Rafael Profini, finally gets his long-awaited chance at Unión | OneFootball

The start of a new season often reshuffles priorities and opens doors that seemed closed. At Unión, one of the names that is regaining prominence is Rafael Profini, who faces a key opportunity to firmly establish himself in the midfield of Leonardo Madelón's team.

The central midfielder went through a 2025 of very marked contrasts. In the first part of the year, he was a recurring piece with Cristian González as coach, accumulating games, minutes, and confidence. However, the return of Leonardo Madelón changed the scenario: the coach opted for Mauricio Martínez and Mauro Pittón, two players he trusts, and Profini moved to a clearly secondary role.

From prominence to retreat at Unión The numbers clearly reflect this irregular journey. In the 2025 Torneo Apertura, Profini played 10 matches, added an assist, and accumulated 765 minutes, figures that speak of continuity and support from the coaching staff. To that good performance, five matches in the Copa Sudamericana (402 minutes) were added, as well as his presence in the Copa Argentina, where he was a starter and completed the 90 minutes, consolidating a positive image in a role that, at first, did not seem to be in the main plans.

The scenario changed drastically in the Torneo Clausura. There, he barely participated in seven matches, but with only 103 minutes on the field, always coming off the bench and without chances to be a starter. A decision that drew attention due to the level shown during much of the year. The final balance of the season closed with 23 official matches and 1,360 minutes, with one assist, distributed very unevenly.

The context that puts him back in the race Today, the outlook is different. The departure of Mauricio Martínez, the inability to finalize the arrival of Uruguayan Rodrigo Saravia, and a transfer market that is still open —though without too many alternatives in that position— give Profini a concrete opportunity. Even though reactivating negotiations for Caramelo Martínez is not ruled out, the former Talleres player appears as the main option to accompany Mauro Pittón in the double pivot.

This signal already had a first indication: Profini was a starter in the 2-1 victory against Alianza Lima, in Unión's debut in the Serie Río de la Plata. After the match, television images showed a gesture that did not go unnoticed: Leonardo Madelón personally congratulating him, a scene that fueled expectations about his new role.

The Apertura, a decisive test Everything indicates that Rafael Profini will be back from the start in the debut of the Torneo Apertura, this Thursday, January 22 at 8 PM, when Unión hosts Platense at the 15 de Abril stadium. It will probably be his big test: with few natural alternatives in the position and the market still open, the midfielder has the chance to claim the spot and definitively change his recent history.

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