“Even Atheists Pray”: Chicho Serna Defends Boca and Rejects Failure Narrative

Under fire after Boca Juniors’ early Copa Libertadores exit, former player and current Football Council member Mauricio “Chicho” Serna spoke out in defense of the club’s leadership and his own role. In an interview, the Colombian emphasized that criticism toward Boca has been overblown and stressed that success in football is not always immediate.

“Boca is built to win, but in football, only one team wins,” Serna said. Drawing a comparison, he asked, “France lost the World Cup final to Argentina—was that a failure?”

He also introduced a spiritual perspective to his defense: “We all ask God, even atheists do. Not winning doesn’t mean you’ve failed.” Serna further claimed that Boca is a target of hate from rival fans, driven by envy. “That hate has made Boca stronger. The club now has an impenetrable shell.”

Regarding his position, Serna explained that his role involves scouting players, including youth prospects. While he enjoys freedom to operate, he clarified that final decisions are made by president Juan Román Riquelme.

With fans demanding results and questioning the current administration, Serna stood firm. “I have solid reasons to believe in this project,” he said, urging supporters to trust the long-term vision behind Boca’s football operations.