Colombian star Juanfer Quintero has opened up about the strained relationship with Eduardo Coudet, casting doubt on his future at River Plate following the 2026 World Cup.
The atmosphere at Monumental de Núñez is far from calm. Juanfer Quintero, one of the greatest icons in River Plate‘s recent history, has decided to break his silence and publicly address the discomfort he has experienced under the management of Eduardo Coudet. In an interview with ESPN, the Colombian midfielder was direct in revealing that, in the coach’s eyes, he is far from a fundamental piece of the squad.
The player’s dissatisfaction goes well beyond a simple fight for a starting spot. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Quintero believes that his lack of playing time and the disconnect with Coudet‘s tactical approach put his future at the club at risk. The feeling is one of a clash of generations and visions of the game that make the work environment, at the very least, complex.
Devaluation on the pitch
The final straw for the athlete seems to have been the Apertura final, where his participation was limited to a mere five minutes. The midfielder, who scored the historic goal in the 2018 Libertadores final, did not hide that this episode reflected a cycle where professional respect seems to have drifted away from tactical appreciation.
“I respect the decisions, but our visions of football simply do not align. I feel like I am not a priority in this project, and that weighs heavily when deciding my future.”
Behind-the-scenes conflict and return to training
Beyond tactical issues, the strain has also affected internal logistics. There was a breakdown in communication regarding the player’s return to training after the World Cup. While Coudet publicly demanded an immediate return, Quintero defended himself by stating that the extra time off for personal reasons had already been agreed upon with the River board even before the international competition.
Stats and the future at the Monumental
This season, Quintero‘s numbers show a player who is still efficient but lacks the central role that his history at the club should command. In 19 matches played, the Colombian has started only ten times, scoring four goals. His performance is viewed by many fans as underutilized, given the undeniable technical talent of the number 10.
Despite the exposed crisis, Quintero maintains a professional demeanor. The idol reiterated that he holds no personal grudges against Eduardo Coudet, focusing his criticism strictly on the coach’s choices. His future, however, remains open: the athlete remains available, but his continuity at River Plate will depend on an alignment that, today, seems distant on the club’s horizon.
