You’ve probably seen the highlights. A diminutive figure in a bright red and black Flamengo shirt, or perhaps the iconic white and red of River Plate, darting between defenders like they’re stuck in slow motion. That’s Nicolás de la Cruz. He isn't your typical "flash-in-the-pan" talent. Honestly, he’s more like a Swiss Army knife that happens to have a wicked right foot and the engine of a long-distance runner.
People talk a lot about the big-money transfers to Europe. They obsess over the teenagers heading to Madrid or London. But while the world was looking elsewhere, de la Cruz quietly became the heartbeat of two of the biggest clubs on the planet. He’s 28 now. In football terms, that’s the absolute sweet spot—the peak.
The River Plate Legacy of Nicolás de la Cruz
Let’s get one thing straight: you don’t play over 200 games for River Plate if you aren't special. Under Marcelo Gallardo, de la Cruz wasn't just a starter; he was the tactical engine. He arrived from Liverpool de Montevideo in 2017 as a skinny kid with a lot of pressure on his shoulders. After all, his half-brother is Carlos Sánchez, a certified River legend. That’s a lot of shadow to live in.
Basically, he didn’t just step out of that shadow; he built his own skyscraper. He won the Copa Libertadores in 2018. He picked up league titles and domestic cups like they were groceries. By the time he left for Flamengo in early 2024, he had racked up 36 goals and 40 assists. Those aren't just "stat-padding" numbers. Most of those involvements happened in high-stakes knockout games where the air gets thin and the pressure gets heavy.
The transfer to Flamengo for a fee north of $15 million was a statement. It signaled that the Brazilian giants weren't just looking for stars—they were looking for the specific glue that holds a championship team together.
What Makes His Style So Different?
If you ask a scout about Nicolás de la Cruz, they won't just talk about his passing. They’ll talk about his "volume." The guy is everywhere. He ranks in the 99th percentile for passes attempted and the 95th for progressive passes among midfielders. What does that mean in plain English? It means he’s the guy who wants the ball when things are going wrong.
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He’s only 167cm tall. Small? Sure. But he’s built like a middleweight boxer. His low center of gravity makes it almost impossible to dispossess him without fouling. He uses that leverage to shield the ball, turn on a dime, and launch an attack before the defender has even realized they’ve lost the duel.
- Vision: He sees gaps that shouldn't exist.
- Set-pieces: His free-kicks are legendary in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Work rate: He’s often the first one back to help the defense, then the first one leading the counter.
Kinda rare, right? Usually, you get a "luxury" playmaker who doesn't like to get their kits dirty. De la Cruz is the opposite. He’s a blue-collar worker with a Ph.D. in ball progression.
The Marcelo Bielsa Effect and Uruguay
You can't talk about de la Cruz without mentioning "El Loco" Bielsa. Since taking over the Uruguayan national team, Bielsa has turned the Celeste into a high-octane pressing machine. For that system to work, you need midfielders who can run until their lungs burn.
Enter Nicolás de la Cruz.
In the current World Cup qualifying cycle, he has been indispensable. He’s not just a rotation player anymore; he’s a pillar alongside Fede Valverde and Manuel Ugarte. When Uruguay beat Brazil and Argentina back-to-back in late 2023, de la Cruz was arguably the best player on the pitch. He scored against Brazil. He dictated the tempo against Messi’s Argentina. He showed the world that he belongs on any stage, period.
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Recent Form and the Flamengo Standard
Life in Rio de Janeiro hasn't been a vacation. Flamengo is a pressure cooker. Even so, de la Cruz has maintained a staggering level of consistency. In the 2025 season, he helped lead the club to a Série A title and a Copa Libertadores trophy. Think about that. He has won the biggest prize in South American club football with two different icons of the game.
However, it hasn't all been smooth sailing. 2025 saw him battle a few nagging knee injuries that kept him out for chunks of the mid-season. It’s the one red flag in an otherwise perfect profile. When he's healthy, Flamengo looks unbeatable. When he’s out, they look... human.
The Rumors: Could He Go Back to River?
Lately, there’s been a lot of noise about a return to Buenos Aires. As of early 2026, reports have surfaced that River Plate is trying to figure out a way to bring their hero home. Is it likely? Honestly, it’s complicated.
He’s under contract with Flamengo until June 2028. His market value still hovers around €12 million. River would have to break the bank to make it happen. But in football, especially South American football, emotion often trumps the balance sheet. Fans are desperate to see him back at the El Monumental, and with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, de la Cruz might want to be in an environment where he is the undisputed king.
Why He Never Went to Europe (Yet)
It’s the question everyone asks. Why isn't he at Atletico Madrid or Liverpool? There were links to the Premier League and Serie A for years. Some say it was the price tag; River Plate knew his worth and refused to sell for pennies. Others suggest he simply preferred being a "big fish" in South America rather than a squad player in Europe.
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There's also the tactical nuance. In Europe, the game is often more structured. In South America, it’s chaotic, and de la Cruz thrives in chaos. He is the master of the "unstructured" moment. He finds the pocket of space that a tactical map says shouldn't be there.
Nicolás de la Cruz represents a dying breed of footballer. He’s a classic "10" with the defensive stats of a "5." If you're a fan of the game, you owe it to yourself to watch a full 90 minutes of him playing. Don't just watch the YouTube comps of his goals. Watch how he tracks back in the 85th minute. Watch how he instructs his teammates where to stand before a corner.
If you want to track his progress or see if the River Plate rumors actually turn into a "Done Deal," keep an eye on the following:
- Match Ratings: Check sites like FotMob or SofaScore after Flamengo games; his "expected assists" (xA) numbers are usually through the roof even when he doesn't get the stat.
- Injury Reports: His knee health will determine if he starts for Uruguay in the upcoming World Cup.
- Transfer Windows: Watch the July 2026 window closely; that’s when the "Return to River" narrative will either peak or die.
The guy is a masterclass in efficiency. Whether he stays in Brazil or heads back to Argentina, he remains the gold standard for what a modern, versatile midfielder should look like.