Echeverri joins elite list at Man City | OneFootball

Claudio Echeverri marked his full Manchester City debut in style, curling in a brilliant first-half free-kick as Pep Guardiola’s side cruised to a 6–0 win over Al Ain in Atlanta, securing their place in the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup.

The 19-year-old Argentine, who signed for City in January 2024, remained on loan at River Plate for the whole of that year and only officially linked up with the squad in January 2025. While he made a surprise cameo in the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace in May, this was his first start for the club and he certainly made it count.

Echeverri only played the first 45 minutes, but it was enough to leave a lasting impression. His superb set-piece doubled City's lead in what turned out to be a dominant display.

City’s love affair with attacking Argentine talent is well documented. Sergio Agüero still holds the record as the club’s all-time leading scorer with 260 goals, including the iconic last-minute strike that sealed their first Premier League title in 2012.

Carlos Tevez caused a stir when he crossed the Manchester divide from United to City, while Julián Álvarez became the club’s most expensive sale when he joined Atlético Madrid for £81 million.

Echeverri has now become the seventh Argentine to score for the club, joining an elite group that includes Agüero, Tevez, Álvarez, Pablo Zabaleta Nicolás Otamendi and Martín Demichelis.

With talent to burn and a dream debut now under his belt, the young midfielder looks set to write his own chapter in City’s ever-growing Argentine connection.