Transfermarkt Exclusive 

©TM/IMAGO

Internacional de Bogotá has become one of the most innovative teams in South America in 2026. Formerly known as La Equidad, the club was acquired by Ryan Reynolds’ investment group, and the culture now surrounding the Bogotá-based side has been fascinating. Apart from starting the season with just two defeats in 13 matches under Ricardo Valiño, several of the club’s new signings have attracted a great deal of attention, and even the colours of the shirt have a special touch. Transfermarkt spoke to Salvatore Simeone, Inter’s sporting director and the man spearheading the club’s project. Inter is the younger sibling of Wrexham, the rising phenomenon of British football.

Inter Bogotá began 2026 with a clear objective: to avoid relegation following La Equidad’s poor results in 2025: “We’ve managed to give the club a more sporting focus, as previously revenue was generated solely from television rights. There was always a very well-organised administrative structure, and that helped us during the transition. The club’s main ambition is to establish ourselves in the top flight.” That objective is close to being achieved and even surpassed thanks to an early run of form that has yielded five wins and six draws in the Liga BetPlay.

However, the stated aim is to continue growing on the pitch: “From there, to be a club that consistently competes for a place in international competitions. We want to be a team that sells players, and that is what the owners are banking on. The brand must establish a national and international reputation so that we can then sell players for a higher price than in the past.” For now, Mauricio Cuero remains the capital club’s record sale, a winger who joined Levante for €3.2 million in 2016. More recently, the now-defunct La Equidad sold Johan Rojas to Monterrey for €2.3 million and Elan Ricardo to Besiktas for €1.9 million – figures Inter will be keen to surpass.

Valiño boasts talents such as Dereck Moncada, who has reached a valuation of €1.4 million. The 18-year-old Honduran has been one of the biggest sensations of the Liga BetPlay and, in just 12 matches, has scored five goals and seen his valuation rise by a million. Simeone speaks of Moncada as the jewel in the crown: “He represents one of the first successful signings we made. We signed him from Necaxa, our sister club. He has the chance to showcase himself in a league that attracts interest from abroad, and capitalising on that through a sale would allow us to carve out a clearer path in the transfer market. We still don’t know his full potential, and every match will give us clues as to what he can become.”

As for the future of the sporting project and the ambition to become champions for the first time after escaping relegation, Simeone outlines his plan as follows: “We want to qualify for an international tournament and, within four to five years, compete for the domestic title. This is subject to change, but perhaps this very season we can accelerate the process thanks to the club’s strong performance.” And the fact is that, apart from Moncada, Inter Bogotá has other key players in its squad such as Fabricio Sanguinneti and Kevin Parra; the former has made seven appearances and is valued at €500,000; the latter, owned by Atlético Nacional, has made six appearances and is currently valued at €900,000.

The choice of manager has also been key: “Valiño is a very well-rounded manager. He has experience in sporting situations like this where immediate results are required. He is a manager who has competed at every level and knows how to develop young talent with international potential. For the club, Valiño ticks many boxes and what sets him apart is his excellent ability to manage a squad. With him, we want to be a club that nurtures young talent, but also be much more aggressive in signing more experienced players who can deliver immediate returns, both on the pitch and financially.” That vision is paramount for the owners.

Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool, is the public face of Internacional: “His involvement keeps the spotlight on the project. He has given us an extra boost during this transition, but I believe the immediate results have been crucial in attracting more people to Inter: players and fans alike. It’s true that we’ve received greater attention: channelling that into good results has allowed us to maintain a significant fan base.” This is similar to what is happening with Wrexham, a team that has risen from the fifth to the second tier of English football and is now fighting to reach the Premier League following Reynolds’ involvement.

“We have combined several elements to build a significant fanbase. Our marketing efforts have been highly strategic in creating an immediate impact and bringing fans to the stadium. This was combined with the change of kit and colours, which has proved very appealing. Being in the capital of Colombia, many people follow football, but not as die-hard fans. As we are linked to Hollywood through our owners, we offer a more modern experience; we want to move closer to European standards,” says Simeone. Attendance figures at Techo have seen a marked increase, and that is proof of the success of the Reynolds project.

According to club figures, average stadium attendance has doubled in 2026, rising from 1,930 fans per match to 3,600 following the change of name and management. Meanwhile, season ticket sales have reached 1,716, compared to just 388 in 2025. Culturally, Inter Bogotá has done a thorough job, which is reflected not only in sporting results but also in how people have welcomed the arrival of international owners. Identification with the club has grown significantly, and the Wrexham-Reynolds case provides a basis for believing that Inter could replicate a similar phenomenon, culminating in an official title.