Rosario Central claimed their third trophy in three years and the 14th star for their club crest by winning the Supercopa Internacional 2026. Thousands of fans packed the Monumento a la Bandera on September 29 to welcome the champion squad in a celebration that turned into a provocative stunt targeting Estudiantes de La Plata.

The team arrived on a bus decked in the club's blue and yellow colours with the phrase 'Campeón Supercopa Internacional 2026'. From the vehicle's roof, more than thirty players greeted a crowd that had begun gathering hours before the official 7 p.m. Start time set by the club. The caravan, with families and supporters of all ages, turned parts of the city blue and yellow amid smoke, flags, and chants.

The provocation that sparked controversy

Amid the celebrations, players Franco Ibarra and Gaspar Duarte displayed from the bus a coffin decorated with a photo of Juan Sebastián Verón and the inscription 'porteño llorón' (crying porteño). The object also bore the letters 'EDLP QEPD' and another image of the former footballer with his surname. The action, captured in videos that quickly went viral, reignited the historic rivalry between the two institutions.

Estudiantes officials were quick to react. Vice-president Martín Gorostegui used a post of the celebration to criticise the players. "No hicimos nada para que pase lo que pasó" (We did nothing for what happened), said Gorostegui, paraphrasing a previous statement by Ángel Di María. Meanwhile, Juan Ongay, the club's finance secretary, stated: "Imagino que la inmaculada Asociación del Fútbol Argentino tomará alguna medida" (I imagine the immaculate Argentine Football Association will take some measure).

Context of a sweet moment

The celebration comes at a time of strong sporting performance for the team coached by Miguel Ángel Russo. Rosario Central sit second in the Liga Profesional Argentina with 18 points from 10 games, from 5 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats. Their last outing was a resounding 1-3 win against Estudiantes themselves on September 26, a match in which Ángel Di María, a fan idol though no longer part of the squad, scored a brace.

Di María, who has 8 goals in 23 appearances this season according to our records, was loudly cheered during the festivities. The star had previously declared he does not want to retire and wishes to keep winning titles. The team, aiming to fight for the Clausura and dream of the annual table, demonstrated an explosive connection with its people.

The day ended with the players promising to continue on this path of success. The squad now turns its focus to the next official commitment, an away fixture at Banfield on October 6, where they will look to extend a positive run of three consecutive wins.