Bocawill not be able to count on Ayrton Costa for the 2025 Club World Cup. The defender did not receive a visa to enter the United States and will have to remain in Argentina while the team travels to compete in the international tournament.
Costa appeared before U.S. immigration authorities on Wednesday, hoping to solve the situation and join the squad. However, in the early hours of Thursday, both he and the club were notified of the denial by the U.S. Embassy.
Despite the efforts made by Boca, even with the intervention of FIFA, the attempt was in vain. The club had included him on the official roster and had reserved his seat on the flight along with Marco Pellegrino, Malcom Braida, and Mateo Mendía. But in the end, only these three players will travel to the United States.
Riqueleme y la FIFA hicieron lo que pudieron, pero la embajada rechazó el pedido
During the week, both Costa and the other new signings trained in Buenos Aires while awaiting a resolution. With this absence, Miguel Ángel Russo will have only Marcos Rojo as a natural left-footed center back to face the tournament.
The legal records that complicated the visa
The Embassy's denial is based on two legal records. The first dates back to 2018, when Costa was accused of participating in a robbery at a house in Bernal Oeste with his brother, Carlos Anselmo Costa. The case was classified as "aggravated robbery in a populated area and as a group," although in 2023 the player was granted probation to avoid a trial.
Costa fue acusado de participar de un robo
That same year, the defender was also mentioned in the case regarding the murder of his brother, Carlos, at the hands of his ex-partner, Agustina Belén Aguilar. Although he was not charged, his name appeared in the case file, as he was accused by the victim's family of covering up the incident.
Thus, for these immigration and legal reasons, Ayrton Costa will have to watch the Club World Cup from Argentina, while Boca prepares for the major international challenge without one of its new signings.
