Former River Plate player was swept away by the current on Punta del Este beach at the end of December and saved by two off-duty lifeguards
Former Argentine coach and defender Martín Demichelis, now without a club, was rescued from drowning in Punta del Este, in , after being dragged by the current while swimming with his son, Bastian, and niece, Camila (see rescue below). The episode occurred on December 31 at Laguna Escondida beach, an open sea area located in José Ignacio.
According to the Argentine press, the trio had entered the sea when they lost control and began to be carried away by the water. Two lifeguards who were off duty noticed the situation and managed to carry out the rescue. The place, known as “Lago Escondido”, is prohibited from swimming due to the strength of the currents and the absence of surveillance posts.
Demichelis, 45, had a distinguished career as a player. Formed at River Plate, he played for eight seasons at , spent time at Espanyol and played in two World Cups for the Argentine national team. He ended his career at Málaga in 2017.
In his career as a coach, he led Bayern’s youth teams before taking over at River Plate in 2023. He left the club in July 2024 and then worked at Monterrey, in Mexico, until May 2025. Since then, he has not managed any team.
See the moment of rescue:
“Martin Demichelis”
Because they rescued him and his children from the sea on a beach without lifeguards.
— Trends in Argentina (@becauseTTarg)
