The Colombian came back from childhood tragedy to become his nation's next great prospect, but he is yet to consistently deliver on that promise
He is River Plate's new hero, the overweight - or perhaps just bottom-heavy - mercurial playmaker plucked from European failure to achieve greatness in the Copa Libertadores. Juan Quintero has turned his fading career around in a sensational 2018, and can once again dream of making it big and following through on his obvious talent.
Quintero, still only 25, has battled adversity almost from the very start. At the age of two the Colombian's father, Jaime, left his wife and child behind in Medellin to join the army in the hope of improving his meagre economic prospects and providing a better life for his young family.