The defender has agreed to leave the Academy and will rejoin the club where his professional journey began, signing until December 2027 and ready for the semi‑finals versus Flamengo.
Marcos Rojo has cut ties with Racing to become Estudiantes de La Plata’s newest reinforcement for the 2026 Libertadores semi‑finals against Flamengo.
Having been contracted through December, the centre‑back settled his departure from Avellaneda’s side on Tuesday, clearing the way for a return to the Pincha where he launched his career.
TyC Sports says the deal includes roughly $800,000 to cover the three months left on his Racing contract, plus extra bonuses tied to matches that end in Estudiantes victories.
Negotiations grew tense; Rojo stood firm against the board led by Diego Milito, skipped several trainings to force a release, and will forgo a sizable sum Racing still owed him.
Coach Alexander Medina needs the signing because Leandro González Pirez and Tomás Palacios will miss the first leg versus Flamengo after serving yellow‑card suspensions.
The first semi‑final match takes place on October 15 in La Plata, with the return leg slated for October 22 in Rio de Janeiro.
It will be Rojo’s third spell at Estudiantes, the club where he lifted the Libertadores in 2009, and a chance to rebuild ties with fans after a troubled 2020 comeback and a stint at Boca Juniors.
He will sign through December 2027 and hopes to inject experience at a crucial point for the side. Can his presence swing the tie in Estudiantes’ favor?