Due to the prevalence of social media, aspiring young football players now have the chance to establish a reputation for themselves before ever playing professionally. Their incredible goals or individual displays of skill are frequently capture on camera. For instance, at the age of eleven, Claudio Echeverri went viral while playing for a River Plate youth team in the 2017 Venice Champions Trophy. A seven-a-side competition that also featured Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Ajax, and Juventus.
Claudio Echeverri: Argentina’s “next Lionel Messi”
Echeverri grow in Resistencia, the capital of the northeastern Argentine province of Chaco. He received his early football instruction from his father. His mother and two brothers also provided him with support. Encouraging him to follow his dreams when it became evident that he had a natural talent for the beautiful game.
He had the chance to polish his skills at the local club Deportivo Lujan. And at the age of ten, River scouts noticed him well enough to offer him a trial. Echeverri quickly established himself, as former River recruitment director Daniel Brizuela recently stated to TyC Sports: “We consider decision-making, intelligence, and character in addition to skill and technique. Claudio resembled a man of ten years old.”
The major breakthrough
Echeverri achieved another significant breakthrough in March of last year. In training for the Under-17 World Cup. The River starlet was given the opportunity to work with none other than Lionel Messi. When he was invited to train with Argentina’s senior squad.
When questioned about Echeverri’s skills, Angel Di Maria told reporters that the teenager didn’t appear out of place either: “He looked sharp, we definitely watched him.”
As a result of that encounter, River manager Martin Demichelis gave Echeverri his senior debut on June 23 against Instituto AC Cordoba at home. He contributed an assist as River defeated them 3-1. And before the 2023 season ended, he played in three more games.
At the U17 World Cup in Peru, Echeverri was expected to have a significant impact, and he delivered. He made seven appearances and scored five goals. Including a spectacular hat-trick against Brazil in the last eight, as Argentina had an exciting run to the semi-finals.
His third goal was reminiscent of a memorable finish that Messi made against the Selecao in 2021. After being played through, he showed poise and quick thinking to go around the goalkeeper and poke the ball into the net.
What comes next?
Echeverri going to stay at River on loan for the duration of their 2024 campaign. Which will have Man City supporters salivating at the thought of watching him play. Echeverri is anticipated to sign a long-term deal at the Etihad Stadium. And unlike Alvarez, who was four years older when he joined the team, City is not in a rush to make him a star.
However, the teenage sensation has already begun to set new, lofty objectives for himself. “I always said that my dream was to make my debut for River’s first team, and I’ve done that now,” he told FIFA. “These days, it’s most likely representing the senior national team. That’s what I want.“
Even though Echeverri isn’t Messi, he might be the star of the next generation and help Argentina. The 2022 World Cup winners, stay the best team for many years to come.
