River Plate is going through one of its most tense weeks of the season and heads into the final round of the Clausura with a real chance of missing the 2026 Libertadores. The situation is simple, harsh and uncomfortable for a club of this size: it has to beat Vélez Sarsfield on Sunday, the 16th, and still hope Argentinos Juniors loses to Estudiantes. The combination isn’t impossible, but it shows just how inconsistent the team has become.
While the math keeps River alive, the board is already working on something far more concrete. According to TyC Sports, a major clear-out is ready and includes important names, veterans and players who, until recently, were seen as key pieces of the squad.
A squad dismantled by urgency
The list of departures isn’t small and reflects the level of internal concern. The main name is Facundo Colidio. If even he isn’t guaranteed to stay, it becomes clear that no one really has a secure spot. In the same situation are experienced players like Nacho Fernández, Milton Casco, 37, and Enzo Pérez, 39, all mentioned among the likely exits. Pity Martínez, a hero of the 2018 Libertadores title run, is also expected to leave. In any other context, this number of influential players leaving would shock the fans. Today, it feels more like a response to a team that lost intensity and piled up disappointing performances.
The clear-out also includes Miguel Borja, who has faced criticism from supporters, along with defenders Paulo Díaz, who made a costly mistake in the derby against Boca Juniors, and Federico Gattoni. This isn’t a subtle reshaping of the roster but a deeper overhaul, built on the idea that shaking up the structure might be the only way to regain competitiveness.
The impact of possibly missing the Libertadores
The chance of not playing in the 2026 Libertadores hits the club on multiple levels. Financially, the impact is significant. On the field, it’s even bigger. River is used to fighting deep into the tournament, going toe-to-toe with the continent’s biggest teams and building storylines of titles or, at the very least, strong campaigns. Missing out would mean accepting a level far below what fans expect.
If the team fails to secure the spot through the Clausura, the alternative will be to compete in the second Argentine tournament of 2025 and win it to secure a place in the Libertadores.