New York City FC mainstay Maxi Morales will be returning to the club for another season.
The 37-year-old Argentine midfielder has signed a new contract with NYCFC until the 2025 season, marking his ninth year with the MLS club and including being part of the 2021 championship-winning team. Ta.
Morales has played in 183 MLS games for City since making his MLS debut in 2017, scoring 27 goals and providing 74 assists.
“We are excited to have Maxi return to New York City FC for next season,” athletic director David Lee said in a statement. “Maxi has shown incredible resilience in coming back from injury and proved his quality with great performances last year. His leadership and creativity on the field will help us get back to the playoffs. , rallied people around him. The influence extends beyond what everyone sees during the game, playing an important role in the locker room and mentoring young players.Talent and experience like Maxi's help us as we continue to grow. Having a player with this ability is very important and I look forward to seeing his contribution this season.”
Morales' contract with NYCFC expired at the end of last season, but Lee indicated earlier in the offseason that the club was continuing to negotiate with the Argentina international about his future.
The midfielder has carved his name into NYCFC lore throughout his time with the club, scoring one goal and providing three assists in the 2021 MLS Cup.
Morales briefly left NYCFC in 2023 to join Argentina's Racing Club, returning midway through the 2023 MLS season, but suffered a season-ending injury after playing in just four games.
He made his 2024 debut on May 31st and recorded one goal and five assists in 17 games after recovering from a torn ACL.
“I am very excited to continue my career with New York City FC for another season,” Morales said in a statement. “This club has become a second home for me and I am truly grateful for the trust and support I have received from everyone here, from the coaching staff to my team-mates and of course the amazing fans. It was a tough but rewarding experience. ” It meant a lot to me to be able to contribute to the team's success again. I am looking forward to next season and am determined to help the club achieve even more in 2025. ”
Morales holds the honor of being one of only two players in NYCFC franchise history to record 100 career goal contributions (combined goals and assists by a player), the other being a European soccer legend. This is David Villa.
NYCFC returned to the training pitch this week in preparation for the upcoming 2025 season, which begins with City in Miami on February 22nd.
