Libertadores 2026: 10 foreign-based players to watch, from Ángel Di María to Hugo Rodallega | OneFootball

The Libertadores 2026 group stage begins this week, showcasing stars of different ages and styles. According to Globo.com, here are 10 foreign-club standouts to track.

Ángel Di María returns for Rosario Central two decades after his first Libertadores, re-debuting on Thursday against Independiente del Valle at 19:00 Brasília time. Boca’s Leandro Paredes, 31, is back as captain after spells with Roma, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.

Boca’s 18-year-old midfielder Tomás Aranda has shone for Argentina’s youth teams, and they travel to Universidad Católica on Tuesday. Universitario’s Álex Valera, 29, Peru’s 2025 player of the year, opens on Tuesday against Tolima after four goals in four this year.

Peñarol forward Matías Arezo, 23, on loan from Grêmio, has six in nine in Uruguay and starts on Thursday against Santa Fe. Team-mate Abel Hernández, 35, excelled for Liverpool of Uruguay in 2025, rejoined Peñarol and is close to returning from injury.

Cerro Porteño left-back Blas Riveros, 28, Paraguay’s 2025 best player, is nearing fitness in a group with Palmeiras, Junior Barranquilla and Sporting Cristal. Racing striker Adrián Martínez, 33, shared the 2025 Libertadores golden boot with Flaco López on seven and remains a reliable finisher after Coritiba in 2022.

Independiente Rivadavia’s Alex Arce, 30, a late bloomer after strong years with LDU, returned and helped last year’s Copa Argentina win to seal this berth. Santa Fe icon Hugo Rodallega, 40, a veteran of England, Mexico and Türkiye, hit 23 league goals including the title-clincher in 2025, then took player of the tournament.

Source: Globo.com