Rocco Ríos Novo Bio
Rocco Ríos Novo (born June 4, 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, on loan from Lanús. Born in Los Angeles, California, he holds citizenship in the United States but represents Argentina at the international youth level.
A product of the Argentine club Lanús, Ríos Novo developed through the club’s academy before gaining senior experience on loan in the United States. He has been recognized as a promising shot-stopper capable of performing in high-pressure moments, including penalty shootouts.
Early Life and Background
Rocco Ríos Novo was born on June 4, 2002, in Los Angeles, California, in the United States. He stands 5 feet 10 inches tall, a standard build for a modern goalkeeper. His family background includes a father from Mexico and a mother from Argentina, giving him eligibility to represent several national teams.
Growing up with ties to Argentina, Ríos Novo moved into the development pathway of the Argentine Primera División club Lanús. His early football education took place within Lanús’s youth system, where he refined the technical and tactical foundations required to play the goalkeeper position at a professional level.
His dual cultural heritage shaped his international career from an early age, as he was eligible to represent the United States, Mexico, or Argentina. He eventually chose Argentina, beginning a youth international journey that progressed through several age-group levels.
Path to Professional Soccer
Ríos Novo’s professional journey began inside the Lanús academy, where he signed his first senior contract in 2021. To accelerate his development and gain first-team experience, the club arranged a loan move to Atlanta United 2, the reserve side of the Major League Soccer club Atlanta United, on March 2, 2021.
Less than a month later, on April 5, 2021, he signed a short-term contract with Atlanta United’s first team ahead of a CONCACAF Champions League match against Alajuelense. The opportunity allowed him to step into a senior MLS environment while still in his teenage years, marking a key step in his progression from academy prospect to professional goalkeeper.
Rocco Ríos Novo Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Ríos Novo made his professional debut for Atlanta United on April 5, 2021, in the CONCACAF Champions League match against Alajuelense. He entered the game as a late first-half substitute for Brad Guzan, who had been shown a red card. The substitute appearance under difficult circumstances provided an early test of his composure on a senior stage.
He continued with Atlanta United 2 throughout the loan spell before returning briefly to Atlanta United in April 2022. The club brought him back on loan after Brad Guzan tore his Achilles earlier in the week, and Ríos Novo documented the move on his Instagram story, hugging family members goodbye on a flight to Atlanta.
Atlanta United and Lanús Era (2021–2025)
Across 2021 and 2022, Ríos Novo split time between Atlanta United 2, where he accumulated regular developmental minutes, and Atlanta United’s first team, where he served as an emergency option in goal. His experience in Major League Soccer environments broadened his understanding of North American soccer demands, including travel, roster rules, and match intensity.
At parent club Lanús, he remained under contract, with the Argentine side overseeing his development pathway and arranging subsequent loans to help him gain senior minutes.
Phoenix Rising Breakthrough (2023–2024)
After his time with Atlanta United 2, Ríos Novo signed with USL Championship club Phoenix Rising FC. He became a prominent figure for the club during its 2023 playoff campaign, which advanced all the way to the 2023 USL Championship Final against the Charleston Battery.
The championship match ended 1–1 after extra time, forcing a penalty shootout. Phoenix Rising won the shootout 3–2, with Ríos Novo saving the final two penalties to secure the club’s first USL Championship title. His performance earned him recognition as the game’s Most Valuable Player, establishing him as a clutch performer in decisive moments.
Inter Miami Era (2025–Present)
On January 16, 2025, Ríos Novo signed for Inter Miami on loan for the 2025 Major League Soccer season. The move to one of the league’s highest-profile clubs represented a significant step up in visibility and competition level.
He made his Inter Miami debut on March 9, 2025, when he came on as a late first-half substitute for Benjamin Cremaschi. The change came after goalkeeper Oscar Ustari received a red card in a 1–0 win against Charlotte FC. The debut showcased his readiness to step into matches for a leading MLS contender. He has worn squad number 34 for the club.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ríos Novo’s standout achievement came in the 2023 USL Championship Final, where his two penalty saves sealed Phoenix Rising’s first league title and earned him Final MVP honors. His senior debut for Atlanta United in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League and his Inter Miami debut in 2025 mark the two other most significant milestones of his career to date.
Rocco Ríos Novo International Career
Ríos Novo has represented Argentina at several international youth levels, including the under-15, under-16, under-17, and under-23 teams. He joined the Argentina U15 setup in 2017 and progressed through the age groups over the following years, including a 2019 spell with the Argentina U17 side and a 2023 appearance at the U23 level.
His international pathway reflects his choice to represent Argentina, despite also being eligible for the United States and Mexico through his parents.
Rocco Ríos Novo Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ríos Novo was born to a father from Mexico and a mother from Argentina, giving him a tri-national heritage. The combination of cultural roots played a role in his decision to pursue an international career with Argentina at the youth level.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Ríos Novo maintains an active presence on social media, including an Instagram account that has publicly documented key career moments, such as his 2022 loan return to Atlanta and his transition between clubs.
2025 Season Performance
Ríos Novo joined Inter Miami on loan in January 2025, joining a squad aiming to compete for Major League Soccer honors. His arrival added experienced goalkeeping depth to the roster and provided cover behind veteran Oscar Ustari.
He made his MLS debut on March 9, 2025, entering a match against Charlotte FC after Ustari’s red card and helping preserve a 1–0 victory. The early-season cameo offered an early indication of the trust placed in him by the coaching staff.
With the MLS season continuing and the Leagues Cup and other competitions on the club’s calendar, Ríos Novo is positioned to compete for additional minutes between the posts as the campaign progresses. His prior shootout heroics with Phoenix Rising have also made him a reliable option in knockout scenarios.