Jorge Pereyra Diaz reveals real reason behind his departure from Kerala Blasters

The Argentine left the Blasters at the end of 2021-22 season.

After almost a year on from his surprising departure from Kerala Blasters, Argentine striker Jorge Pereyra Diaz has finally revealed as to what really happened behind the scenes, that ultimately led to him leaving Kerala, and join southern rivals Mumbai City.

Diaz became a part of the Yellow Army at the start of 2021-22 season, when he came in on a one year loan deal. Although Indian football posed quite a challenge for Diaz at first, the player soon adapted to his team’s style of play, and started creating havoc in the front line. He scored a total of eight goals in that season, and also helped Kerala Blasters reach the finals of the ISL, where they were unfortunately defeated by Hyderabad.

All seemed to be on the right track for Kerala and Jorge, and an extension was very much on the cards, but soon things took a turn for the worst, as all negotiations between the Blasters and the forward broke off, and the player left the club. 

Following the shocking event, KBFC sporting director Karolis Skinkys said that they were keen to extend Diaz’s contract, but the forward took time to respond.

“In Jorge’s case, we discussed and hoped he will sign, even in Goa, but that did not happen, he decided to wait and this period of waiting was so long that finally, probably in the middle of the summer, we decided otherwise. It was just too long. Nothing against Jorge. I have a good opinion about Jorge, and he proved how good a player he is, but in some moments, we have to defend the interest of the club,” Karolis Skinkys said to TOI.

The unfortunate aftermath

After his contract with Kerala Blasters came to an end, Jorge Pereyra Diaz went on to join Mumbai City at the start of the 2023-24 season, a decision that would see a lot of hatred being directed towards the Argentine by Kerala Blasters fans, who thought Diaz turned his back on the club since Mumbai made a better offer. 

“I just want Kerala Blasters fans to know the truth and end the insults directed towards me and my family,”  Diaz said to TOI.

Jorge Pereyra Diaz’s side of the story

Ever since all that transfer saga, Jorge Pereyra Diaz and his family have been receiving a lot of hatred and abuse, because of which the player finally spoke up regarding the matter. 

“I have decided to speak because the Kerala fans have continued to abuse me. I am used to insults. I have played in dangerous places, but they have messed with my family too. That is why I want to clarify this situation,” Diaz told TOI.

“After a good year in Kerala, the coach and the sports director wanted me to continue. After a few months of vacation and negotiating, the club sent me an offer letter which I signed and sent it back (to the club). On my part, I was preparing a (social media) post to motivate the fans since I had spoken with (Adrian) Luna and (Alvaro) Vazquez that we could win the trophy next year,” he added.

“The next day when I was in Argentina, I got a message from (KBFC sporting director) Karolis (Skinkys) which said that the coach and him had better options and that I was not needed. I was speechless. I asked the reasons, but was told ‘that’s football’,” Diaz revealed.

“After that message, the sporting director has not spoken to me again. They could have told me on my face that I was not needed. The coach didn’t tell me anything”, he concluded.