Nicolás Ramírez emerges as the frontrunner to referee Sunday's Superclásico

Official confirmation is still pending, but in the buildup to the year's second Superclásico, one name is being mentioned more than any other for Sunday's match at La Bombonera, part of the 2026 Clausura: Nicolás Ramírez.

The information came from Juan Patricio Balbi on SportsCenter this Tuesday, and it's worth paying attention to because this isn't just any candidate: Ramírez had already been appointed to referee April's Superclásico, but something changed along the way and Darío Herrera ended up taking charge instead. This time, everything points to it finally being his turn.

He's the referee who, as far as AFA and the refereeing department are concerned, meets the requirements to handle Sunday's match. I think it's going to be him. Facundo Tello is the second option, and Yael Falcón Pérez is thirdJuan Patricio Balbi

If it's finally confirmed, Ramírez would end up having refereed 4 of the last 5 Superclásicos, which is no small thing given how sensitive every appointment is for this fixture. The numbers tell their own story: in 2025 he was already in charge of both meetings between Boca and River, both at the Monumental and at La Bombonera.

How Ramírez's previous Superclásicos have gone

His track record with the derby isn't even, but it does lean clearly toward River. Of the three times he's been in charge, the Millonario came away with the win twice: the 1-0 in the 2024 Liga Profesional, with a goal from Manuel Lanzini at La Bombonera itself, and the 1-0 in the 2025 Apertura, with the goal coming from Franco Mastantuono at the Monumental. The only time Boca got to celebrate with Ramírez as referee was in the 2025 Clausura, with a convincing 2-0 thanks to goals from Exequiel Zeballos and Miguel Merentiel.

The other two names in contention have their own history. Facundo Tello, who comes up as the second option, has three Superclásicos under his belt with an even record: River won a 2018 friendly in Mar del Plata (a goal from Rafael Santos Borré), then they drew 1-1 in the 2021 Copa de la Liga (with goals from Sebastián Villa and Agustín Palavecino), and in that same tournament's playoffs they tied again, though that time Boca advanced on penalties.

Further down the list of possibilities is Yael Falcón Pérez, who has refereed this fixture twice, both during the 2024 Copa de la Liga. The first ended 1-1, with goals from Pablo Solari and Cristian Medina, and in the playoff rematch Boca won 3-2.

With all this history on the table, Sunday will make clear whether AFA ultimately goes with Ramírez or whether a last minute surprise changes the picture.