River confirm Juan Fernando Quintero exit after mutual termination | OneFootball

River have terminated Juan Fernando Quintero’s contract by mutual agreement, ending the Colombian playmaker’s third stint after a dispute with coach Eduardo Coudet.

The club said in a statement that he leaves as a free agent, soon after featuring in four games with one assist at the 2026 World Cup.

Quintero did not return to training after the tournament. Coudet maintained he was due back on Thursday, while the player said he had not spoken to the coach since being granted leave at the end of the 2026 Apertura.

River praised his talent and decisive moments, highlighting his 2018 Copa Libertadores final strike in Madrid that put the team 2-1 up against Boca.

This spell comprised 40 matches, taking him to 137 across three periods with the club.

He first arrived on loan from Porto in early 2018, then signed permanently for 3.75 million euros. That cycle ran to February 2021 and brought 61 games, 12 goals and four trophies including the Libertadores and Recopa.

Sold to Shenzhen, he returned on loan in 2022 under Martín Demichelis, playing 36 times and scoring seven. River then paid about three million dollars to bring him back in mid 2025.

In the 2026 Apertura he started regularly under Marcelo Gallardo and even captained the side. Under Coudet he lost his place despite a goal and an assist in the last 16, and he did not feature in the semi-final. River went on to lose the final 3-2 to Belgrano.

Source: SuperDepor.com