Diniz pushes for player to stay, future takes dramatic turn at Vasco | OneFootball

The future of Uruguayan full-back Puma Rodríguez at Vasco has gained a new and decisive chapter. According to the channel Colina em Foco, coach Fernando Diniz is lobbying hard for the player to stay. Diniz’s “invention,” which repositioned Puma to left-back, not only yielded good results on the field but could also lead to the renewal of a contract that ends in December.

+ Puma Rodríguez’s situation worries Vasco for 2026

The coach has great appreciation for the player

The relationship between Fernando Diniz and Puma Rodríguez goes back a long way. The coach had already tried to bring the Uruguayan to work with him at other teams. This admiration intensified at Vasco, where Pumita has shown great physical and technical ability.

The big turning point in Puma’s trajectory was his use as a left-back. The player has stood out for his ability to attack the opponent’s box and recover with stamina, something that sets him apart from other full-backs in the squad, such as Lucas Piton, who struggles with the intensity over 90 minutes.

Pumita is now seen as the starting left-back, to the point where the coaching staff does not miss Piton. His characteristics as a “tall, strong, fast, and technical” player are a trump card.

Puma celebrates the comeback goal – Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

Vasco’s board has strong support from the coach

Fernando Diniz has significant influence on the board. The channel Colina em Foco points out that the club is experiencing a “Diniz-centrism,” where the coach’s wishes are a priority. The case of Jair, who had his contract renewed despite his high salary and serious injury, is an example of this. Vasco will make an effort to keep Puma, who has a starter’s salary and is a player for the Uruguayan national team.

Puma Rodríguez’s contract ends in December, and the player has already received inquiries from other clubs, such as Internacional. The expectation is that Vasco will approach the player’s staff in October to present a renewal proposal. The challenge will be to reconcile Puma’s desire to play for a team with visibility for the 2026 World Cup with the terms of a new contract.

+ Follow Papo na Colina on social media: Thread, Bluesky, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok and Google News

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