Club América have travelled to Marbella, Spain, for their pre-season camp ahead of the Apertura 2026, marking the beginning of a new chapter under Uruguayan head coach Guillermo Almada. The arrival of Almada, who replaced the departing André Jardine following a successful but concluded cycle, signals a shift in the squad's direction - and one of the first casualties of that transition appears to be Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Dourado.
Dourado, 32, did not travel with the squad to Spain, a telling absence that has fuelled speculation about his future at the club. According to reports from América-affiliated sources and player statistics platform BeSoccer, the midfielder is not expected to feature in Almada's plans for the upcoming tournament. It is worth noting that pre-season squads often attract broad attention across multiple sports, with fans tracking everything from football transfer moves to live water polo odds during the summer window - but at the Estadio Azteca, the focus is firmly on what Almada intends to build and who gets left behind in the process.
A Signing That Never Delivered
Dourado arrived at América as a direct request from Jardine, signed from Atlético San Luis in Liga BBVA MX. The expectation was that the Brazilian would bring experience and dynamism to the midfield engine room, but his stint at the club fell well short of those ambitions. Across his time with the first team, he made 22 appearances, starting 19, and contributed just one goal and one assist. For a club of América's stature - the most decorated in Mexican football - those numbers reflect a player who never truly imposed himself on the team's identity.
The reported asking price for Dourado now stands at approximately $1.5 million USD. Reports suggest the club paid a similar figure when they brought him in, meaning the operation is likely to result in a financial loss of close to one million dollars once all costs are accounted for. América appear willing to absorb that hit to clear space in the squad - both financially and technically - as Almada looks to stamp his own philosophy on the group from the very first session in Marbella.
Almada Builds From the Ground Up
The appointment of Guillermo Almada represents a considered choice. The Uruguayan coach built a reputation in South American football before his move to Mexico, and his preference for organised, high-intensity pressing systems is well established. Almada arrives at América with at least one reinforcement already tied to the club, reportedly a former Chivas player, though full squad details have yet to be confirmed. Pre-season camps in Europe have become a common practice for Liga BBVA MX's top clubs, offering neutral ground, quality training facilities, and potential friendly fixtures against European opposition.
América's Apertura 2026 campaign will carry significant weight. Jardine's cycle, while successful, has ended, and the fanbase - among the largest in the country - will expect Almada to compete immediately for silverware. The Dourado situation underlines a clear intent: the new manager wants his own players, his own shape, and his own identity. The business of trimming the squad is rarely clean or cost-free, but from a football standpoint, the direction is clear.
What the Numbers Reveal
A look at Dourado's statistics at América tells a straightforward story:
- Appearances: 22
- Starts: 19
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 1
For a central midfielder, those returns - particularly in terms of goal contributions - are modest. Whether the problem was tactical fit, adaptation, or form is difficult to assess from the outside, but Almada has clearly reviewed the data and concluded the Brazilian does not fit the profile he requires. Club América will now work to recoup what they can from the transfer and move on, with Marbella serving as the proving ground for everyone who does have a future in the azulcrema squad.
