Cruzeiro presents Lucho Rodríguez, who views the Libertadores clash with Flamengo as an ‘early final’.
Cruzeiro officially presented forward Lucho Rodríguez this Friday (7) as their latest signing for the season. The 23-year-old Uruguayan player will wear the number 97 jersey and joins on loan from Neom of Saudi Arabia, with a contract running until mid-2026.
The arrival of Rodríguez shifts the atmosphere for the club at a crucial time, as the team prepares for significant challenges on both domestic and continental fronts.
In his first statements, the forward looked ahead to the Raposa‘s upcoming commitments. He emphasized the importance of every match, especially the decisive confrontation in the Copa Libertadores.
There is high expectation for the performance of the new number 97, who is already focused on the club’s objectives.
During his presentation at Toca da Raposa II, Lucho Rodríguez made a point of highlighting the challenging schedule Cruzeiro will face. Even before focusing on the Libertadores, he stressed the importance of the game in the Brazilian Serie A.
“Now we have an important Brazilian Serie A game against Mirassol at home. We have to win. Cruzeiro must always win.”
The athlete stated, demonstrating the winning mentality he hopes to bring to the squad. The match against Mirassol is scheduled for this Sunday (9) at 11 a.m. (Brasília time) at the Mineirão, as part of the 22nd round of the Série A.
Duel of Giants in the Libertadores
The highlight of Lucho Rodríguez‘s comments was the anticipation of the clash against Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores round of 16. The Uruguayan forward did not hesitate to classify the matchup as the biggest challenge of the season for the club.
“The game against Flamengo is very important. It’s the most important game of the year, the most important knockout round of the year for the club. It’s very significant for all of us. We must approach the game with the responsibility it demands. Do our part for the club, advance to the next stage… it’s not easy against Flamengo, they are a strong team. We are also a strong team. These are two clubs with the capacity and level of the best in South America. I think it’s an early Copa Libertadores final. It’s a very important game.”
The new signing declared, underscoring the magnitude of the encounter.
Upcoming Matches
The first leg between Cruzeiro and Flamengo will take place next Wednesday (12) at 9:30 p.m. at the Mineirão. The second leg will be held on August 19, also at 9:30 p.m., at the Maracanã.
It is expected that Lucho Rodríguez will be included in the squad for the game against Mirassol. The player could make his debut for the team before the big continental clash.
Lucho Rodríguez’s Career Path
Lucho Rodríguez began his career at Progreso in Uruguay and had stints at Liverpool de Montevideo before arriving at Bahia in 2024.
For the Bahia-based club, he played 69 matches, scored 20 goals, and provided three assists. In September 2025, he was sold to Neom of Saudi Arabia for 20 million euros (approximately R$ 126.6 million).
With the Saudi team, he participated in 31 matches, with six goals and two assists. Additionally, the forward has represented the Uruguay national team four times and was a U-20 World Cup champion in 2023.
The arrival of Lucho Rodríguez at Cruzeiro adds a valuable piece to the squad. His experience and vision of the game could be crucial for the team in pursuit of their goals.
His declaration that the match against Flamengo is an ‘early final’ reflects the seriousness and focus of the new player. The scenario promises emotional matchups that are set to shake up South American football.
Equipe M360
