Position: Midfielder
Age: 37
Key Stat: 9 league starts in 2024
After returning from an ACL injury he sustained at the end of the 2023 season, Maxi Moralez proved to be an integral piece of Nick Cushing’s setup in 2024.
In 26 appearances across all competitions, Moralez managed two goals and seven assists as the club’s go-to No 10. And, for a 37-year-old attacking midfielder, the diminutive Argentine impacted nearly every game he featured in, whether he played the full 90 minutes or made a cameo off the bench.
That begs the question, how much longer can Maxi keep up this pace?
John Baney
New head coach, who dis?
With the arrival of new head coach Pascal Jansen in January, it remains to be seen exactly what tactical scheme the English-born Dutchman will employ. But we do know that Jansen favors a more attacking style of play, as we saw during his stints with AZ and Ferencváros, where he utilized either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.
This should bode well for the Boys in Blue, as there may not be a drastic tactical shift from the days of former head coach Nick Cushing. But for Moralez, it’s not the scheme or formation that could prove to be a stumbling block, it’s simply his age and his body.
It was a miracle that Moralez was able to return to New York City FC following his ACL tear in 2023, and have the season he did in 2024. He played 1,569 minutes in all competitions last year. For a 37-year-old to put up those minutes fresh off a drawn-out recovery is incredible. But is it sustainable?
It wasn’t last year. Moralez looked exhausted by the time the team were competing in the MLS Cup Playoffs. He played the full 90 minutes of the final two postseason games, and it showed. Moralez simply couldn’t make the runs required of him when New York City lost to New York Red Bulls, but Cushing kept him on nonetheless.
The Santi question
Still, Maxi seems to be the No 10 of choice for Jansen. Moralez started both of the Coachella Invitational preseason friendlies played to date, and he looked good on the field.
Interestingly, Santiago RodrĂguez didn’t feature in either of those games. Announcer Glenn Crooks said that the midfielder was being rested, but rumors have since emerged linking Santi to Botafogo in Brazil’s SĂ©rie A. If they turn out to be correct, that leaves Maxi as the team’s best option at the No 10.
True, Hannes Wolf could play more centrally. And Julián Fernández relieved Moralez a handful of times in 2024. But there’s no single player waiting to make the position his: There’s no depth at the No 10 position behind Moralez.
If Botafogo pay anything close to the rumored $15 million fee New York City are asking for Santi, the front office will need to quickly invest that in a suitable replacement.
Oliver Strand
What we’ll see in 2025
Remember, Maxi’s on-field contributions are just part of the story. The decision to bring Moralez back to the club in 2025 will be immensely beneficial from a locker-room perspective, as the Argentine will essentially act as a player-coach. His experience, knowledge, and relationship with the club, the fans, and the city will be a massive boost for Jansen.
But beyond that, fans should not expect, nor wish, for Moralez to make anything more than a handful of starts plus a number of 20-30 minute cameos off the bench this season.
Limiting Maxi’s minutes will ensure that the club’s greatest-ever player will continue to make a sizable impact for New York City FC throughout the entire season, rather than running him into the ground before we even hit the MLS All-Star Break.
After all, New York City have a plethora of attacking talent on the books. Wingers like the 21-year-old Julián Fernández and 20-year-old AgustĂn Ojeda, combined for just 1,880 minutes in 2024. That’s barely 300 more minutes that Moralez managed on his own.
Malachi Jones is another young forward who will be looking to make an impact in 2025 after his rookie season was cut short following a brutal leg injury vs Orlando City in June. He, too, will look to be reincorporated into the fold.
Those three players represent the future of New York City. Moralez is an incredible player and has been a loyal servant to the club for years now. But as he continues to get up there in age, and the younger forwards in the squad continue to develop, the list of reasons to justify his inclusion in the NYCFC starting XI continues to shrink.
But if RodrĂguez leaves as expected, don’t be surprised to see Moralez in the Starting XI when New York City face Inter Miami on opening day in less than two weeks.
Bringing him back in 2025 was a no-brainer and yes, his roles should be just as described in this article. Super sub, occasional start, locker room leader. If Santi departs, will need another #10 asap.