Historically, River had soccer players born in other relevant countries in its various teams, some of the most emblematic are Enzo FrancescoliWalter Gómez, Marcelo SalasDelem and more here in time Falcao, Rodrigo Mora or Carlos Sánchez to give just a few examples. But so far in the 21st century there were also several foreigners who went through the Millionaire without pain or glory and in The Millionaire Page we review the ten most emblematic.
Alejandro Escalona | 2001/02
Alejandro Escalona was born in Chile and stood out as a left back. In fact, he went through great teams but in River he couldn’t get a foothold. His debut took place in Colo Colo, then he was in Torino in Italy, in Benfica in Portugal and for the 2001/02 season he arrived at River, a club in which he only played one game. Then his career continued at Everton in Chile, Gremio in Brazil and later in various Chilean clubs. In 2012 he left the activity in Curicó Unido.
Daniel Fonseca | 2002
At the end of a more than outstanding career, Daniel Fonseca arrived at River at the beginning of 2002. José María Aguilar’s intention was to have names such as Fonseca and Esnáider at the beginning of his management. The time spent by the Uruguayan Fonseca in River was as short as it was disappointing, he only played two summer superclassics, in fact in one he scored a great goal from a free kick. Then he went to Nacional and that same year he put an end to his career at Como in Italy. It should be noted that he had played in the 90 World Cup and also in clubs such as Napoli, Rome and Juventus.
Jerson Gonzalez | 2002
The Colombian Jerssón González arrived in the middle of 2002 at the Greatest after a very good career in soccer in his country. His debut took place in América de Cali, then he went to Tolima and between 1995 and 2001 he returned to the Cali team. After a brief stint at Galatasaray in Turkey, he arrived at Núñez but practically did not play. In 2003 he returned to Colombia and for the next nine years he played in his country until he retired. He is currently DT of Llaneros.
Martin Del Campo | 2003
The Uruguayan Martín Del Campo played as a right back and arrived at River at the beginning of 2003 but only played two games in Pellegrini’s team. His beginnings were in Montevideo Wanderers and then he was several in Nacional. After passing through the Greatest, his career continued at Olimpia in Paraguay, at Bella Vista in Uruguay, at América RJ in Brazil and then he was at Atlético Rafaela and at Tiro Federal in Argentina.
Maximo Lucas | 2003
Máximo Lucas, like Martín Del Campo, was also Uruguayan and reached the Greatest at the request of Manuel Pellegrini. Like his compatriot, his cycle for Núñez was short and he played very few games. In total Máximo Lucas officially wore the Sacred Mantle three times. His career continued in Estudiantes Tecos (Mexico), U in Chile, Olimpo, Deportivo Cali, Liverpool in Uruguay, Marathon in Honduras and Beijing Baxy in China.
Marcelo Sosa | 2006
Marcelo Fabián Sosa was born in Uruguay and arrived at River in 2006 at the request of Daniel Passarella, who was managing the team at the time. His beginnings had been in Danubio, then he went through Russian football, he was in Atlético Madrid and Osasuna and in 2006 he put on the Sacred Mantle. The central midfielder barely played three games in the Greatest and then left for Nacional de Montevideo. Before retiring in 2013, he visited the jerseys of Tecos, Peñarol, Racing de Uruguay and Danubio again.
Juan Carlos Toja | 2006
Colombian Juan Carlos Toja played as an attacking midfielder. His beginnings were in Santa Fe, a club in which he stood out and at the age of 21 he arrived at River. At the Millionaire he barely played three games and scored a goal –it was against Oriente Petrolero for the Copa Libertadores- but due to the lack of continuity he returned to Santa Fe. After brief stints in Dallas, Steaua de Bucharest, Aris Salonica and New England Revolution, he left the activity in 2013.
Christian Alvarez | 2005/06
The Chilean Cristián Álvarez debuted in the First Division in 1999 playing for the Catholic University. After several years at a very good level, he arrived at River in mid-2005 to replace Carlos Diogo, who had excelled in Núñez. He never managed to establish himself as a starter but he also played several games for River de Astrada and Passarella, in total there were 27 games played with the Sacred Mantle. In 2007 he returned to the Catholic and before retiring in said club he had steps in soccer in Mexico, Israel and Peru.
Javier Cohene Mereles | 2009
Paraguayan Javier Cohene Mereles arrived at River for the second half of 2009. The central goalkeeper had debuted at Pirayú Sport and was then transferred to Brazil’s Passo Fundo and Portugal’s Olhanense. He was tested in the Greatest but did not make his debut in the First Division. Already in 2010 he passed through Sportivo Luqueño and that same year he returned to Portugal and then his career continued in Serbia.
Miguel Paniagua | 2009
Along with Javier Cohene Mereles arrived at River in 2009 his compatriot Miguel Paniagua. The central midfielder arrived from Guaraní and in fact Gorosito made him the starter on the first date of the Apertura against Banfield. His performance was not good, he only played four games and immediately fell behind in Almeyda’s consideration. He played in the Reserves and in 2010 returned to Guaraní. In 2012 he played for Deportivo Cuenca of Ecuador and since 2013 he plays in Paraguay. He went through clubs the size of Cerro Porteño, Olimpia, Libertad and Nacional. He currently plays in his home country of Guaireña after a brief step through Peruvian football.
