Boca head into this matchup under pressure after a 2–2 draw with Benfica in their opening match. Managed by Miguel Ángel Russo—now in his third stint in charge—Boca need a positive result against the German giants to remain in contention for a top-two finish in Group C. The squad showed promise in their opener but failed to close out the win.

Rodrigo Battaglia opened the scoring against Benfica, and Boca’s second goal initially appeared to come from Miguel Merentiel. However, it was later ruled an own goal by Nicolás Otamendi. Regardless, Merentiel emerged as one of Boca’s standout performers, leading the line with energy and precision throughout the match.

On the other side, Bayern Munich made headlines with a dominant 10–0 victory over Auckland City in their opener. The lopsided scoreline, however, came against a semi-professional side and is unlikely to be repeated. Facing Boca presents a completely different challenge, especially given the Argentine club’s passionate following and tactical discipline.

Why is Edinson Cavani not available?

Cavani aggravated a previous calf injury during Boca’s Apertura quarterfinal against Independiente on May 19. Coming off the bench in the second half as a late substitute, the 38-year-old suffered a setback in his recovery. The recurring nature of the injury has extended his rehab timeline.

Russo made it clear ahead of Boca’s opener that he won’t risk Cavani prematurely. “I’d rather wait one more day than lose him for 20,” Russo said, emphasizing long-term recovery over short-term gain. Although Cavani has pushed to be included, he has yet to resume full training with the group. The hope within Boca’s camp is that he may be fit in time for the final group-stage match against Auckland City on June 24.

Boca’s expected starting XI vs. Bayern Munich

In Cavani’s absence, Merentiel will once again lead the line as Boca’s No. 9. He’ll be supported by Carlos Palacios, who will operate slightly deeper in a dual forward-link role. Russo is expected to deploy a flexible 4-4-2 shape that can shift into a 4-2-3-1 depending on game flow and possession phases.

Projected Boca Juniors lineup: Agustín Marchesín; Luis Advíncula, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, Lautaro Blanco; Kevin Zenón, Tomás Belmonte, Rodrigo Battaglia, Alan Velasco; Carlos Palacios, Miguel Merentiel.

In the ever-passionate world of South American soccer, few names carry as much weight as Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan forward, known for his scoring instincts, took a headline-making turn when he joined Boca Juniors in 2023.

Leaving behind Europe’s top leagues, his move to La Bombonera wasn’t just about soccer—it came with a notable paycheck. His arrival stirred not only fans but also questions about what it cost Boca to secure a star of his caliber.

Now deep into his Argentine chapter, his presence on and off the field keeps drawing attention. Between transfer clauses, salary figures and bonuses, his earnings have become part of the ongoing fascination with the legendary No. 9.

What is Edinson Cavani’s salary at Boca Juniors?

Since stepping onto La Bombonera turf, Edinson Cavani hasn’t just brought star quality, he’s also become Boca’s highest earner. Forbes suggests he’s pocketing around $2 million per season, comfortably eclipsing his veteran teammates.

Capology data confirms he tops Boca’s payroll at roughly $539,000 per week in gross salary. Clearly, this isn’t merely a sentimental signing — it’s a headline-making financial commitment from the club.

While fans cheer his goals, club accountants are scrutinizing the return. Boca likely sees value not just in strike stats, but also in boosting merchandising, media contracts and ticket buzz — a savvy off-pitch play.

How long will Edinson Cavani be at Boca Juniors?

What began as an 18-month deal in July 2023, has turned into a longer-term statement. In October 2024, Boca confirmed that Edinson Cavani has extended his stay until December 31, 2026. He has openly stated that he intends to retire wearing the Boca shirt, effectively making this his final chapter.

This extension underscores mutual commitment: Boca retains a veteran leader capable of big moments, and he secures a platform to finish his career at a club he admires. The countdown to his farewell is now clearly marked — not in years, but in goals and memories yet to come.

Why is Edinson Cavani on the minds of Nacional fans? Well, it was reported two days ago that the 36-year-old striker was looking to not return to Valencia next season.

Cavani has a contract with Los Che until June of 2024, but given the standing at Valencia it looks unlikely the former PSG and Manchester United striker will return.

#CavaniANacional

The #CavaniANacional began to circulate on April 12th at 9PM local time in Uruguay. Since then, many Nacional fans have already started changing their profile pictures on Twitter and posting content pertaining to Cavani’s Nacional fandom.

While the four-time World Cup veteran never played professionally for Los Bolsos, Cavani did admit to being a Nacional supporter growing up. Cavani made his debut for Danubio, where he was able to break with Uruguayan soccer protocol and win a league title in 2007.

After a tie with South Korea and a loss facing Portugal, Uruguay needed a victory and many goals over Ghana to clinch a berth in the Round of 16. Though they indeed won 2-0, Uruguay were eliminated by just a goal. That’s why, after the match with Ghana, many players exploded against the referee, Daniel Siebert.

Now, after many weeks of investigations, FIFA finally made important decisions regarding the behavior of Uruguay and their players in the World Cup. Read here to find out all the names involved and their sanctions.

Qatar 2022 World Cup: FIFA gives Uruguay big sanctions after match with Ghana

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced all the sanctions for Uruguay and many of their players after the incidents following the match against Ghana. The names included are Jose Maria Gimenez, Fernando Muslera, Edinson Cavani and Diego Godin.

Jose Maria Gimenez gets a four-game suspension. He yelled in front of a camera that Uruguay had been robbed and then made elbow contact with a FIFA employee. Fernando Muslera also has been given a four game-suspension. The goalkeeper pushed one of the assistant referees.

Edinson Cavani, who threw away a screen used by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), got a one-game suspension. That was the same punishment for defender, Diego Godin. FIFA also confirmed fines for these four players. Gimenez and Muslera have to pay $22k. Cavani and Godin got $16k each. All of them will have to make community service.

Furthermore, the Soccer Association of Uruguay received sanctions. The next home game of the National Team will have a partial closure and they have to pay a $54k fine to FIFA for the actions of their players and fans.

Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored twice in the first half to lead La Celeste to victory, but a surprising 2-1 victory by South Korea against Portugal meant that the latter advanced to the round of 16 instead. Five minutes before the game was set to conclude, word spread through the crowd that South Korea had scored the game-winning goal, and Uruguay crashed out ofQatar 2022.

The fact that Luis Suarez, the antagonist from the 2010 matchup, was brought to tears at the final whistle when Diego Alonso’s players lost their cool and surrounded and manhandled the referees as they went off the field may have been a tiny consolation for the African nation. Edinson Cavani was even seen knocking over a VAR monitor as the rest of the team challenged Siebert over his decision to not award a penalty kick in the dying minutes.

Qatar 2022: Edinson Cavani’s latest World Cup rant calls for the referee’s immediate jail time

In light of this, FIFA have launched disciplinary procedures against many Uruguayan players, including the striker.For ‘offensive behavior and infringement of the rules of fair play‘,FIFA haveopened disciplinary investigations against Edinson Cavani, Jose Maria Gimenez, Diego Godin, and Fernando Muslera.

Cavani had his own penalty appeal denied, and when his team was eliminated he was seen striking a video assistant referee (VAR) screen. The Valencia striker and his teammate, Jose Maria Gimenez, received yellow cards from the referee for their protestations after the game, with Gimenez seeming to elbow a FIFA official during the commotion.

Meanwhile, the former Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United star has not let the issue go, with his most recent remarks to El Largueroon Cadena Ser detailing his ongoing dissatisfaction: “If they sanction me for hitting the VAR, they have to put the referee in prison for taking us out of the World Cup, because they are errors that, with the VAR, all the cameras and all the referees who are behind, can not happen.

“I’m worried (about a possible sanction). Yes, of course, it worries me, because it would be out of the competitions with my teammates, my club, and my national team.But these are things that happen. But they have to get a little on the footballer’s side, not only the referee and others, on the footballer’s side to see what has happened, why it has happened, and why things have happened the way they have.

“It’s okay that we have to maintain behavior and so on, but we are human beings, and when sometimes the things that happen [on the pitch] are lived with passion and you work so hard to get there and compete, and this and the other… It may also be that the reaction of a footballer inside can be, not justified, but a little more forgiven.”

La Celeste had a rocky qualifying process and almost didn’t make it to Qatar. But they have great expectations for the competition. TheSky Bluewill be competing in Group H against Portugal, Ghana, and South Korea.

Even though this is a tough group, La Celeste have defeated all three of their opponents at previous World Cups. They eliminated Portugal in 2018 and South Korea in the round of 16 in 2010. Now, with one of Uruguay’s greatest threats, Edinson Cavani,coming off the bench, the latter have an opportunity for payback.

Why is Uruguay’s Edinson Cavanistarting on the bench againstSouth Korea?

Numerous soccer greats may be saying their last goodbyes during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Considering that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are ready to compete in their last big international tournaments, a lot of talk has centered on them, but Edinson Cavani has received much less attention.

The nameof the current Valencia strikermay be found among the top 75 goal scorers in World Cup history, which dates back to 1930.Over the course of 15 years, he was an integral member of a courageous Uruguay team that advanced to the World Cup Semi-Finals in South Africa in 2010 and won the Copa America the following year.

Even though he is getting on in years, his countrymen still look up to him as if he were a young gun and they are excited to see him play in his fourth World Cup. However, Edinson Cavani, who looks likely to makehis final World Cup finals appearance, will start Thursday’s opening matchday clash on the bench.

Up front, Uruguay have instead opted to relyon the likes of Darwin Nunezand Luis Suarez. Coach Diego Alonso has decided to play a three-man attack by placing Facundo Pellistri on the right flank alongside the two.

In 2010 Uruguay shocked the world and made it to the semifinals, that tournament led the way to what has followed; a rise in international respect, a Copa America in 2011, and pipeline of Uruguayans to the best teams in Europe. At the World Cup level in 2014 La Celeste made it to the round of 16 and in 2018 were quarterfinalists.

Now in 2022, it will be the last World Cup for the five survivors of the Uruguayan semifinalist of 2010, here are the five players playing in their fourth World Cup for Uruguay.

Uruguayan players who will play in their fourth FIFA World Cup

The biggest name is Luis Suárez, who is Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer with 68 goals, 7 of them at the World Cup. Luis Suárez is also South American qualifying all-time leading scorer as well.

Edinson Cavani is Uruguay’s second all-time leading scorer, who made his debut on the national team in 2008. Cavani has scored 5 World Cup goals and won the Copa America in 2011.

Fernando Muslera will most likely be the backup goalkeeper for Uruguay after commanding the nets in 2010, 2014, and 2018. Fernando Muslera has 133 caps for Uruguay and lost his spot due to injury.

Defenders Diego Godin and LA Galaxy’s Martín Cáceres also will be in their fourth World Cup with both set to start against South Korea, despite his age Martín Cáceres is known for being incredibly fit, while Godin is the captain of the Uruguayan national team.

According to reports out of Uruguay, Diego Muñoz from ESPN has reported that Emery is looking to have former pupil Edinson Cavani join the squad on a free transfer this season.

Edinson Cavani was recently with Manchester United where he played 59 games and scored 19 goals for the Red Devils. Cavani was a UEFA Europa League runner up with Manchester United losing the cup ironically to Villarreal.

History between Unai Emery and Edinson Cavani

Unai Emery coached PSG from 2016-2018 and Edinson Cavani played for the French powerhouse from 2013-2020. Together they won 7 championships for PSG and Cavani had his best seasons at the club scoring 49 and 40 goals respectively.

Emery would leave PSG in 2018 and took over Arsenal but that did not work out and in 2020 took over Villarreal where he led the Yellow Submarine to the Europa League. Emery has won four Europa Leagues with Sevilla (3) and Villarreal.

There is speculation that the Catalans will make eight new signings in the current transfer market as part of their summer squad reshuffling.Outgoing free agents Ousmane Dembele, Martin Brathwaite, and Memphis Depay might leavethis summer, leaving the team with fewer attacking alternatives for next season.

Even though Robert Lewandowski of Bayernmay be a high-priced deal, the Catalan giants may have to turn to the free agency market to recruit other players owing to their financial difficulties. As a result, they have set their eyes on two high-profile free agents who are yet toagree a deal with any club.

Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria could move to Barcelonathis summer

According to Spanish outletFichajes, if Barcelona fail to secure Robert Lewandowski from the 2021-22 Bundesliga championsthis summer, the Catalans may look to bring in another veteran,Edinson Cavani instead. It is being said that the Uruguayan international is willing to play in La Liga next season.

Meanwhile, the Blaugranapresident Joan Laporta is said to be open to bringing him to Camp Nou for the following season. The report adds that Cavani wants to stay in Europe for the next season rather than join a team in the MLS since he will be representing Uruguay at the 2022 World Cup and wants to be in peak condition for the tournament.

On the other hand, with AngelDi Maria‘s contract with PSG scheduled to expire at the end of this month and his availability pending, Catalan newspaper Sport is reporting that the Argentinian might be a viable idea for Barca. Even though Juventus aresaid to be favored to sign the South American, he is reportedly consideringthe opportunity to make a La Liga comeback.

While Leeds place a great value on their starRaphinha, it is believed that Xavi sees the Argentine as an affordable alternative tothe Brazil international.It was in Spain from 2010 and 2014 that the 34-year-old played for Real Madrid, where he made 194 appearances across all competitions.

Despite not playing much at the beginning of the season due to an injury, the Uruguayan has been important in the last two league games for the Red Devils. First, he came off the bench to score a second-half equalizer against Newcastle last week. Then, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, led the team to a 3-1 win over Burnley.

Cavani, who joined United on a free transfer from PSG in 2020, has a contract with Man United until June 2022. While there’s been reports that the striker wanted to leave the club to have more minutes, with Barcelona and Juventus as potential new clubs, it seems he’s going to stay, after all.

Ralf Rangnick on Edison Cavani: “I will definitely not let him go”

Rangnick has said in a press conference that he has talked to the player to convince him to stay until the end of the season. “He knows that I will definitely not let him go. I told him from the very first day that, for me, he is a highly important player,”he said.

“And, as I said, his professionalism, his work ethic is just amazing and I told him that I desperately want him to stay until the end of the season. He knows that. He also knows how highly I rate him and how highly I respect him,” Rangnick added.

“We will definitely need Edi. I would rather have another Edi on top of that but for me it’s clear that Edi has to stay,” he added. Cavani has been linked to Barcelona several times, as the Catalans are in need of a striker after Sergio Agüero has retired from soccer.

According to The Daily Mail, Manchester United is interested in Argentine striker Mauro Icardi of PSG. Icardi has had a rather down season made infamous by his wife Wanda Nara and the very public lovers spat over alleged cheating on the part of Icardi.

This season Icardi has scored 4 goals in 15 games for PSG and scored in his last game going 90 minutes against FC Lorient. Here are more details about a possible move for Mauro Icardi.

Mauro Icardi could be Manchester United’s replacement for Edinson Cavani

Icardi is fourth choice at PSG behind Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, he has been mostly used as a substitute for PSG during the course of the season. Icardi’s current contract runs until June of 2024 at PSG and would command a transfer fee if United were to pull the trigger although a loan is a possibility.

Icardi has also drawn interest from Juventus who are looking for a striker to help out. Icardi’s wife and manager Wanda Nara will play a major role in deciding what the Argentine striker does next, but in Manchester United’s case it will only be an option if Edinson Cavani leaves.