The Argentine football league had two major stars return to their boyhood clubs this past transfer window. Ángel Di María and Leandro Paredes made their way back to Rosario Central and Boca Juniors, respectively, looking to wrap up their careers at the place where it all started.

The moves sent ripples through Argentine football, with Di María’s return in particular becoming the catalyst for the return of away fans after 12 years. But while both players are now among the biggest stars in the Primera Division, their performances so far have gone very differently.

After coming on as a substitute on July 18 at La Bombonera, Leandro Paredes was expected to make his full debut as a starter on Wednesday, as Boca faced off against Atlético Tucuman for the Copa Argentina.

In a packed Madre de Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero province, the stage was set for a dream game for the former AS Roma and PSG man, but it was not to be. The Xeneize lost 2-1 in the round of 32 and was eliminated from the 2025 Copa Argentina, extending a 95-day winless........

© Buenos Aires Herald