Marcos Rojo has completed his return to Estudiantes, bringing the 36-year-old back to the club where his professional career began in the 2008/09 season. For Flamengo fans watching the wider South American market, it is a reminder that experienced defenders can still shape a club’s immediate plans when the fit is right.
The move, confirmed on October 9, 2026, marks Rojo’s third spell at Estudiantes. He first emerged there before spending a long stretch at Manchester United between 2014 and 2020, a spell that delivered the EFL Cup in 2015/16, the Europa League and FA Cup in 2016/17, and a second-place Premier League finish in 2017/18.
Rojo had already gone back to Estudiantes on loan during the 2019/20 season after leaving Manchester United, before later moving on permanently to Boca Juniors. Since August 2025, he had been at Racing Club, but now the focus shifts to what comes next at Estudiantes and how quickly he can be used again.
Why this return matters
There is something straightforward about this move. Estudiantes know what Rojo is, what he has done, and what he can still offer when he is fit and settled. That matters in football more than people sometimes admit, especially with a player who has already lived several different versions of the same club story.
Estudiantes welcomed him back publicly with the message: “Bienvenido de vuelta, Marcos. Escribamos juntos nuevas páginas de nuestra historia. ✍️” In English, the club’s message was simple: “Welcome back Marcos. Let’s write together new pages of our story.”
Can he go straight into the team?
That is now the key question. According to Fernando Machado, Rojo is available and in good condition. “Marcos is fine, he trained today, so yes, he can be in the starting lineup,” Machado said.
That update is important because the conversation around Rojo is no longer about the symbolism of the move. It is about availability, rhythm, and whether he can make an immediate impact. If he is fit enough to start, then Estudiantes may not have to wait long to see whether the reunion can turn into something meaningful on the pitch.
For a defender of Rojo’s experience, that is often the biggest test. Not whether he knows the club, but whether he can still deliver at the level required from the first whistle. Attention will now switch to when he could make his latest debut, and how quickly Estudiantes decide to put him back into action.
