Leandro Paredes wants Kevin Zenón to be Boca’s 2026 boost, not Dybala or Verratti | OneFootball

Boca’s captain Leandro Paredes is driving an internal rebuild, seeking to restore Kevin Zenón as a de facto 2026 reinforcement. According to LaNumer12.com.ar, his leadership has lifted the mood around the squad.

His backing proved decisive with Exequiel Zeballos, whom he supported in training and online as the forward emerged from injuries to deliver in matches such as the Superclásico.

Zenón followed a similar path. After arriving in 2024, he impressed, then in 2025 under Miguel Russo he started against Benfica and Bayern Múnich at the Club World Cup, but soon lost his place. Under Claudio Úbeda he did not settle and made only 11 appearances from the bench.

After that quieter spell he is less eager to leave. Even with interest from Alavés, he is enjoying Boca and focusing on his level, aided by Paredes’ close attention, from social posts to shared dinners with Zeballos and downtime with Merentiel, including attending his wedding in Santa Fe.

On the grass, there was an early sign the reset is working. Úbeda named Zenón in the starting side for the first full session of pre-season, pairing him with Zeballos and Merentiel in an attack that trained against the reserves.

Boca will play two warm-ups during the Ezeiza camp. Millonarios visit La Bombonera on Wednesday 14 January, a night that will also honour Miguel Ángel Russo. Olimpia then replace Nacional on Sunday 18 January at the Estadio Único de San Nicolás, kicking off at 21:00.

Source: LaNumer12.com.ar