Colombians in River Plate: 5 players who left their mark

Last update 2 August, 2022 por Alberto Llopis

Football is a globalized sport and more and more players end up being figures and making history in teams from countries that are not theirs. Por ejemplo, the Colombians in River Plate have helped to achieve important titles for the Argentine team in recent years, including the Copa Libertadores, one of the most requested tournaments for sports betting in Colombia with Betfair.

The relationship between Colombia and River Plate has been going on for many years and its influence is noticeable in each transfer market. Despite the fact that the names that are most remembered are those that scored important goals, They also had defenses that marked an era like Mario Yepes, before it makes the leap to Europe.

Argentine soccer has a lot of prestige, so it is one of the preferred markets for South American players. Aquí 5 players who left their mark on the millionaire draw.

Radamel Falcao

The 'Tiger' debuted in Colombian soccer with only 13 años, becoming the youngest player to do so in a professional tournament in his country. That caught the attention of various foreign teams, among them River Plate, who signed him in 2001. Sin embargo, his debut in the first team would take place in the 2005.

Sumo 110 games with River Plate and scored 46 goles. Won the First Division title 2008 and two years later he was signed by Porto de Portugal, who paid a total of 5,5 millions of euros. For millionaire fans, his scoring contribution and his claw was transcendental in the Argentine team.

John Paul Angel

Two and a half years lasted the journey of the "Angel of Goal" in Argentina, but it was a very important time for the Colombian striker who later made the leap to Europe. Jugó 133 matches and scored 62 goals with the River Plate shirt. won the opening 1999 and Clausura 2000, where he was the top scorer of the tournament with 13 many.

Además, coincided with great talents of the millionaire painting: Pablo Aimar, Ariel Ortega and Javier Saviola, with which even the Argentine press and the fans gave him the nickname "Fantastic 4". When some fans repeat Angel's name, many are still excited.

Juan Fernando Quintero

Juanfer is one of the most important Colombians in River Plate in history. His goal in the Copa Libertadores final 2018 against Boca Juniors has been marked in the memory of the fans. Books have even been written on this historical definition, like the end of our lives, Argentine journalist Andrés Burgo.

His first stage was also marked by the titles of the Recopa Sudamericana, Argentine Cup and Argentine Super Cup. En el 2022 returned after a year in Chinese football, where did he go for a better economic proposal. But Juanfer decided to return to one of the clubs where he was happiest.

Mario Yepes

The Colombian defender was a millionaire between 1999 y 2002. At that stage, he also shared a dressing room with Juan Pablo Ángel and also won those two national titles.. En el 2001 was considered part of the ideal team of America, recognition that was also important for later making the leap to Nantes in France.

Yepes then has had a long career in Europe, in important teams like PSG, Milan and Atalanta, then return to Argentine football, although not River, up to San Lorenzo. Equal, the coffee defender keeps a good memory among millionaire fans.

Rafael Santos Borré

Con 55 goals in 149 parties, the Colombian striker was vital in River Plate. He is even the fifth highest scorer in the fringe team in the Copa Libertadores. was between the 2017 y el 2021, he always had Marcelo Gallardo as coach, who knew how to exploit his qualities. A striker with good aerial game, but also smart to look for the spaces between the defenders.

I arrive with 21 years and ended up consolidating, becoming one of the best strikers in South America. En el 2021, made the leap to Frankfurt in Germany, with which he won the Europa League. His market value multiplied after that.

After knowing this list of Colombian players in River Plate, It can be noted that the time at the Argentine club was important to make the leap to Europe in most cases. If you want to comment on this and other cases, there is a community of Betfair Twitter where you can review this and many other topics.