Last month, Red Bull New York star Emil Forsberg casually revealed that he retired from international soccer that the pair of local journalists talking with him at the club’s Morristown, N.J., facility had to do a “double-take,” one wrote.
The decision not only raises questions about how much longer the 34-year-old will continue to play the sport, but what his short-term future holds with his contract with the Red Bulls set to expire after this season.
The three-year deal he signed in December 2023 includes a club option for the 2027 season.
As of right now, the Red Bulls front office has not engaged in “full-on initial discussions” about Forsberg’s future with the club beyond this season, head of sport Julian de Guzman told The Post in an exclusive interview.
“It’s still early to even have that [discussion],” de Guzman said during a conversation after the club practiced on Thursday. “There’s been very, very light discussions in terms of how he’s been, where we see the team at, more of a whole. But in terms of his future, there hasn’t been full-on initial discussions about where that’s at.
“I think it’s important that we just continue to work on a season basis, and then as we get closer to, I would say the fall…we’ll have a very good idea as to where that is. Most importantly, it’s about what we’re seeing Emil do for the group, as he’s done in the past, and right now it’s been really good.”
The Red Bull New York executive praised Forsberg as “incredible” and someone that “we see so much value in.”
In a separate interview with The Post recently, Forsberg expressed happiness with his current situation with the Red Bulls.
Forsberg has appeared in 69 regular season games for the Red Bulls since he arrived in the MLS and has 22 goals and 23 assists during that span.
He was also instrumental in the club’s run to the MLS Cup Final in 2024, uttering what became the Red Bulls’ rallying cry during the playoffs, “Why can’t we.”
The Swedish international has a pair of goals this season on a new-look Red Bulls roster, which includes a goal in the club’s 3-2 win over Orlando City prior to the Leagues Cup break.
“At the moment, I just love playing soccer, love coming here with the guys, helping the young guys, helping everybody else, being here, playing with this team, with [head coach] Michael [Bradley] and everybody else. For me, I don’t have any other thoughts about what’s going to happen,” Forsberg told The Post. “I mean, that’s up to my agent and everybody involved in Red Bull. I think they’re gonna come to a conclusion about what’s best for me. I’m not worried. I’m just focusing on my football right now and trying to help this club and this team to get better every day. That’s my goal.”
The Red Bulls will return to action this weekend when they face Atlanta United and the schedule ramps up with the World Cup and Leagues Cup breaks finally behind the MLS.
