28/07/2026 04:39 - Deportes
The start of the second semester for River Plate—one of Argentina's most successful and popular football clubs—has been one to forget: elimination in the Copa Argentina against Aldosivi and a surprising defeat in their Torneo Clausura (the second half of the Argentine football league season) debut against Barracas Central. Given this scenario, a ray of hope emerges from within: the team's leaders reportedly requested the club's management to reintegrate Germán Pezzella into the main squad.
According to journalists Juan Cortese, Juan Balbi (ESPN F90) and media outlets like La Nueva and TyC Sports, players such as Nicolás Otamendi and Marcos Acuña—his teammates in the Argentina National Team—might be leading this petition for the center-back to be considered again by coach Eduardo Coudet.
At 35 years old, Pezzella is a symbol of the club. A product of River's youth academy, he returned to the team in August 2024 for 4.5 million euros. Since his return, he has played 50 matches in this second stint, overcoming a severe knee injury. His last official match was in May 2026, in the Torneo Apertura final against Belgrano in Córdoba.
His status as a World Cup champion in Qatar 2022 and his natural leadership make him a key piece to rebuild the morale of a team that has lost figures like Franco Armani and Juan Fernando Quintero.
Coach Eduardo Coudet sparked controversy by stating that the decision to separate the 14 players 'was a club decision' and not his. Meanwhile, board member Stefano Di Carlo had previously stated in an interview with ESPN that the club would be 'very aggressive' in the transfer market.
'Around 15 players will leave, we have decided that together among everyone. We will sell for less than we bought and assume a loss, but we will cut a situation that is not sustainable.'
Now, with the arrival of Otamendi and the urgent need to get back on track, the doors could reopen for 'Prince' Pezzella. A different, kinder, and more respectful end to a cycle for a historic player who truly deserves it.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
