Coronel set for Orlando City move, calls São Paulo "easy choice"

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Gazeta Esportiva.com

·9 January 2026

Coronel set for Orlando City move, calls São Paulo "easy choice"

Announced as the new addition to São Paulo last Saturday, Carlos Coronel was officially presented at the club this Friday at the SuperCT. The 29-year-old goalkeeper revealed that the greatness of the club was the main motivation for his arrival, as he was on track to remain in the United States with Orlando City.

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“What motivated me was the greatness of São Paulo. I was about to sign a contract with Orlando City, from MLS, but when São Paulo appeared, there was no way to refuse; it is a great club. So it is very important for me to be here today. Because of the greatness of São Paulo, it was an easy choice to be here today,” the player began.

The goalkeeper, who was with the New York Red Bulls of MLS, arrives with a contract until December 31, 2028, with the status of immediate backup to Rafael in the São Paulo goal. The Brazilian naturalized Paraguayan, therefore, commented on the competition for the position and the desire to be called up again by the Paraguayan national team.

“Rafael is a great goalkeeper and has his history at the club. I come to help São Paulo in all aspects and, of course, to compete as well. I am arriving now, adapting, and with a lot of humility, always seeking my space. Certainly, just being at São Paulo makes Paraguay look at me differently, so earning my place would help with that goal,” he said.

Career

Carlos Coronel was raised in Porto Murtinho (MS), a city bordering Paraguay. Being the son of a Brazilian father and a Paraguayan mother, the goalkeeper holds dual nationality.

After a brief stint at Red Bull Brasil, Coronel went to Liefering in Austria. There, he stood out and transferred to RB Salzburg, one of the country's biggest clubs. In the United States, besides NY Red Bulls, he also played for Philadelphia Union.

During his time in New York, Coronel was called up by Paraguay, participating in the 2024 Copa América and the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.