Fresh off a World Junior Title and eight Junior Pan Am medals, rising Argentine star Agostina Hein was recognized by her favorite soccer team, Club Atlético River Plate, during a game.
River Plate, based in the iconic Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, is the 3rd largest sports club in the world by membership, as well as the largest in South America and Argentina. In 2023, River Plate soccer games at home averaged over 84,500 spectators, edging out FC Barcelona as the highest average for any sports team in the world.
Hein posted a photo with club president Jorge Brito with a jersey with her name on it, as River Plate took down national league foe San Martin 2-0.
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“Many thanks to the River Plate Atlético Club and all its leaders for so much affection and cordiality and the beautiful and unforgettable moment that together with my family spent this Sunday in the victory of River vs San Martin 🥺💘
thanks for the great detail of the shirt, proud to wear the colors of the most beautiful club in the world 🤍 ❤️”
The recognition comes after a 12-day, 10-medal run in two different continents for the 17-year-old Hein. First, she competed in the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay. There, she captured three gold medals in the girls 400 free, 200 IM, and 400 IM. Hein also propelled Argentina to five minor medals in relay events.
Hein’s coach, Seba Montero, said Hein only competed in three individual events to focus on relays and to save energy for her next meet.
“If we had done six (individual events), she would’ve won six,” Montero asserted to Infobae.
Montero and Hein then boarded a plane to Otonepi, Romania, to compete at the World Junior Championships. There, Hein struck gold in the girls’ 400 IM in a new Championship and South American Record of 4:34.34. She also picked up a silver medal in the 800 free.
In the short term, Hein has a busy fall schedule, reportedly starting with the Copa España Internacional in Chile next week. Long term, she and Montero have their eyes on the Los Angeles Olympics.
“In Los Angeles 2028, we can make history for Argentine swimming,” Montero said.
Source: https://swimswam.com/argentinas-largest-soccer-club-recognizes-agostina-hein-at-game/
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