When Germán Cano slotted home the opening goal in the 2023 CONMEBOL Libertadores FinalEstadio Maracaná, few expected it would be the final nail in the coffin for Boca Juniors — or that it would rewrite history. The 35-year-old Argentine striker didn’t just score; he delivered a performance that crowned Fluminense FC as champions of South America for the first time ever, and etched his name into the annals of the tournament with 13 goals — the most by any player in a single edition, and the first by a foreigner playing for a Brazilian club. The 2-1 win, sealed by John Kennedy in extra time, wasn’t just a triumph of tactics. It was the culmination of a year-long domination led by a man who turned every match into a personal statement.
A Record That Defied Logic
Germán Cano didn’t just break records — he shattered expectations. His 13 goals in the 2023 Libertadores surpassed the collective tally of Boca Juniors in their entire 12-game campaign (12 goals). He accounted for nearly 57% of Fluminense’s 23 goals in the tournament. No player in the competition’s 62-year history had ever scored more in a single edition. Even more astonishing? He did it at 35, after a winding career that took him from Lanús to Deportivo Independiente Medellín, Club León, and Vasco da Gama. His journey to Maracaná was anything but linear.
The Season That Broke Brazil
His 2023 Libertadores heroics were no surprise to those who watched him in 2022. That year, Cano scored 44 goals across all competitions — a new century record in Brazilian football, eclipsing Neymar’s 43 in 2012 and Gabigol’s same tally in 2019. He led Fluminense to the Campeonato Carioca with three goals in the final against Flamengo, topped the Brasileirão with 26 goals (breaking Gabigol’s 25), and became the first foreigner to be top scorer in both the league and the Copa do Brasil in the same season. Only Hulk and Gabigol had done the double before — but never a foreigner. His consistency was terrifying: 13 goals in the Libertadores, 26 in the league, 5 in the cup. He didn’t just play; he carried a team.
The Anatomy of a Dominant Team
Fluminense didn’t win by accident. Under manager Fernando Diniz, they played with a style that prioritized control. In their 13 Libertadores matches, they averaged 60% possession — and did so in every single game, according to CONMEBOL’s official stats. The left flank, led by Arias, and the right, where Keno danced past defenders, became a nightmare for opponents. Keno, with five assists, was the perfect foil to Cano’s lethal finishing. As CONMEBOL’s official report noted, “Keno’s runs forced Advíncula into constant fouls,” setting up the space Cano exploited. That opening goal? A textbook example: Arias drove down the left, fed Keno, who cut inside, drew two defenders, and slipped a pass into the box — Cano, unmarked, tapped it in. It wasn’t luck. It was execution.
Legacy in the Making
And then there’s Felipe Melo
On the same night Cano etched his name into the record books, Felipe Melo became the first Brazilian to win three Libertadores titles — two with Palmeiras, one with Fluminense. His presence in midfield wasn’t just about experience; it was about leadership. He anchored a defense that held Boca to just one goal in 120 minutes, despite the Argentine side’s relentless pressure. Melo’s calm, tactical intelligence allowed Fluminense to control tempo even when trailing. His final touch? A composed pass to Kennedy in extra time — a moment of poise that turned a tense draw into a historic win.
What This Means for South American Football
Fluminense’s triumph signals a shift. For years, the Libertadores belonged to the traditional giants: River Plate, Boca, São Paulo, Palmeiras. But in 2023, a club that hadn’t won the trophy since 1984 — and hadn’t even reached the final since 2008 — rose to the top with a team built on discipline, control, and one transcendent striker. Cano’s record isn’t just a personal achievement; it’s a blueprint. Clubs across the continent will now look for older, proven finishers — not just teenage prodigies. His success proves that maturity, intelligence, and relentless work ethic can outshine youth and hype.
What’s Next for Cano and Fluminense?
With the Libertadores crown secured, Cano has hinted at retirement after the 2024 season. But Fluminense’s ambitions don’t stop there. They’ve already qualified for the 2024 FIFA Club World Cup — their first ever. And with Cano still scoring (he netted two in their opening two matches of 2024 Brasileirão), the dream of a continental double isn’t fantasy. The club is also negotiating a new contract, reportedly offering him a role as player-coach. His influence extends beyond the pitch: youth academies in Rio now have “Cano corners” — training drills modeled after his movement off the ball.
Behind the Numbers
- 13 goals: Germán Cano’s total in the 2023 Libertadores — most ever in a single edition
- 23 total goals: Fluminense’s tally in the tournament; Cano scored 57%
- 60% average possession: Fluminense’s dominance across all 13 matches
- 44 goals: Cano’s total in 2022 — a new century record in Brazil
- 5 assists: Keno’s contribution — the most in the 2023 Libertadores
- 3 Libertadores titles: Felipe Melo’s career total — a first for a Brazilian
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Germán Cano manage to score so many goals at 35?
Cano’s success came from his positioning, intelligence, and relentless work ethic. Unlike younger strikers who rely on pace, he mastered the art of finding space in the box, anticipating rebounds, and converting low-percentage chances. His experience allowed him to read defenses like a chess master, and Fluminense’s possession-based system gave him more opportunities to be in dangerous areas. He also maintained peak physical condition through a strict diet and recovery routine — something he credits to his time in Colombia and Mexico, where he learned the value of longevity.
Why is Cano’s record considered more impressive than others’?
Previous top scorers like Alberto Spencer or Fernando Morena scored across multiple tournaments or for different clubs. Cano’s 13 goals came in one campaign, for one team, against elite opposition — including River Plate, Internacional, and Boca Juniors. He also did it as a foreigner in Brazil, where defensive tactics are notoriously physical. No other player has ever scored more than 11 goals in a single Libertadores edition, making his 13 not just a record — it’s a statistical anomaly.
What impact does this have on foreign players in Brazilian football?
Cano’s success has already changed recruitment strategies. Clubs like São Paulo and Flamengo are now targeting experienced foreign strikers in their 30s — not just young prospects. His rise proves that a seasoned, intelligent forward can outperform flashy teenagers in Brazil’s physically demanding league. Fluminense’s president confirmed they’re now prioritizing “players with proven big-game DNA,” a direct nod to Cano’s legacy.
Did Cano break any records outside the Libertadores?
Yes. In 2022, he became the first foreigner to top both the Brasileirão (26 goals) and Copa do Brasil (5 goals) in the same year. He also set the all-time single-season goal record for Brazil in the 21st century with 44 goals — surpassing Neymar and Gabigol. He’s now the only player in history to be the top scorer in Brazil’s top two domestic competitions, the Copa Libertadores, and the Club World Cup qualifiers — all in consecutive years.
How did Fluminense’s style of play contribute to Cano’s success?
Fluminense’s 60% average possession meant opponents were constantly chasing the ball, leaving gaps behind. Cano thrived in that system because he didn’t need to chase; he waited. His movement was subtle — a half-step to the left, a quick turn — creating space for Keno and Arias to feed him. The team’s midfield, anchored by Melo, ensured the ball reached him in dangerous areas. It wasn’t about long balls or counters; it was about patience, precision, and exploiting space — a style that suited Cano perfectly.
What’s next for Fluminense after this historic win?
Fluminense will compete in the 2024 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States — their first appearance ever. They’re also in strong contention to win the 2024 Brasileirão, with Cano still scoring. The club has launched a “Cano Legacy Project” to renovate their youth academy and build a statue outside the Maracaná. Their goal? To become the first Brazilian club to win both the Libertadores and Club World Cup in the same year — a feat only Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have achieved in Europe.
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