Lautaro Pastrán wants to stay at Colo Colo for the 2026 Copa Libertadores

With Colo Colo sitting atop the standings and focused on closing out the 2026 Campeonato Nacional, some players are already looking further ahead. That's the case with Lautaro Pastrán, the Argentine-Chilean forward who made one thing clear at a press conference this Wednesday: he wants to stay at the Cacique next season. The main reason? The Copa Libertadores.

It's not a random preference. Pastrán already got a taste of the competition last year while playing for Liga de Quito, when the team reached the semifinals. By his own account, it was an experience that left a mark.

I still haven't sat down to talk with my agent or with the president. There are a lot of games left, but obviously I'd like to stay here and I'd love to play the Copa Libertadores. Last year I got to play it with Liga de Quito all the way to the semifinals and it was crazy.Lautaro Pastrán

It's worth noting that the 24-year-old forward was careful when discussing his future. Nothing is signed, and there hasn't even been a formal conversation with club management. But the message came through clearly: if it's up to him, he'll still be wearing the white jersey when the group stage of the continental tournament kicks off.

National team hopes on the back burner

Pastrán was also asked about a possible call-up to the Chilean national team for the upcoming friendlies. While he didn't hide the fact that the idea excites him, he preferred to downplay it for now.

What player wouldn't want to go to the national team? Obviously I'd like it, but right now I'm focused on Colo Colo. Nobody's told me anything yet, everything else is just rumors. I'm staying calm about it.Lautaro Pastrán

That calm he describes stands in contrast to the growing buzz around his name. But he insists the priority right now is the club, not roster speculation.

A nod to Vozinha

The press conference also touched on a locker room teammate. Pastrán spoke about goalkeeper Vozinha's recent Ballon d'Or nomination in the best goalkeeper category, an honor the forward celebrated as something that goes beyond individual achievement.

For Pastrán, his teammate's nomination reflects well on the club too: "It's a huge point of pride, not just as a teammate but also as an institution. He's putting the club's name out there in a big way," he said.

He didn't stop at the soccer side of things either. He also had words for the man behind the goalkeeper: "Vozinha is a great person. From what I've gotten to know about him, he's very humble and low-key," he added.

With Colo Colo fighting for the Nacional title and a Libertadores spot nearly locked up, Pastrán's comments add one more storyline to a squad that's already looking ahead to 2026 without losing sight of what's still left to play for this season.