Claudio Echeverri: 10 things you (probably) didn’t know | OneFootball

Claudio Echeverri is ready to begin life as a Manchester City player.

The prodigiously talented Argentinian attacking midfielder has arrived at the City Football Academy 13 months on from joining the Club.

Here we’ll detail some key facts about the 19-year-old that you might not already know…

Northern lad

Echeverri was born in Resistencia, a small city in comparison to the giant, sprawling metropolis that is the capital Buenos Aires.

It’s in the Chaco province, by the border with Paraguay and some 580 miles from the El Monumental home of River Plate.

Big city lights

He began his footballing career with Deportivo Lujan before trialling with River Plate – one of Argentina’s biggest and most powerful clubs – late in 2016 and signing shortly afterwards.

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With all of the traditional ‘Big Five’ in Argentina based in Buenos Aires, Echeverri developed his game in one of the sport’s true hotbeds.

He moved to the city with his mother as a 10-year-old to gain one of the best footballing educations possible in Argentina.

Early claim to fame

Echeverri first caught the world’s attention when he became a viral sensation while playing for River Plate as an 11-year-old at the seven-a-side Venice Champions Trophy against some of Europe’s biggest institutions.

His nine goals in six games, including four against Juventus, set him apart even from such an early age. River eventually finished third.

Captain material

Echeverri has long been a favourite to carry the armband at youth levels, with our new No.30 leading Argentina at the U17 World Cup in 2023 and the U20 South American Championship earlier this year.

As well as standing out for his talent, it’s clear that Echeverri’s personality means his coaches put their faith in him to set an example for his team-mates.

Little devil

Echeverri’s nickname in Argentina is ‘El Diablito’, which translates to ‘little devil’.

This is because he shares a similar name and playing style with Bolivian icon Marco Etcheverry – who was known as ‘El Diablo’.

WATCH: Claudio Echeverri's first City interview

RESPECT OF HIS ELDERS

In March 2023, Echeverri had a big breakthrough in his young career. The starlet was invited to train with Argentina's senior squad while he prepared for the Under-17 World Cup, working with some of the best players in the world – including one Lionel Messi.

Angel Di Maria was complimentary when reporters asked about Echeverri’s talents: "He looked sharp, we definitely watched him. He has a lot to give."

HAT-TRICK HERO

While Echeverri likes to wear the No.10 on his back for Argentina and play as an attacking midfielder, it’s fair to say he has an eye for goal.

He netted five times at the 2023 U17 World Cup, taking the Bronze Boot. That run included a hat-trick against neighbours and fierce rivals Brazil that instantly made him a hero in his homeland.

He backed that up this month with six goals in nine games at the U20 South American Championship, with another brace against the old enemy as well as two strikes against Uruguay too.

EXPERIENCE BEYOND HIS YEARS

Having moved to the big city so young and been a captain throughout the youth ranks, it’s already abundantly clear that Echeverri is not your typical 19-year-old.

His 48 appearances for River Plate’s senior team, including 10 games in the Copa Libertadores and 24 in Argentina’s top tier, will only stand to serve him in even better stead as he progresses into senior football in England.

AIMAR TUTELAGE

Speaking to FIFA, Echeverri revealed that he sees a lot of Pablo Aimar in his own game.

Aimar was an eye-catching attacking midfielder that enjoyed incredible spells with River Plate, Valencia and Benfica in particular in the 1990s and 2000s.

Our new man also said that the former international, who was part of the staff that took Argentina to 2022 World Cup glory, has helped him to this point.

"I really liked Pablo Aimar, he’s spoken to me many times,” he said to FIFA.

“He’s a great person, and he gives me useful pointers about what I need to correct in my game. He was a talented player and loved to take on defenders like me."

City connections

Echeverri was handed his senior debut for River Plate by former City defender Martin Demichelis back in June 2023.

Demichelis then oversaw Echeverri’s transition into an important member of his squad until he left last July.

While Demichelis clearly rated Echeverri highly, there’s a lot of Argentinian heritage at City for Echeverri to lean on.

Our new man will follow in the footsteps of Pablo Zabaleta, Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero, Willy Caballero, Nicolas Otamendi and Julian Alvarez in pulling on a City shirt.

Alvarez, who left City last summer, is perhaps even more closely linked with Echeverri having also come from a stellar early career at River Plate straight to City.