World Cup finalist from Maradona’s neighbourhood: Profile of new signing Facundo Medina

from River Plate via Talleres to Europe

Facundo Medina’s story began far removed from the major football stages. The Argentine was born in Villa Fiorito, a troubled neighbourhood in the south of the capital, Buenos Aires. There, in the very place where Argentine football icon Diego Maradona once grew up, the now 27-year-old dreamt of becoming a professional footballer from an early age. Medina received his football training at River Plate, where he progressed through all the youth teams and later also played alongside Werkself player Exequiel Palacios for the reserve team at the Argentine record champions.

Whilst Palacios was promoted to the first team in 2017, Medina moved to CA Talleres a year later. He made his professional debut for this league rival, became a regular – and eventually, like former Leverkusen player Piero Hincapie before him, made the move to Europe from Talleres.

wealth of experience from five years in france

His first port of call on a continent that was completely new to him was RC Lens, who Medina joined in 2020 at the age of 21. The club had only just returned to Ligue 1 when they brought the Argentine to France. There, he faced not only a new language and a new country, but also his next test. At his side: a certain Loïc Badé, who Lens also signed on their return to Ligue 1. Playing alongside Badé in the back three, Medina quickly became a key part of the team. Together, they helped to re-establish the club in France’s top flight.

Medina played for the northern French side for a full five years, during which time he also made his debut in the UEFA Champions League. In 2025, he moved further south to Olympique de Marseille – the club Bayer 04, prior to Medina, had only previously signed one player from: a certain Rudi Völler.

In Marseille, the 1.84-metre-tall defender gained further valuable experience, featuring once again in the Champions League last season, where he faced, amongst others, Real Madrid and Liverpool, featuring former Bayer 04 player Florian Wirtz. During his five years in France, Medina made a total of over 200 appearances for Lens and Marseille.

through to world cup final – Bayer 'ambassador' Palacios

That summer, the defender celebrated the next highlight of his career: alongside his team-mate Palacios, he was named in the Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. Medina played in five of the eight matches, three of them in the starting line-up. He also featured in the final. In the 2–0 victory over Austria in the group stage, the defender also provided the assist for Lionel Messi’s opening goal.

The World Cup was the highlight of his career so far – and, at the same time, the start of a new chapter. Because between the World Cup matches, there was time for conversations. Conversations where Palacios, who has been at Leverkusen since 2020, clearly knew exactly how to sing the praises of Bayer 04. “At the World Cup in North America, Exequiel Palacios told me a lot about the club and spoke very highly of Leverkusen,” Medina revealed whilst signing his contract. “Pala’s been here for so long and has enjoyed great success – that’s something I’d like to experience with Bayer 04 too.” A few weeks later, the exchange between former River Plate teammates has become a reality. Medina has made the move from the Mediterranean coast of southern France to the Rhineland.

former opponents, now team-mates

Even aside from Palacios, the 27-year-old is unlikely to be short of familiar faces in his new surroundings. As well as his Argentine compatriot and the aforementioned Badé, Medina also knows manager Carles Martínez as well as Afonso Moreira, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Martin Terrier and Jeanuel Belocian all from his time in France. And in 2024, the Argentine had even come into direct contact with Bayer 04: during the 2–2 friendly in Lens as part of pre-season preparations, Medina faced Edmond Tapsoba, Patrik Schick, Robert Andrich, Aleix Garcia and several other current Werkself first-team players. Now, for the first time, the defender will be fighting side by side with them for points and trophies. The journey that began in Villa Fiorito has since taken Medina a long way. All the way to the World Cup final – and ultimately to Bayer 04…