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River Plate Libertadores Winner Leonel Vangioni Retires After 19-Year Career

The 38-year-old full-back closed a 19-year career with a grateful Instagram farewell.

Overview

  • Vangioni announced his decision on Instagram, thanking Newell's, River Plate, AC Milan, Monterrey, Libertad and Quilmes along with teammates, staff, supporters and family.
  • The left-back ended his playing days in 2025 at Quilmes after a return to Newell's from 2022 to 2024.
  • He was a key figure in River Plate's mid-2010s run, lifting six trophies that included the 2015 Copa Libertadores under Marcelo Gallardo.
  • His career abroad featured a season with AC Milan and a successful stint at Monterrey from 2017 to 2020, where he won multiple titles.
  • He earned three senior caps for Argentina after debuting in 2009 under Diego Maradona, and one outlet reported the retirement note came just before a planned Kings League World Cup appearance in Brazil.