The Complete Saga of Agustín Almendra and Darío Benedetto on Boca Juniors’ Field
Agustín Almendra and Darío Benedetto faced each other again on the same field after a tense confrontation. The full story behind their renewed encounter in 2023 centers on a volatile chapter in Boca Juniors history, where a promising young midfielder and a veteran goal scorer emerged as the focal points of a storm that threatened both camaraderie and the team’s direction.
What seemed like a brief dispute during a season that carried high expectations soon revealed deeper tensions. Almendra, once hailed as one of Boca’s most promising talents, found his status eroded by persistent disputes with his coach and, later, with Benedetto himself, a leader and reference figure within the squad. The friction kept him sidelined for long stretches, limiting his participation on the pitch through a substantial portion of the season. It was only when Fernando Gago, who had previously shared the field with Almendra, returned to guide the team that the player appeared again, this time on the verge of a second semester in 2023.
The Backstory of the Rift Between Almendra and Benedetto
The central incident began with a major figure in Boca’s coaching staff at the time, Sebastián Battaglia. The then-head coach attempted to calm tensions between Almendra and a teammate during a training session, but the midfielder reacted poorly in front of the entire squad. The exchange escalated rapidly, and Battaglia ultimately sent Almendra away from practice, later separating him from the squad for an undetermined period. The decision reverberated through the locker room, highlighting the players’ growing fatigue with Almendra’s attitude.
Benedetto weighed in publicly, underscoring the seriousness of the issue. He stated that the situation could not endure and that the coach’s decision reflected the collective feeling of the group. Benedetto argued that a player who would not contribute to the team would not earn a place within the national squad either, emphasizing that loyalty to the club and willingness to work were non-negotiable expectations. He asserted that Almendra did not grasp the gravity of wearing the Boca shirt and failed to meet the standards required by the group. A shared stance among teammates and the coaching staff appeared evident in his remarks.
Later on, Benedetto reinforced this sentiment in another message, insisting that the move against Almendra was justified and necessary for the team’s cohesion. He reiterated that there were limits to what could be tolerated and that those limits had to be enforced to preserve the group’s unity. His commentary, amplified by the media, echoed a broader theme within Boca’s environment about accountability and collective responsibility.
From the sidelines, the conversation continued in the public arena, with Benedetto expressing a belief that the decision made with Almendra was correct and that certain issues within the squad had to be resolved decisively. He acknowledged that personal matters could be separate from professional obligations but insisted that the team could not carry individuals who did not contribute positively to the group dynamics. The exchanges, captured across social and media channels, illustrated the high emotions and high expectations that defined Boca during that period.
As the situation unfolded, Almendra went through a period of inactivity. He publicly conveyed remorse and a longing to return to play, reaching out to key figures within the club, including the club’s leadership and the press. Despite attempts to reintegrate him through the reserve teams and multiple calls, the original decision to distance him from the first team remained in effect for a time.
When the first-team leadership shifted under new guidance, there appeared to be renewed optimism for Almendra’s return. He received some minutes in matches against Colón and Rosario Central, but changes in his contract status and personal matters ultimately cut that path short. The chapter seemed closed as Almendra moved on, eventually joining a different club where an opportunity to compete at a high level loomed again.
In the wake of these developments, a potential reunion with Benedetto—should their paths cross in competition—came to the fore. Benedetto spoke of a cordial encounter that had occurred previously during Almendra’s time at Boca, noting that there were no lingering resentments. He stated that there was no need for further clarification, and that any future interaction would be handled with mutual respect. He acknowledged that although a hug might not be the form of reconciliation, a polite greeting would be perfectly acceptable should circumstances bring them face to face again.
Public exchanges carried a sharp edge at times. In one memorable exchange, Almendra’s supporters highlighted the personal nature of the rift, suggesting that Benedetto would be wise to focus on his own issues rather than engage in comparisons. Benedetto, for his part, maintained a straightforward stance about the need to keep personal matters separate from professional interactions. The dialogue reflected a deeper question about how rivals navigate a shared past when their careers continue to intersect in high-stakes environments.
As fans awaited a potential face-to-face confrontation on the field, questions lingered about what would unfold if Almendra and Benedetto met again during Boca’s campaigns or in future fixtures against each other. The narrative remained a defining subplot of Boca Juniors’ recent history, symbolizing the tension between individual ambitions and the collective goals of a storied club. Through the loud conversations and quiet introspection that followed, the players and the organization articulated a common desire: to channel past conflicts into professional growth and shared success on the field.
In summary, the saga of Almendra and Benedetto at Boca Juniors is a testament to the complexities of youth talent maturing under intense scrutiny and leadership pressures. It highlights how personal dynamics can shape the fortunes of a top club, while also underscoring the resilience required to rebuild trust, reestablish roles, and pursue glory on the continental stage.
— Notes compiled from coverage at Goal