Worth renewing? Calleri draws another blank, worst drought yet | OneFootball

São Paulo’s poor run closely mirrors the current moment of its main scorer, striker Calleri, who is enduring an incredible goal drought wearing the Tricolor shirt.

After failing to score once again in the last match against Remo, a 1-0 defeat this Sunday (5/31) in the Brasileirão, the Argentine striker reached the remarkable mark of 11 straight matches without scoring, equaling the longest drought of his career.

The last goal scored by the No. 9 came in the 4-1 thrashing of Cruzeiro in the Brazilian Championship, back on April 4. Since then, he has gone through 11 matches in which the ball simply refused to go in. The Argentine has missed clear-cut chances and even a penalty during this frustrating drought.

Jonathan Calleri has already gone 11 consecutive matches without scoring on two other occasions: at the start of 2016, also playing for São Paulo, and between August 2016 and January 2017, when he was with West Ham in England.

The striker’s spectacular start to the year gave fans false hope. Calleri scored seven goals in nine matches, totaling 11 overall in 2026, which keeps him as the team’s top scorer this year alongside Luciano.

The most prolific season of Calleri’s career was in 2022, when he was signed permanently by São Paulo. That year, he found the net 27 times in 67 appearances, in addition to providing six assists for his teammates.

WILL HE RENEW?

São Paulo have been in talks with Calleri over a renewal since the first months of the year, as reported by AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR. Expectations are optimistic regarding a two-season extension.

As far as coach Dorival Júnior is concerned, the striker will continue his journey at the club. In the press conference after qualification in the Copa Sudamericana, the manager said he is not worried about the situation involving his top scorer.

“I don’t think there needs to be that kind of concern. If he keeps producing and fighting, the goal will come naturally. The important thing is that he keeps contributing. If he keeps fighting the way he is, working the way he is, you can be sure the goals are close,” the coach said in the interview at Morumbi.

Calleri returned to the pitch this year after going through a complicated recovery from knee surgery, but he surprised people in his return for the Tricolor, with goals and assists. This season, he has already played 29 matches for São Paulo, with 11 goals and three assists.

Despite being captain and strongly identified with the Tricolor, the striker’s current form has generated a lot of criticism from São Paulo’s impatient and worn-down supporters. Now 32, he is entering the final stage of his career, and his future path should be decided during this break for the World Cup.

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