Cavani leaves Boca Juniors without retiring: the rest pendi…
Cavani leaves Boca Juniors, retirement still on hold
The 39-year-old Uruguayan striker has severed his link with Boca Juniors, without definitively ending his career. The rest will be written elsewhere or on the bench.
Edinson Cavani has officially turned the page on Boca Juniors. In a video posted on his social networks, the 39-year-old Uruguayan striker announced the severance of his link with the Argentine club, ending a spell marked by solid performances despite advanced age. The message, sober and direct, mentioned neither regret nor strong thanks, but left a nuance: the curtain is not definitively drawn.
Cavani's contract with Boca Juniors expired in December 2023, but the club extended his commitment until the summer of 2024. Despite a lackluster 2023-2024 season on a collective level, the player continued to establish himself as a centerpiece of the attack, with 12 goals in 25 matches in all competitions. His departure comes against a backdrop of reshuffle for the club, already looking for a long-term successor.
Boca Juniors, in the midst of a generational transition, is banking on younger profiles to rebuild its squad, a strategy which has led to the exclusion of experienced players like Cavani. Speculation about his future is intensifying. Cavani, who played for prestigious clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United or Napoli, could opt for a final challenge in Europe or South America.
His profile corresponds to that sought by teams looking for experience and leadership, particularly in less physically demanding championships. No official offer has been made public, but the player's agents are in contact with several clubs. The most persistent rumors point to a possible return to Nacional Montevideo, his training club, where he could end his career with a bang, or a transfer to MLS, where he could reunite with former teammates like Luis Suárez.
48 goals per match in 2023-2024, ranking among the club's top scorers over the season. However, his style of play, based on replacement and finishing, was not always in line with the modern pressing advocated by the coach. Boca Juniors, in search of a more vertical and fast game, gradually reduced their playing time, a harbinger of separation.
This data sheds light on an assumed sporting choice: the club prefers to focus on more mobile attackers, capable of generating space through their runs, rather than keeping an exceptional scorer whose skills inevitably decline. European clubs, often reluctant to sign players over 35, could also be interested in his profile. Championships like La Liga Portugal, the Turkish Süper Lig or even the French Ligue 1, where his experience could be put to good use in a mentoring role, are regularly cited.
Cavani, aware of his market value, could negotiate a free departure clause in the coming months, which would give him full control over his destination. In the wake of the announcement, the reactions were not long in coming. The president of Boca Juniors, Juan Román Riquelme, hailed “a great player” while speaking of the need to “prepare for the future”.
For his part, Cavani simply concluded his video with a “Thank you for everything”, without specifying his intentions. The Argentine and Uruguayan media are already speculating about a possible return to Nacional Montevideo, his training club, or a transfer to MLS, where he could reunite with former teammates like Luis Suárez. The vagueness maintained by Cavani fuels rumors and arouses the curiosity of supporters.
A return to Nacional Montevideo, where he started, would be seen as a strong symbolic gesture, but competition with the club's young attackers could complicate his integration. On the other hand, an MLS destination would offer a less demanding setting and increased visibility, but would risk trivializing its South American heritage. ** The ball is in Cavani's court.
An official retirement announcement seems unlikely in the short term, but his choice will depend on his ambitions and the most attractive offer. Interested clubs will have to act quickly: at 39, every week counts. The next transfer window, in July, could be decisive in sealing his future.
If Cavani opts for one last club challenge, his impact could go beyond the simple sporting framework, inspiring a generation of young players in South America and Europe. At Boca Juniors, Cavani's departure marks the end of an era. The club, accustomed to legends, must now deal with a new dynamic.
The recruitment of a renowned striker, capable of carrying the team into Libertadores, becomes an absolute priority. The leaders will have less than six months to find a successor, otherwise the sports project will fall behind schedule. Read at L'Équipe Football
Why this matters
At 39 years old, Edinson Cavani remains a major figure in world football. His departure from Boca Juniors reignites speculation about a possible final chapter at the club or an imminent retirement. His status as a free player offers rare flexibility, capable of shaking up already tense transfer markets. Cavani's decision, expected in the coming weeks, could reshape the balance of power in South America and Europe. His profile, combining experience and leadership, makes him an ideal target for clubs undergoing reconstruction, while maintaining media and sporting pressure on young talents.
Frequently asked
Why did Edinson Cavani leave Boca Juniors?
Cavani officially severed his tie with Boca Juniors via a video posted on social media, without specifying the exact reasons. The Argentine club has not provided additional explanations, but its departure is part of a strategy to rejuvenate the workforce.
Has Cavani announced his retirement?
No. The 39-year-old Uruguayan striker left the door open to continuing his career, without confirming his definitive retirement from the field. His post suggests he hasn't made up his mind yet.
Which clubs could be interested in Cavani?
Several avenues are mentioned: Nacional Montevideo (his training club), MLS teams like Inter Miami or Los Angeles FC, or even European clubs looking for experience like those in Liga Portugal, Süper Lig or Ligue 1.
What impact does this departure have on Boca Juniors?
Boca Juniors loses an experienced striker and a leader in the locker room. The club must accelerate its recruitment to find a successor capable of taking the team to Libertadores, otherwise its sporting project will be slowed down.
When will Cavani announce his final decision?
No date has been communicated. Observers expect an announcement in the coming weeks, ahead of the July transfer window.
Could Cavani return to Europe?
This is a possibility, although European clubs are often reluctant to sign players over the age of 35. Championships like La Liga Portugal or the Turkish Süper Lig could be destinations suited to his profile.
