The Argentine forward Braian Romero became the top scorer of the 2019 Copa Sudamericana by scoring 10 goals in 9 matches with Defensa y Justicia, a feat he celebrated with joy and gratitude for being able to walk again after suffering from rheumatoid arthritis 9 years ago.

The leading scorer of the tournament remains Eduardo Vargas, who scored 11 goals as a player for the University of Chile in 2011.

Romero, currently with 10 goals, and the Chilean Humberto 'Chupete' Suazo in 2006 for Colo Colo, were one goal away from equaling Vargas' record.

The Argentine striker, who scored the second goal in the 0-3 victory against Lanus on Saturday, faced his toughest test when he fell ill and couldn't walk anymore.

In November 2012, the current striker of Defensa y Justicia was diagnosed with a bone health problem that affected his sciatic nerve, after a terrible pain in the sacrum woke him up from a nap.

He was unable to play for a year and a half, spending 15 days in the hospital without being able to move, and three months without being able to walk.

Then, by medical recommendation, the president of Acassuso, the club where he played, and the team captain met with him to inform him that he could no longer play soccer due to his illness.

The physical and emotional pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis shattered him, but he held onto his faith in God and the love of his wife Romina to move forward. And to everyone's surprise, Romero got up and walked again.

After fighting for over a year and a half, taking three pills a day and a corticosteroid per week, Romero decided to stop taking medication and began to improve, holding onto his faith and healing more and more each day.

Little by little, he started exercising and realized that nothing hurt anymore, and he could walk, jog, and run. "Thanks to God, I got better. It was a miracle," describes Romero, the deadliest striker of this 2020 Copa Sudamericana, who now enjoys his present in soccer with joy.

After his time at Acassuso, Romero played for Colón, Argentinos Juniors, Independiente in his country, and Athletico Paranaense before joining Defensa y Justicia.

He scored three goals against Coquimbo Unido in the semifinals, and his goals led the 'Halcón' to soar to the top thanks to his accuracy and aim in the opposing nets.

In the decision made today in Cordoba, his fellow Argentine Nicolás Orsini from Lanús, with 6 goals, and Gilberto from the eliminated Bahía, with the same amount, had the chance to reach the top alongside the Argentine forward.

EFE