OM – Balerdi under fire in Argentina: the press didn’t hold back

A break that was supposed to change everything

After a poor start to the season with OM, Leonardo Balerdi was counting on the national team to rebuild his confidence. Left on the bench in the 3–0 win over Venezuela, he was handed a start against Ecuador, replacing the suspended Cristian Romero. It looked like the perfect opportunity… but it quickly turned into a nightmare.

Harsh ratings and pointed criticism

TyC Sports gave him a 5, noting that he “was playing well until Valencia overpowered him and Otamendi was sent off.” But the outlet concluded that Balerdi “took too many risks.”

Clarin was even harsher, giving him a 4: “A weak stand-in, poorly positioned, involved in the sequence that led to Otamendi’s red card.”

Olé wasn’t any kinder: “Weak marking on Valencia, imprecise on the ball, full of doubts. A yellow card to cap it off.”

Public opinion turns against him

On social media, Argentine fans did not hold back. Many pointed out “yet another costly mistake” and insisted they “didn’t like his game at all.” What was supposed to be a breath of fresh air became another burden for the Marseille defender.

A worrying spiral

At 26, already OM’s captain, Balerdi is going through a turbulent period. His loyalty to the club has been praised by some — he stayed despite Juventus showing interest — but repeated errors, both for club and country, are weighing heavily. In a season where every slip is punished, he will have to turn things around quickly or risk becoming the designated scapegoat.