MARCOS ROJO is set to be an unlikely starter at the Club World Cup – after his teammate was rejected for a US visa.
The former Manchester United defender currently plays for Boca Juniors in Argentina.
APMarcos Rojo is set to feature prominently for Boca Juniors at the Club World Cup[/caption]
GettyThe defender spent seven seasons at Manchester United[/caption]
ReutersRojo’s teammate Ayrton Costa (left) has been denied entry into the USA[/caption]
Rojo, 35, joined the club in 2021 after leaving Old Trafford.
He had been expected to sit out most of the upcoming tournament, with Ayrton Costa preferred at centre-back.
But Costa has been denied entry into the United States just days before the competition begins.
Boca flew into their Miami training camp on Sunday without the 25-year-old.
Costa was denied a visa by the US Embassy, according to ESPN.
He was involved in an attempted robbery case in Bernal, Argentina, in 2018.
The case involved transporting stolen goods in a vehicle, per Mundo Deportivo.
In 2023, Costa was granted probation to avoid a trial over the incident.
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Costa was also involved in another case linked to the alleged concealment of a femicide.
The defender was named in court documents but never charged.
With Costa confirmed out, Rojo is now Miguel Angel Russo’s only option on the left side of Boca’s defence.
Boca will compete in Group C in the revamped 32-team tournament.
They are joined by Bayern Munich, Auckland City and Benfica.
Rojo began his career at Estudiantes, where he won the Copa Libertadores in 2009.
He enjoyed spells with Spartak Moscow and Sporting Lisbon before arriving at Man Utd in 2014.
Rojo spent seven seasons in the North West, playing 122 times and scoring twice.
He returned to Argentina in 2021, having won the FA Cup, Europa League and Carabao Cup.
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