On August 5, 2015, River defeated Tigres de México 3-0 at the Monumental and won the Copa Libertadores after almost two decades. It was a campaign remembered for the agonizing qualification to the round of 16, the pepper spray scandal with Boca, and the thrashing of Cruzeiro in Brazil.
A decade after that night, we review where the protagonists of the final are that gave the Millonario its third "Eternal Glory" title.
The starters
Marcelo Barovero (41): a key player in the cup for his saves. He left in 2016 for Mexico, where he stayed until 2023, when he returned to Argentine soccer to wear Banfield's jersey, the team where he would retire a year later. He currently has an academy in Pilar.
Camilo Mayada (34): right back in the final due to Gabriel Mercado's injury. After being crowned in the legendary Madrid final against Boca, in 2019 he went to San Luis in Mexico. In this transfer window, he was introduced as Danubio's new signing.
Jonatan Maidana (40): one of the most significant players of the entire Gallardo era. He left the club after the Madrid final for Toluca in Mexico, returned in 2021, and stayed until the end of 2023, when he would announce his retirement from professional soccer. Today he plays for River's Senior team.
Ramiro Funes Mori (34): the scorer of the decisive goal in the final. After his time in Europe, Asia, and Mexico, he returned in 2023; however, he was unable to establish himself, so he left at the beginning of 2025 for Estudiantes de La Plata.
Leonel Vangioni (38): assisted Alario in the first goal of the final. After his brief experience at Milan and his stints at Monterrey and Libertad (with a little over a year of inactivity in between), in 2022 he returned to the club where he was born: Newell's. At the beginning of the year, he joined Quilmes.
Carlos Sánchez (40): scored the second goal of the final. At the beginning of 2016, he left as a free agent for Monterrey, where he stayed until 2018, when he joined Santos. In 2023, the Uruguayan returned to his country to wear the jerseys of Peñarol and Uruguay FC. Today, he plays in Uruguay's lower division for Rentistas.
Leonardo Ponzio (43): he never left River after his arrival in 2012 and retired in 2021. He is currently part of the Millonario's technical secretariat.
Matías Kranevitter (32): after his stints in Spanish, Russian, and Mexican soccer, he returned in 2023. Although he is part of the current squad, today he is looking for a club due to his low performance and alternatives in his position.
Nicolás Bertolo (39): after his multiple comings and goings between River and Banfield, and a brief experience at Platense, he played half a year at Fénix in 2024. At the beginning of the year, he retired.
Fernando Cavenaghi (41): after being crowned against Tigres, he had a brief spell at Apoel in Cyprus and retired in April 2016. He is currently president and sporting director of Racing de Montevideo.
