📚 Dame Bola/Tears at La Bombonera (Christopher Hylland)
@hylland.bsky.social
Author of “Tears at La Bombonera: Stories from a Six-Year Sojourn in South America” and “Dame Bola: A Journey Through the Language of Argentinian Football” (out January 2025)
🇦🇷/ 🇯🇵
Twenty-five years since one of Boca Juniors' greatest days. For all the domestic trophies, for their six Copa Libertadores, beating Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup (now FIFA Club World Cup) is up there as one of their proudest achievements!
Twenty-five years since one of Boca Juniors' greatest days. For all the domestic trophies, for their six Copa Libertadores, beating Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup (now FIFA Club World Cup) is up there as one of their proudest achievements!
November 28, 2025 at 6:48 PM
🇦🇷/ 🇯🇵
Twenty-five years since one of Boca Juniors' greatest days. For all the domestic trophies, for their six Copa Libertadores, beating Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup (now FIFA Club World Cup) is up there as one of their proudest achievements!
Twenty-five years since one of Boca Juniors' greatest days. For all the domestic trophies, for their six Copa Libertadores, beating Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup (now FIFA Club World Cup) is up there as one of their proudest achievements!
🇧🇷 Fluminense vs São Paulo at O Maracanã was prefaced with a drive to adopt dogs, a worthy cause of paws deserving of the most iconic stages in the world.
Fluminense took São Paulo ‘for a walk’ too —leaving SPFC boss Hernán Crespo in the doghouse— winning 6-0! Woof
Fluminense took São Paulo ‘for a walk’ too —leaving SPFC boss Hernán Crespo in the doghouse— winning 6-0! Woof
November 28, 2025 at 4:28 PM
🇧🇷 Fluminense vs São Paulo at O Maracanã was prefaced with a drive to adopt dogs, a worthy cause of paws deserving of the most iconic stages in the world.
Fluminense took São Paulo ‘for a walk’ too —leaving SPFC boss Hernán Crespo in the doghouse— winning 6-0! Woof
Fluminense took São Paulo ‘for a walk’ too —leaving SPFC boss Hernán Crespo in the doghouse— winning 6-0! Woof
Overnight: AFA’s disciplinary tribunal punished Estudiantes extremely harshly for turning their backs during a guard of honour for Rosario Central:
— president Juan Sebastián Verón banned for 6 months
— all 11 starters got two-match bans
— captain can’t captain for 3 months
— president Juan Sebastián Verón banned for 6 months
— all 11 starters got two-match bans
— captain can’t captain for 3 months
November 28, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Overnight: AFA’s disciplinary tribunal punished Estudiantes extremely harshly for turning their backs during a guard of honour for Rosario Central:
— president Juan Sebastián Verón banned for 6 months
— all 11 starters got two-match bans
— captain can’t captain for 3 months
— president Juan Sebastián Verón banned for 6 months
— all 11 starters got two-match bans
— captain can’t captain for 3 months
🇧🇷 Flamengo vs Palmeiras
Copa Libertadores final
Saturday 9pm KO (UK time)
BBC 3
Former Chelsea and Arsenal man Jorginho was robbed of his kit as Flamengo left Rio de Janeiro for Lima, such was the chaotic joy which was O Mengo’s send-off 😳
Copa Libertadores final
Saturday 9pm KO (UK time)
BBC 3
Former Chelsea and Arsenal man Jorginho was robbed of his kit as Flamengo left Rio de Janeiro for Lima, such was the chaotic joy which was O Mengo’s send-off 😳
November 27, 2025 at 8:08 PM
🇧🇷 Flamengo vs Palmeiras
Copa Libertadores final
Saturday 9pm KO (UK time)
BBC 3
Former Chelsea and Arsenal man Jorginho was robbed of his kit as Flamengo left Rio de Janeiro for Lima, such was the chaotic joy which was O Mengo’s send-off 😳
Copa Libertadores final
Saturday 9pm KO (UK time)
BBC 3
Former Chelsea and Arsenal man Jorginho was robbed of his kit as Flamengo left Rio de Janeiro for Lima, such was the chaotic joy which was O Mengo’s send-off 😳
OTD 2014: superclásico Copa Sudamericana semi-final, second leg
A Boca penalty was saved early on, Leonardo Pusciluni scored the only goal of the whole tie which saw River through to the final, where they beat Atlético Nacional 3-1 on aggregate
A Boca penalty was saved early on, Leonardo Pusciluni scored the only goal of the whole tie which saw River through to the final, where they beat Atlético Nacional 3-1 on aggregate
November 27, 2025 at 6:25 PM
OTD 2014: superclásico Copa Sudamericana semi-final, second leg
A Boca penalty was saved early on, Leonardo Pusciluni scored the only goal of the whole tie which saw River through to the final, where they beat Atlético Nacional 3-1 on aggregate
A Boca penalty was saved early on, Leonardo Pusciluni scored the only goal of the whole tie which saw River through to the final, where they beat Atlético Nacional 3-1 on aggregate
🇧🇷 Yesterday Flamengo’s team bus left Rio de Janeiro on their way to Lima, Perú for the Copa Libertadores Final (⌚️ Saturday, 9pm, 📺 BBC3) and, on their ‘banderazo’, where fans can give them a decent send-off, ‘Mengo torcidas jumped in through the roof! Chaos
November 27, 2025 at 6:23 PM
🇧🇷 Yesterday Flamengo’s team bus left Rio de Janeiro on their way to Lima, Perú for the Copa Libertadores Final (⌚️ Saturday, 9pm, 📺 BBC3) and, on their ‘banderazo’, where fans can give them a decent send-off, ‘Mengo torcidas jumped in through the roof! Chaos
🇦🇷 The final Torneo Clausura Last 16 game is played tonight with Copa Sudamericana champions Lanús facing Tigre! The winner will face Gustavo Costas’ Racing Club de Avellaneda (2024 Copa Sudamericana winners!)
November 26, 2025 at 6:23 AM
🇦🇷 The final Torneo Clausura Last 16 game is played tonight with Copa Sudamericana champions Lanús facing Tigre! The winner will face Gustavo Costas’ Racing Club de Avellaneda (2024 Copa Sudamericana winners!)
🇦🇷 Racing Club 3-2 River Plate
Torneo Clausura last 16
Racing manager Gustavo Costas —almost literally— kicks every ball. The former mascot, ball boy, player and now manager Costas is incredibly intense, but charmingly so!
Torneo Clausura last 16
Racing manager Gustavo Costas —almost literally— kicks every ball. The former mascot, ball boy, player and now manager Costas is incredibly intense, but charmingly so!
November 25, 2025 at 5:49 AM
🇦🇷 Racing Club 3-2 River Plate
Torneo Clausura last 16
Racing manager Gustavo Costas —almost literally— kicks every ball. The former mascot, ball boy, player and now manager Costas is incredibly intense, but charmingly so!
Torneo Clausura last 16
Racing manager Gustavo Costas —almost literally— kicks every ball. The former mascot, ball boy, player and now manager Costas is incredibly intense, but charmingly so!
🇦🇷 DISRESPECTFUL.
Juan Sebastian Verón’s Estudiantes had been asked to do a guard of honour for —the controversially awarded— Campeón de Liga champions Rosario Central at El Gigante de Arroyito, yet they turned their backs.
The drama continues…
Juan Sebastian Verón’s Estudiantes had been asked to do a guard of honour for —the controversially awarded— Campeón de Liga champions Rosario Central at El Gigante de Arroyito, yet they turned their backs.
The drama continues…
November 23, 2025 at 10:21 PM
🇦🇷 DISRESPECTFUL.
Juan Sebastian Verón’s Estudiantes had been asked to do a guard of honour for —the controversially awarded— Campeón de Liga champions Rosario Central at El Gigante de Arroyito, yet they turned their backs.
The drama continues…
Juan Sebastian Verón’s Estudiantes had been asked to do a guard of honour for —the controversially awarded— Campeón de Liga champions Rosario Central at El Gigante de Arroyito, yet they turned their backs.
The drama continues…
🇦🇷 Torneo Clausura Last 16:
⚽️ Central Córdoba 2-1 San Lorenzo
⚽️ Vélez Sarsfield 0-2 Argentinos Juniors
Diego Maradona’s ‘great-nephew’ Hernán Muñoz López starred for Argentinos with two goals to see El Bicho through to the quarterfinals.
⚽️ Central Córdoba 2-1 San Lorenzo
⚽️ Vélez Sarsfield 0-2 Argentinos Juniors
Diego Maradona’s ‘great-nephew’ Hernán Muñoz López starred for Argentinos with two goals to see El Bicho through to the quarterfinals.
November 23, 2025 at 10:09 AM
🇦🇷 Torneo Clausura Last 16:
⚽️ Central Córdoba 2-1 San Lorenzo
⚽️ Vélez Sarsfield 0-2 Argentinos Juniors
Diego Maradona’s ‘great-nephew’ Hernán Muñoz López starred for Argentinos with two goals to see El Bicho through to the quarterfinals.
⚽️ Central Córdoba 2-1 San Lorenzo
⚽️ Vélez Sarsfield 0-2 Argentinos Juniors
Diego Maradona’s ‘great-nephew’ Hernán Muñoz López starred for Argentinos with two goals to see El Bicho through to the quarterfinals.
🏆 Lanús win the Copa Sudamericana on penalties!
0-0 after 120 minutes of boredom decided by a penalty shootout
It’s the club’s third continental trophy after their 2013 Copa Sudamericana win and their 1996 Copa Conmebol win
0-0 after 120 minutes of boredom decided by a penalty shootout
It’s the club’s third continental trophy after their 2013 Copa Sudamericana win and their 1996 Copa Conmebol win
November 22, 2025 at 10:52 PM
🏆 Lanús win the Copa Sudamericana on penalties!
0-0 after 120 minutes of boredom decided by a penalty shootout
It’s the club’s third continental trophy after their 2013 Copa Sudamericana win and their 1996 Copa Conmebol win
0-0 after 120 minutes of boredom decided by a penalty shootout
It’s the club’s third continental trophy after their 2013 Copa Sudamericana win and their 1996 Copa Conmebol win
🇦🇷 The second league campaign of 2025 —the Clausura— is in its play-off stage*
TONIGHT:
⚽️ Vélez Sarsfield vs Argentinos Juniors
⚽️ Central Córdoba de Santiago vs San Lorenzo
* 30 teams, two groups of 15 teams, 16 games played, top 8 from both groups go into a Last 16
TONIGHT:
⚽️ Vélez Sarsfield vs Argentinos Juniors
⚽️ Central Córdoba de Santiago vs San Lorenzo
* 30 teams, two groups of 15 teams, 16 games played, top 8 from both groups go into a Last 16
November 22, 2025 at 8:44 PM
🇦🇷 The second league campaign of 2025 —the Clausura— is in its play-off stage*
TONIGHT:
⚽️ Vélez Sarsfield vs Argentinos Juniors
⚽️ Central Córdoba de Santiago vs San Lorenzo
* 30 teams, two groups of 15 teams, 16 games played, top 8 from both groups go into a Last 16
TONIGHT:
⚽️ Vélez Sarsfield vs Argentinos Juniors
⚽️ Central Córdoba de Santiago vs San Lorenzo
* 30 teams, two groups of 15 teams, 16 games played, top 8 from both groups go into a Last 16
🎶 International Music Day*
Diego Armando Maradona singing an edited version of Osvaldo Pugliese’s tango ‘El Sueño del Pibe’
*in the Spanish-speaking world seemingly, with 1st October in English-speaking world and 23rd January —Luis Alberto Spinetta’s birthday— in Argentina!
Diego Armando Maradona singing an edited version of Osvaldo Pugliese’s tango ‘El Sueño del Pibe’
*in the Spanish-speaking world seemingly, with 1st October in English-speaking world and 23rd January —Luis Alberto Spinetta’s birthday— in Argentina!
November 22, 2025 at 8:21 PM
🎶 International Music Day*
Diego Armando Maradona singing an edited version of Osvaldo Pugliese’s tango ‘El Sueño del Pibe’
*in the Spanish-speaking world seemingly, with 1st October in English-speaking world and 23rd January —Luis Alberto Spinetta’s birthday— in Argentina!
Diego Armando Maradona singing an edited version of Osvaldo Pugliese’s tango ‘El Sueño del Pibe’
*in the Spanish-speaking world seemingly, with 1st October in English-speaking world and 23rd January —Luis Alberto Spinetta’s birthday— in Argentina!
COPA SUDAMERICANA FINAL
90 minutes until the 90 minutes
🏆 Lanús 🇦🇷 vs 🇧🇷 Atlético Mineiro
📍 Asunción, Paraguay
⌚️ 8pm KO (UK)/9pm (CET)
90 minutes until the 90 minutes
🏆 Lanús 🇦🇷 vs 🇧🇷 Atlético Mineiro
📍 Asunción, Paraguay
⌚️ 8pm KO (UK)/9pm (CET)
November 22, 2025 at 6:32 PM
COPA SUDAMERICANA FINAL
90 minutes until the 90 minutes
🏆 Lanús 🇦🇷 vs 🇧🇷 Atlético Mineiro
📍 Asunción, Paraguay
⌚️ 8pm KO (UK)/9pm (CET)
90 minutes until the 90 minutes
🏆 Lanús 🇦🇷 vs 🇧🇷 Atlético Mineiro
📍 Asunción, Paraguay
⌚️ 8pm KO (UK)/9pm (CET)
🇦🇷 A whopping EIGHT domestic trophies in Argentinian football after the last-minute announcement that Rosario Central would be awarded a Campeón de Liga 2025 title/trophy!
November 21, 2025 at 9:22 AM
🇦🇷 A whopping EIGHT domestic trophies in Argentinian football after the last-minute announcement that Rosario Central would be awarded a Campeón de Liga 2025 title/trophy!
🇦🇷 Chaos in Argieball. AFA announced (all of a sudden) that Rosario Central are 2025 league champions having finished top of the combined Apertura/Clausura table. ‘Unanimously’ AFA said. Juan Sebastián Verón’s Estudiantes say they didn’t approve this new, last-minute title! So…?
November 20, 2025 at 9:39 PM
🇦🇷 Chaos in Argieball. AFA announced (all of a sudden) that Rosario Central are 2025 league champions having finished top of the combined Apertura/Clausura table. ‘Unanimously’ AFA said. Juan Sebastián Verón’s Estudiantes say they didn’t approve this new, last-minute title! So…?
🇦🇷 According to Opta’s Matías Conde —speaking at Olé Summit— Argentina’s Primera División saw an average of 49 minutes and 57 seconds of the ball in play, the lowest of any of the major leagues (with the MLS scoring highest with 58:04).
Not hugely surprising.
Not hugely surprising.
November 19, 2025 at 8:26 PM
🇦🇷 According to Opta’s Matías Conde —speaking at Olé Summit— Argentina’s Primera División saw an average of 49 minutes and 57 seconds of the ball in play, the lowest of any of the major leagues (with the MLS scoring highest with 58:04).
Not hugely surprising.
Not hugely surprising.
🇧🇷 FLU-FLA!
Tonight (12:30am UK): Fluminense vs Flamengo at O Maracanã
League leaders Flamengo go to their greatest rivals Fluminense hoping to extend the gap at the top. Fluminense won’t make it easy for them
Tonight (12:30am UK): Fluminense vs Flamengo at O Maracanã
League leaders Flamengo go to their greatest rivals Fluminense hoping to extend the gap at the top. Fluminense won’t make it easy for them
November 19, 2025 at 7:19 AM
🇧🇷 FLU-FLA!
Tonight (12:30am UK): Fluminense vs Flamengo at O Maracanã
League leaders Flamengo go to their greatest rivals Fluminense hoping to extend the gap at the top. Fluminense won’t make it easy for them
Tonight (12:30am UK): Fluminense vs Flamengo at O Maracanã
League leaders Flamengo go to their greatest rivals Fluminense hoping to extend the gap at the top. Fluminense won’t make it easy for them
2/2
Extract on Edgardo ‘Agent S’ Andrada from ‘Dame Bola: A Journey Through the Language of Argentinian Football’ (6th January 2025)
Extract on Edgardo ‘Agent S’ Andrada from ‘Dame Bola: A Journey Through the Language of Argentinian Football’ (6th January 2025)
November 19, 2025 at 6:25 AM
2/2
Extract on Edgardo ‘Agent S’ Andrada from ‘Dame Bola: A Journey Through the Language of Argentinian Football’ (6th January 2025)
Extract on Edgardo ‘Agent S’ Andrada from ‘Dame Bola: A Journey Through the Language of Argentinian Football’ (6th January 2025)
🇧🇷 OTD 1969 Pelé scored "O Milésimo"; his 1,000th goal.
An incredible feat. But did Pelé score past? It was a penalty for Santos against Vasco, whose goalkeeper was Edgardo Andrada.
"El Gato" Andrada would go on to become "Agent S" for Argentina's brutal military junta...
1/2
An incredible feat. But did Pelé score past? It was a penalty for Santos against Vasco, whose goalkeeper was Edgardo Andrada.
"El Gato" Andrada would go on to become "Agent S" for Argentina's brutal military junta...
1/2
November 19, 2025 at 6:25 AM
🇧🇷 OTD 1969 Pelé scored "O Milésimo"; his 1,000th goal.
An incredible feat. But did Pelé score past? It was a penalty for Santos against Vasco, whose goalkeeper was Edgardo Andrada.
"El Gato" Andrada would go on to become "Agent S" for Argentina's brutal military junta...
1/2
An incredible feat. But did Pelé score past? It was a penalty for Santos against Vasco, whose goalkeeper was Edgardo Andrada.
"El Gato" Andrada would go on to become "Agent S" for Argentina's brutal military junta...
1/2
🇦🇷 Rosario Central are launching a retro retake of their 1995 kit, in which they won the Copa Mercosur (now Sudamericana). Every chance they’ll use it on Sunday in the Clausura quarter-final against Estudiantes 😍
November 18, 2025 at 7:58 PM
🇦🇷 Rosario Central are launching a retro retake of their 1995 kit, in which they won the Copa Mercosur (now Sudamericana). Every chance they’ll use it on Sunday in the Clausura quarter-final against Estudiantes 😍
OTD 1944: Racing Club 6-4 Estudiantes de La Plata
SIX penalties were awarded by referee José Bartolomé Macías, three to each side (four out of six scored, both sides missing one penalty each).
Macías was the ‘firefighting referee’, extract from ‘Dame Bola’ explains below
SIX penalties were awarded by referee José Bartolomé Macías, three to each side (four out of six scored, both sides missing one penalty each).
Macías was the ‘firefighting referee’, extract from ‘Dame Bola’ explains below
November 18, 2025 at 6:27 AM
OTD 1944: Racing Club 6-4 Estudiantes de La Plata
SIX penalties were awarded by referee José Bartolomé Macías, three to each side (four out of six scored, both sides missing one penalty each).
Macías was the ‘firefighting referee’, extract from ‘Dame Bola’ explains below
SIX penalties were awarded by referee José Bartolomé Macías, three to each side (four out of six scored, both sides missing one penalty each).
Macías was the ‘firefighting referee’, extract from ‘Dame Bola’ explains below
Juan Román Riquelme gifting Johnny Depp a #10 Boca Juniors shirt at La Bombonera last night.
Boca beat Tigre 2-0 with goals from Ayrton Costa and Pirates of the Caribbean-wannabe Édinson Cavani 🤣🏹
Boca beat Tigre 2-0 with goals from Ayrton Costa and Pirates of the Caribbean-wannabe Édinson Cavani 🤣🏹
November 17, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Juan Román Riquelme gifting Johnny Depp a #10 Boca Juniors shirt at La Bombonera last night.
Boca beat Tigre 2-0 with goals from Ayrton Costa and Pirates of the Caribbean-wannabe Édinson Cavani 🤣🏹
Boca beat Tigre 2-0 with goals from Ayrton Costa and Pirates of the Caribbean-wannabe Édinson Cavani 🤣🏹
Johnny Depp at La Bombonera!
Boca Juniors at home to Tigre has just kicked off and Johnny’s there to see the action unfold 🏴☠️✂️
Boca Juniors at home to Tigre has just kicked off and Johnny’s there to see the action unfold 🏴☠️✂️
November 16, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Johnny Depp at La Bombonera!
Boca Juniors at home to Tigre has just kicked off and Johnny’s there to see the action unfold 🏴☠️✂️
Boca Juniors at home to Tigre has just kicked off and Johnny’s there to see the action unfold 🏴☠️✂️
🇦🇷 Oasis are playing in Buenos Aires and San Lorenzo’s hinchada are all in! The club from Boedo have been using the tune to Wonderwall for years and were acknowledged by the Manchester band. It’s a brewing brotherhood, a Bromanc(e)-hester if you will
November 16, 2025 at 7:12 PM
🇦🇷 Oasis are playing in Buenos Aires and San Lorenzo’s hinchada are all in! The club from Boedo have been using the tune to Wonderwall for years and were acknowledged by the Manchester band. It’s a brewing brotherhood, a Bromanc(e)-hester if you will