Marino Hiniestroza’s transfer from Columbus Crew to Atlético Nacional is just about to be officially announced. A 22-year-old with a promising track record, Hiniestroza seemed like the kind of talent any team would want on their roster. But, let's be honest here: is this really a smart move for Colombian soccer? For me, this deal raises more questions than answers.
Atlético Nacional paid $1.5 million for Hiniestroza. It’s not a bargain, but it’s also not a fortune by international standards. What really stands out, though, is that Columbus Crew is set to keep 50% of any future sale. The U.S. team has practically guaranteed that they’ll make more money off Hiniestroza’s eventual transfer than Nacional will, should he shine. In other words, the initial price might seem modest, but down the line, Nacional might end up regretting this one.
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Why do I say that? Simple. In soccer, especially with South American teams, expectations for young talents often outpace the reality of their abilities. Hiniestroza has the potential to be a solid prospect, but let’s not kid ourselves. The pressure to perform at Atlético Nacional will be massive, and the chances of him reaching the level of other Colombian stars like James Rodríguez or Falcao García are, at best, slim. Sure, he might surprise us. But it’s not an exaggeration to say that Medellín’s biggest club could be placing their bets on something that isn’t even a sure thing.
Atlético Nacional has always been one of the most prestigious clubs in Latin America, but truth be told, they’ve made some questionable choices lately. Signing a young player from a league as low-profile as Major League Soccer (MLS) isn’t exactly the bold move of a club aiming to remain a continental powerhouse. Colombian football has always been rich in talent, but instead of focusing on local gems or scouting world-class players, Nacional seems to be taking a gamble, looking for unknown promising players from MLS.
Sure, the MLS has been growing and has become an interesting league for certain more seasoned players. But it’s still far from being a talent factory like Europe’s top leagues or even South America’s most competitive competitions. When a Colombian team places their faith in a player from the MLS, the risk of disappointment is huge. The level of competition in the U.S. is a whole different ball game, and adjusting to Colombian football could be a tough challenge.
Another thing that really bugs me about this deal is the lack of clear expectations. By signing the contract, Atlético Nacional is essentially committing to make Hiniestroza a key part of their future plans. But what exactly do they expect from him? If he doesn’t adapt, will the blame fall on him? Or will it be on the club, who took the risk in the first place?
Now, I’m not here to bash the kid. Hiniestroza has talent, no doubt. But he’s still a work in progress, and we don’t know just how far he can go. Throwing him into the deep end with the heavy weight of an Atlético Nacional jersey, with all the expectations that come with it, isn’t something easy to handle. Instead of betting on the future of a collective project, Nacional went for an individual gamble that could bring glory, or frustration.
What if Atlético Nacional had invested that money in something more concrete? How about strengthening weaker areas of the team? Or bringing in a player who truly had the experience to make a difference in the Copa Libertadores? Those are the questions that linger. It feels like the club has moved away from its tradition of being a continental powerhouse in favor of bets that, deep down, could backfire.