Transfer to Sporting? Zalazar responds to rumours | OneFootball

Rodrigo Zalazar’s absence from Braga’s starting eleven against Benfica caused surprise and fueled speculation regarding the future of the Uruguay international, at a time when negotiations continue with a possible transfer to Sporting in mind.

At the end of the match, in the mixed zone of the Estádio da Luz, the 26-year-old midfielder was asked directly about a possible move to Alvalade. Smiling and appearing in good spirits despite the persistence on the subject, Zalazar simply replied: “I can’t talk.”

Although his absence from the starting lineup increased the noise around the transfer market, the explanation for the player’s limited use is mainly related to physical issues. The midfielder suffered from tonsillitis in recent days, a problem that affected his preparation for the match against the Eagles.

According to what was learned, Zalazar even returned to training on Sunday, but ended up getting worse physically, a situation also aggravated by the accumulated workload since his recent return from injury. Given that scenario, the coaching staff led by Carlos Vicens chose to protect the player and use him for only 16 minutes in the second half.

In 2025/26, Rodrigo Zalazar - valued at €22 million - has recorded 23 goals and eight assists across 47 matches with 3,302 minutes played. The player was responsible for Braga’s draw against Sporting, both at Alvalade and in Minho, having scored two penalties deep into stoppage time.

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