CLAUD’S IN MESSI ROLE
CLAUDIO Echeverri has been backed to replace Lionel Messi in the Argentina national team.
City signed the 18-year-old attacking midfielder from River Plate in January for £12.5million plus add-ons.
He signed a contract which keeps him at the Etihad Stadium until 2028 before returning to his boyhood club on loan for the remainder of the calendar year. Since joining the treble winners, Echeverri has featured 11 times for River Plate, scoring two goals and providing two assists.
Not only have his impressive performances earned himself a growing role in Martin Demichelis’ side, but he’s also recently made his debut for the Argentina Under-23s, who are managed by Javier Mascherano. As Echeverri begins to make a name for himself, he’s begun to earn comparisons to Messi.
Speaking on Argentinean radio station Radio Mitre, as quoted by Ole, Alberto Marcico heaped tremendous praise on the teenage sensation. The former Boca Juniors midfielder said: “The top player in Argentine soccer is Echeverri: he has a dribble, a pass-goal and a goal. He is going to be Messi’s replacement in the National Team.”
In November, Daniel Brizuela revealed that it didn’t take long for the youngster to impress the Buenos Aires-based outfit. Speaking to TyC Sports, the former River Plate recruitment director said: “Beyond skill and technique, we look at decision-making, intelligence and character. Claudio was like a 10-year-old man.”
Brizuela added: “We were standing in front of the Monumental, and Echeverri said to me, ‘I am a River fan, and I love it here, but if my mother isn’t joining me, then I will head back to Chaco.’”
Echeverri has previously courted the interest of Barcelona.
When quizzed on the maestro’s future, Xavi described him as a ‘difference maker’. Speaking to reporters in December, as quoted by Goal, the Spaniard said: “The boy is a talent. Beyond the hat-trick he scored against Brazil, he’s a difference-maker, but it’s something for the scouting department [to deal with].”
Ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, Echeverri embraced the comparisons to Messi. As quoted by Goal, he said: “As well as River, I would like to play for Barca. I’m a big fan of Messi and I used to watch him play for Barcelona, so I’ve had this team inside me since I was very young.”
Echeverri added: “I always said that my idol was Messi, but I’m nowhere near Messi (laughs).”