Enner Valencia leaned on Hernán Galíndez before signing with Boca

Before signing with Boca, Enner Valencia did something logical: he picked up the phone and called someone who already knew the territory. That someone was Hernán Galíndez, Huracán's goalkeeper and his teammate on the Ecuadorian national team through two World Cups and two Copa Américas. According to the forward himself, that conversation mattered more than it might seem.

The story came out after Boca's draw against Racing in the 2026 Clausura Tournament, a match in which Valencia again logged minutes. In the mixed zone, with ESPN's microphones in front of him, the Ecuadorian had no trouble admitting that Galíndez played a key role in his decision to join the club from La Ribera.

Yes, he had a lot to do with it. Before coming here I talked with him a lot about what the atmosphere is like and what the environment is like. I've been meeting up with him.Enner Valencia

It's not a small detail. Joining a club like Boca, with the pressure, the exposure and the fanaticism surrounding every move, is not the same when you have someone you trust who has already lived through Argentine soccer and can give you the real picture of what's coming. Valencia made the most of it.

The forward also spoke about his adjustment process, which is still ongoing. He talks about it naturally, without rushing, though he's eager to find his rhythm as soon as possible.

I'm adapting to Argentine soccer, to daily life here, all of it. I think I'll get better every day. He told me to enjoy it, that good soccer is played here.Enner Valencia

As for his physical condition, the Ecuadorian national team's all-time leading scorer sounded optimistic. After a stretch dealing with discomfort, he says he's feeling better and eager to get minutes at La Bombonera.

The next match comes on Friday, when Boca hosts Lanús in the Clausura Tournament, another chance for Valencia to keep building match fitness and for the team to try to sustain a run that has been difficult against Argentine soccer's other big clubs.

A recent history weighing against the big rivals

In 2026, Boca snapped a poor run against River, Independiente, Racing and San Lorenzo: of the last ten meetings against that group, the club won just two, both against River, one at La Bombonera by 2-0 and the other at El Monumental by 1-0.

So far this year, the most recent matchups against San Lorenzo, Independiente and Racing all ended 1-1, the latest of them in matchday six of the 2026 Clausura, on the road in Avellaneda. Since 2024, with Diego Martínez in charge, Boca has lost three of five games against Racing, fallen in its only recent meeting with Independiente, and only managed a draw against San Lorenzo.

There's an even deeper thorn: both Independiente and Racing eliminated Boca in the 2025 Apertura and Clausura tournaments, in both cases playing as visitors at La Bombonera. Reversing that trend is, today, one of the team's pending tasks, and with more playing time, Valencia could be a piece to help start changing it.