- The 19-year-old midfielder, praised by Leandro Paredes and Lionel Scaloni, inherited one of the most iconic shirts in Boca Juniors history.
- Aranda was Boca’s standout performer in the demanding tie against O’Higgins in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana Round of 16 Playoffs.
Leandro Paredes, the figurehead of a Boca Juniors side setting out in search of new international challenges, did not hesitate when asked about the club’s future: “There is a lot of quality and a lot of potential in the youth system. But right now, looking at Tomás [Aranda], the way he plays, the intent he shows, the quality he has and the way he understands football, he is one of the players who catches my eye the most.”
“I hope he keeps enjoying himself and developing, that I can continue helping him, and that he can help us a lot as well,” the captain added. His words reflect the footballing connection now emerging in this new-look Boca side: Paredes has found a partner in Aranda on the pitch, while the club has identified him as the leader of an audacious homegrown duo completed by Leonel Flores.
After an uncertain start to 2026 and a run of disappointing results, then-head coach Claudio Úbeda changed the tactical system and turned to a youngster who had not even taken part in preseason to fill the playmaker role once occupied by Juan Román Riquelme.
And Aranda, who had captained Boca’s Under-16 side and worn the No. 10 shirt for the reserve team that won back-to-back titles in 2025, more than lived up to the challenge. With Alan Velasco and Carlos Palacios sidelined through injury, the 2007-born academy product made his first-team debut with a brief appearance in the defeat to Estudiantes de La Plata.
His performances became increasingly encouraging. Rumors continued to grow over the possible arrival of another creative midfielder, but inside the club Boca already knew they had an option developed in their own academy.
That faith was cemented away to Lanús, winners of the 2025 CONMEBOL Sudamericana and the 2026 CONMEBOL Recopa against Flamengo. Boca produced one of their best performances of the year with an emphatic 3-0 victory at ‘La Fortaleza’, and Aranda stood out with his talent and fearlessness. He capped his display with an assist for Miguel Merentiel and earned his first major ovation for the commitment he showed in helping win the ball back.
“This is my style of play. In this match against a strong opponent, the goals came, which is the most important thing. Everyone tells me to keep doing what got me here, to continue working with humility because things will keep falling into place,” he reflected at the time.
“I really admire Román, Neymar and Messi — they are my role models. I also look up to Lea Paredes,” the midfielder added.
Aranda started the next four matches and scored his first professional goal on March 22, in a 2-0 victory over Instituto. His tearful celebration moved La Bombonera and confirmed that the bond between the youngster and the supporters was beginning to become something special.
“He is an 18-year-old kid who plays incredibly well. He is only just starting out in the First Division and he is doing it like no one else. He is a jewel we have at the club and we have to enjoy him,” teammate Adam Barreiro said in praise.
His strong performances earned him a call-up to Argentina’s Under-20 national team, a double reward that capped off a dream month of March. In addition to wearing the ‘Albiceleste’ shirt in a friendly against the United States under Diego Placente, Aranda trained alongside the senior national team and had the chance to share a squad with Lionel Messi.
Lionel Scaloni, usually measured in his public comments, also highlighted the youngster’s emergence: “He is a very interesting player. His career is only just beginning, he is at one of the most demanding clubs in the world and we have to give him time. He has desire, fearlessness and one-on-one ability.”
In April, Boca’s new gem once again stood out against Talleres in Córdoba, leading his team to a crucial victory in their domestic campaign. Carlos Tevez, a Boca legend, also praised the player who would go on to inherit the No. 10 shirt that ‘Carlitos’ himself once wore: “He is a kid who looks like he has been playing in the First Division for ten years. I watched him live today and I still think the same.”
From Potential Heir to Owner of the No. 10 Shirt
What had seemed like a possibility in April became reality in the second half of 2026. Following Edinson Cavani’s departure, Boca decided to hand the No. 10 shirt to Aranda, who had turned 19 in May. “You always have to give something extra when you wear this shirt, and even more so with the number I have been given,” the youngster admitted, aware of the responsibility that comes with wearing one of the most iconic numbers in South American football.
His first major international test with the No. 10 on his back came against O’Higgins in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana Round of 16 Playoffs. Aranda started both matches and finished the tie as Boca’s standout performer in a demanding series against a fearless opponent.
At La Bombonera, Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side claimed a 1-0 victory thanks to Miguel Merentiel’s goal and travelled to Chile with a slender advantage. Now wearing the historic number, Aranda took on an important role in the build-up and became part of a team that blended Paredes’ experience with the youth of several academy graduates.
The return leg in Rancagua presented an even more difficult scenario. On a rain-affected pitch and against an O’Higgins side that maintained its formidable home record, the young midfielder was the ‘Xeneize’s’ main attacking threat. He operated between the lines, led transitions and finished the match with five shots, more than any other Boca player.
When Francisco González made it 1-0 and levelled the aggregate score, Aranda took on even greater responsibility. With the final action of the match, he unleashed an effort that forced Omar Carabalí into his first save of the entire night and came very close to preventing the tie from going to penalties.
He also stepped up to take one of Boca’s penalties in the shootout. Carabalí saved his attempt: Aranda tried a Panenka, but the goalkeeper held his ground in the middle of the goal. Captain Leandro Paredes immediately went over to embrace him, offering support to the youngster who had led Boca’s charge throughout the night in Rancagua. Successful penalties from Paredes himself, Merentiel, Nicolás Figal and Lautaro Blanco allowed Boca to prevail 4-3 and secure a place in the Round of 16, where they will face Recoleta.
Tomás Aranda was just 43 days old when Boca lifted their sixth CONMEBOL Libertadores. On June 20, 2007, Miguel Ángel Russo’s side completed their triumph over Grêmio at the Estádio Olímpico Monumental in Porto Alegre. Nineteen years later, the boy who dreamed of playing at La Bombonera has become one of the club’s brightest sporting hopes. From captain and No. 10 of the reserve team, he has gone on to become the owner of that same iconic shirt in the first team. The prospect is no longer merely an emerging talent: Aranda has already begun writing his own story in Boca’s No. 10 shirt.
