Fabián Bustos takes over Millonarios and requests Leonai Souza from Barcelona SC

Fabián Bustos was officially appointed as the new coach of Millonarios, from Equador. The information was released by Ecuadorian and Colombian vehicles in recent days.

Bustos’s request reflects his confidence in the player he worked with in 2023, when Leonai was a starter and featured in Barcelona’s midfield. Atualmente, the naturalized Brazilian midfielder from Uruguay is not in coach César Farías’s plans for the Torero squad in 2026, which facilitates negotiations for his departure.

Recent trajectory of Fabián Bustos

Fabián Bustos left Universitario from Deportes at the end of 2025 after consecutive achievements in Sua’s time at the Limeño club was marked by titles and good performance in continental competitions. Antes, the coach had previously managed Barcelona SC in 2023, where he implemented an organized and solid defensive style of play.

In Equador, Bustos also coached Delfín and won the LigaPro in previous stages of his career. Sua experience in South American markets makes him a strategic choice for Millonarios, which seeks to regain prominence in Liga BetPlay.

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A post shared by Leonai Souza (@leonai_souza)

Situation of Leonai Souza in Barcelona SC

Leonai Souza joined Barcelona SC in 2023 and quickly became a key player in midfield. Sob command of Bustos that season, the midfielder acted as a regular starter and contributed with ball recoveries and precise distribution. However, the arrival of César Farías changed the scenario for the player.

The Venezuelan coach promoted a reformulation of the squad and announced that Leonai will not have minutes if he remains at the club. Essa position opens the way for negotiations, with the player evaluating options on the international market.

Reformulation in the Barcelona SC cast

César Farías took over Barcelona SC with the aim of putting together a competitive team for 2026. The coach has already confirmed several departures, including players who were starters in the previous season. Entre lows are Dixon Arroyo, Brian Oyola and possibly Leonai Souza.

The club announced several reinforcements to fill the vacancies. The board worked quickly to meet the Venezuelan coach’s requests.

• Javier Báez, Argentine defender;
• Tomás Martínez, midfielder;
• Jordan Medina, defenseman;
• Jonnathan Mina, side;
• Jonathan Perlaza, steering wheel;
• Milton Céliz, striker;
• Matías Lugo, midfielder;
• Carlos Medina, midfielder;
• Darío Benedetto, experienced center forward;
• José Gabriel Cevallos, goalkeeper.

These signings aim to balance the squad with a mix of youth and experience.

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Expectations for Millonarios in the season

Millonarios hired Bustos to replace Hernán Torres and seek titles in the BetPlay League. The Bogotá club has a tradition in Colombian football and regularly participates in continental tournaments. The Argentinian’s arrival represents a bet on a successful coach in other South American countries.

The request by Leonai Souza indicates that Bustos intends to set up a strong and balanced midfield. The midfielder would be the first international reinforcement requested by the new commander.

History of collaboration between Bustos and Leonai

In 2023, at Barcelona SC, Leonai Souza experienced its best phase under the guidance of Fabián Bustos. The player participated in most of the games as a starter and helped the team reach prominent positions in the LigaPro. Sua his ability to mark and release the ball drew attention across the continent.

Other clubs, such as Liga from Quito, have also shown interest in the midfielder in recent months. However, the direct request from Bustos may weigh on the athlete’s decision.

Transfer market in South American football

Bustos’s move to seek out well-known players is common in football in the region. Treinadores often take trusted athletes to new projects. In the case of Leonai, non-use in Barcelona facilitates a possible transfer to Colômbia.

Millonarios has not yet made negotiations official, but close sources indicate initial progress. The Colombian club prepares the squad for domestic and possibly continental competitions in 2026.

Leonai Souza tactical profile

Leonai Souza acts mainly as a marking midfielder, with good reading of the game and physical strength. The Uruguayan-born Brazilian is 30 years old and has experience in South American leagues. Sua spell at Barcelona SC included important games in Libertadores and LigaPro.

If the transfer takes place, the player would reinforce the defensive sector of Millonarios. Bustos knows its characteristics well and knows how to extract the best performance.

The transfer market remains busy at the beginning of 2026. Clubes like Millonarios and Barcelona SC adjust their squads to the challenges of the season. The possible departure of Leonai Souza represents another chapter in this constant exchange of athletes in the América of the Sul.