Prestianni spoke about River, Otamendi and his current situation at Benfica after being called up to the National Team

Gianluca Prestianni, a 20-year-old forward who came through the ranks at Vélez Sarsfield and transferred to Benfica in early 2024, returned to Argentina to join the National Team and spoke with the press at Ezeiza International Airport. His statements were published by Crónica. The AFA, for its part, released statements from Nicolás Otamendi after a National Team match, although it did not refer to Prestianni or the forward’s remarks.

What Prestianni said about River and Otamendi

According to Crónica, Prestianni was asked about the rumors linking him to River Plate in recent transfer windows. The outlet notes that the chances of a move to the Núñez club did not materialize because Benfica would not have plans to let the player go on loan. The forward, always according to that source, left the door open to what might happen in the future, but stressed that his present is in Europe: «Today I’m happy in Europe, I’m very young and I have to make the most of it, and later on you never know what can happen.»

Regarding Nicolás Otamendi, Prestianni said he maintains a relationship with the defender. He said that whenever he can he watches him and that he asked him to save a jersey for him. He also expressed: «I hope to see him soon, it makes me very happy that he fulfilled his dream of playing for River.»

The source specifies that Prestianni was called up by Lionel Scaloni for Argentina’s friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin. Crónica notes that the player was developed in Vélez’s youth ranks, made his first-team debut and that Benfica paid 9 million euros for 85% of his economic rights. These data do not appear in the AFA source.

What the official AFA source provides

The Argentine Football Association published statements from Nicolás Otamendi after a 5-0 victory over Zambia at La Bombonera. In that material, Otamendi refers to his farewell from the National Team, thanks the fans and his teammates, and mentions that he scored his first goal with the senior team. He also talks about the World Cup and the Finalissima. However, he does not mention Prestianni, nor River, nor the friendly call-up. The AFA source is primary as an official statement, but it does not confirm or deny Prestianni’s remarks reported by Crónica.

The contrast between both sources is limited: Crónica provides Prestianni’s statements and context data about his career and the River rumors; the AFA provides Otamendi’s statements about his own present with the National Team, with no connection to the content of Crónica’s article. There is no thematic overlap or cross-confirmation. The only relation is that both footballers are part of the Argentine National Team, but at different times and contexts according to what was published.

Practical impact: who it affects and since when

Prestianni’s statements, disseminated by Crónica, have immediate effect in the sports and journalistic sphere. They affect River Plate fans, who see renewed interest in a possible signing; the player himself, whose situation at Benfica and his call-up to the National Team are exposed; and Vélez followers, who follow his career. The relationship with Otamendi, a River idol, adds a component of interest for fans of the Núñez club. The AFA source, for its part, has a different scope: it documents Otamendi’s farewell from the National Team, a relevant fact for the football public in general.

Since when: Prestianni’s statements were made upon his arrival in the country for the friendly call-up, according to Crónica. Otamendi’s, after the match against Zambia, according to AFA. No exact dates are specified in the provided material.

Concrete consequences

• Immediate effect: revival of rumors about a possible River interest in Prestianni, although the player himself clarified that his present is in Europe.
• Immediate effect: greater media exposure for Prestianni upon his return to the National Team.
• Conditional effect: any future negotiation between Benfica and River would depend on the Portuguese club’s willingness, which according to Crónica would not have a loan among its plans.
• Conditional effect: Prestianni’s continuity at Benfica and his performance in the friendlies could influence his market value and interest from other clubs.
• Uncertain effect: there is no confirmation of a formal offer or official contact between clubs for Prestianni.
• Uncertain effect: the relationship between Prestianni and Otamendi has no direct sporting consequences beyond the statements.

Value module: data on Prestianni’s transfer

The only source providing economic data is Crónica. No primary source is available to support them. Therefore, they are recorded as journalistic data, not independently verified.

No conversion to another currency is made because no exchange rate or exact date is available in the material. The original unit (euros) is preserved.

What data or decision should be followed

The data to follow is the evolution of Prestianni’s situation at Benfica and any official communication from the clubs involved about a possible transfer. It is also worth watching whether the AFA or another primary source confirms or expands Prestianni’s or Otamendi’s statements. The relevant decision would be a possible formal offer from River or another club, which so far is not documented in the sources consulted.