Paredes: ‘Roma fans will understand’ return home to first love Boca Juniors

epa11164724 Leandro Paredes of Roma celebrates after scoring the 0-3 goal during the Serie A soccer match between Frosinone Calcio and AS Roma, in Frosinone, Italy, 18 February 2024. EPA-EFE/FEDERICO PROIETTI

Leandro Paredes has said goodbye to Roma for the second time, as he completes his return ‘home’ to Boca Juniors after 135 competitive appearances.

Although he won it all with Argentina, including the 2022 World Cup and two editions of the Copa America, all of his club trophies are from PSG, Boca Juniors or Zenit St. Petersburg.

Paredes says goodbye to Roma

“I don’t know where to start,” wrote the World Cup winner on Instagram.

“You were the first to welcome me when I was still a child, to give me and my family the love that we needed to feel at home, and that is how we felt.

“ROMA will always be my second home, it was my first and last club in Europe. I am so disappointed I never managed to win something with you, but I leave safe in the knowledge that I gave all of myself.

“I hope that I was a great professional and an example for all the kids, but above all a good person.

“Two of my children are Roman, but all three of them are Romanisti.

“The moment has come for me to return home, where I always dreamed of going for the club in my heart. I know that the great Roman and Romanista population will understand me.

“Thank you to all of Rome and to Roma, we will carry you always in our heart, which will forever be Giallorossi. I love you.”

The midfielder was a product of the Boca Juniors youth academy, but left to start his career in Italy with Chievo in 2014.

There was only one game in the Chievo jersey, as it was a way of acclimatising in conjunction with the Giallorossi.

He then joined Roma in 2014, interrupted by a loan at Empoli before his sale to Zenit St. Petersburg in 2017.

After experiences at Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, he came back to Roma in 2023.

This included a gentleman’s agreement that he could be allowed to leave for €3.5m, which Boca Juniors have agreed to pay in full.