New goalkeeper: São Paulo offer led to last-minute change | OneFootball

The only two confirmed signings for São Paulo for 2026, goalkeeper Carlos Coronel and midfielder Danielzinho, gave a press conference this Friday (9), at the Barra Funda training center, speaking to the press for the first time.

The goalkeeper, who has dual nationality and plays for the Paraguayan national team, spent five seasons at New York Red Bulls in the United States. After his contract ended, he was already in advanced talks with another MLS team to stay in the country, but a last-minute offer from São Paulo changed his future.

“What motivated me was the greatness of São Paulo. I was well on my way to signing with Orlando (City) in MLS, but when São Paulo came along, there was no way to refuse. It’s a great club. For me, it’s very important to be here today. It was an easy choice to be here today,” said Coronel at his presentation as a Tricolor player.

The new number 31 of the team, Carlos Coronel signed with the new club until December 31, 2028, with the possibility of extending for another year if certain goals are met.

The deal had no transfer cost for São Paulo, since the goalkeeper’s contract with the North American club ended at the end of 2025. Thus, Tricolor now owns 100% of Coronel’s economic rights.

Called up to the Paraguayan national team in recent years, he arrives at Tricolor to get even closer to his dream of playing in the next World Cup.

“I’m adapting, looking for my place, I made it clear to the coaching staff. Just by being at São Paulo, Paraguay sees me differently and it could help me get to the World Cup,” highlighted the goalkeeper.

COMEBACK AT TRICOLOR

Born in Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, Carlos Miguel Coronel had brief stints in Tricolor’s youth academy in Cotia when he was very young. However, he admitted it was quite significant, enough to create a passion for the club and the desire to one day return.

“I had a quick spell in Cotia, when I played in the youth categories. It was a very short stint, but for me it was significant, that’s where my passion for São Paulo began, the club is great in every aspect.”

“Being at the Cotia facilities was something surreal, the whole setup, it was very hard for me when I couldn’t continue. And today, being able to come back as a professional, it’s like a movie playing in my head. I feel fulfilled, it was a long-time dream to play for São Paulo,” said the new goalkeeper.

DOES POLITICAL CHAOS GET IN THE WAY?

The club’s latest news has been more about political scandals and accusations against president Julio Casares, but Coronel said the external crisis does not interfere with the athletes’ work on the field.

“I can’t say much about the political situation. We players know that everything is under control. For me, São Paulo could be at its worst moment and I would still accept coming to São Paulo. I’m here to help, I see the group doing very well day to day, focused on training for the debut. It’s about preparing as best as possible until then.”

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