LIGA MX
Juan Escobar in shock departure from Cruz Azul
The Paraguayan defender met with the board and coach Martín Anselmi but their differences have not been resolved. He will leave the institution in the coming days.
Cruz Azul is one of the teams that has experienced the most movement ahead of the Clausura 2024, where they will have many new faces in each sector of the team. What was not seen coming is the departure of Juan Escobar who, up until the last tournament was an undisputed starter in the back four and team captain. The Paraguayan is believed to have had a heated discussion with coach Martín Anselmi, concerning his place in the side with recent arrival Gonzalo Piovi looking to take his place. That was the moment that the irremediable differences began.
Decision taken
Juan Escobar met with board members and the technical director on Wednesday afternoon in search of a solution. The first reports indicated that the Guarani central defender and Martín Anselmi had made their peace, however, on Thursday TUDN journalist Adrián Esparaza Oteo reported that the decision has been made and the Paraguayan will leave Cruz Azul in the coming days.
Escobar joined Cruz Azul on a $5 million deal from Cerro Porteño in July 2019. He has made a total of 162 appearances for the club, scoring 15 goals and was a key member of the side that secured the Clausura 2021 - the club’s ninth title. His other honors won in Mexico include the Super Copa (2019), Campeón de Campeones (2021) and Super Copa de la Liga (2022).