of Lidoro Quinteros Avenue, was designed by an artist named 'Lucas', and began to go viral through social media.

The piece represents one of the most iconic moments in the history of River Plate. In the foreground, Quintero appears after his scoring in the 2018 Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors, at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium (Madrid). With his left hand on his head, as a military greeting, the celebration of the Colombian was portrayed.

As the newspaper Olé learned, Lucas began with the white details of the shirt, stockings and leather; then proceeded to paint the traditional cross branda red; and, finally, he applied black for the shadows. In dialogue with the aforementioned medium, the artist explained where the idea of creating this mural came from:

“The arrival of Juanfer generated something very special in the fans and I thought it was a good time to pay tribute to him. Quinteros street always alludes to it and on one of the walls there is a very big place and I thought it was a good place”, he said.

Regarding other works that I have done, such as those by Leonardo Ponzio and Enzo Pérez, other references in the group 'Millionario', he confessed that the one by 'Juanfer' took him “a little longer, because people already know the paintings and many approach and take pictures or ask questions”.

However, Lucas's creativity did not end there, because, after showing the result of the piece through his Instagram account, he also made some modifications to the name of the avenue (Lidoro Quinteros). Taking advantage of the similarities, some words were painted so that the area was titled 'Juanfer Quintero avenue'.

“You are a hero”, wrote the boy along with the photographs that have won the appreciation of users. That “Barbaro”, “genius, fill all the surroundings of the 'Monu' with your graffiti”, “spectacular friend, always breaking it”, were some of the comments on digital platforms, although, as expected, changing street names is not allowed without authorization.

With 13 points, River Plate appears in first position in group A in the Argentine League Cup. Although they have the same number of units as Defensa y Justicia, and Unión de Santa Fe, those led by Marcelo Gallardo prevail thanks to the goal difference. On the next date, to be played on March 20, they will play against Boca Juniors in a new edition of the 'Superclassic'.

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