Defender Germán Pezzella has mutually terminated his contract with Club Atlético River Plate, ending his second spell at the club. The departure of the 35-year-old world champion comes as the team sits 14th in the Liga Profesional Argentina, with 4 points from six games.
The news was confirmed by the Argentine outlet La Nación. Pezzella, a product of the club's youth academy, returned in August 2024 after nine years in Europe, but a serious injury in August 2025 limited his involvement. In his farewell message, the player stated: "Hasta el final de nuestras vidas, los amo. Gracias".
How did Pezzella's return and injury unfold?
Germán Pezzella returned to River Plate as a defensive pillar and captain under coach Marcelo Gallardo. However, his dream return was cut short on August 9, 2025, during a clásico against Independiente in Avellaneda. In that match, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, an injury that kept him out for eight months.
His return to action came in April 2026, in a Copa Sudamericana group stage match against Bolivia's Blooming. After that game, Pezzella commented on his physical condition: "Tenía el gemelo un poco cargado: di hasta lo que pude. La idea era sumar minutos". Despite his comeback, the after-effects of the injury and his age contributed to his role in the team diminishing.
What is his legacy at the millionaire's club?
Pezzella leaves a significant legacy at River Plate, the club where he debuted on December 8, 2011, in a 1-0 Copa Argentina win against Defensores de Belgrano. He became a key figure when the team was in the second division and maintained his place after promotion. In total, across his two spells, the defender lifted five titles with the millionaire's shirt.
His European career included stints with Spain's Real Betis and Italy's Fiorentina, before his emotional return to Argentina. The club issued a statement thanking him for his dedication and wishing him well in the next stage of his professional career.
What is River Plate's current context?
Pezzella's exit occurs as River Plate seeks stability in the Liga Profesional. The team is coming off a 2-2 draw with Vélez Sarsfield on August 23 and is on a four-match unbeaten run, with two wins and two draws. However, their league position is delicate, as they sit nine points behind the leaders, Argentinos JRS.
The goal difference is also tight, with four scored and six conceded. The next challenge is a tough away fixture against Banfield, who are 11th in the table, on August 30. Fans can follow the team's progress on our stats page and check the full schedule on fixtures.
What did Pezzella say about his mental health?
In statements gathered by La Nación, the defender spoke candidly about the personal challenges he faced during his second stint. He revealed that the year before his injury he was not in a good place, describing it as a strange, dark path. Upon arriving at River, he realized he wasn't fully enjoying his football.
Pezzella explained that the work he did was more introspective and at times overwhelmed him. He called it a great lesson, mentioning that the whirlwind of life can sometimes lead to isolation and a loss of focus on people nearby. This reflection closes a significant chapter for a player who always gave his all for the institution.
