In a stunning move that has sparked intense debate across the world of soccer, Argentine top-flight team Deportivo Riestra fielded a social media influencer in a professional league match on Monday. The decision to start Iván Buhajeruk, better known by his online moniker “Spreen,” for the clash against league leaders Velez Sarsfield has drawn sharp criticism from players and pundits who feel it undermines the integrity of the sport.
Buhajeruk, a wildly popular YouTube streamer boasting over 8 million subscribers and 5 million Instagram followers, was signed by Deportivo Riestra two months ago in a bid to boost the profile of the club’s main sponsor, an energy drink company. Despite only recently beginning training with the squad, the influencer was surprisingly named in the starting lineup for Monday’s high-stakes encounter.
The move backfired almost immediately, as Buhajeruk was substituted off after less than a minute on the pitch without even touching the ball. The brief cameo did little to impact the outcome of the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, but it has ignited a firestorm of controversy around the perceived disrespect shown to the beautiful game.
Players Revolt Against Influencer Stunt
Leading the charge against the club’s decision was Velez striker Braian Romero, who scored the opening goal from the penalty spot. In a post-match interview, the visibly frustrated forward pulled no punches in his assessment of the situation:
“What happened today was a lack of respect for football, it is a wrong message to society, to kids who try hard. Football is not that: it is trying and failing and trying again.”
Braian Romero, Velez Sarsfield striker
Romero’s sentiments were echoed by several of his peers, with many expressing their disgust at what they saw as a blatant publicity stunt that devalued the hard work and dedication required to make it as a professional footballer. The backlash has raised serious questions about the growing influence of social media personalities in the world of sports and the potential risks of prioritizing short-term buzz over athletic merit.
Club Executives Defend Controversial Move
Facing mounting criticism, Deportivo Riestra captain Milton Celiz attempted to justify the decision by revealing that it was driven by club owner Victor Stinfale, who also controls the energy drink sponsor. Celiz admitted that commercial considerations played a key role in the stunt:
“The idea came from Victor Stinfale, who owns both the club and the energy drink company that sponsors it. He signed both the influencer and the team’s coach.”
Milton Celiz, Deportivo Riestra captain
When pressed on Buhajeruk’s soccer skills, Celiz offered a blunt assessment: “As a streamer, he is number one.” The damning indictment underscores the growing concern that clubs may be willing to sacrifice sporting integrity in pursuit of viral moments and increased brand exposure.
Debut and Farewell for Controversial Influencer
For his part, Deportivo Riestra coach Cristian Fabbiani confirmed that Buhajeruk’s brief appearance was always intended to be a one-off event, revealing that he had informed his Velez counterpart Gustavo Quinteros of the plan ahead of time:
“I told him that he was going to play due to a contract issue, that the club depends a lot on publicity. Monday’s game was Buhajeruk’s debut and farewell match for the team.”
Cristian Fabbiani, Deportivo Riestra coach
The admission that the substitution was pre-planned and motivated by commercial interests rather than tactical considerations has only added fuel to the fire, with many calling for sanctions against the club and a review of the rules around sponsor-driven team selections.
Wider Implications for the Beautiful Game
As the fallout from the controversial incident continues to reverberate through the soccer world, it has sparked a broader debate about the role of influencers and the power of sponsorships in modern sports. While some argue that the stunt was a harmless bit of fun that brought welcome attention to a smaller club, others see it as a deeply troubling precedent that could open the floodgates for further commercialization and degradation of the game.
With Deportivo Riestra currently sitting in 9th place in the Argentine league, 12 points behind leaders Velez Sarsfield, it remains to be seen whether the short-term publicity boost will translate into any tangible benefits for the club on the pitch. What is certain, however, is that the decision to field an influencer in a professional match has touched a nerve among soccer purists and raised difficult questions about the future direction of the sport.
As the debate rages on, all eyes will be on the Argentine soccer authorities to see how they respond to this unprecedented situation. Will they take a stand for sporting integrity and crack down on clubs prioritizing commercial interests over fair play? Or will the lure of viral fame and lucrative sponsorships prove too strong to resist? The outcome could have far-reaching implications not just for Argentine soccer, but for the global game as a whole.
