Castro to Retire After 2026 Season
Greenville Triumph forward Leonardo Castro will end his professional career when his contract expires November 30.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Soccer
Leonardo Castro will retire from professional football at the end of the 2026 season, when his contract with Greenville Triumph expires on November 30. The 37-year-old joined the club in March 2023 after leaving Naturena as a free agent.
Why it matters
Castro's retirement closes a chapter for a club in the third tier of American football, and the departure of a veteran with 104 appearances will leave a notable gap in the squad.
Castro recorded 30 goals and 11 assists in 104 appearances for Greenville Triumph since joining in March 2023. He retires at age 37, with his contract set to expire November 30, 2026.
The players
Leonardo Castro
Castro is a veteran forward who previously played for Naturena before joining Greenville Triumph in 2023.
Greenville Triumph
Greenville Triumph is a professional football club competing in the third tier of American football.
Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho is a former Brazilian footballer who joined the Greenville Triumph ownership group in October 2024.
The details
Greenville Triumph confirmed the retirement and honored Castro and Brandon Fricke before kickoff of their October 17 home match against Charlotte Independence at GE Vernova Park. Castro's contract runs through November 30.
Timeline
March 2023: Castro joins Greenville Triumph.
October 2024: Ronaldinho joins the club's ownership group.
October 17, 2026: Castro is honored before his final home match.
November 30, 2026: Castro's contract expires and his retirement takes effect.
Season Trajectory
Castro's retirement arrives as Greenville Triumph's ownership group, which added Ronaldinho in October 2024, continues to reshape the club. The departure of a 104-appearance veteran at the end of the 2026 season will test the squad's depth in the third tier.
Fantasy managers who rostered Castro will need to account for the loss of a player with 30 goals and 11 assists in the 2026 season. Supporters attending the final home match can see him honored at GE Vernova Park on October 17.
The takeaway
Veteran retirements like Castro's often reshape a squad's depth heading into the following season, and readers following Greenville Triumph should watch how the club fills the gap left by his departure.
What happens next
Castro's final home appearance is October 17, 2026, and his contract expires November 30, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the club's season, see Soccer coverage in Greenville.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kick Off.
