Russo had his first day at Boca Juniors and is planning a team for the Club World Cup: what names are in his sights?

Boca Juniors already has a new coach , although it is an old acquaintance of the club: Miguel Angel Russo began his third cycle as technical director of the club where he already directed from February to December 2007 and returned in January 2020 until August 2021. Around 3:30 p.m. this Friday, May 30, 2025, Russo crossed the gate of Boca Predio de Ezeiza in the passenger seat of his gray truck and marked a new return.

Russo woke up mid-morning and met with his coaching staff and lawyers at La Cátedra restaurant in Palermo. He had coffee and croissants and signed the necessary paperwork for his final departure from San Lorenzo. They wished him success, and he went to the bank to complete the necessary transaction. He wired $350,000 as compensation to Ciclón , with whom he had broken a six-month contract. The total sum was half a million dollars, but the remaining portion was deducted from a $150,000 debt the Boedo club owed the coach .

By 3 p.m., Russo was no longer involved with San Lorenzo. He then headed to Ezeiza and burst into Boca Juniors. He met with Juan Román Riquelme and the Football Council . Afterward, he had his first meeting with the players, although it was merely a formal presentation. He also had his first meeting with the players, who trained that afternoon. Miguel still hasn't had an official presentation, and we'll have to wait to see him in official club attire.

#NOW - MIGUEL ÁNGEL RUSSO ARRIVES AT BOCA PREDIO TO BE INTRODUCED AS XENEIZE'S COACH.

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According to reports, Russo will sign an 18-month contract with Boca Juniors, until December 2026, when he'll be close to turning 71 (he'll reach that age in April 2027). But there's been no official announcement yet, and club president Juan Román Riquelme could have more surprises up his sleeve. What if Russo's arrival is solely for the Club World Cup?

It's true that the coach has already taken the reins of the squad, although he didn't show it on the field. Since 2017, when Russo was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which required surgery and chemotherapy, the coach has changed some habits and takes meticulous care of his health. That's why he tries to avoid extreme temperatures, and this Friday at Ezeiza, the wind chill was in the single digits.

With Russo's arrival, a door closes in the winter transfer market. But as the saying goes , "when God closes a door, a window opens," and in this case, it's the transfer market. Boca can sign new players from June 1st to the 10th, according to FIFA's new regulations for the Club World Cup. And the first piece of good news for the new coach is that Uruguayan Miguel Merentiel has obtained citizenship and will no longer occupy the foreign quota on the squad.

Then another round of naming began, this time under the new coach's scrutiny and in collaboration with the Football Council. For international competition, Boca must sign a left-footed center back. Marcos Rojo He's on bail for his act of indiscipline prior to the match against Independiente (he missed the final practice), and with Ayrton Costa not having a visa to enter the United States, strengthening the position has become a priority. To cross that box off, they'll be looking to sign Marco Pellegrino .

The left-footed center back, who trained at Platense, played for Independiente, and is about to play in the Apertura Tournament final with Huracán. He is 22 years old and is liked by the new coach and the Football Council. His transfer belongs to AC Milan in Italy, and Martín Palermo, who coached him at Calamar, described him as a "little Walter Samuel." He would be the first reinforcement. The other defender who appeared on the radar is Lautaro Gianetti , formerly of Vélez and currently with Udinese in Italy, but he is not a priority because he is right-footed and is on standby .

And with Miguel Merentiel's spot vacated, three Colombians are now rumored to be joining Boca Juniors. The most talked-about is Merino Hinestroza , a 22-year-old left-footed winger from Atlético Nacional de Medellín. Millonarios' John Córdoba and Rosario Central's Jaminton Campaz also emerged.

The other name that came up strongly is Malcom Braida , the captain of San Lorenzo. The former Aldosivi player has a very low release clause of $1.2 million and is liked by Russo. It would be easy for Boca to get him out of Ciclón, but for now, it's just a rumor. In that case, Riquelme and the Board would be committing another violation of the "football codes," which state that a release clause cannot be paid to retain the transfer of a player from another Argentine team.

In the midfield, other cards are being considered: Aníbal Moreno (at Palmeiras, very expensive), Fausto Vera (Atlético Mineiro, his contract expires in December). But the ultimate dream is Leandro Paredes. The former Boca Juniors player and world champion with the Argentine national team is in Ezeiza, but with the national team.

The San Justo native has a special release clause to leave Roma, exclusive to Boca Juniors. The club from La Ribera would have to pay $3.5 million to retain his contract, but the problem is the same as in January: the contract. Boca Juniors are hoping for a "gesture" from Paredes and a lowering of his salary demands. But for now, he seems very cold. Riquelme would have to insist on him again if he wants to keep him in the squad and brighten Miguel's smile.