Marcos Rojo skips training and edges closer to leaving Racing for Estudiantes

Marcos Rojo stopped training a week ago. Not because of an injury, not because of a suspension, but by his own choice. He wanted to send a message, and judging by how things have unfolded since, he got it across. The 36 year old defender is one step away from leaving Racing to return, for the third time in his career, to Estudiantes de La Plata.

Everything picked up speed after Racing's elimination from the 2026 Copa Argentina, where Boca knocked them out with a 3-2 win that sent the Xeneize through to the semifinals. Right then, Rojo made it clear he wanted out. His destination: Estudiantes, who need him as reinforcement for the Copa Libertadores.

According to sources, the deal is practically done. Estudiantes would pay around $800,000 for the three months left on Rojo's contract with Racing, plus performance bonuses tied to the matches he plays, or doesn't play, as long as the City Bell side keeps winning. To force the move, Rojo didn't just stop training, he also gave up a significant chunk of the money the Avellaneda club still owed him.

The week kicked off with a key meeting: Diego Milito, Racing's president, sat down this Monday with Kristian Bereit, the player's agent, to hammer out the final terms of his departure. According to Tomas Davila on Buen Dia ESPN, Rojo's future could be settled within hours.

A return with unfinished business

This isn't just another transfer. Rojo has already gone through two stints at Estudiantes, the most recent of which, back in 2020, ended badly, and his subsequent move to Boca cost him the goodwill of a large part of the Pincharrata fan base. Now he's coming back with the idea of repairing that relationship. In his history with the La Plata club he has 54 appearances and 4 goals, and he was part of the 2009 Copa Libertadores campaign, one of the most fondly remembered titles in the club's history.

If the deal goes through, Rojo could also be available for the Torneo Clausura. Marcos Angeleri, one of the key voices in Estudiantes' inner football circle, has been involved in the negotiation and has already made contact to push the move forward. In City Bell, in fact, there's talk of "optimism" behind closed doors.

Time is tight: the deadline to register players for the Libertadores is Friday, October 9, so the coming hours will be decisive in determining whether Rojo makes it in time. There's also a regulatory detail working in his favor: Gabriel Neves' injury has freed up a roster spot that would allow the defender to be registered to play across all competitions without restrictions.

Meanwhile, the numbers from his time at Racing stand as they are, waiting for this story to close: 29 appearances, 2 goals, one assist, 7 yellow cards and 2 red cards. A chapter that's ending sooner than expected, with his sights set on a reunion that promises to be much more than just a simple transfer.