Buenos Aires, Jan 8 (NA) – The start of the preseason brought relevant news for Boca Juniors, especially for Milton Giménez, as the forward completed the procedures for Paraguayan citizenship and is now officially eligible to be called up to the Paraguay national team. This is a concrete possibility that puts him on the radar for the process leading up to the 2026 World Cup. After more than three months of administrative procedures, Giménez received the documentation certifying his nationality, backed by his father's Paraguayan origin, as learned by the Argentine News Agency. The completion of the paperwork was driven by the coaching staff of the "Albirroja," who are closely monitoring the attacker due to the scarcity of offensive options in the Guarani squad. With this new scenario, the Banfield player could be called up by Gustavo Alfaro in the next FIFA matchday in March, where Paraguay will play a series of international friendlies. If the call-up happens, Giménez will compete for a spot with other forwards from the local and international scene, in a squad list aimed at consolidating alternatives for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The footballer himself sees this opportunity as an extra stimulus in his career. Without altering his focus at Boca, the chance to wear the Paraguay jersey appears as a sporting and personal challenge, which could also boost his international visibility in a demanding season for the "Xeneize".
Transfer Market: The situation of Mendía and Giampaoli
In parallel, Boca is analyzing movements in its defense. Renzo Giampaoli will continue on loan at Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata until 2026, following a prominent year in the Torneo Clausura. The agreement was again closed as a loan with an option to buy, marking the sixth consecutive season the defender has been away from the club.
Different is the outlook for Mateo Mendía, captain of the Reserve team and one of the most followed youth players in the squad. Lanús reached an agreement to sign him on loan for a year with an option to buy, after rejected offers from Peñarol and interest from other teams. At Boca, however, the stance is clear: to keep him unless a reinforcement arrives in the same position, due to the heavy 2026 schedule and the limited turnover in central defense.
