Marco Rojas - The return of the Kiwi Messi
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.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colo-Colo
In late May, Colo Colo lost their last pool game in Copa Libertadores to Fortaleza from Brasil, 3-4. A 6 pointer that saw Fortaleza grab 2nd spot in the pool ahead of Colo Colo and into the knock out rounds.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/05/26/south-america/copa-libertadores/club-social-y-deportivo-colo-colo/fortaleza-esporte-clube/3772888/
Colo Colo are top of the Chilean league at the moment.
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.
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.
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.
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 agreement already. 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.
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!
— ESPN Chile (@ESPNChile) June 30, 2022
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.
📸 IG: @m_rojas11 pic.twitter.com/xbERPxouFP
COLO COLO REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH MARCO ROJAS!
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.
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.
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.
Temperature warm? In which case Santiago (or Chile as a whole) ain't the right place.
Marco Rojas ya está en Chile. El jugador neozelandés es el segundo refuerzo de Colo-Colo y llega por los próximos 18 meses @Deportes921 pic.twitter.com/Cfbw67UkYy
— Cristian Alvarado (@cr_alvarado83) July 10, 2022
Marco has arrived in Chile for his medical.
We can confirm Marco Rojas will depart the Club to pursue an opportunity abroad.
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) July 11, 2022
All the best, Marco! 💙
🇨🇱 ¡𝑩𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒅𝒐 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒐 𝑹𝒐𝒋𝒂𝒔! 🇳🇿
— Colo-Colo (@ColoColo) July 15, 2022
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.
Mucho éxito en el MÁS GRANDE 🤟🏼
🎨 @BarryShirts pic.twitter.com/k40s4xZKfH
If it wasn't already official, it is now!
Just had to have the 🇳🇿 flag overlapping the outline of Australia didn't it? 😒
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.
https://us.soccerway.com/national/chile/primera-division/2022/regular-season/r67279/
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!
Rojas unsurprisingly not in the match day squad.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/07/16/chile/primera-division/audax-club-sportivo-italiano/club-social-y-deportivo-colo-colo/3738248/
Edit - Colo Colo leave it very very late with a 100th min winner, for a 2-1 victory.
✍🏼 ¡Bienvenido al Más Grande!
— Colo-Colo (@ColoColo) July 15, 2022
Mucho éxito en esta nueva etapa, Marco. ¡VAMOS TODOS JUNTOS!
🤟🏼🏁 #VamosColoColo pic.twitter.com/QEYTokQyHy
Colo Colo (1st) host Huachipato (8th).
Rojas not in match day squad. Is a Jeyson Rojas on the bench (20 yr old defender)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/07/23/chile/primera-division/club-social-y-deportivo-colo-colo/club-deportivo-huachipato/3738263/
Next week is away to Universidad de Chile, which I think is the 'Classico' of Chilean football.
Enjoyed catching up with Marco Rojas after his move to Chilean club Colo Colo. @newstalkzbsport @NZ_Football https://t.co/hfbWjFtRR3
— Jason Pine (@pineynz) July 24, 2022
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.
Edit - a 3-1 win for Colo Colo who are 6 pts clear atop the league, with 10 matches left.
Rojas still not in a match day squad
EDIT: Credited with the 93rd minute assist in a 1-0 win!
The win keeps Colo Colo first, nine points clear of second.
showed good pace to get to the ball, nice turn and composure to find his man.
that noise is next level though. I dream of the nix playing in front of a crowd like that
SIIII KIWI, VAMOS 🤩🤟🏼🏁#VamosColoColo ⚪️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/svRZPWUFF6
— Colo-Colo (@ColoColo) August 15, 2022
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/08/18/chile/copa-chile/club-de-deportes-nublense/club-social-y-deportivo-colo-colo/3871320/
He was subbed off at 59 mins (score 0-0).
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/08/21/chile/copa-chile/club-social-y-deportivo-colo-colo/club-de-deportes-nublense/3871327/