River Plate players request defender Germán Pezzella's return

River Plate is facing a difficult phase after consecutive defeats and an early exit from the Copa Argentina at the hands of Aldosivi. In response, senior squad members met with club president Stefano Di Carlo to ask for the reinstatement of centre‑back Germán Pezzella, who has been training apart from the first‑team squad since being placed on the club’s list of players deemed surplus.

Pezzella, a 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina and former captain of the side, was removed from the professional roster at the start of the pre‑season as part of a cost‑cutting and squad‑size reduction effort. The players argue his experience and leadership are needed to stabilise the team’s performance. The club’s leadership must now decide whether to reverse the decision and bring Pezzella back into the regular training group.