Champion of the 2023 Copa do Brasil, the midfielder lost his place at Zubeldia and could transfer Tricolor Paulista to Bahia
Just over a year ago, Rodrigo Néstor stood out for São Paulo when he scored the winning goal in the Copa do Brasil, the first in the club’s history. However, the midfielder has suffered many injuries, lost his place in the team and may now leave Tricolor next season.
In recent weeks, Bahia has indicated an offer of a five-year contract for the athlete. In fact, the player’s agent has already met with Bahia’s sporting director, Cadu Santoro, to discuss a possible agreement. Néstor has a contract with São Paulo until 2028 and has lost positions in recent months.
Néstor’s biggest challenge began in 2023. After all, right after winning the Copa do Brasil, the midfielder had to undergo surgery to repair a ligament problem in his left knee. Because of this, he missed the entire 2024 season and only returned to action in May.
An athlete accustomed to playing centrally or a little further back, he played as a second midfielder, on the left side of the attack with Dorival Junior. It was in this sector that he stood out in 2023. But with Luis Zubeldía he did not have many chances to repeat last year’s performances.
Zubeldia selected players with speed characteristics in the category, such as Ferreira, Eric and Wellington Rato. Thus, Néstor lost even more space. To make matters worse, the mood worsened even more after the player missed a penalty in the decisive match against Botafogo in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores.
Néstor greets meeting with Rogério Seni
Rodrigo Néstor’s eyes lit up at the prospect of working with Rogério Seni again. The coach had already applied in the recent past. But it was with the former goalkeeper that the midfielder had the best season of his career. In 2022, the footballer played 62 matches, scored 8 goals and provided 11 assists.
For example, this season, the 2024 midfielder played 35 matches, scored one goal and provided two assists without establishing himself as a starter. Now, Néstor’s future will depend more on the player himself. If the midfielder wants to leave São Paulo, the board should not oppose it, since Tricolor should increase its resources and strengthen its cash flow in 2025.
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