Facundo Colidio left River through the back door, without noise or public farewell. The forward, who had been one of the offensive figures of the Millonario in the last year and a half, landed this morning in Rio de Janeiro and within a few hours was already wearing the Vasco da Gama jersey.
No one scored more goals than him with the red band during that period: he netted 22 goals, nine in 2025 and thirteen so far in 2026. He surpassed Sebastián Driussi by eight goals. Still, with the arrival of several offensive references, he decided to change scenery. The operation was closed in the last hours.
Vasco offered 4.5 million dollars for 50 percent of the transfer and committed to buying the rest through achievable objectives, for another 5.5 million. Colidio traveled accompanied by his representative Tomás Levenzon, underwent a medical examination, and signed a long-term contract.
The carioca club did not waste time. As soon as he landed, they introduced him to the public and had him pose with the jersey that will bear the number 9, different from the 11 he wore at River and Tigre. Coach Pedro Emanuel will have him available.
High expectations and a big challenge
In a conversation with local media, Colidio was clear: “I have very high expectations, I know very well what club I am coming to, it is a very big club that wants to return to the top and we are going for that...”. He also described his playing style: “I am a forward who can play all across the front line, fast, I have one-on-one skills. You will see it on the field.”
He leaves River with a tally of 32 goals, 11 assists, one red card, and two titles: the Trofeo de Campeones, in which he scored, and the Supercopa Argentina. He had started the semester as a starter with Eduardo Coudet, but he knew he would fall behind when the attacking reinforcements got into rhythm.
Among those names are Ángel Correa, Thiago Almada, Rafael Santos Borré, and Lucas Beltrán. Given that scenario, the attacker chose a new destination. He arrives at a Vasco that is second to last in the Brasileirão with 21 points, just ahead of Chapecoense and Remo, and one point away from Internacional, the last team that would be saved.
The immediate big challenge is to dodge relegation. At the same time, the Cruzmaltino has just advanced to the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil after eliminating Fluminense, and next Thursday faces Olimpia in the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana.
A possible clash with River
In that continental competition, there is a chance to face River in later stages. The management of Stefano Di Carlo has already established that, in case of coinciding, Colidio will not be able to play against his former team. Another Argentine also joins the squad: Santiago Sosa, who arrived from Racing.
The departure surprised due to the circumstances. Colidio said goodbye to his former teammates privately and left without making statements in Buenos Aires. The contrast is total with the reception he received in Rio, where club associates awaited him and welcomed him with open arms.
