ESPN Chile reporting it now. If it does happen, it is probably the most exciting move by a NZ Footballer since Singh?
It's likely the most 'exotic' move by a Kiwi footballer ever. Will be super interesting to see how he goes. But does anyone here really follow the Chilean league?
IMHO Cacace's move to Serie A is bigger. Even Wood's move to Newcastle.
Colo Colo are the biggest club in Chile. Have won the Copa Libertadores, once (1991). A comp that is now being dominated by monied Brasilian clubs.
ESPN Chile reporting it now. If it does happen, it is probably the most exciting move by a NZ Footballer since Singh?
I’d rank Wood to Newcastle and Cacace to Empoli above Singh’s. Joe Bell to Brøndby who were Danish champions probably an underrated move as well; Denmark are very much upward-bound in football whereas Chile might be the opposite. The Bayern brand name is of course massive, but Singh really was signed to play for the amateurs and still now has less than 90 1.Bundesliga minutes. In terms of ‘out-of-nowhere-ness’, Alex Greive to St Mirren is up there for me as well.
For context, the Chilean league is an odd one and not necessarily better than A League. Colo colo, Univerisdad Catolica and club universal are the top 3 clubs with most resources and fans but other clubs like Everton, Ohiggins, Palestino, Aud Italiano are old clubs but really under resources but some of them don’t have running water jn the showers, stadiums are very small and crowds are small in most cases. it’s not uncommon for players to strike or protest over lack of pay or poor conditions and many club owners are corrupt.. the game itself sometimes is focused on the physical nature than “style” and red cards are common. Colo colo are a big club though, who play in Copa Libertadores, and it’s probably the 4th best league in CONMEBOL after Argentina Brazil and Uruguay
I'd put the Colombian league ahead of Uruguay. Been to games in both. Outside of Nacional and Peñarol (won 13 of the last 14 titles between them), all the other Uruguay teams are minnows. Not unexpected in a country of just 4M. Watched Nacional host another Montevideo club called River Plate - who literally had 15 supporters in their away bay.
Colombia with 50M has a far more balanced league, with alot teams well supported.
But overall in Sth America the Brazilian clubs who have the cash are starting to dominate the continent. Alot of better players from Brazil returning home from Europe, as the money's good.
Argentina teams still do very well despite less financial backing.. river plate consistently make semi final of Libertadores and so Boca and it’s not unusual to 4 teams in the semis for the Copa SudAmericana coochiee
I'd put the Colombian league ahead of Uruguay. Been to games in both. Outside Nacional and Peñarol, all the other Uruguay teams are minnows. Not unexpected in a country of just 4M. Watched Nacional host another Montevideo club called River Plate - who literally had 15 supporters in their away bay.
Colombia with 50M has a far more balanced league, with alot teams well supported.
But overall in Sth America the Brazilian clubs who have the cash are starting to dominate the continent. Alot of better players from Brazil returning home from Europe, as the money's good.
Yeah the Chilean league isn’t exactly a top tier competition and kiwis moving to the bigger European leagues is definitely more noteworthy, but Marco playing in South American continental competition?? That’s the big point for me. Wood, Singh, Cacace, Bell etc aren’t super likely to play much European football, maybe a little bit of UEL/UECL for Bell and Wood (if Newcastle mean business), Joe might even get a few UCL qualifiers. But playing for the top team in Chile, Marco is all but guaranteed some Copa Libertadores matches and even if they crash out, can go on a decent run in the Copa Sudamericana.
From Flying Kiwis. Sounds like Chile move is happening. I actually transit briefly through Santiago Airport next Wednesday 13th. Hopefully the checkin staff are Colo Colo fans.
Manager Daniel Morón has pretty much confirmed the Rojas agreementalready. In his press conference prior to flying to Brazil for that Copa Sudamericana match he explained that Marco will arrive in Chile on July 10, undergo his medical the next day, and if all goes to plan then there’ll be a contract waiting for him to sign. This is effectively a done deal barring any hidden injuries.
Up Next: Don’t break a leg prior to the flight, pretty much
And some nicknames are hard to shake. So I imagine the fans of rival Chilean clubs will be ready to take the piss out of that.
🚨¡COLO COLO LLEGÓ A UN ACUERDO CON MARCO ROJAS!
Los albos están a un paso de incorporar al neozelandés de ascendencia chilena apodado "Kiwi Messi", quien de pasar los exámenes médicos se convertirá en el segundo refuerzo del Cacique.
The albos are one step away from incorporating the New Zealander of Chilean descent nicknamed "Kiwi Messi", who, if he passes the medical exams, will become the Cacique's second reinforcement.
The "Kiwi Messi" nickname really is a millstone around his neck, it sets expectations far too high.
Romina Parraguirre's name is getting mentioned a lot in conjunction to Rojas signing, she is a Chilean Goal Keeper playing in Sydney who recommended her old club Colo-Colo sign him. Not quite a Retro Ricki Youth Scholarship but in the same vein.
The view from a few colo colo fans I know is that he’s a decent back up signing in case of injuries to the current squad especially players like Estaban Pavez or Cristian Zavela get injured, and he isn’t expected to be a first team player (well not right away) it will be interesting to see how his career moves from here RR
The "Kiwi Messi" nickname really is a millstone around his neck, it sets expectations far too high.
Romina Parraguirre's name is getting mentioned a lot in conjunction to Rojas signing, she is a Chilean Goal Keeper playing in Sydney who recommended her old club Colo-Colo sign him. Not quite a Retro Ricki Youth Scholarship but in the same vein.
Marco Rojas ya está en Chile. El jugador neozelandés es el segundo refuerzo de Colo-Colo y llega por los próximos 18 meses @Deportes921pic.twitter.com/Cfbw67UkYy
Estamos felices de anunciarles que tras superar los exámenes médicos (y una pequeña gripe), el delantero Marco Rojas se transformó en nuevo jugador de Colo-Colo.
Well in truth I'm guessing he's barely set foot in NZ the last 5-10 years. His folks live in Melbs or still in the Tron?
Be interesting to see whether he's available for AWs v Socceroos in September. Chilean league stops for the FIFA window, but getting down to the business end by then (round 23 of 30 is a few days after game at Eden Park). Colo Colo lead league by 3 points currently. They travel to 12th placed Audax Italiano manana.
12.5 hours Santiago-Auckland direct 18 hours Santiago-Sydney direct Know this useless info for planning that trip very soon.
But yes will be fascinating to see how he goes in Chile. I remember someone (Mrs Mils?) suggest he try Mexico Liga MX a few years back. Not far off as an idea!
Sadly no Rojas in the match day squad. Though his 20 yr old namesake Jeyson Rojas is on the bench.
Read somewhere that Marco watched this game live as a 14-15 kid once, on a family trip to Chile. His whanau mostly Colo Colo fans. So quite a cool story he's back there 15 odd years later as a Colo Colo player.
On at the 62nd minute versus Palestino. Congratulations on the debut Marco - now go make it count!
And he does! Rojas (with "ROJAS WALEN" on his shirt) runs onto a long ball into the 92nd minute at 0-0, drives into the box before cutting it back to a teammate who slots it first team into the corner for a 1-0 win. Assist for a 92nd minute winner is a decent way to introduce yourself to the fans.
The win keeps Colo Colo first, nine points clear of second.
Rojas got his first Colo Colo start yesterday. A 2-1 loss away to Nublense (currently 3rd in the Primera Division) 1st leg Copa Chile, Round of 16 tie. 2nd leg this weekend
