FC Cincinnati sends Álvaro Barreal to Santos as his future hangs in the balance | OneFootball

FC Cincinnati officially loan Álvaro Barreal to Santos FC through December 2025. The transfer includes a purchase obligation on the condition that the player reaches certain performance thresholds. In addition, ahead of the final move, Cincy signed an extension with Barreal through 2026, proving the club still sees a future with the player.

Having spent last season at Cruzeiro, where he made 42 appearances, scored 2 goals, and made 4 assists, the Argentine now joins one of the most historic clubs in Brazil.

A talent still looking for stability

Since his arrival to FC Cincinnati from Vélez Sarsfield back in 2020, Barreal has flashed moments of quality. With 121 appearances, he has tallied 19 goals and 29 assists for the club. During the season of 2023, he had one of the best years in his life, being an MLS All-Star and even a nominee of the FIFA Puskás Award to seal his name among the standouts in the league.

Despite that, though, Cincinnati decided to loan him out for a second straight season-first to Cruzeiro, where he put up good but unspectacular numbers, and now to Santos, a club in rebuilding mode that desperately needs reinforcements.

At 23 years of age, Barreal is no longer just a prospect but also not quite a settled player. Still not consistent, without an optimal setting in which he could shine and find an optimal role to fit his playing style, which can perform well without ups and downs.

Santos sees him as an asset that can contribute in an offensive manner both in playmaking and finishing of chances. But will adapting to Brazilian soccer be easier compared to his stay at Cruzeiro?

What does Santos gain from Barreal?

Santos is in the process of restructuring, working to build a competitive squad, stabilizing itself in Brazil's Serie A, and with an attacking unit still lacking key figures, Barreal's arrival could prove an invaluable addition.

The Argentine has the right quality to fit in with Brazilian soccer: pace, technical ability, and versatility to play both as an attacking midfielder or winger. With Cruzeiro, he showed glimpses of talent but never quite became a central figure. Will things be different at Santos?

If Barreal can impose his style of play and adapt fast to the attacking football that Santos' fans need, he will become an important piece for the team.

However, as it was at Cruzeiro, he is not that kind of player who can carry a whole team on his shoulders. A system that improves his strengths, with a good coach, helps to make his presence in a team relevant.

Did Cincinnati make the right call?

It's pretty clear what FC Cincinnati is doing here: Keep control of Barreal contractually while opening up an avenue for him to get new exposure. By extending his deal before the Santos loan, the club covers itself financially while keeping the door open for a potential return or future sale.

What it means is that if Barreal does well in Santos, then Cincinnati could gain more money with the Brazilian club exercising the option to buy, but if not, he will still be with Cincinnati until 2026 when his contract there runs out. The club may reassess and find another suitor for the player.

Cincy need to balance their squad with MLS 2025 looming, but also the Concacaf Champions Cup and the domestic league are important competitions. Therefore, freeing up room in the squad makes plenty of sense for more pressing priorities, considering that he is no longer a central figure in their plans.