Pier Barrios takes armband to lead Colón’s 2026 overhaul | OneFootball

The Brigadier López Stadium is gearing up for a high-voltage day this Saturday, as Colón de Santa Fe hosts Deportivo Madryn for the start of a new Primera Nacional season. After more than four months away from home, the "Sabalero" returns to action with a deeply revamped structure, the result of an aggressive transfer market that added 16 new players to the professional squad. The institutional goal is clear: to bury the frustrations of the previous campaign and build a team capable of fighting for direct promotion from the first match.

The continuity of Ezequiel Medrán as head coach has allowed for a stable working base, but the group's makeup has changed drastically. In this process of "reshuffling and dealing again," the most significant decision has been the appointment of a new leader on the field. Pier Barrios, the experienced 35-year-old defender recently arrived from Peruvian football, will be the one to wear the captain's armband. His selection is no coincidence: Medrán seeks in him the commanding voice, tactical order, and necessary personality to lead a locker room that combines youth with a large number of new faces.

Barrios, a deep connoisseur of Argentine promotion and battles in long-haul championships, arrives to provide the leadership the team seemed to lose in critical moments last year. His presence in the central defense not only promises defensive solidity but also guidance for the players debuting in the red and white jersey in front of their fans. The management and coaching staff agree that the new captain's experience will be the axis upon which the identity of this 2026 Colón model will be built.

Expectations in the capital of Santa Fe are high. The fans, who have renewed their membership cards in massive numbers, hope to see a team that displays a different character and renewed energy. The match against Deportivo Madryn will be the first test for a cycle that begins with the obligation to be a protagonist and with a captain who takes on the challenge of leading the club back to the top tier of Argentine football.

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