Amid frenzied speculation over the imminent arrival of World Cup-winning midfielder Leandro Paredes, Boca Juniors has invited its supporters to gather at La Bombonera stadium on Thursday evening.
"Thursday, 6pm, La Bombonera," read a message on the club’s official X account posted Tuesday.
The announcement comes amid widespread local reports that Paredes is set to arrive in Buenos Aires on Wednesday to undergo a medical. If no issues arise, he is expected to sign and be formally presented on Thursday, July 10.
The event will be free and open to both members and non-members, with the club hoping to fill the stands to celebrate the return of one of its most high-profile homegrown talents.
Now 31, Paredes has already terminated his contract with AS Roma, reportedly cutting short a holiday in Miami to return to Italy and finalise his exit.
According to domestic media outlets, his long-rumoured return follows years of conversations with Boca Club President Juan Román Riquelme, the legendary ex-playmaker who has a strong relationship with the player.
One key factor was a 3.5-million-euro release clause included in Paredes’ contract at Roma specifically for a potential move to Boca. Although the clause expired on June 30, the midfielder chose to negotiate a direct release instead, paving the way for a free transfer, according to reports.
If confirmed, the move would mark the homecoming of a prodigal son. Paredes made his debut for Boca in 2010 and became a regular two years later, before suffering a serious ligament injury in his left ankle in 2013.
After recovering, he joined AS Roma on loan – a deal that later became permanent for around six million euros.
His European career also included spells at Chievo Verona and Empoli, followed by a later return to Roma. He then moved to Zenit Saint Petersburg, winning the Russian league in 2019, and spent five seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, collecting four Ligue 1 titles. A year at Juventus followed before a final stint with Roma.
Internationally, Paredes was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and back-to-back Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024.
Should the final steps proceed as expected, he will join fellow Qatar 2022 champion Ángel Di María in returning to domestic football.
Legendary winger Di María was officially presented on Monday at Rosario Central, the club where he made his professional debut before an 18-year spell in Europe.
Now, Argentina is preparing for another high-profile homecoming.
– TIMES/AFP/NA
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