Colombian forward Marino Hinestroza will become Boca Juniors' first signing for the 2026 season after the 'Xeneize' reached an agreement with Atlético Nacional of Medellín for 80% of his card for $5 million. According to the Argentine News Agency, after several rounds of negotiations, the footballer conceded on his demands to make the transfer happen and will travel to Argentina in the coming hours to sign a four-year contract with Boca.
The Atlético Nacional management managed to acquire the remaining percentage of Hinestroza's card, which belonged to the Columbus Crew of the United States. During his year and a half with the 'Verdolaga', the forward played 45 matches and scored 8 goals. Furthermore, this good performance at Atlético Nacional earned him a call-up to the Colombia national team by Argentine coach Néstor Lorenzo for the South American Qualifiers against Brazil and Paraguay, but he ended up debuting in the next matchday against Peru.
With the entirety of the forward's services now in their hands, the 'Verdolaga' agreed to close the deal with the 'Xeneize'. Thus, Boca bought 80% of the 23-year-old attacker's card for $5 million, and Atlético Nacional will retain a 20% stake in the player's transfer. The player pressured for a move to the 'Xeneize' by absenting himself from the Colombian team's pre-season training.
Faced with this, the Medellín club opted to release the player from training to avoid any type of injury or inconvenience that could hinder negotiations with Boca. Finally, coach Claudio Úbeda will add his first reinforcement for what will be this semester with triple competition between the Torneo Apertura, the Copa Argentina, and the Copa Libertadores.
Born in the Colombian city of Cali, the forward debuted for Orsomarso in Colombia's Second Division in 2018, where he played one match. The following year, Hinestroza was acquired by América de Cali to join their youth ranks, and in 2020, he was loaned to Palmeiras of Brazil, also to their youth teams. The forward did not accumulate minutes in the senior teams of América and Palmeiras, and in 2022, he became a free agent for Pachuca of Mexico, where he played 46 matches, scored 2 goals, and won the Torneo Apertura in his first year.
