Axel Ojeda

Biography

Axel Agustín Ojeda (born 19 June 2004) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a winger for Major League Soccer club New York City FC. Early life Ojeda was born in Rosario in the Santa Fe Province of Argentina, and raised in the neighbourhood of Tablada , one of the most dangerous areas of the city. Club career Ojeda was spotted by Racing scout Jorge García in 2015, while García was on a scouting assignment in Rosario. García had initially gone to watch local team Alianza Sport, but Ojeda, as well as teammate Lautaro Ronchi, who were both playing for the opposition side, caught his eye. Despite receiving interest from Newell's Old Boys and Rosario Central, he eventually joined the academy of Racing. Having progressed through the academy, he was called up to the first team by manager Fernando Gago ahead of a Copa de la Liga Profesional fixture against Atlético Tucumán on 14 March 2022, and made his professional debut for the club in the 4–0 away win when he replaced Enzo Copetti late in the second half. Following the game, Ojeda would not feature for the first team again, with Gago stating in August 2023 that Ojeda had made a "mistake", and was sent to train with the reserves. It was later reported that Ojeda had arrived late to training on more than one occasion, hence his demotion. The following season, he was handed his first start by Gago, and repaid his manager's trust with his first goal in professional football against Central Córdoba on 24 July 2023. Playing on the left wing, he latched on to a through-ball from Tomás Avilés before placing the ball underneath goalkeeper Matías Mansilla to make the score 2–0 in Racing's eventual 3–1 victory. On 10 August 2023, Ojeda was named as a starter again ahead of Racing's Copa Libertadores tie against Colombian opposition Atlético Nacional. Five minutes into the second half, with the score 1–0 in Racing's favour, Ojeda doubled his side's advantage; dribbling from the right wing into the penalty area, he slid the ball under goalkeeper Harlen Castillo as Racing went on to win 3–0. On 2 February 2024, Ojeda signed with Major League Soccer side New York City on a five-year deal for an undisclosed transfer fee. International career Ojeda has represented Argentina at under-15, under-17 and under-20 level.