Copa Libertadores Player of the Week: Jhasmani Campos, Bolivar

Apr 27, 2012 12:08:00 PM

The Bolivia international upstaged Neymar midweek with a perfect performance in La Paz, keeping alive his club's dreams of making the quarter-finals of the tournament

Copa Libertadores Player of the Week: Jhasmani Campos
Club: Bolivar
Country: Bolivia
Age: 23
Role: Number 10
Achievement: Two wicked free kicks which led his side to a memorable victory over continental heavyweights Santos

The La Paz crowd who witnessed Bolivar's Libertadores meeting with Santos on Wednesday would surely have left the stadium raving after a marvelous performance from one of South America's top young talents. This diminutive, tricky star has had plenty of offers to ply his trade outside his native country, but even as he gains plaudits from across the continent, he has so far chosen to stay at home, for which he is handsomely rewarded as one of the league's top-paid players.

Just for once, however, we are not talking about Neymar. The 20-year-old's Brazilian's thunder was well and truly stolen by Jhasmani Campos, Bolivar's inspirational playmaker who once more showed South America that he has a brilliant future in the game.

The former Oriente Petrolero man, who made his debut aged just 18 for the Bolivian national team and who was a trainee with Gremio before returning to the Andean nation, scored both goals for his club as they upset all the odds against the holders, and they were strikes to remember. The first needed more than a bit of luck, as his perfectly-struck free kick bounced back off the post onto the back of the diving Rafael and into the net.

The second, however, was unstoppable, as another free kick looped over the wall before dropping just inside the post, giving the hapless goalkeeper no chance. The strike sealed a famous 2-1 victory for the Bolivians, giving them a fighting chance against the mighty Peixe.

Bolivar are still ranked outsiders to make the quarter-finals, as they take a slim lead to Vila Belmiro against the Copa holders who also have an away goal. The club are riding the crest of a wave, however, enjoying their status as the first Bolivian side to make the last-16 for 12 years and are determined to keep the party going. If Campos can once more outshine Neymar as the South American wonderkid to watch in the return leg, an unthinkable upset might just look a little bit more possible.

Honourable Mentions

Pablo Guinazu, Internacional: The Argentine destroyer lifted the Libertadores with Inter back in 2010, and was dominant throughout the 90 minutes as the Colorado drew 0-0 with Fluminense.

Diego, Fluminense: The goalkeeper was called into action for just one shot during a scrappy goal-less draw against Fluminense's Brazilian rivals, but his contribution was memorable. Diego reacted perfectly to save Jesus Datolo's penalty in the second half, keeping the teams deadlocked after the first leg.

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