The Colombian forward spoke about the rumors linking him to Millonario and assured that his intention has always been to return to Xeneize. He also denied having demanded money from Xeneize after his controversial departure in 2023
The return of Sebastián Villa to Boca was accompanied from the very beginning by uncomfortable memories of his first stint and by the rumors that, months ago, had linked him to River. Over time, and now once again dressed in blue and gold, the forward decided to give voice to those episodes and clarified what really happened behind both chapters.
In an interview with the magazine Desde La Boca, the Colombian footballer was emphatic when referring to the possibility of joining the Millonario. He explained that, despite the rumors that circulated during the January transfer window, his surroundings always knew what his intention was.
"That River, that a call, that the other… My surroundings, my family, my close people: everyone knew there were no chances of going to River", Villa stated, who also considered that the possibility arose simply from rumors that ended up taking hold. "It was just thrown out there and it got carried away", he added.
Villa revealed that there were no possibilities of him playing at River
The attacker also recalled that, at that time, he declared that if Marcelo Gallardo called him, he was willing to travel the next day. However, he now insisted that he never seriously contemplated switching sides. "The idea was always to return to Boca", he assured.
His decision to return to the Xeneize, he explained, was not solely linked to the lack of alternatives. Villa shared that during the last transfer window he received offers from abroad, but chose the institution from La Ribera for sentimental reasons. "There were offers from Brazil and Arabia, and I preferred Boca because I love the institution and I am happy here", he stated.
Specifically, the bond with the fans had come under scrutiny after his return. After scoring his first goal in this second cycle against Deportivo Recoleta, the Colombian apologized, a gesture that was related precisely to those rumors about a possible move to River and the memory of his troubled departure from the club.
Villa always prioritized his return to Boca
On this last point, Villa also decided to clear up another rumor that emerged during his departure in 2023: that of a supposed financial claim against Boca. "Many things that are said are not true", he asserted before being more specific. "I never asked Boca for money, as they say, I never claimed anything because I have always loved the club", he maintained.
The forward's departure had been marked by a strong legal and sporting conflict. In July 2023, Boca determined that he would no longer be part of the professional squad after he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for coercive threats, in real competition, with qualified minor injuries against his ex-partner. The sentence was eligible for parole, so he did not serve actual prison time, although he had to comply with various conditions set by the Justice.
Since then, the club allowed him to continue training at the facility, albeit individually and separated from the rest of his teammates. The footballer's defense argued that this situation violated his rights and Villa declared himself a free agent. Shortly after, he left the country and began a journey through Europe that included stints at Unión Deportiva Lanzarote, a club in the Tercera División RFEF of Spain (fifth category) where he only trained and did not play matches, and Beroe, a team in the Bulgarian First Division with which he played 11 matches and scored 5 goals.
Villa denied having asked Boca for money for his departure in 2023
In parallel, Boca took the case to FIFA with various claims, including the release of the foreign player quota, a financial compensation of 5 million dollars, and sporting sanctions. The organization, however, declared itself incompetent and released the player from any charges within that file.
With that conflict now behind him, Villa put on the Boca jersey again and now sought to close some of the discussions that had been left pending. His words point to a concrete intention: to leave behind the rumors about River and reaffirm that, despite past problems, his desire has always been linked to the club from La Ribera.
