River Plate terminates contract of Colombian midfielder Quintero

On Friday, July 25, Argentine club River Plate officially announced that they have reached an agreement with 33-year-old Colombian midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero to terminate his contract early. The decision follows the player's public expression of dissatisfaction with his tactical role under head coach Eduardo Coudet, bringing an end to what was expected to be a triumphant third stint at the club.

Official Thanks: A Legend to Be Remembered Forever

In the termination announcement, River Plate showed grace and warmth toward the departing star. The official statement read:

"Quintero's talent and his outstanding contributions in decisive moments will forever be etched in the club's glorious history. During the time we shared together, this place had already become his home."

The club thanked the meritorious player and wished him well in the next chapter of his career.

Conflict Erupts: A Statement of "Not a Priority" Ignites the Spark

Behind the peaceful separation lay a rift between coach and player that had already become public.

After participating in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico with the Colombian national team, Quintero was granted an additional week off for personal matters. While he was in Miami and requested to extend his return deadline to July 30, River Plate was unexpectedly eliminated from the Argentine Cup. Coach Coudet publicly urged him to return during a press conference.

In response, Quintero spoke directly in an interview with ESPN. He stated bluntly:

"Since I left, I haven't spoken to Coudet."

He admitted he was not a priority in Coudet's tactical system, having played only five minutes in a key match against Belgrano.

"The coach and I have completely different football philosophies," Quintero added. "I respect his decisions and won't speak ill of him behind his back. He is the current coach, and that's enough. But I am indeed not his first choice."

This statement fully ignited the spark that led to the contract termination.

Three Stints, Three Exits: A Less Than Perfect Return

Now 33, Quintero has a deep history with River Plate, but his third stint failed to replicate past glories.

• First Arrival at the Monumental (2018): Quintero joined River Plate for the first time and scored a crucial goal in the Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors, helping the team lift the trophy in Madrid and becoming a hero in the eyes of fans.

• Move to the Chinese Super League (2021): He transferred to Shenzhen FC in China but chose to return to River Plate in 2022.

• Wandering in South America: After a brief return, he played for Junior de Barranquilla and Racing Club de Avellaneda.

• Reunion (July 2025): Quintero returned to River Plate to follow his mentor Marcelo Gallardo. However, after Gallardo left and Coudet took over, his status in the team plummeted.

Before Quintero's departure, River Plate had brought in new signings like Ángel Correa, and the ownership of the No. 10 jersey had already been a source of undercurrents. Since Colombia was eliminated by Switzerland in the World Cup on July 7, Quintero had not participated in any official matches.

What's Next?

With his contract terminated, the 33-year-old Quintero will look for a new club as a free agent. Clubs like Cagliari in Italy have been linked with him. However, for a midfielder who has not played an official match in over a month and is over 30, whether he can re-establish himself in a high-level league like Serie A remains uncertain.

Source: TyC Sports