📚 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)
Pinned
🇦🇷 La Plata Derby between Gimnasia y Esgrima and Estudiantes kicking off now…!
February 15, 2026 at 8:01 PM
🇦🇷 La Plata Derby between Gimnasia y Esgrima and Estudiantes kicking off now…!
Reposted by 📚 Dame Bola/Tears at La Bombonera (Christopher Hylland)
OTD 1959: the Copa Libertadores was born!
Approved by the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (now CONMEBOL) it was originally branded as the Copa de Campeones de Clubes; Uruguayan side Peñarol were the tournament's first winners lifting the trophy in 1960.
Approved by the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (now CONMEBOL) it was originally branded as the Copa de Campeones de Clubes; Uruguayan side Peñarol were the tournament's first winners lifting the trophy in 1960.
February 15, 2026 at 9:43 AM
OTD 1959: the Copa Libertadores was born!
Approved by the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (now CONMEBOL) it was originally branded as the Copa de Campeones de Clubes; Uruguayan side Peñarol were the tournament's first winners lifting the trophy in 1960.
Approved by the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (now CONMEBOL) it was originally branded as the Copa de Campeones de Clubes; Uruguayan side Peñarol were the tournament's first winners lifting the trophy in 1960.
Diego with the Gallaghers in Vålerenga colours 😍
📍 Oslo, Norway 🇳🇴
📍 Oslo, Norway 🇳🇴
February 15, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Diego with the Gallaghers in Vålerenga colours 😍
📍 Oslo, Norway 🇳🇴
📍 Oslo, Norway 🇳🇴
OTD 1959: the Copa Libertadores was born!
Approved by the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (now CONMEBOL) it was originally branded as the Copa de Campeones de Clubes; Uruguayan side Peñarol were the tournament's first winners lifting the trophy in 1960.
Approved by the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (now CONMEBOL) it was originally branded as the Copa de Campeones de Clubes; Uruguayan side Peñarol were the tournament's first winners lifting the trophy in 1960.
February 15, 2026 at 9:43 AM
OTD 1959: the Copa Libertadores was born!
Approved by the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (now CONMEBOL) it was originally branded as the Copa de Campeones de Clubes; Uruguayan side Peñarol were the tournament's first winners lifting the trophy in 1960.
Approved by the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (now CONMEBOL) it was originally branded as the Copa de Campeones de Clubes; Uruguayan side Peñarol were the tournament's first winners lifting the trophy in 1960.
🇦🇷 AWAY FANS IN ARGENTINA 🥹
Banfield are hosting Racing Club de Avellaneda in the Torneo Apertura as we speak and away fans are in attendance. A rare occurrence and let’s hope the start of the proper return of away fans after 13 years
Banfield are hosting Racing Club de Avellaneda in the Torneo Apertura as we speak and away fans are in attendance. A rare occurrence and let’s hope the start of the proper return of away fans after 13 years
February 14, 2026 at 10:06 PM
🇦🇷 AWAY FANS IN ARGENTINA 🥹
Banfield are hosting Racing Club de Avellaneda in the Torneo Apertura as we speak and away fans are in attendance. A rare occurrence and let’s hope the start of the proper return of away fans after 13 years
Banfield are hosting Racing Club de Avellaneda in the Torneo Apertura as we speak and away fans are in attendance. A rare occurrence and let’s hope the start of the proper return of away fans after 13 years
🇦🇷 A waltz at La Bombonera
Tomorrow at 10:30pm (UK time) Boca Juniors host 2025 Torneo Apertura winners Platense in the 2026 Torneo Apertura. Boca’s form so far is indifferent with two wins and two losses, Platense have one point more after four games. Predictions?
Tomorrow at 10:30pm (UK time) Boca Juniors host 2025 Torneo Apertura winners Platense in the 2026 Torneo Apertura. Boca’s form so far is indifferent with two wins and two losses, Platense have one point more after four games. Predictions?
February 14, 2026 at 6:38 PM
🇦🇷 A waltz at La Bombonera
Tomorrow at 10:30pm (UK time) Boca Juniors host 2025 Torneo Apertura winners Platense in the 2026 Torneo Apertura. Boca’s form so far is indifferent with two wins and two losses, Platense have one point more after four games. Predictions?
Tomorrow at 10:30pm (UK time) Boca Juniors host 2025 Torneo Apertura winners Platense in the 2026 Torneo Apertura. Boca’s form so far is indifferent with two wins and two losses, Platense have one point more after four games. Predictions?
Reposted by 📚 Dame Bola/Tears at La Bombonera (Christopher Hylland)
🇦🇷🩵 HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY from birthday boy Ángel Di María! Born in 1988, the Rosario Central winger turns 38 today.
'El Fideo' goes down in history as one of Argentina's greatest ever players with goals in 3 major finals; 2008 Olympics, 2021 Copa América, 2022 World Cup! 🫶
'El Fideo' goes down in history as one of Argentina's greatest ever players with goals in 3 major finals; 2008 Olympics, 2021 Copa América, 2022 World Cup! 🫶
February 14, 2026 at 8:16 AM
🇦🇷🩵 HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY from birthday boy Ángel Di María! Born in 1988, the Rosario Central winger turns 38 today.
'El Fideo' goes down in history as one of Argentina's greatest ever players with goals in 3 major finals; 2008 Olympics, 2021 Copa América, 2022 World Cup! 🫶
'El Fideo' goes down in history as one of Argentina's greatest ever players with goals in 3 major finals; 2008 Olympics, 2021 Copa América, 2022 World Cup! 🫶
🇦🇷🩵 HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY from birthday boy Ángel Di María! Born in 1988, the Rosario Central winger turns 38 today.
'El Fideo' goes down in history as one of Argentina's greatest ever players with goals in 3 major finals; 2008 Olympics, 2021 Copa América, 2022 World Cup! 🫶
'El Fideo' goes down in history as one of Argentina's greatest ever players with goals in 3 major finals; 2008 Olympics, 2021 Copa América, 2022 World Cup! 🫶
February 14, 2026 at 8:16 AM
🇦🇷🩵 HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY from birthday boy Ángel Di María! Born in 1988, the Rosario Central winger turns 38 today.
'El Fideo' goes down in history as one of Argentina's greatest ever players with goals in 3 major finals; 2008 Olympics, 2021 Copa América, 2022 World Cup! 🫶
'El Fideo' goes down in history as one of Argentina's greatest ever players with goals in 3 major finals; 2008 Olympics, 2021 Copa América, 2022 World Cup! 🫶
Reposted by 📚 Dame Bola/Tears at La Bombonera (Christopher Hylland)
⚽️ Remember the Jabulani? While everyone else was complaining about the 2010 World Cup ball, Argentina manager Diego Armando Maradona was doing this…
February 13, 2026 at 5:42 AM
⚽️ Remember the Jabulani? While everyone else was complaining about the 2010 World Cup ball, Argentina manager Diego Armando Maradona was doing this…
🇦🇷 Overnight: Argentinos Juniors 1-0 River Plate; River have lost 11 of their last 18 games. How much longer for Marcelo Gallardo?
February 13, 2026 at 6:20 AM
🇦🇷 Overnight: Argentinos Juniors 1-0 River Plate; River have lost 11 of their last 18 games. How much longer for Marcelo Gallardo?
⚽️ Remember the Jabulani? While everyone else was complaining about the 2010 World Cup ball, Argentina manager Diego Armando Maradona was doing this…
February 13, 2026 at 5:42 AM
⚽️ Remember the Jabulani? While everyone else was complaining about the 2010 World Cup ball, Argentina manager Diego Armando Maradona was doing this…
OTD 1941: River Plate 2-2 Boca Juniors at Chacarita. This superclásico saw the first ever use of shirt numbers in Argentinian fútbol!
February 12, 2026 at 7:21 AM
OTD 1941: River Plate 2-2 Boca Juniors at Chacarita. This superclásico saw the first ever use of shirt numbers in Argentinian fútbol!
Reposted by 📚 Dame Bola/Tears at La Bombonera (Christopher Hylland)
🇦🇷 OTD 1989: Talleres & Rosario Central drew 5-5 in the league! In that season's league campaign a draw would see a penalty shootout determine a winner, who got an extra point (point for the draw, an extra point for the penalty shootout win!) Talleres won the shootout 3-1.
February 11, 2026 at 6:39 AM
🇦🇷 OTD 1989: Talleres & Rosario Central drew 5-5 in the league! In that season's league campaign a draw would see a penalty shootout determine a winner, who got an extra point (point for the draw, an extra point for the penalty shootout win!) Talleres won the shootout 3-1.
Reposted by 📚 Dame Bola/Tears at La Bombonera (Christopher Hylland)
🇨🇱 OTD 1998: England 0-2 Chile. Marcelo Salas' iconic brace at the Twin Towers surprised the footballing world! NOSTALGIA!
www.youtube.com/embed/CmldcX...
www.youtube.com/embed/CmldcX...
YouTube
www.youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:40 AM
🇨🇱 OTD 1998: England 0-2 Chile. Marcelo Salas' iconic brace at the Twin Towers surprised the footballing world! NOSTALGIA!
www.youtube.com/embed/CmldcX...
www.youtube.com/embed/CmldcX...
Reposted by 📚 Dame Bola/Tears at La Bombonera (Christopher Hylland)
OTD 2004: Colombian forward Albeiro 'Paloma' (Dove) Usuriaga —who had two spells at Club Atlético Independiente, where he is fondly remembered—
was shot dead leaving a bar in his home town of Cali. 'Paloma' was 37.
was shot dead leaving a bar in his home town of Cali. 'Paloma' was 37.
February 11, 2026 at 6:37 AM
OTD 2004: Colombian forward Albeiro 'Paloma' (Dove) Usuriaga —who had two spells at Club Atlético Independiente, where he is fondly remembered—
was shot dead leaving a bar in his home town of Cali. 'Paloma' was 37.
was shot dead leaving a bar in his home town of Cali. 'Paloma' was 37.
🇨🇱 OTD 1998: England 0-2 Chile. Marcelo Salas' iconic brace at the Twin Towers surprised the footballing world! NOSTALGIA!
www.youtube.com/embed/CmldcX...
www.youtube.com/embed/CmldcX...
YouTube
www.youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:40 AM
🇨🇱 OTD 1998: England 0-2 Chile. Marcelo Salas' iconic brace at the Twin Towers surprised the footballing world! NOSTALGIA!
www.youtube.com/embed/CmldcX...
www.youtube.com/embed/CmldcX...
🇦🇷 OTD 1989: Talleres & Rosario Central drew 5-5 in the league! In that season's league campaign a draw would see a penalty shootout determine a winner, who got an extra point (point for the draw, an extra point for the penalty shootout win!) Talleres won the shootout 3-1.
February 11, 2026 at 6:39 AM
🇦🇷 OTD 1989: Talleres & Rosario Central drew 5-5 in the league! In that season's league campaign a draw would see a penalty shootout determine a winner, who got an extra point (point for the draw, an extra point for the penalty shootout win!) Talleres won the shootout 3-1.
OTD 2004: Colombian forward Albeiro 'Paloma' (Dove) Usuriaga —who had two spells at Club Atlético Independiente, where he is fondly remembered—
was shot dead leaving a bar in his home town of Cali. 'Paloma' was 37.
was shot dead leaving a bar in his home town of Cali. 'Paloma' was 37.
February 11, 2026 at 6:37 AM
OTD 2004: Colombian forward Albeiro 'Paloma' (Dove) Usuriaga —who had two spells at Club Atlético Independiente, where he is fondly remembered—
was shot dead leaving a bar in his home town of Cali. 'Paloma' was 37.
was shot dead leaving a bar in his home town of Cali. 'Paloma' was 37.
So far, EXCELLENT
#NowReading ‘Oh, San Lorenzo’ by Will Dalton ⚽️ 🇦🇷 📚
February 10, 2026 at 7:33 AM
So far, EXCELLENT
OTD 1966: River Plate's first ever game in the Copa Libertadores, and against Boca Juniors, winning 2-1!
The two rivals met FOUR TIMES in that season's Libertadores in two seperate group phases. River Plate made it to the final in 1966, losing 4-2 to Peñarol having led 2-0 🐔
The two rivals met FOUR TIMES in that season's Libertadores in two seperate group phases. River Plate made it to the final in 1966, losing 4-2 to Peñarol having led 2-0 🐔
February 10, 2026 at 6:18 AM
OTD 1966: River Plate's first ever game in the Copa Libertadores, and against Boca Juniors, winning 2-1!
The two rivals met FOUR TIMES in that season's Libertadores in two seperate group phases. River Plate made it to the final in 1966, losing 4-2 to Peñarol having led 2-0 🐔
The two rivals met FOUR TIMES in that season's Libertadores in two seperate group phases. River Plate made it to the final in 1966, losing 4-2 to Peñarol having led 2-0 🐔
Reposted by 📚 Dame Bola/Tears at La Bombonera (Christopher Hylland)
🇦🇷 Start ‘em young! Newell’s Old Boys have had a bad start to the Torneo Apertura with three defeats and one home draw. But they are in good hands with the next generation of musicians amongst the barra brava!
February 9, 2026 at 4:19 PM
🇦🇷 Start ‘em young! Newell’s Old Boys have had a bad start to the Torneo Apertura with three defeats and one home draw. But they are in good hands with the next generation of musicians amongst the barra brava!
#NowReading ‘Oh, San Lorenzo’ by Will Dalton ⚽️ 🇦🇷 📚
February 9, 2026 at 8:39 PM
#NowReading ‘Oh, San Lorenzo’ by Will Dalton ⚽️ 🇦🇷 📚
🇦🇷 Start ‘em young! Newell’s Old Boys have had a bad start to the Torneo Apertura with three defeats and one home draw. But they are in good hands with the next generation of musicians amongst the barra brava!
February 9, 2026 at 4:19 PM
🇦🇷 Start ‘em young! Newell’s Old Boys have had a bad start to the Torneo Apertura with three defeats and one home draw. But they are in good hands with the next generation of musicians amongst the barra brava!
This Huracán fan enjoyed his side’s 1-0 home win against rivals San Lorenzo, maybe a bit too much?! 😳
February 9, 2026 at 6:32 AM
This Huracán fan enjoyed his side’s 1-0 home win against rivals San Lorenzo, maybe a bit too much?! 😳
Reposted by 📚 Dame Bola/Tears at La Bombonera (Christopher Hylland)
For @jrnymag.bsky.social’s new Where to Visit Next list, I wrote about two of my favourite countries, Argentina and Costa Rica
February 8, 2026 at 5:33 PM
For @jrnymag.bsky.social’s new Where to Visit Next list, I wrote about two of my favourite countries, Argentina and Costa Rica