Rodolfo Arruabarrena has turned to Boca Predio for Boca Juniors Vs Central Córdoba, with Lautaro Mendieta and Rodrigo Bacidalup included in the squad for the next commitment. In a period shaped by injuries, fatigue and the need to protect several players, the two Reserve standouts have been handed their first senior call-up.
The move is a clear sign of how Boca are managing the load around the first team. Arruabarrena has looked to the Reserve side coached by Mariano Herrón, where Mendieta and Bacidalup have both been regular starters for a team that is fighting near the top of the Torneo Proyección.
Why the call-ups matter
For both players, this is the next step in a rapid rise. Mendieta made his Reserve debut at the start of 2025, and in June he signed his first professional contract with Boca through December 2030. The 20-year-old, born in 2006, has already shown he can contribute at important moments, including a goal in Boca's 4-0 win against Central Córdoba in March.
Bacidalup's route has been different, but no less notable. He joined Boca in 2018 after being detected in a trial in Entre Ríos, and at 19 years old, born in 2007, he has also established himself in the Reserve setup. Like Mendieta, he found the net in that 4-0 win against Central Córdoba in March, underlining why he has been trusted in a side pushing near the top of the table.
A chance to step up
These call-ups are not just about filling numbers. They reflect a practical squad decision from Arruabarrena, who must balance the demands of the first team while keeping an eye on the next generation. When injuries and fatigue start to pile up, the players from Boca Predio become more than prospects; they become part of the solution.
For Mendieta and Bacidalup, the opportunity is simple. They have earned a place in the conversation through consistency in the Reserve side, and now they have been given a first senior chance. The next test is whether they can turn a call-up into a lasting place in the Boca picture.
