Raul Ruidiaz no longer wants to play for MLS Club Seattle Sounders

The Peruvian striker has played a key role in the Sounders' success over recent years, scoring 61 goals in 96 appearances across all competitions since joining from Atletico Morelia in 2018. Nine of those goals have come in MLS Cup Playoff appearances.

During that time, he's helped fire the club to MLS Cup in 2019, as well as the final in 2020 and this year's Leagues Cup final. Seattle only recently exercised their option to extend Ruidiaz's contract through the 2022 season, with head coach Brian Schmetzer revealing a new deal was on the horizon.

A week ago, Raul Ruidaz posted this message through Instagram:

“This season was not easy or the best for me or for the group of players due to some injuries, but we tried to do our best for this great club. At the end of this season, some of those great efforts weren't enough and I couldn't finish the year the way I wanted, but the fighting never stopped. Thank you all for your support, you will always be in my heart, I will never forget you. #Seattle Sounders ��"

Raul Ruidiaz coach statements

“He’s going to get rewarded after the end of this year with a new contract, and that’ll be great,” Schmetzer told reporters. “The team is hopefully going to keep him around for another few years.”

But those contract talks now appear to have broken down. According to Pulso Sports' Nick Negrini, Ruidiaz "does not feel valued" in Seattle and is actively seeking a move away.

Raul Ruidiaz’s future lies in Liga MX?

Negrini also suggests "more than one club" is willing to do what it takes to acquire Ruidiaz, while reports early in November named Liga MX giants Cruz Azul as a frontrunner for the 31-year-old's signature.

Raúl Ruidíaz's apparent farewell on his social networks to leave the Seattle Sounders squad seems to have awakened transfer alerts among other clubs. The market that seems to be much more interested in the Peruvian player is Mexican soccer. Liga MX would like to see him back, but this time to play for big teams such as America and Cruz Azul, who are looking for his services. 

According to the TUDN portal in Mexico, América and Cruz Azul have been following the steps of the Peruvian player, although neither has made a formal offer due to his high salary, which does not seem easy to afford. However, both teams see him as an important possibility for the following season.

Negotiations could be a bit difficult considering the amount that the Peruvian is seeking for his services; however, Juan Reynoso (Cruz Azul coach) and Pedro Aquino (America player) have been trying to convince the striker. Both have already shown their interest in him.

Seattle Sounders season

The Sounders recently crashed out of the MLS Cup Playoffs in Round One, losing at home on penalties to Real Salt Lake despite denying the visitors a single attempted shot.

With no more competitive action until February 2022, Seattle's main focus will now be on trying to keep Ruidiaz at Lumen Field. Schmetzer will also look to build a team that can re-establish Seattle as an MLS Cup challenger after a relatively poor year by the club's own high standards.