He played for River Plate, shone in Europe, promised Gallardo he would return, but now he's betrayed him: "He'll play in Brazil..."

Despite multiple efforts to strengthen the squad, River Plate has failed to convince an old acquaintance who once shone in the club's jersey. Forward Lucas Beltrán , currently with Fiorentina , has reportedly rejected a concrete offer to return to Núñez. The most worrying fact at the Monumental is that his future could be tied to a direct rival in the Copa Libertadores .

The striker, who left the club in 2023 for a fee close to 20 million euros , left an emotional message as he said goodbye: “I thought about when I had to leave Córdoba by bus at 14, I left things behind, like family and friends. I want to thank the fans for their lifelong support,” he said. The mark he left on the fans and his connection to the club make his refusal even more resonant.

Brazilian club Flamengo , River's current competitor on the continental stage, offered 15 million euros for Beltrán's transfer. The formal offer drew attention not only for the amount, but also for the context: both teams could face each other in decisive stages of the Copa Libertadores , which would make the former River player a potential executioner of his former club.

Beyond the sporting aspect, Núñez is analyzing the economic impact this transaction could represent. River Plate retains a percentage of the forward's transfer fee through the solidarity mechanism , which ensures a significant income if the transfer goes through. Furthermore, Instituto , his first club, would also benefit from this system.

Beltrán's possible arrival at Mengão is generating buzz in the River Plate world. Not only because of the attacker's quality, but also because the scenario suggests a hypothetical meeting between the two teams in a final. Will the club allow a talent emerging from its ranks to strengthen its rival? The answer seems to be tied to the financial interest represented by this transaction and the willingness of the Cordoba-born player.

Beyond the managerial decisions, the symbolic aspect weighs heavily: this is a player who was trained in the Millonarios youth system and who knew how to win the affection of the fans. Seeing him in a different jersey, and worse yet, facing the club in a decisive moment, would be a tough pill to swallow for the fans.

The story is yet to be written. But as River Plate continues its journey in the Libertadores, Lucas Beltrán could return to the continent to wear, this time, an opponent's jersey. And perhaps come face to face with his past on a decisive night.