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Balerdi turned down Boca Juniors to join Roma
·11 September 2026·45d ago

Balerdi turned down Boca Juniors to join Roma

Source: Forza Roma

Leonardo Balerdi rejected a loan offer from Boca Juniors to secure a move to Roma during this summer's transfer window. Boca manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena had personally contacted the Argentine defender, who grew up in the Buenos Aires club's youth academy and made his senior debut there in late 2018, intending to strengthen the backline. However, Roma's proposal proved decisive.

According to TyC Sports journalist Julio Pavoni, Arruabarrena's call came roughly twenty days ago and was facilitated by a shared agent between the two clubs. Boca had tabled a one-year loan arrangement, but Balerdi was already weighing a more significant opportunity. The defender's response was unambiguous: "I'm not letting this chance slip away." His decision to prioritise Roma underscores the appeal of a move to the Italian club over a return to his formative football home.

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Leonardo Balerdi has rejected a loan offer from Boca Juniors to complete his move to AS Roma. The Argentine defender, who came through Boca's youth academy and made his senior debut there in late 2018, turned down the approach despite personal contact from Boca manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena. According to Argentine media outlet TyC Sports, the conversation between manager and player was facilitated by a shared agent roughly twenty days ago. Boca had proposed a one-year loan deal to strengthen their defence, but Balerdi was already committed to Roma's project.

The 23-year-old's response to Arruabarrena was unequivocal. "This opportunity I'm not letting slip away," Balerdi told the Boca manager, signalling his determination to prioritise the Italian club over a return to his formative football home. Roma News reports that Balerdi has already made an immediate impression at his new club, featuring in substitute appearances in recent matches. His decision underscores the significant appeal Roma held compared to a loan return to Argentina, and suggests the defender views his time in Serie A as a career-defining opportunity.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

“Leonardo Balerdi è stato il sogno proibito del Boca Juniors per questa finestra di mercato estiva. A fare la differenza, però, la proposta della Roma che è balzata inevitabilmente in pole. Il difensore argentino, cresciuto nel settore giovanile del club di Buenos Aires, era diventato un obiettivo…”

Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.

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