Matías Viña Joins Cruzeiro on Loan Amid River Plate Controversy

Cruzeiro has confirmed the signing of Matías Viña, the Uruguayan full-back who was on loan at River Plate, to strengthen the squad through the end of 2026. The deal gained prominence following the controversy involving the player at the Argentine club, where he was training in a container.

Controversy at River Plate and the "container"

Viña was part of the so-called "container group," a cohort of 13 players sidelined from River Plate's first-team training and assigned to the training complex on Avenida Cantilo in Buenos Aires. The facility, described as a container equipped with a shower, a table, and a changing area, became widely known after the release of photos that sparked debate across Argentine football.

Departure from River and career restart in Brazil

The full-back, who was under contract with River through the end of 2026, was loaned to Flamengo for 500,000 dollars and subsequently to River Plate, but failed to secure a place in the squad. Following the termination of his deal with River, Cruzeiro moved forward in negotiations and sealed the loan until the end of the season, with no financial compensation paid to Flamengo.

Terms of the loan to Cruzeiro

The agreement provides for Viña to remain at the Minas Gerais club until the end of 2026, with an option to buy at the end of the spell. Flamengo retains a contract with the athlete through December 2028, but will receive no additional fee for the loan.

Expectations for the season

With Viña's arrival, Cruzeiro aims to reinforce the left-back position and draw on the experience of a player who has featured for Palmeiras, Roma, and other European clubs. The team expects the full-back to contribute both defensively and offensively throughout the campaign.

With information from ge, LANCE!.