Who is River Plate's Claudio Echeverri? Manchester City sign wonderkid dubbed as 'next Lionel Messi'

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In the illustrious world of Argentine football, the weight of being dubbed the 'next Lionel Messi' has been a challenging burden for young, talented attackers for decades.

The torchbearer of this prestigious legacy is none other than Claudio Echeverri, a prodigious talent of River Plate who, at the tender age of 18, has already inked a deal with Manchester City.

City have secured the promising talent who captained Argentina at last year's FIFA U17 World Cup. The young attacker hailed as the 'next Messi, has signed a contract until June 2028, highlighting the club's commitment to nurturing his immense potential.

Claudio Echeverri's football profile

Echeverri's footballing journey began at the age of eight when he joined River Plate. His senior debut in June 2023 marked the beginning of a fruitful career, where he has already clinched two trophies – the Argentine Primera Division and the Trofeo de Campeones – with River.

Notably, Echeverri is the second player to make the move from River Plate to Manchester City, following in the footsteps of Julian Alvarez. As he embarks on this new chapter, he joins a distinguished lineage of Argentinian talents who have graced the Etihad Stadium, following legends such as Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Pablo Zabaleta, Nicolas Otamendi, Willy Caballero, and Martin Demichelis.

When Will Claudio Echeverri play for Manchester City next?

Despite the five-year deal, Echeverri's immediate future lies on loan at his former club, River Plate, for the next 12 months. This decision aims to provide the rising star with crucial playing time for his development, given his limited appearances in the Primera Division – a mere four substitute outings, accumulating less than 75 minutes on the pitch.

Claudio Echeverri's playing Style

On the international stage, Echeverri has proven to be a standout performer. His remarkable journey at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Indonesia saw him lead Argentina to a semi-final shootout, ultimately falling to Germany. The highlight of the tournament was Echeverri's spectacular hat trick in a quarter-final triumph over Brazil, emphasising his goal-scoring prowess.

Echeverri's playing style invites comparisons to Messi, despite being right-footed. Standing at just 5ft 7ins with a low centre of gravity, his goal threat, inventive play in the final third, and quickening dribbles evoke memories of a young Messi.

The parallels extend to set-piece excellence, evident in Echeverri's stunning 30-yard free kick against Japan in the U17 World Cup group stage. The spotlight now shines on the 18-year-old who looks to make a lasting impact and carve his place in the rich tapestry of Argentine talent at Manchester City.