Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Erwin Saavedra has broken his silence on his challenging journey since joining the South African giants from Bolivar in 2022.
Signed for a then-record fee of approximately $800,000 (around R12.2 million), expectations were high for the Bolivian international. However, his time at Sundowns has been far from smooth, with the 28-year-old making only 13 appearances for the club since his arrival.
Saavedra's career at Sundowns was impacted significantly by injuries, which have hampered his opportunities to showcase his abilities. After his arrival in South Africa, the midfielder suffered a frustrating setback when an injury forced him to miss crucial games. Despite undergoing surgery, Saavedra struggled to regain full fitness, which affected his ability to consistently contribute to the team.
"I've been unfortunate with this issue of injuries, but it is a new year, with new goals. The main thing is to be able to be called up to the national team, but obviously, I have to have a lot more minutes [at Sundowns]," Saavedra recently reflected on his time with the club," Saavedra told Bolivian media.
At the time of his move to Sundowns, Saavedra was a regular fixture in Bolivia's national team, and many expected his move to South Africa to be a stepping stone that would elevate his career. However, his lack of playing time at Sundowns has ultimately cost him his spot in the national team. He finds himself in a tough position as he looks to reclaim his place on the international stage, but the scarcity of minutes at Sundowns has made it a challenging task.
Saavedra's frustrations are understandable, given his limited exposure on the pitch, especially for a player of his calibre and with the aspirations he holds. With just six months remaining on his contract at Sundowns, it is unclear whether he will secure more playing time or seek a fresh challenge elsewhere.
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His recent return to Bolivia for the birth of his child brought some temporary respite from his footballing woes. As he enjoyed this personal milestone, Saavedra was able to reflect on his time at Sundowns and the challenges he has faced. While the injury setbacks were disappointing, he remains hopeful that his final months at the club will offer him a chance to prove himself.
"I had an injury where I have not been able to recover, but well, then I had the surgery. I returned here to Bolívar too, but fortunately, I also had minutes where I took advantage of it. Well, now I am, I'm also happy with the opportunity I'm given, and it's good to take advantage of it also in this time that I have left there," Saavedra explained.
As the Bolivian midfielder enters the final phase of his contract with Sundowns, his focus is firmly set on securing more game time and fighting for his place in the team. However, with a potentially imminent departure looming, Saavedra might need to explore new opportunities if he hopes to return to his best and ultimately regain his spot in the national team.
The coming months will be pivotal for Saavedra's career. Whether he can leave a lasting impression at Sundowns or find a new challenge elsewhere remains to be seen. For now, the 28-year-old is determined to make the most of the time he has left at the club, and to finish his time in South Africa on a positive note, both for himself and his future ambitions.
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