Palacio is what makes Boca tick, but Europe is calling

	Rodrigo Palacio is Boca Juniors' No. 1 threat and is looking to lead his team to a record third straight Argentine league title. Daniel Garcia/AFP/Getty Images
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It's no surprise that Boca Juniors has dominated South American soccer in recent years. Not only is it the most well-organized and recognized club around the continent, but it's the one that consistently produces players of the highest caliber.

This season Los Xeneizes are closing in on what would be a record third successive Argentine league championship. As of Tuesday, they are atop the league standings and looking as strong as ever. Their success is due, as always, to their unbelievable depth and, in particular, their most potent attacking weapon: Rodrigo Palacio.

The exciting 24-year-old striker is currently the hottest property in Argentine soccer, and is looking to finish another year on a high note after helping Boca to five trophies in less than two years.

Although Palacio is renowned for avoiding the press, I was able to convince him to discuss his rise to fame after a recent training session. We touched on several issues, including his success at Boca, his thoughts on the national team and the rumors surrounding his possible transfer to Barcelona.

SI.com: You are without doubt the most complete striker in Argentina. But what do you think is your best quality as a player?

Palacio: I think my speed is probably the most important quality I have.

SI.com: How have you developed during your time at Boca Juniors?

Palacio: I've learned a lot since arriving at the club, and I think day by day I have progressed. To arrive at such an important club like Boca gives you certain privileges, and being able to have the opportunity to play with such high-quality teammates allows one to learn a lot. Day by day I continue to grow.

SI.com: Did you expect to achieve so much success when you first arrived here?

Palacio: To tell you the truth, when I first arrived, I thought that I would have an opportunity to maybe win a title. But everything that has happened to us in these last two years has been amazing. We practically won everything we played and it has been great.

SI.com: Who were your idols when you were growing up as a soccer player?

Palacio: Well, my idol was Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who now is my teammate. So that is also like a dream come true for me. As a youngster I always admired him, so to play on the same team as him is huge. I always watched his games and tried to copy as many things of him as possible.

SI.com: Now you are one of the most admired players in Argentina. How does it feel to be the idol of so many young Argentines?

Palacio: I don't know if I'm seen as an idol. I think there's still a long way to go before I become one. Maybe kids have other idols, players like Guille, who has played here for a long time and who has won everything, or Martín [Palermo], or the Pato [former keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri] -- they are players who have played at the club for a long time. I've just started over here, and there's still a long way to go before I can achieve this. So I don't consider myself an idol yet.