Boca Juniors Defender Ayrton Costa Absent from Club World Cup
In a setback for Boca Juniors, defender Ayrton Costa will be absent from the upcoming Club World Cup due to visa complications. The club disclosed on Thursday that Costa’s application for a U.S. visa was not approved, preventing him from traveling to Miami alongside his teammates on Sunday.
Details of the Visa Complications
Initially, the 25-year-old was included in Boca Juniors’ roster for the tournament set to begin on Saturday, despite the ongoing visa issue still in processing at the U.S. embassy in Buenos Aires. However, the club later confirmed his visa denial without specifying the reasons.
Notably, Costa has a complicated legal history, having been implicated in an attempted robbery case originating from 2018 in Bernal, Argentina, which may factor into the visa decision.
Impact on the Team
His absence poses a challenge for coach Miguel Russo, who must adjust his lineup ahead of the team’s opening match against Benfica on Monday, part of a competitive Group C that also features Bayern Munich and Auckland City from New Zealand. Similarly, another defender, Marco Pellegrino, who was acquired before the tournament, is currently sidelined due to a muscle injury.
With Costa ruled out, seasoned player Marcos Rojo, who joined Boca Juniors last January from Belgium’s Royal Antwerp, is anticipated to step into the starting role.
