Atlanta United loses a key player for the entire season

These are difficult days for Lisandro López. The Racing Club idol is considering retiring from professional practice and the ending of his link with Major League Soccer (MLS) Atlanta United fuels the hypothesis that supports the end of an era. In the last hours, the forward terminated his contract by mutual agreement with the United States franchise and his future is uncertain. In an official statement from the club of the northern country, Licha's departure was announced with a text based on gratitude to the last figure of the Academy.

"We announce with great regret that Lisandro's time at the club has come to an end", said Atlanta United Vice President and Athletic Director Carlos Bocanegra on the official website of the team led by Argentine coach Gabriel Heinze. “Despite our little time together, he quickly proved to be a valued member of our organization and will always be welcome at Atlanta United. Our thoughts will continue to be with Lisandro and his family”, added the leader. The statement came after the former Racing Club striker suffered the death of his father, prompting his desire to end his professional activity.

At age 38, Licha joined the North American team on January 25 of this year, where he played four games and scored three victories. The joint position attracted attention because the experienced forward had a contract until December. The forward has played more than 600 professional matches and has scored 244 goals for his clubs.

With seven calls to the Argentine national team, the academic idol won five league titles and five cups during his career in his country, Portugal, France, Qatar and Brazil. His legacy will be eternal. Licha returned to Racing Club in full and gave two championships to the Academy to continue with a winning tune that Diego Cocca imposed and followed by Chacho Coudet.

The surprise announcement that he arrived from the United States was similar to the one he gave when he left the Cilindro. The idol left a void in the hearts of Albicelestes, because Licha left in tears. It was an unexpected fact that very few people in his inner circle knew about. The loss of his father in the midst of a pandemic seems to hasten his future away from the courts. Although at the time he had signed with the MLS team to continue his life abroad with his partner Mechi Blanco and his daughter Guadalupe, at the moment he only wants to be with his loved ones in Argentina. And in Avellaneda they await you with open arms.