Singing the Passion: How Florencia Barsellini Turns River Plate into Art | OneFootball

Through music and illustration, Florencia Barsellini transforms the River Plate experience into pure emotion.

Florencia Barsellini, by her own admission, is a very shy person — though you’d never guess it when scrolling through her Instagram or YouTube channels. The Adrogué, Argentina native has found a niche to express herself, her music, and her art through one of her greatest passions: River Plate.

The Argentine giant is one of the most popular clubs in South America — iconic for its style of play, its history of winning, and its world-class academy that has produced world-class talents such as Pablo Aimar, Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández, Radamel Falcao, Santiago Solari, Hernán Crespo, Gonzalo Higuaín, Ariel Ortega…the list goes on.

In this interview with the now widely followed River Plate content creator, Barsellini reflects on the deeper connection between music and Argentine football culture. Football is more than just a game, and music in Argentina is more than something to listen to. Like music and art, football is a form of expression. And for Barsellini, that expression comes full circle when she talks about River Plate.

Urban Pitch: First things first — what kind of music would be ideal to survive River’s rough 2025?

Florencia Barsellini: To survive such a tough year football-wise, the perfect soundtrack would be strong, hard Argentine rock — electric guitars, powerful drums, and an epic melody. A mix of cumbia-rock or tropical rock could also work.

Tell us how the idea of posting River Plate songs on social media came about. You told us you’re shy, so when did you take that leap?

Back in 2012, when River returned to the first division after some very difficult years, I felt the need to express everything that moment meant. That’s when I wrote a song called “Dale River Plate.” I wanted to put into words and melody the pride, relief, and hope that all of us fans were carrying inside.

I wrote it in my room, almost without thinking. When I finished, a friend listened and said, “You have to upload this, people need to hear it.” So I did, and from that day everything changed. There was a before and after, not only for me, but for how I began living my passion for River.

Over time, I realized I could fuse the three things I love most: River, football, and music. That combination lets me express myself in a way that feels unique.

I’m a pretty shy person, and that’s something I’m still working on. But at home I found a safe space. I can record, sing, film videos, and let emotions flow more freely.

I’ve had the chance to sing on radio shows and at some internal club events, incredible experiences that fill me with pride, but that also push me to face my fears. Being in the spotlight is still hard, but little by little I’m learning to enjoy each step, knowing it’s all part of the journey.

You usually play acoustic guitar or ukulele. When did you learn and how long did it take to feel comfortable performing in front of others?

I mostly play guitar and ukulele, and sometimes I dare to try some keyboard — I did a slow piano version of “Vamo’ Millonario.” I started when I was a teenager, and I’m still learning.

I always loved singing, and the guitar became a way to accompany myself. I sang in the choir of the National School of Adrogué and had a great teacher, Ricardo Barrera, who left a mark on me forever. Singing in a group was easier. Singing alone with my guitar is something that still challenges me — but every time I do it, I feel more like myself.

The Argentine Hinchada Experience

Why do music and football stadiums in Argentina have such a unique connection? What’s that “extra ingredient” that sets them apart from the rest of the world?

I’ve always felt that Argentina has a special bond between music and football. It’s hard to explain, but you can feel it the moment you step into a stadium or hear a barra sing. There’s a unique energy — passion, love, and a kind of emotional release that you only experience here.

In stadiums, people sing like it’s a concert; and at concerts, the crowd lives it like a match. That connection is pure collective emotion. It’s not just a sport or a melody — it’s a way of life.

That “extra ingredient” Argentines have is in the way we feel. We turn everything into song — joy, anger, pride, nostalgia. We sing to celebrate, but also to endure. In the end, football and music are two different paths that lead to the same place: the heart of the people. Both carry passion, history, and belonging. And maybe that’s where the real magic is: In that moment when everyone feels the same thing, even if we’re all different.

Who are your musical influences?

A lot of our national rock — Charly García, David Lebón, Fito Páez, Gustavo Cerati, Alejandro Lerner, that classic rock that still lives on today. And of course internationally, The Beatles and Queen.

When you see Argentine fan chants being sung in Spain or Italy, how does that make you feel as an Argentine? Do you think “La Hinchada” are a kind of global model?

Every time I see news or videos of Argentine chants being sung in Europe, I feel something special. There’s pride, because those chants were born in our stands. And there’s emotion, because behind each song there’s a collective story, a way of living football that only we truly understand.

Those songs are not just “stadium anthems,” they’re part of our identity. Seeing people in other countries adopt them is like watching the soul of Argentine football expand. It proves that true passion crosses borders, languages, and colors.

I don’t know if I’d call us a perfect model. There are things that need to change. The excessive violence, and the fact that many matches can’t have away fans, that’s a step backward. But in terms of passion, yes, we are absolutely a reference. The Argentine spirit is intense. It goes beyond everything.

You’re a huge River fan. Who are your top three idols and why?

Number one has to be Marcelo Gallardo. Not only for everything he achieved as a coach, but also for what he was as a player. He was a different kind of No. 10, with a brilliant football mind. I loved watching him — always one step ahead. It’s no surprise he became such a successful manager.

Second place goes to Ariel “El Burrito” Ortega. Another idol who marked my childhood. The God of the Gambeta, as I call him. His dribbling moved you. He left defenders scattered everywhere. A unique kind of magic you hardly see today. He was extraordinary.

And third, Javier Saviola. Deadly inside the box, fast, smart, always anticipating the play. I loved how he moved and finished. When I watch Julián Álvarez today, he reminds me a lot of him. That mix of humility, speed, and goal-scoring instinct.

The renovated Monumental feels more like a “show” and more “modern.” Do you think this changes the aesthetic or cultural identity of the fans — for better or for worse?

I think the renovation greatly improved the aesthetics without losing the identity. I know some fans criticize the gray tones in many areas, but for me it’s a positive change, a real step up. The stadium no longer feels stuck in the ’80s. It’s modern now, with a touch of Europe while still keeping the unique spirit that defines it.

Can you imagine performing your songs before a match or at an official club event someday? Would that be a dream come true?

Singing at an official club event is still something pending, but yes, it would be a dream. Perform at the Monumental and feel that energy? That would be unreal.

If you had the chance to create something official for the club — a song or an illustration — what would you want it to represent? What part of River would you want to immortalize?

Last year, for International Women’s Day, the club actually selected one of my songs for a commemorative video. That already was an incredible moment, knowing my music was reaching the fans, even through a screen. But being there, live, in the stadium surrounded by that overflowing passion, that would be crazy. My legs would be shaking!

The Singer and the Artist

You’re also a visual artist and worked with Honor Riverplatense magazine. What was that like — creating something for the club you love?

I’ve always considered myself more of a visual artist than a musician. Drawing has been part of me since I was little — a natural way to express myself. When I realized I could unite my passions, everything clicked. While writing music, I also began drawing River-related art and sharing it online.

Then I was contacted to create cover art for the Honor Riverplatense group led by Carlos Trillo. I remember that moment, it was a real “wow.” Someone valued my art. And drawing something related to River — something I love so deeply — made it even more special.

That experience was incredible artistically, but it also brought me closer to the club. It made me feel that my passion for River and my creativity could come together to create something others could enjoy.

What does drawing give you that music doesn’t, and vice versa? Do you feel you express yourself better through music or drawing?

Drawing freezes time. Everything stays there for you to look at, analyze, feel. It’s quieter, more intimate. A bridge where you can translate emotions into colors and shapes without needing words or sound. Music, on the other hand, connects instantly. It lives in the air, collective and invisible, felt without needing to see.

That’s why combining both passions is so special to me. Drawing allows me to create my world in silence. Music allows that world to open up and reach others.

I think I express myself better through drawing. Music exposes you. It puts you out there with no protection, and that creates a bit of an inner barrier for me. Drawing gives me a kind of mask. Each stroke and color is my voice, but in a way I can control. No one hears anything until I choose to share it. It’s like shouting in silence, expressing everything from a place where I feel safe and free at the same time.

You drew the River crowd with “the longest flag in the world” at Luna Park. What was that day like, and how did it feel to capture it with pencil and paper?

That drawing for the magazine was inspired by the film “Esos colores que llevas” by Fede Peretti, which shows the making of the longest flag in the world. It was much more than an assignment. They asked me to capture Luna Park and the River faithful — that collective emotion.

I remember how River fans packed Luna Park that day. It was a very special moment. The club was in full rebirth mode, not long after promotion. I was invited to a dinner before the premiere, legends like Beto Alonso were there. It was incredible.

Drawing that scene was both a challenge and a gift. It let me experience River from another perspective, feeling the strength of the club and its people.