Pumas UNAM suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Veracruz in week 15 of the Liga MX Clausura 2017. The 2-0 loss at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario was a huge blow to the Mexico City side that has now made it very difficult for the team to make the playoffs.
Pumas UNAM is currently in 12th place with 18 points and a chance at making the playoffs seems slim. Apart from the loss against Veracruz, Pumas also suffered three suspensions in that game. Manager, Paco Palencia, striker, Nicolas Castillo and captain, Dario Veron all received sanctions in the game.
While Palencia and Castillo will only be absent for the upcoming week 16 clash against Monarcas Morelia, Veron received a two-game ban. This means that the Paraguayan defender will not play another game for Pumas UNAM this tournament unless the Felines can make the playoffs. Pumas UNAM has not shown any intention to resign its captain and his spell with the Mexico City Club may have come to an end.
Veron arrived with the ‘capitalinos’ in 2003 and since then has played over 450 games with Pumas UNAM. The 37-year-old has won four Liga MX titles with the Felines and at one point was considered the best defender in the league. “El Hechizero” has also had an extensive international career with his nation, Paraguay, dating back to 2001. Veron has not had a great tournament with Pumas UNAM, really showing his age, struggling to keep up with the quicker, younger players in the Liga MX. It is unclear whether the Paraguayan international is looking to retire but it is quite clear that his time at Pumas UNAM is coming to an end.