Libertadores Champ Stranded in Venezuela After Messi Win | Olé

Venezuela is convulsed by the facts of public knowledge: The United States government headed by Donald Trump arrested Nicolás Maduro, accused of crimes against humanity, with a military operation in the early hours of this Saturday. In the midst of this complex situation, soccer player Jefferson Savarino was trapped in his country.

The delicate moment that is being experienced in Bolivarian lands convulses all areas of local life and, in the midst of that, Savarino was trapped. The one born in Maracaibo was spending the holidays in his native country and The closure of airports in the territory will prevent him from leaving in time to join Botafogo’s preseason.

The offensive midfielder arrived at Fogao in January 2024 for almost 3 million euros from the Real Salt Lake City of the MLS and since then he showed a great level, justifying the #10 he was given upon his arrival to the Rio de Janeiro team. In fact, his role was key to winning the 2024 Copa Libertadores, being the team’s second scorer and top assister.

The midfielder who emerged in the Zulia youth team debuted in the Venezuela team in 2017 and has been a regular with Vinotinto since 2019, being part of the team in both America’s Cup (2021 and 2024) who won the Argentine National Team and also the latest Qualifiersin which they almost achieved classification World.

In fact, the former Atlético Mineiro was present at the Monumental Stadium in his country’s last confrontation against the world champions: in his fourth game against the Albiceleste, Savarino played 67 minutes in his team’s 3-0 lossa day that was highlighted by memes after slipping and giving a goal to Lionel Messi.

There are not many players who can claim to have finished above Ten in a vote, but Savarino is one. In 2024, after the arrival of the Flea to Inter Miamiboth footballers were nominated for the King of America award reported by a Uruguayan newspaper and there the Marabino surpassed the Rosario star.

This award, for which more than 250 journalists from the continent vote and only players who come from and play in America are nominated, He is one of the few that Leo never won and that year that trend was confirmed. With 14 votes, The one from Las Garzas had been in fifth place behind Luiz Henrique, Savarino himself, Juan Fernando Quintero and Thiago Almada.