Ignacio Ovando of Rosario Central reignited the controversy over the 2025 'back-turning' incident in a tense press conference ahead of the Supercopa Internacional final. The 19-year-old forward verbally confronted Estudiantes defender Leandro González Pirez, labelling his rivals' gesture as a disrespectful act that still pains the club's supporters.

The original incident took place on November 23, 2025, before the Primera División match which Estudiantes won 1-0 at Gigante de Arroyito. During the traditional champion's guard of honour, Estudiantes players, following instructions from president Juan Sebastián Verón, turned their backs as Rosario Central entered the pitch.

Ovando, who scored the winning goal against Argentinos JRS last week, was blunt. "For us, as Marco (Ruben) said before coming out here, it was a lack of respect," stated the youngster. "We took it that way and it hurt a lot for all of us who are fans, like Marquitos is."

González Pirez's response

Faced with the accusation, the Estudiantes defender tried to clarify his club's stance once again. González Pirez insisted the gesture was never aimed at Rosario Central as an institution. "We've clarified it a million times: it was never against Central," he said. "On the contrary, we highly praised the season they had, we just disagreed with that decision that had been taken." The discord stemmed from Estudiantes' belief that Central's title win in the 2025 Trofeo de Campeones, achieved with 66 points in the annual table, was unjust.

Miguel Ángel Russo's team arrives at this final in strong form. Rosario Central are second in the Liga Profesional with 18 points from 10 games and are on a two-match winning streak. Their next league fixture is away to Banfield on October 6th, but first comes the big date on Saturday.

The Supercopa Internacional final will be played this Saturday at 16:00 at the Madre de las Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero. Central qualified by winning the 2025 Trofeo de Campeones, while Estudiantes did so by winning the Copa Argentina, a tournament in which they eliminated the canallas 3-0 in the round of 16. Star forward Ángel Di María, the team's top scorer with 8 goals in 23 appearances this season, will be a key piece in the attack.

The exchange of words adds extra spice to a final that was already promising to be intense. Everything will be decided on the pitch this weekend.

First reported at Clarín Deportes