Rodolfo Arruabarrena Names 24 for Lanús Clash, Loses Tomás Aranda but Welcomes Back Leandro Paredes

The squad list is out, and it brings a bit of everything: relief, uncertainty and one piece of news that soured the mood around Boca this week. Rodolfo Arruabarrena confirmed his 24 called-up players to host Lanús this Friday at 9:30 p.m. at La Bombonera, in the 2026 Clausura Tournament, and the name coming up most in hallway conversations isn't a player returning to the fold, but one who will be out for months.

Before getting into the squad list, there's something else to address first. Wednesday brought news nobody wanted to hear at the Ezeiza training complex: Tomás Aranda, the young prospect who had excited everyone, suffered a fractured fibula in his right leg during training. He will undergo surgery, and his return to the field is estimated at four to six months. It's a tough blow for a player who had been earning his place through strong performances, right as he was emerging as a real option for the defense.

With that absence now unavoidable, the rest of the list brings some news that will please the fans. Chief among it: the return of Leandro Paredes, captain and World Cup champion with the Argentina national team in Qatar 2022. The midfielder had felt discomfort during the away match against Platense, which kept him out of the game against Deportivo Recoleta in Paraguay as well as the matchup with Racing at El Cilindro. He'll be included in the squad against Lanús, though everything points to him starting from the bench.

Also back is Lautaro Di Lollo, whose absence had been keenly felt at the back. His return opens the possibility that he'll reclaim his starting spot, which is no small thing for a Boca side that needs a win to climb the standings in Group A of the Clausura as well as in the overall annual table.

Absences and a surprise call-up in defense

On the injury front, besides Aranda, Boca will also be without Ayrton Costa and Marco Pellegrino, both dealing with physical issues. The situation complicates things for Arruabarrena, who now faces a genuine headache trying to fill the second center back spot at this point in the calendar.

That's precisely why the biggest surprise on the list stands out: the call-up of young center back Matías Satas, whose name had been circulating in club circles for a few days. His inclusion is no coincidence: with two starting center backs sidelined by injury, the coaching staff decided to give the academy product a shot.

There's another layer to all this planning. Arruabarrena is also looking ahead: the following Wednesday, Boca travels to face Vélez in Córdoba for the Copa Argentina, and the coach has already signaled he wants to rest some starters with that match in mind. All of that, combined with the injury absences, creates a defensive puzzle the manager will need to solve before kickoff this Friday at La Bombonera.