Shock in Mendoza: Villa stays and makes himself available to Berti | OneFootball

Sebastián Villa has put an end to speculation about his future by confirming that he will remain at Independiente Rivadavia, at least until mid-2026. Despite interest from clubs such as River Plate, Corinthians, and Cruz Azul, the Colombian winger will return to Mendoza to work under coach Alfredo Berti and face the triple competition, which includes the historic participation of the “Lepra” in the Copa Libertadores.

The decision was hastened after an alleged ultimatum from president Daniel Vila. None of the offers received met the financial expectations of the Mendoza club, which valued the player at a minimum of 10 million dollars for a possible transfer.

Although Cruz Azul made the most concrete offer for Villa to form an attacking partnership with Miguel Borja, negotiations between the clubs did not progress. Thus, Villa will continue at Independiente Rivadavia, with a contract extending until the end of 2026 and a release clause set for the winter transfer window.

Does it affect his World Cup chances?

The player’s intention in seeking a move was to gain greater visibility ahead of the 2026 North American World Cup and secure his return to the Colombian national team. Coach Néstor Lorenzo demands prominence and continuity, something Villa hoped to boost with a change of scenery.

Although his departure did not materialize, the Copa Libertadores represents a high-level showcase that could once again put him in the spotlight for the national team.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.