Boca Juniors` 25-year-old center-back, Ayrton Costa, will not be participating in the upcoming Club World Cup tournament taking place in the United States. Costa, initially included in the 35-man squad that traveled to the U.S., was denied a visa by U.S. authorities, preventing his involvement.
Reports indicate that Costa was connected to an attempted robbery case in 2018, for which he reportedly accepted a probationary sentence to avoid trial. Past criminal convictions are a common reason for visa applications being rejected by U.S. border officials.
“We can confirm Ayrton Costa is set to miss the Club World Cup with Boca,” a club spokesperson informed Reuters. “The defender was scheduled to fly on Wednesday night… but did not secure the necessary visa.”
Costa had been considered a potential starter for Miguel Russo`s side in their opening Group B fixture against Benfica. Their group stage continues with matches against European giants Bayern Munich and New Zealand`s Auckland City. Costa, a January acquisition from Belgian club Antwerp, played in Boca`s final match of the previous season against his former team, Independiente. With new signing Marco Pellegrino from AC Milan also working back to full fitness, the absence of Costa potentially opens a starting opportunity for former Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo in Boca`s first game in 18 years.
