Matías Viña, the full-back currently under contract with Flamengo, reveals his dissatisfaction with the behind-the-scenes negotiations between the Rio de Janeiro club and River Plate during his transfer to Cruzeiro.
Following an underwhelming stint in Argentine football, left-back Matías Viña has begun a new chapter in his career after being officially announced by Cruzeiro. However, the celebratory atmosphere surrounding his arrival at the Toca da Raposa was tempered by a candid vent from the Uruguayan player. He made no secret of his frustration regarding the complex talks between Flamengo, who hold his economic rights, and River Plate.
The defender, who is looking to regain his form after a long period of inactivity, emphasized that the slow pace of dialogue between the parties created an atmosphere of anxiety. For him, the agility shown by the Belo Horizonte club in closing the deal was the deciding factor in maintaining his enthusiasm for this new phase in Brazilian football.
The details of the negotiation
The agreement between Cruzeiro and Matías Viña was finalized as a loan deal valid until the end of the current season. The contract includes a purchase option set at 4.5 million dollars (approximately R$ 23 million). Interestingly, the Minas Gerais club was exempted from paying the full-back’s salary until December, as Flamengo maintained the agreement that River Plate would continue to cover the player’s wages until the end of the stipulated term.
Regarding the friction during the negotiations, the player stated in an interview with the channel Central da Toca:
When Cruzeiro showed interest in signing me, I was very motivated to come. I told my agent that it took too long for an agreement to be reached between the two teams: the one I was on loan at, which was River Plate, and the one I belong to, which is Flamengo. But there was time to sort everything out, and I am very happy to be here with you.
A recovery scenario
The move to Belo Horizonte represents an attempt to bounce back. Viña had not played for River Plate since May 2026, when he participated in the Argentine Championship semifinals. Physical instability has also marked his recent career; since arriving at Flamengo in 2024 from Roma, the full-back suffered a serious knee injury that kept him sidelined for ten months.
In an analysis published by the M360 Team, the player’s comments sparked debate. According to the outlet, the athlete’s impatience is understandable given his recent history of limited playing time, but it also notes that Flamengo‘s financial demands were merely the fulfillment of a contractual obligation previously established with the Argentine club. Now, it remains to be seen whether the full-back will regain the technical level that once made him a Libertadores and Brazilian Serie A champion.
M360 Team
