Club Atlético River Plate forward Ángel Correa has opened up about the difficulties he faced during his short spell in Mexican football. The player spoke after the 3-2 win over Banfield, the team's first victory following the departure of head coach Eduardo Coudet. In comments that have sparked discussion, Correa admitted he was having a bad time in Mexico, a feeling he had previously expressed when leaving other clubs in his career.
The news broke this week as River Plate looks for stability after an irregular start to the Liga Profesional Argentina season. The team sits in 11th place in the standings with 7 points from 7 games, recording 2 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses. Their next fixture is at home against Independiente Rivadavia on September 6th, an opponent currently sixth in the table.
Ángel Correa was frank in assessing his year at Liga MX club Tigres. "Yo la estaba pasando mal en México" (I was having a bad time in Mexico), stated the forward, who returned to Argentina to sign with River Plate after a negotiation process that lasted around 50 days. His wife publicly denounced threats against the family during that period, a factor that undoubtedly worsened the situation. Correa spent only one year at the Mexican side, where he played in two finals, both lost to Toluca: the Apertura 2025 Liga MX final and the Concachampions final.
The player, a world champion with Argentina, did not hide his frustration over those results. His return to River Plate marks the fourth club of his professional career, after starting at San Lorenzo, a long decade at Atlético de Madrid, and his stint in Mexico. The win over Banfield, with a 2-3 scoreline on August 30th, provided a fitting backdrop for the footballer to speak out.
This is not the first time Ángel Correa has spoken openly about a difficult departure from a club. Upon leaving Atlético de Madrid, where he made 469 appearances, scored 88 goals, and provided 65 assists over ten years, the Argentine was equally direct. "Ya estaba harto. Ya la estaba pasando mal ahí en el Atlético, ya de muchos años" (I was fed up. I was having a bad time there at Atlético, for many years), he said at the time. With the Spanish side he won three titles, but his farewell was not a friendly one.
Even his exit from San Lorenzo de Almagro, the club where he came through the ranks, left a bitter taste. Correa has stated he did not have the chance to speak much and that many people don't know, but he left on bad terms with the board. He also mentioned he did not receive the expected support after a heart condition was detected before his move to Spain. These statements paint a pattern of discord at the end of his cycles.
The team managed by Martín Demichelis, now in charge after Coudet's departure, secured an important win last matchday. The victory over Banfield helped lift spirits, although the overall season balance still shows a negative goal difference, with 7 scored and 8 conceded. In the title race, River Plate is 9 points behind leaders Argentinos Juniors.
However, the team's recent form is encouraging. In the last five matches, the Millonario has recorded 3 wins and 2 draws, with an unbeaten run and two consecutive victories. This positive moment will be tested in the next match at the Monumental. Fans can follow the team's progress on our stats page and check the usual squad lineup.
For Ángel Correa, wearing the River Plate shirt represents a fresh start in his home country. After tense experiences at his last clubs, the 31-year-old forward has the opportunity to reconnect with Argentine football at a major team. His addition aims to bring experience and goals to an attack that needs to be more decisive.
Confidence seems to be returning, both for the player and the team. With a positive run of results, the immediate objective is to take three points against Independiente Rivadavia. The match is scheduled for Sunday, September 6th at the Monumental stadium, a key encounter to continue climbing the standings.
