Santiago Sosa arrives at Vasco with a reputation for ruling the dressing room too
A deal between Vasco and Argentine midfielder Santiago Sosa is almost done. The journalist who covers Racing breaks down his profile and the impact he is expected to have at the Rio club.
When the Cilindro de Avellaneda packed out to say goodbye to Santiago Sosa, the message was clear. The Argentine midfielder was not leaving Racing as just another player passing through — he was leaving as someone who would be genuinely missed.
The deal with Vasco is practically done, according to ge. The 27-year-old is expected to sign with the Rio club as early as this Monday, with negotiations centred on a figure of around US$ 7 million.
But what exactly is Vasco signing? Leo Ojeda, Racing's beat reporter at Rádio Continental, painted the full picture for ge: "He makes himself noticed not only on the pitch, but also in the dressing room," the journalist said.
Ojeda sees Sosa performing best as a libero — the defensive midfielder who drops into the back line when defending and steps up to play the ball out when his team has possession. That is precisely how coaches Gustavo Costas and Juan Pablo Vojvoda used him at Racing. Strong in the air at the back, composed in build-up play. A rare profile.
His journey has not been straightforward. Sosa arrived at Racing in 2024 after an inconsistent spell at Atlanta United in the United States. It did not take long for him to become a key reference point — he won the Copa Sudamericana, although he missed the Recopa through an injury sustained in a collision with teammate Marco Rojo.
"I think this change of scenery could do him good," Ojeda said. In the journalist's view, Sosa has "already reached his ceiling" at Racing and has everything needed to add value at Vasco both tactically and as a positive leader within the squad.
Vasco will pay an upfront instalment and settle the remainder from next year onwards. The investment has a name and a face: a leader the squad will feel — on and off the pitch.