Martin Palermo: Argentina's Under Appreciated Star

Outside of South America, Boca Juniors legend Martin Palermo is known for a catastrophic incident on the 4th of July, 1999 at the Copa America in Paraguay. That day, Palermo missed three penalties as Argentina fell to Colombia, 3-0.

Even though Palermo has had many memorable moments since the penalty debacle (including scoring for Argentina three days later against Uruguay), Palermo’s legacy has been sealed worldwide. His fate is such that any time he is mentioned by the press outside of South America, pundits feel the need to preface any reference to Palermo by recounting that tragic day in Paraguay ten years ago. Somehow, his many memorable accomplishments and goals have been forgotten, or simply over looked outside South America.

An unhappy and injury plagued stint in Spain is, perhaps, a major reason why Palermo is so often overlooked in Europe, where there is a perception that if a player does not play for a big club in a big European league, he is not any good.

Some players have trouble adapting to the European game, and others have trouble adapting to the European lifestyle. Juan Roman Riquelme fell victim to this.

After wearing out his welcome in Spain, Riquelme returned home to Boca, the club where he has always felt comfortable, rather than pursuing a career in Spain, or Italy.

Although Palermo never reached Riquelme’s heights in Europe, at Boca they are both idols.

Palermo is Boca’s all time leading scorer in the professional era, and only trails Roberto Cherro, a member of Argentina’s team that lost the first World Cup Final to Uruguay, by eleven in all time goals. Twelve times in his career El Loco has led Boca in scoring during a domestic tournament.

While the 210 goals Martin has scored for Boca is an astounding number, what sets him apart from other record goal scorers is how important so many of his have been. On Oct. 25, 2009, in Argentina’s Superclasico against archrival River Plate, Martin salvaged a draw with an equalizer after the hour mark, his eighth goal in official matches against River, his most famous coming in the 2000 Copa Libertadores quarterfinal in the second leg to seal a 4-2 aggregate win.

In the 2009 Clausura last April, Palermo scored a brilliant long-range effort against Los Millionarios, in a 1-1 draw at La Bombonera. Martin may have made River fans cry many times, he has been equally epic against foreign opponents, amassing a Boca record of 43 goals in international matches.

Two of those international goals came in the 2000 Intercontinental Cup against Real Madrid, a game that is considered Palermo’s greatest moment in a Boca shirt. Just two minutes into the match, Palermo smashed Cesar Delgado’s cross into the net to give Boca a perfect start. Just two minutes later, El Loco ran onto a long pass from Riquelme, and slotted past Iker Casillas. Boca held on for a 2-1 win in what was their second Intercontinental Cup crown (they won their third in 2003 against AC Milan).

If Argentina are to win their third World Cup crown at South Africa 2010, it will be in part thanks to San Palermo’s last gasp winner against Peru earlier this month. It was a typical poachers goal, something so typical of Martin who fits the mold of a classic "No. 9”, or center forward, a position at which Argentina are not as rich as they are with second strikers such as Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Mauro Zarate, and many more.

Palermo’s poacher’s instincts could land him a spot on the plane to South Africa, but Palermo’s career has featured some of the most remarkable goals in history.

In the 2009 Copa Libertadores, Palermo scored is 200th goal for Boca with a sensational bicicleta, or bicycle kick, against Deportivo Tachira, just a little over four years after he scored his 100th goal for Boca in the 2004 Copa Sudamericana Final against Bolivar.

During the 2007 Clausura, he scored a fantasy goal against Independiente from inside his own half. Later in that tournament, Palermo scored seven goals in a two game span against La Plata clubs: three against Estudiantes on March 10, and then four past Gimnasia on the 18th .

Just a matter of weeks ago, Palermo scored a header from nearly forty meters to give Boca a sensational 3-2 win over Velez Sarsfield at La Bombonera.

El Titan has also been a player who has epitomized toughness, perseverance, and leadership. His most serious injuries include: a torn anterior cruciate ligament in 1999, a broken tibia and fibula in 2001, and a torn medial collateral ligament in 2008. While playing for Argentina against Peru, Martin suffered a broken nose, but remained in the game despite being covered in blood and in great pain. The enduring image of Palermo’s career may in fact be his celebration in the rain after his late goal against the Peruvians, a scene made even more exceptional considering the injury.

After aggravating his nose against Tigre, it was determined that Martin would need surgery and a protective mask would have to be worn to protect his face. In classic Palermo style, he removed the mask at halftime in the Superclasico and broke River’s hearts.

For some, Palermo will be remembered for his missed penalties, but for those that watched him play, his heart and desire will never be forgotten. South Africa 2010 will only be a better tournament if Palermo is there, and Maradona seems likely to oblige.