The recently concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will go down in history as one of the most exciting and best-organized AFCONs on and off the pitch. It is not without cause if data from OptaAnalyst is to go by.

In football, greatness often seems elusive, but sometimes, it’s all about being in the right place at the right time and someone taking a chance on you. Here we delve into the stories of two South American stars revealing the common threads that weave their journeys together.