Having drawn the first leg 1-1 last week, Independiente made the long trip to Porto Alegre, Brazil, for the second leg of their Recopa Sudamericana tie yesterday, complete with a special guest in tow.
That man was Manuel, an obsessive Independiente fan who just so happens to operate as a neighbourhood ‘brujo’ – a shaman/wizard/warlock/sorcerer, depending on which translation you wish to abide by.
Con el Brujo Manuel entre sus filas, Independiente espera en Porto Alegre por la revancha de la Recopahttps://t.co/FDg3j9G154 pic.twitter.com/reFPEHDJ9e
— TodaPasion (@TodaPasion) February 20, 2018
The Argentinian side are hoping that Manuel can work his magic and give them a little extra luck in what is sure to be a tight, tense encounter.
According to Globo Esporte, Manuel attended last year’s Copa Sudamericana final against Flamengo which Independiente won 3-2 on aggregate – the wizard spending the entire game in the dugout alongside coach Ariel Holan.
He was also hired by the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) to help Lionel Messi and his compatriots successfully secure qualification for the 2018 World Cup in their final match against Ecuador.
To put it simply, there’s no way Independiente can lose.