Kerala Blasters FC and Spanish defender Juan Rodriguez have mutually agreed to part ways ahead of the 2025-26 season of the Indian Super League (ISL), the club confirmed on Wednesday. The decision comes at a time of transition for the Kochi-based side, with uncertainty surrounding the league’s future recently impacting squad planning.
Rodriguez is set to return to Spain, where he will join Marbella FC, a team competing in Primera Federacion, the country’s third-tier football league. His exit marks the end of a brief stint in Indian football that began just a few months ago.
The centre-back had joined Kerala Blasters in October ahead of the 2025-26 campaign after making the move from CD Lugo, another club playing in Spain’s Primera Federacion. Expectations were modest but hopeful, with the Blasters looking to strengthen their defensive options through the experienced Spaniard.
However, Rodriguez’s time with the club proved limited. He featured in only three matches, all of which came during the AIFF Super Cup. While his appearances were few, he did manage to contribute with an assist, offering a glimpse of his technical ability and composure on the ball. Despite that, opportunities remained scarce, and both parties ultimately opted for an early separation.
Rodriguez’s departure makes him the third foreign player to leave Kerala Blasters in the last two weeks. Club captain Adrian Luna and winger Noah Sadaoui were both loaned out recently, moves that were attributed to the uncertain future of the ISL at the time. The exits underline a period of reshaping for the club as it reassesses its squad composition ahead of the new season.
The Blasters have not indicated whether Rodriguez’s replacement will be brought in immediately, but the club is expected to continue evaluating its options as the league start approaches. Despite the recent uncertainty, clarity has now emerged regarding the competition’s schedule.
The Indian Super League is set to kick off on February 14, giving clubs limited time to finalise squads and prepare for the campaign. For Kerala Blasters, the focus will be on stabilising the team after multiple changes and ensuring readiness for the challenges ahead.
For Rodriguez, the move back to Spain offers a chance to revive his career with regular game time at Marbella FC. His short spell in India may not have unfolded as planned, but the mutual nature of the separation suggests an amicable end as both player and club look ahead to their next chapters.
