Edinson Cavani rescinds contract with Boca Juniors, becomes free agent

Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani has terminated his contract with Argentine club Boca Juniors by mutual agreement, according to Argentine newspaper Olé. The 39-year-old forward’s contract was due to expire in December 2026, but the club and player have agreed to part ways without any penalty or transfer fee, leaving Cavani free to negotiate with other teams.

The decision comes as Boca Juniors undergoes a squad restructuring led by incoming coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena, who has advocated for a balanced mix of youth and experience. Club officials have reportedly reviewed the futures of their veteran players individually, and Cavani’s situation was affected by these planned changes. The striker had hoped to stay at the club, recover from his physical issues, and discuss a contract extension, but the new sporting direction ultimately led to his departure.

Cavani’s 2026 season has been severely disrupted by back problems. He underwent a procedure on his lower back and has been sidelined for extended periods, managing only two appearances this year. The Uruguayan did not feature in Boca’s Libertadores campaign, during which the club was eliminated early. Despite these setbacks, people close to Cavani say he has no intention of retiring and aims to return to the pitch once fully recovered.

Cavani joined Boca Juniors in July 2023 as a marquee signing and helped the club reach the Libertadores final that year. In total, he played 81 matches for the Xeneize, scoring 26 goals and providing three assists. His spell in Argentina, however, ends without a trophy.

On the international stage, Cavani earned 136 caps for Uruguay, scoring 58 goals, and was part of the squad that won the Copa América in 2011. He played in the World Cups of 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022, and his absence from the 2026 tournament marks the first time since his emergence as a national team star that he has watched the event from the sidelines. His last match for Uruguay was at the 2022 World Cup, and he announced his retirement from international duty in 2024.

Cavani’s club career has also included stints at Danubio, Palermo, Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Valencia. At PSG, he won six French league titles and became one of the club’s all-time top scorers.