With the departure of Juan Fernando Quintero, the River Plate emblematic number 10 shirt entered a period of uncertainty that had fans talking for weeks. The club, which values its history, finally confirmed the new owner of the sacred digit, a choice that has created a fresh chapter in River’s ongoing narrative.
Quintero had all the qualities a River 10 should possess: exceptional skill, a long-standing connection with the club, and moments that etched themselves into the team’s lore. His unforgettable strike against Boca Juniors in the 2018 Copa Libertadores final, played in Madrid, is still recalled as a defining moment in the club’s recent history. His early exit—driven by financial constraints—left the shirt without a clear successor and fueled speculation about possible successors, from promising youth players to seasoned figures such as José Paradela.
Early January 2023 brought clarity. Martín Demichelis, who was shaping River’s squad for the season, announced that one of his newcomers would have the honor of donning the 10. Nacho Fernández, a player who had also stood out in the Libertadores final, was unveiled as the new owner of the legendary number. The moment carried weight because Fernández, like Quintero, had tasted the club’s most intense moments and understood the expectations tied to that single digit.
“I’m going to wear the 10. It’s a huge pride. We know what the 10 represents at this club and the demand that accompanies carrying this number,” Fernández expressed at the final press conference before heading to the United States for the preseason. His voice carried both humility and a clear commitment to meet the challenge and contribute wherever the coach might need him. The sentiment resonated with the dressing room and with the supporters who recognize the badge behind the number as much as the player who wears it [Goal].
There is precedent for Fernández wearing this particular number. In 2019, during the South American Cup Winners’ Cup final against Athletico Paranaense, he wore the famous 10, inheriting the mantle after Quintero’s departure to the Chinese league. The shirt’s lineage reflects River’s ability to see a thread of continuity through different eras and players. Time moved on, and the number shifted hands before returning to its rightful Colombian bearer when that player rejoined the club, underscoring how the shirt can migrate across generations, always tied to the club’s enduring identity.
Today, Nacho Fernández faces new on-pitch responsibilities and a personal milestone that adds to the season’s meaning. He is set to become a father for the first time, a life event that often deepens a player’s emotional bond with the club where he feels a second home. Professionally, he steps back into the role that brought him the club’s most intense moments, embracing a jersey many describe as a symbol of expectation and a source of inspiration for teammates and fans alike. The coach has identified him as a central reference point within the project, signaling that Fernández’s influence could extend beyond goals and assists to leadership on and off the field. Fans are energized by the prospect of what he can deliver, given his track record in key matches and his demonstrated ability to rise to the occasion when the stakes are high [Goal].
As the season unfolds, the connection between the shirt and the city’s football heartbeat remains strong. The number 10 is not merely a digit; it embodies a history of triumphs, a standard that demands quality, resilience, and a knack for elevating a team in crucial moments. Fernández’s arrival has rekindled conversations about how this symbol can shape the team’s tactical approach, influence the dynamics in the attacking line, and reinforce the club’s identity in domestic and international competitions. For the supporters, the new owner of the 10 offers a narrative of continuity—an assurance that the best aspects of River’s past can blend with the ambitions of its present and future [Goal].
In the larger arc of River Plate’s season, the 10 shirt carries expectations as heavy as ever. The coaching staff and players understand that carrying the legacy is not just about wearing the number; it is about embodying a standard of performance, dedication, and loyalty that fans have come to expect from the club. Fernández’s experience, combined with the team’s growing cohesion and strategic plans, aims to translate that belief into tangible results on the field. For the city’s football culture and for River Plate’s global supporters, the 10 remains a powerful symbol—one that connects history, present challenges, and the promise of future glory [Goal].