BUENOS AIRES, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Colombian attacking midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero has denied speculation that he could leave Argentina's River Plate.
The 27-year-old said he felt at home at the Buenos Aires club, where he is contracted until June 2022.
"It never came out of my mouth that I wanted to leave," Quintero said on Instagram on Friday. "The day I want to leave, I will be the first to speak with the coaches and the technical staff, who I respect greatly."
Quintero has made 61 appearances for River, having joined the club from Porto in 2018 after frustrating loan spells at Stade Rennais and Independiente Medellin.
He became an idol among River fans by scoring a decisive extra-time goal in the team's victory over rivals Boca Juniors in the 2018 Copa Libertadores final.
"With River, I've found my place in football after many years," he said. "I'm happy and where I want to be."
Quintero has endured a difficult past year after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee last March.
Despite making a full recovery, the No. 10 has mainly been used by River manager Marcelo Gallardo as a second-half substitute since his return last October.
"There was a time when I played and my teammates had to wait," he said. "Today they are playing and its my turn to be patient. That does not mean that I can't contribute and be important to the team."
