El Mellizo is set for another Superclásico, eight years after the last meeting with Boca, a club against which they have never tasted defeat in official matches.
The most recent image of Ramiro Funes Mori stepping onto the grass at La Bombonera remains unforgettable for those who recall that night. It was Thursday, May 15, 2015, and the momentum had barely begun. His eyes carried the weight of a long season, and his shirt bore the mark of a troubling incident that would become part of Superclásico lore. As he approached the tunnel that leads to the home dressing room, security shields formed a protective ring around him. Bottles rained from the stands, and the atmosphere shifted from tension to something closer to chaos just as the visiting team prepared to return to the pitch for the second half. The match, the second leg of the round of 16 in the Copa Libertadores, was halted after an hour and fifteen minutes of deliberation by the referee, Darío Herrera, who faced a decision that would linger in memory long after the whistle.
Funes Mori became one of six River Plate players caught in a pepper spray incident that targeted the Baker Napolitano area as Boca fans erupted in protest. The medical team for River documented chemical keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea caused by exposure to the irritant. It was a moment that not only tested the resilience of the visitors but also marked a turning point in how the Superclásico was perceived by players, officials, and supporters alike. The gritty determination of the River squad in the aftermath spoke to a club that would not be swayed by a single, explosive moment and that would carry those memories forward into future encounters with Boca Juniors.
Fast forward to the present, and the central defender finds himself returning to Alberto J. Armando with the experience of years behind him. The period since leaving Núñez in the middle of the year has been a mix of personal growth and professional renewal, as Funes Mori has rebuilt his form and sharpened his understanding of the fixture. In this new chapter, he not only confronts the history that followed him from that night in Buenos Aires but also carries with him a ledger of moments that have shaped his career. The ties to Mendoza remain strong, yet the challenges and opportunities of the Superclásico have a way of refining a player who has faced both adoration and pressure on the global stage. The comeback match against Boca represents more than a simple test of fitness; it is a reunion with a rivalry that energizes the sport and electrifies the fans, a stage where every touch, every pass, and every decision is measured against a storied past and a hopeful future.
In the year since his return to the club, this reunion offers a narrative arc that fans and analysts will follow closely. The opponent is not merely a rival on the calendar but a symbol of a fierce battleground where strategy, momentum, and momentary brilliance collide. For Funes Mori, the opportunity to line up against Boca again arrives with the weight of history and the promise of a fresh canvas. The match will test his tactical awareness, his ability to read the tempo of a match that has long been defined by intensity, and his capacity to contribute to a team that seeks to honor its legacy while pushing forward into a new era. The stories surrounding this encounter will add to the rich tapestry of the Superclásico, weaving together personal memory, club heritage, and the unyielding demand of fans who expect nothing less than a memorable performance.
Citation note: The details reflect reporting from Goal as part of the event’s historical record. Cited: Goal.