By Pablo Barrera
It has recently been announced that Newell's Old Boys, from Rosario, Argentina, wants to buy 50% of Jhon Córdoba's player rights.
Malacateco is on the verge of making history in national football transfers. The Colombian's rights belong to the Guatemalan team. However, he has been on loan for the past two seasons in Colombian football.
First with Atlético Bucaramanga, the team with which he was proclaimed champion that year. Then with Millonarios, where in 2025, he has played 16 matches, scored two goals, and provided one assist.
The player's rights, or his transfer, are valued at approximately $1.3 million USD. This means Malacateco would receive $600,000 USD.
If this sale goes through, it would be a historic event in Guatemalan football. It would be the first time a player who has been in Guatemala's national football league is sold for such an amount abroad.
Other Central American countries that have had such successful experiences include Costa Rica and Honduras. However, in Guatemala, a financial operation for a player of this magnitude had not occurred before.
This marks a turning point in the national transfer market. It opens up the possibility for other teams to imitate this behavior and also profit from it.
Malacateco has always had a good track record of signings and player selection for its team. The "Toros" squad will benefit enormously, thus gaining almost Q4.8 million quetzales.
This money could be allocated to their youth academy, or to improve their sports infrastructure, or both. If Malacateco plays its cards right, it could substantially improve its squad.
Jhon Córdoba, a 24-year-old winger, would join the Rosario team for two years. It's worth noting that other Argentine clubs like Boca Juniors and Talleres de Córdoba were also interested in the player, but it seems Newell's will ultimately secure this signing.
Córdoba arrives highly motivated, as it will be his first experience playing in Argentina, in one of the most renowned leagues on the entire continent, where he can achieve significant prestige in football.
Córdoba's career history is as follows:
- 2018/2021 Atlético Huila (Colombia),18 matches played, 1 goal scored
- 2022: Fortaleza (Colombia), 13 matches played, no goals or assists
- 2022/23 Malacateco (Guatemala), 40 matches played, scored 9 goals and provided 8 assists.
- 2023/24: Atlético Bucaramanga (Colombia), 49 matches played, scored 12 goals and provided 2 assists.
- 2024/25 Millonarios (Colombia), 43 matches played, scored 7 goals and provided 5 assists.
What do you think of this historic sale from Malacateco to Argentine football? Let us know.
