Borges on LD Alajuelense potential Central American Cup repeat: “The desire to win is always the same” | OneFootball

MIAMI — LD Alajuelense continues its title defense as it kicks off the 2024 Concacaf Central American Cup Final on Wednesday, visiting Real Estelí FC in Nicaragua for the first leg of their series.

The matchup is a repeat of the 2023 edition, won by LD Alajuelense 4-1 on aggregate. The Costa Rican side is on the cup of successfully defending its crown and winning the title for a second consecutive year.

“It would be something important for the team,” said Alajuelense midfielder Celso Borges in an exclusive interview with Concacaf.com. “We have a great rival in front of us. I think they are one of the best teams I have faced, and I think they are one of the best in this cup as well.

“I think the two best teams made it to the final, and we know it will be very tough,” added Borges.

The reigning champions have performed flawlessly from the start of the tournament and enter the final unbeaten all-time in the CCAC, boasting 13 wins and five draws.

Alajuelense started its title defense by topping Group B with a perfect record of four wins and won its quarterfinal series against Comunicaciones FC 3-2 on aggregate. The defending champions sealed their return to the final with a 1-nil aggregate win against Antigua GFC in the semifinals.

Borges, the all-time appearance leader in Central American Cup history with 17, has been ever-present in the team’s lineups, featuring in seven of eight matches and dishing out an assist en route to the final.

Now, the 36-year-old midfielder and Costa Rica’s most capped player in history can write another chapter in his storied career with what would be the 11th trophy in his collection.

“Being in a final is always a reason for joy,” said Borges. “It doesn’t matter if you are 20 or 36, the desire to win is always the same, and that little bug never dies and that is why you want to keep competing.”

The experienced 36-year-old midfielder, and son of LD Alajuelense head coach Alexandre Guimarães, also took time to reflect upon a unique opportunity of winning a title alongside his father.

“The truth is that it has been something special,” said Borges. “I don't think many players have had that opportunity. At first, it was a bit strange to see him in that role. However, now I understand the reasons why he has done so well everywhere he has been, why his resume, why his victories. It would be something spectacular.”

Despite Alajuelense remaining ambitious in search of clinching an eighth international trophy, Borges remains focused on the objective and being prepared for the big occasion.

LD Alajuelense begins its series in the Central American Final against Real Estelí on Wednesday at Estadio Independencia in Estelí, Nicaragua.

The return leg will be the following Wednesday at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica – where Borges and his teammates could lift the cup in front of the home fans for a second consecutive year.