“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Fortaleza CEIF have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Fortaleza CEIF, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Sebastián Navarro plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
“I did not go to Nea Salamis to sit and watch. I want to come back to Fortaleza CEIF and fight for my place.” 5 appearances in 10 matches say the rest.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Fortaleza CEIF can pretend not to have heard.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Santiago Cuero plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Fortaleza CEIF can pretend not to have heard.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Fortaleza CEIF, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“Another season, another badge, another dressing room to win over. I would like one pre-season at Fortaleza CEIF where somebody actually looks at me.” He belongs to Leones until the spell ends; the argument is with the club that owns him.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Fortaleza CEIF, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Víctor García is 33 and has run out of things to prove. What he has left is where to stand, when to slow it down and what to say at half-time, and none of that is on a fitness chart.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Leonardo Pico keeps the shirt for now, at Fortaleza CEIF's convenience rather than his own.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Fortaleza CEIF have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Fortaleza CEIF know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Fortaleza CEIF can pretend not to have heard.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Fortaleza CEIF have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Santiago Cuero and Fortaleza CEIF agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
At 30, Yesid Díaz has come through every age group this club has, and now watches a borrowed player of much the same level start every week. An academy notices these things, and so do the parents in the stand.
A new face in his position, and Rhyan suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Fortaleza CEIF have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Fortaleza CEIF know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
Kauã Rodrigo is 20, and Fortaleza CEIF have signed him for the player he will be rather than the one he is. The first team can wait; the point of a deal like this is the years it buys.
At 22, Kevin Balanta has come through every age group this club has, and now watches a borrowed player of much the same level start every week. An academy notices these things, and so do the parents in the stand.
The speculation has reached the stands, and the stands have answered. Fortaleza CEIF would like this settled before it becomes the only thing anybody asks about.
Deportivo Pasto pay $75.0K, and the deal is done. The number reads well on a balance sheet; whether it reads well on the pitch is next season's question.
The name of Jader Martínez has come up in conversations Fortaleza CEIF were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Bogota defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Fortaleza CEIF, and both men came out saying it was fine.
A new face in his position, and Yesid Díaz suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Fortaleza CEIF have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
The name of Sebastián Herrera has come up in conversations Fortaleza CEIF were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
America de Cali pay $1.1M, and the deal is done. The number reads well on a balance sheet; whether it reads well on the pitch is next season's question.
“Every summer it is another club, another set of team-mates, another manager to convince. I have done all that. Now I want a pre-season at Fortaleza CEIF and a proper look at me.” He remains Leones’s player until the spell runs out — but the argument is with the club that owns him.
A 1-0 win over Real Santander, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Fortaleza CEIF, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Fortaleza CEIF can pretend not to have heard.
A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Esteban Buitrago will call it something else in private.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Llaneros defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
In brief
SquadAndy Batioja asks for a word with the manager
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Fortaleza CEIF, and 7 appearances in 21 say he has earned the hearing.
He found out with everybody else, an hour before kick-off, from a sheet of paper on a wall. Nobody at Fortaleza CEIF pretended it was anything other than a decision about him.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Fortaleza CEIF have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
In brief
The terracesThe press cannot get enough of Andrés Arroyo
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Fortaleza CEIF can pretend not to have heard.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
Bogota will want this one forgotten quickly: 4-1, every duel lost, and a long ride home. Fortaleza CEIF were ruthless in the way good sides are ruthless.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Fortaleza CEIF can pretend not to have heard.
The list is a quiet document with a loud meaning. Sebastián Prieto may talk to anybody who asks, and everybody at the club understands what that means.
In brief
The terracesThe press have found their man in Yesid Díaz
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Fortaleza CEIF have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Fortaleza CEIF, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Shifted about, taken off before the hour, asked to do somebody else's running — Jhon Velásquez has had enough of being useful and would like to be picked. Fortaleza CEIF know, and have known for weeks.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Fortaleza CEIF have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Leonardo Pico and Fortaleza CEIF agree another 2 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
26 years old, every age group at this club behind him, and a borrowed player of much the same standard in front of him every Saturday. The parents in the stand have noticed, and so has every kid below him.
Deportes Tolima go through and Fortaleza CEIF go home, 0-1 the scoreline that did it. The dressing room will call the league the priority now, because that is what dressing rooms say.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
Asked to play a role that is not his, or taken off before the hour once too often — Leonardo Pico has let it be known that he does not like the way Fortaleza CEIF are using him. Managers hear this long before the press does.
He is 20, and nobody at Fortaleza CEIF signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Sebastián Herrera keeps the shirt for now, at Fortaleza CEIF's convenience rather than his own.
The best deals are the ones the accountants never notice. Kevin Martínez arrives at Fortaleza CEIF with his wages the only cost and something to prove the only clause.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Fortaleza CEIF can pretend not to have heard.
He is 20, and nobody at Fortaleza CEIF signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Fortaleza CEIF can pretend not to have heard.
The shirt still fits. Diego Diaz is back at Fortaleza CEIF, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
The shirt still fits. Felipe Restrepo is back at Fortaleza CEIF, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
A 1-0 win over Union Magdalena, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Fortaleza CEIF, and both men came out saying it was fine.
A new face in his position, and Leonardo Pico suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Fortaleza CEIF have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Fortaleza CEIF can pretend not to have heard.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Fortaleza CEIF have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Fortaleza CEIF can pretend not to have heard.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
Alianza Petrolera pay $44.0K, and the deal is done. The number reads well on a balance sheet; whether it reads well on the pitch is next season's question.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Fortaleza CEIF, and both men came out saying it was fine.
A new face in his position, and Miguel Silva suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Fortaleza CEIF have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
Deportes Tolima pay $410.0K, and the deal is done. The number reads well on a balance sheet; whether it reads well on the pitch is next season's question.
The name of Michael Barragán has come up in conversations Fortaleza CEIF were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Fortaleza CEIF, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The terraces7 Dec 2026
Supporters make their feelings known about Jhon Balanta
The speculation has reached the stands, and the stands have answered. Fortaleza CEIF would like this settled before it becomes the only thing anybody asks about.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Fortaleza CEIF can pretend not to have heard.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Fortaleza CEIF, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Sebastián Herrera has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
He came through the session, took part in everything and finished it smiling. Fortaleza CEIF will not rush him, and he will spend the next fortnight trying to rush them.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Fortaleza CEIF can pretend not to have heard.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Fortaleza CEIF, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Jonathan Marulanda plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Jhon Balanta has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
Junior go through and Fortaleza CEIF go home, 0-1 the scoreline that did it. The dressing room will call the league the priority now, because that is what dressing rooms say.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Fortaleza CEIF can pretend not to have heard.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Fortaleza CEIF, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Cristian Santander plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Fortaleza CEIF, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Jonathan Marulanda has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Fortaleza CEIF can pretend not to have heard.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Fortaleza CEIF, and both men came out saying it was fine.
A shoot-out is remembered by its ending, and this one ends with Miguel Silva: 3 kept out, and a set of supporters who will describe every one of them for the next twenty years.
A shoot-out is remembered by its ending, and this one ends with Cristian Santander: 2 kept out, and a set of supporters who will describe every one of them for the next twenty years.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Fortaleza CEIF can pretend not to have heard.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Sebastián Navarro and Fortaleza CEIF agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Fortaleza CEIF, and both men came out saying it was fine.