Verón’s Estudiantes reshape and eye growth as Corinthians visit in Libertadores quarter-final | OneFootball

Juan Sebastián Verón has used his presidency to overhaul Estudiantes, from completing a modern home to championing private capital in Argentina’s game. The La Plata club host Corinthians in the Libertadores quarter-finals at 21:30 Brasília time at the Jorge Luis Hirschi.

"We want to grow, and Argentine football's system is exhausted. For a long time it has offered few opportunities, TV rights revenue is falling, sponsorship is scarce and prize money very low." He told La Nacion.

The 2009 Libertadores winner became president in 2014 soon after retiring at Estudiantes, inheriting financial strain and an unfinished rebuild of the Jorge Luis Hirschi, a project that began with demolition in 2005. Successive surpluses followed and the modernised stadium reopened in November 2019.

Re-elected in 2017, he stepped aside in 2021 to serve as vice-president to Martín Gorostegui, then returned in 2024 with the ground complete, the accounts stabilised and a recent national title secured. From there he pressed for clubs to be allowed to become sports joint-stock companies, known locally as SADs, despite opposition from the AFA and the country’s giants after President Javier Milei signed a decree opening a path. He said Estudiantes would remain a civil association, with the football arm potentially housed in a new commercial entity.

US businessman Foster Gillett emerged with a proposed US$ 150 million injection without turning the club into an SAD, paying US$ 15 million to trigger Cristian Medina’s release clause from Boca Juniors, the midfielder is now at Botafogo, and issuing a US$ 9.7 million loan. The broader investment never materialised, yet Verón continued to argue for private backing.

"Private investment does not kill passion. Balance is essential."

On the pitch his third term has been the most fruitful, with the Copa de la Liga and Trofeo de Campeones in 2024, then the Torneo Clausura and another Trofeo de Campeones in 2025. Including the 2023 Copa Argentina, won while he was vice-president, the ruling group has five titles.

Source: Globo.com

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