Leonardo Ponzio

Newell's and Zaragoza

Born in Las Rosas, Santa Fe, Ponzio started his career in the youth system of Newell's Old Boys in neighbouring Rosario. At only 21, he was signed by Real Zaragoza ahead of the 2003–04 season, for €3 million. After making his La Liga debut on 31 August 2003 in a 0–1 home loss against Deportivo de La Coruña, he went on to become an essential midfield player for the Spanish club, only missing 11 matches in three years. Ponzio featured 69 minutes of the final of the Copa del Rey on 17 March 2004, helping to defeat Real Madrid 3–2 after extra time.

River Plate

However, when Zaragoza finished sixth in the 2006–07 campaign and qualified for the UEFA Cup, Ponzio had already left, moving in January 2007 to Club Atlético River Plate. He scored his first goal for his new team in the 2007 edition of the Copa Libertadores, against Chile's Colo-Colo.

Zaragoza return

In January 2009, Ponzio returned to Zaragoza signing a four-and-a-half-year contract, with the side now in the Segunda División. He contributed regularly as they returned to the top flight immediately. Ponzio was ever-present in 2009–10, inclusively featuring at right and left-back, while collecting 15 yellow cards. He scored his only goal of the season on 3 April 2010, striking from long range in a 2–0 home win over Málaga CF.

Return to River

On 4 January 2012, aged 30, Ponzio, whose link in Aragon ran until June, left struggling – in sporting and financial terms –…

Ponzio represented Argentina at under-17 and under-20 levels, and earned his first full cap in a friendly against Honduras on 31 January 2003. In 2001, he played all seven matches (five complete) as the national team won the FIFA U-20 World Cup on home soil.

On 27 August 2026, following Eduardo Coudet's dismissal, Ponzio was named River's caretaker manager. On his debut, he oversaw a 3–2 victory at Club Atlético Banfield.

As of match played 16 May 2021