Ecuadorean star Kendry Páez leaves River Plate amid controversy, returns to Chelsea

Ecuadorean talent Kendry Páez has officially concluded his six-month loan spell at Argentine club River Plate, returning to Chelsea, the club that owns his sporting rights. His premature departure marks the end of an agreement initially planned to extend until mid-2027, signaling a premature end to his time in Buenos Aires.

Páez's exit comes amidst a challenging period marked by inconsistent playing time and his exclusion from River Plate's first team following the 2026 World Cup. The final weeks of his tenure were further complicated by a controversy surrounding a social media post allegedly made after River Plate's elimination from the Copa Sudamericana. The post, featuring a grimacing emoji, was interpreted by fans and media as a potential mockery of the team's defeat.

Adding fuel to the fire, Kendry Páez's father, Ray Páez, posted a message on social media that read, "Time proves right," accompanied by emojis, including chickens, a symbol often used derisively against River Plate. This further intensified speculation and led River Plate to reportedly consider sanctions against players for post-match social media activity.

However, Kendry Páez has publicly denied posting the controversial story. He stated, "I have seen that a story is circulating on social media that I supposedly published after the match, and I want to clarify that this publication never came from my account. I would never publish something to mock a result or a difficult moment for the team." Despite his denial, the controversy, coupled with his lack of consistent play, appears to have precipitated his early return to Chelsea, where his future career path will now be determined.

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I have seen that a story is circulating on social media that I supposedly published after the match, and I want to clarify that this publication never came from my account. I would never publish something to mock a result or a difficult moment for the team.