Marco Antonio Figueroa spoke this Saturday at a press conference about the retirement of José Manuel “Moyo” Contreras, announced on Friday, May 1, and the controversy generated by his non-call for the second leg against Antigua GFC.
The Chilean strategist explained that Contreras’ absence in recent days is due to an injury that the midfielder suffered prior to the trip to Malacatán at the close of the regular phase. According to Figueroa, since that moment the player has not trained with the group again, and made it clear that his call-up criteria is simple and direct. “Player who runs plays, player who doesn’t run doesn’t play, that’s how I saved Comunicaciones from relegation”stated the technician.
The controversy arises after Contreras’ emotional retirement announcement on Friday, when the historic midfielder published a video from around the Cementos Progreso Stadium confirming that he will leave professional football at the end of Clausura 2026.
Figueroa was direct when referring to the way he found out about the midfielder’s retirement. He pointed out that Contreras never communicated his decision to him personally and that great players must have humility in those types of situations. “I respect his entire career, but he retired alone, he never told me that he no longer wanted to play. Great idols have to have a lot of humility”expressed the coach, suggesting that the communication between the two was not what was expected in the last stages of the season.
“You have to close it and move on”
The strategist also revealed details about the internal dynamics of the locker room, pointing out that he values direct communication with his players and that with Contreras that closeness has not occurred in recent times.
“I have a great relationship with all the players. I like them to come to the dressing room to talk, I don’t see Moyo in the dressing room,” commented Figueroa, who also highlighted that he took the team to the semifinals and saved it from relegation without the midfielder for weeks. “I didn’t come to pay tribute to anyone, I came to save Comunicaciones from relegation,” he remarked forcefully.
The coach closed the topic by asking to turn the page and recognizing the history of the historic midfielder. “My respect for him, for the idol he was in the institution, but now, we have to close it, turn the page and move on”concluded Figueroa, who now focuses all his attention on the semifinals of Clausura 2026 where Comunicaciones will hope to meet his rival after the results of this Sunday’s matches between Xelajú and Marquense and Municipal against Guastatoya.