Argentine goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli considers a possible move to Boca Juniors
Relegated to the bench at Real Sociedad in Spain and without call-ups from the Jorge Sampaoli-led national team, Argentine goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli is thinking about his future. And rumors linked him to Boca, the reigning two-time champion of the local football league.
"Boca is the biggest team in Argentina. My family and friends are there, and I would like to return, but that is very far away," said the 25-year-old player, formerly of Estudiantes de La Plata, in an interview with Radio Marca.
Who are the candidates to play as goalkeeper for Boca?
Rulli had been mentioned as a possible reinforcement for Boca, after stating "I would like to play for Boca." But he clarified: "I invite you to hear and see what I said. I said that I would like to play for the best teams, and Boca is one of them, but I wanted to be at Real Sociedad."
Thus, the Argentine reaffirmed his commitment to the Spanish team despite losing playing time with the arrival of Miguel Ángel Moyá, who occupies his place in goal. Neither did his injury - a posterior cruciate ligament sprain in his right knee - suffered on February 22 of this year, help him.
Gerónimo Rulli, on the day of his injury, February 22. (Photo: Reuters).
These two reasons also denied him opportunities in the national team. And with the impending 2018 World Cup, which will start on June 14, no one doubts that his name will not appear on the list of 23 players (not even among the 35) who will travel to the World Cup.
"When I was not called up to the national team while doing well at Real Sociedad, it was a tough blow. With a World Cup close by, I knew that I was risking a lot. That month was not good, and everything became an uphill battle," confessed the former Estudiantes de La Plata goalkeeper.
Fillol talked about the difficult decision Sampaoli has to make regarding the national team goal
That's why Rulli is now focused on his club: "My mind is on Real Sociedad, I have a contract until 2022, and I just want to change the image I left in the last few months. I always chose Real and no one is going to take that away from me. Those who don't believe it, tough luck for them."
And Boca? The club will look for a goalkeeper, and he is among the candidates. However, the Spanish club valued him at $15 million dollars, a figure that they are not willing to invest in any player at Brandsen 805. And a loan? It would be a possibility, although in Spain they have other plans for the goalkeeper who emerged from Estudiantes.