Porto Alegre, Brazil – Cristian Pavón, a name once synonymous with Boca Juniors’ attacking flair and a reported transfer value of $50 million, is experiencing a remarkable career resurgence. But it’s not the path many envisioned. Now, at Grêmio, the 30-year-old Argentinian is thriving in a completely fresh role: right back. This transformation, orchestrated by manager Luís Castro, has not only revitalized Pavón’s career but also contributed to Grêmio’s recent Campeonato Gaúcho title.
Pavón’s journey has been anything but linear. Emerging from Talleres and Colón, he truly blossomed at Boca, where he won six titles. Under the guidance of Guillermo Barros Schelotto, he achieved a remarkable feat – 69 consecutive official matches, averaging 75 minutes per game. His performances attracted significant attention, and before the 2018 World Cup, a release clause of $50 million was set. However, a series of setbacks, including a fibular injury sustained after a loan spell with the LA Galaxy, and a strained relationship with Boca’s leadership, led to a decline in his fortunes.
The injury, requiring surgery in February 2021, significantly hampered his progress. His return to Argentina didn’t immediately yield the desired results. He was even issued the number 31 shirt upon his return to Boca, a clear indication of his diminished status. Whereas Sebastián Battaglia attempted to reintegrate him, Pavón ultimately departed when his contract expired in June 2022.
Seeking a fresh start, Pavón moved to Brazil, hoping to rediscover his form in a league known for its expansive pitches and less suffocating marking schemes. However, he initially struggled to secure a consistent starting position at Grêmio. His last goal came over a year ago, in February 2025, raising questions about his future.
That’s when Castro intervened. Recognizing Pavón’s athleticism and attacking instincts, the Grêmio manager made a bold decision: to deploy him as a right back. The move proved inspired. Pavón’s speed and power on the overlap provided a new dimension to Grêmio’s attack, and he quickly displaced established players like Marcos Rocha and João Pedro. This tactical shift culminated in a Campeonato Gaúcho triumph, with Grêmio defeating Internacional 4-1 on aggregate (3-0 and 1-1).
“When I was at Boca, I also played as a full-back and I was already familiar with the position,” Pavón explained recently. “I’m a winger, but they put me there and I always attempt to give my best.” This isn’t entirely new territory for Pavón; during his time at Boca under Barros Schelotto, he often contributed defensively within a 4-3-3 formation. The key difference now is that he starts from a deeper position, providing width and overlapping runs.
In 14 matches played in 2026, Pavón has taken 15 shots (5 on target), delivered 16 key passes, and completed 18 successful dribbles, according to data from Sofascore. He’s also demonstrated defensive solidity, completing 386 accurate passes (84% accuracy), delivering 22 accurate crosses, making 27 possessions-winning tackles, 16 interceptions, and winning 8 aerial duels.
The heatmap visually illustrates his expansive role, showcasing his movement across the entire right flank. Pavón’s versatility has been a revelation for Grêmio, and his performances have earned him renewed recognition from the club’s supporters.
Pavón’s resurgence comes at a crucial time. He was briefly a substitute in recent matches, including a start as a left winger against Botafogo, but his transition to right back has solidified his place in the starting lineup. Grêmio will face Deportivo Riestra of Argentina in the Copa Sudamericana on April 14th, offering Pavón a chance to showcase his skills on home soil.
This isn’t the first time a manager has repurposed an attacker as a defender, but it’s a move that has unlocked a new dimension in Pavón’s game. He’s evolved from a traditional winger to a more versatile player, capable of contributing both offensively and defensively. He’s now a player who can provide width, deliver crosses, and track back to defend against opposing wingers.
Castro’s assessment of Pavón’s character and work ethic rings true: “Pavón is not very popular with the fans, but Grêmio gains a versatile player, with a sense of mission, ambitious and determined. I admire hardworking and honest people.” The connection with the fans is improving, as evidenced by his warm reception from supporters during a recent trip to Chapecó.
Pavón’s physical attributes have always been exceptional. Javier Valdecantos, Boca’s former fitness coach, noted in 2017, “Pavón is a gifted athlete. He has impressive genetics. He is very powerful and very fast. What sets him apart is his genetics and his quality of training. His speed power is innate. He is a footballer who never stops, who plays as he trains and who does everything at 110 percent.”
Even during his peak at Boca, Barros Schelotto recognized Pavón’s potential. “He has the level for the national team and European football. He gives you a lot of things even when he doesn’t play well: he has speed and a very good shot. I consider him a remarkable player with enormous potential,” Barros Schelotto said in 2017. After a standout performance against Newell’s in 2018, the coach was asked how he would retain Pavón after the World Cup. “Let’s hope that moment arrives. I can tell you that the ovation he received today, he will have it forever in his head. It is tricky to experience what happened to him today when he was substituted, that recognition from the people, in another part of the world.”
When Barros Schelotto arrived at the LA Galaxy in 2019, he expressed his desire to reunite with Pavón, stating, “Everyone knows my appreciation for Cristian as a human being and as a professional. It would be very good to be able to count on him. For the league, it would be bringing a fantastic player.”
Pavón even received praise from Lionel Messi, who said in November 2017, “He can be a very important player for the national team due to his characteristics. He is not only very fast, but he also makes good decisions.”
Pavón’s current contract with Grêmio expires in December 2026, but his performances in this new role have attracted attention from other clubs. He remains optimistic about his future, stating, “I am calm (regarding the renewal). The truth is that I am taking advantage of the opportunities on the field, to then notice what happens in the future, if they want me to stay or if they want me to leave.”
Pavón has rediscovered his joy for the game and is now focused on scoring goals again. His last goal came in February 2025, but he believes that playing as a right back will alleviate some of the pressure and allow him to focus on utilizing his strengths: speed, dribbling, and crossing ability. He’s also embracing the defensive challenges and enjoying winning individual battles against opposing wingers.
This transformation may be the key to extending Pavón’s career and regaining the form that once made him one of the most exciting young players in South America. The next test for Pavón and Grêmio will be their Copa Sudamericana clash against Deportivo Riestra on April 14th, a match that will undoubtedly draw significant attention in Argentina.
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