Is Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernández leaving MLS for a Brazilian giant? | OneFootball

Botafogo is already in the market, ready to fill in whatever gaps will present themselves in the squad for the next season. Such a player likely to go away from Glorioso is Igor Jesus, who gained the attention of some English clubs after the season he's had. Such a transfer may yield €30 million, and his imminent exit has shined the light on one of the best players in MLS, Cucho Hernández, from Columbus Crew.

It is easy to understand why Botafogo want Cucho Hernández: he will reinforce an attacking front that will miss Igor Jesus, who travels to Europe. The Colombian shines today with Columbus Crew in the MLS and comes in as the exact profile that the Rio-based club is seeking.

Cucho has excellent finishing, but above that is his smart movement-he is not a statue-like striker at all. Agile and mobile, Hernández shifts position with ease across the front line, pulling defenders out of their position. His keen sense of positioning also makes him a threat inside and outside the box at most times.

Hernández's performances with Columbus Crew have underlined his ability to compete at a high level. MLS, a league growing globally in both prestige and technical quality, has been the perfect stage for the 25-year-old. It's no wonder that, about a month ago, Botafogo's arch-rival Flamengo also showed interest in the Colombian forward.

Numbers that stand out in MLS

Cucho Hernández’s stats in the Columbus Crew jersey speak for themselves. In the 2024 season alone, he’s delivered an impressive 23 goals and 14 assists across 35 matches, cementing his place as one of MLS’s brightest stars and a frontrunner for the league MVP title.

Since his arrival in Columbus in July 2022, the Colombian forward has accumulated 40 games and 25 goals, showing consistency and a clinical finishing ability. These numbers not only reinforce Hernández's importance to Crew but also underline his growth and maturity as a player.

With its professional structure and competitive environment, Columbus Crew has been the perfect launchpad with which Cucho has taken flight. The team allowed him to reach his peak and has established himself as one of the standout names in MLS.

Numbers, reliability, and playing style make him a hot commodity, especially in emerging markets like Brazil. If the deal goes through, Cucho Hernández will serve as yet another example of MLS's ability to produce top-tier talent and put them firmly on the global soccer radar.