NYCFC should intervene and bring back Santiago Rodríguez (It will not happen)

Rumors and reports are swirling around former New York City FC player, Santiago Rodríguez. According to César Luis Merlo, Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas, the team the Bronx side sold him to back in January 2025, is in the middle of negotiations to sell the midfielder to the Columbus Crew. Per the journalist, negotiations are far along, and the contract would be a long-term contract.

From an outside perspective, it will be good to see Rodríguez back in Major League Soccer. He played well here, and sadly his time with Botafogo did not go as planned. But from the perspective of NYCFC fans, this hurts way more than Jack Harrison signing with the New England Revolution.

And in a perfect world, the Pigeons would intervene and try to bring Rodríguez home.

Santiago Rodríguez should return to NYCFC but he cannot

And likely, the Uruguayan would want to return to NYCFC as well. He continued to show love for the team after he left, and there has always been a mutual respect between him and the club. When he left, he even hinted that it might not be goodbye forever. But now, that seems more likely.

As mentioned, it would be amazing if NYCFC could find a way to reach out to Rodríguez and persuade him to return to the Big Apple. There might be an issue of discovery rights, but it is unknown whether that is the case for his MLS return. In addition, the midfielder would probably choose to return to a team that he knows and loves.

There is also the issue that Botafogo has not paid the entirety of the fee agreed upon for the midfielder's sale. In that case, a likely agreement on a reduced fee to bring him back might be a possible outcome.

However, there is one big problem: Rodríguez would need to be a Designated Player, as he was with NYCFC during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The Boys in Blue do not have an open DP spot. Columbus currently has one and would have to figure out what to do after Abou Ali returns from injury. Meanwhile, NYCFC's only option would be to sell Talles Magno, as it does not look like he could be bought down from his DP status.

Therefore, while the Bronx side should bring Rodríguez home, it will not happen. But now, this might impact the supporters' opinions on a recent DP signing, Bénie Traoré. The newer NYCFC player has not had the best start with the Boys in Blue, and some have questioned why he was signed as a DP.

Seeing that Rodríguez is available after Traoré was signed will sting a little. Alas, sometimes that is the business of the beautiful game. But if Traoré does not improve and Rodríguez signs and does well with the Crew, then NYCFC fans might be up in arms about the whole situation.

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