Argentine talent stands out at Man City: 'He reminds us of Álvarez'

Claudio Echeverri experienced one of the most remarkable nights of his young career on Sunday, standing out as one of the best performers in Manchester City’s emphatic 6–0 victory over Al Ain in the Club World Cup group stage.

At just 19 years old, the Argentine midfielder didn’t seem fazed by the occasion. In a squad packed with world-class talent, he managed not only to stand out but to command attention with a stunning free-kick goal and a mature, confident performance that left fans, teammates, and manager Pep Guardiola thoroughly impressed.

Manchester City had secured Echeverri’s signing from River Plate nearly a year and a half ago, paying €18.5 million for one of Argentina’s most promising young players. The deal allowed him to remain in Buenos Aires to continue his development, and he officially joined the English side at the beginning of this year. Since then, the teenager has been gradually integrating into the first-team environment, and while he had already made two appearances, this performance felt like a true breakthrough moment the night he announced himself to the world in City blue.

His crowning moment came in the 28th minute. With City already leading 1–0 thanks to Phil Foden, a foul on the edge of the box gave the Premier League champions a free-kick in a promising position. While more experienced players like Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovačić stood near the ball, it was Echeverri who stepped up to take it a decision that might have surprised many, but not those at the club who have seen him stay behind after training day after day to work on his set pieces. He curled the ball beautifully over the wall and into the top corner, leaving the Al Ain goalkeeper rooted to the spot and the crowd on their feet. Even Guardiola couldn’t help but smile on the touchline.

After the match, the City boss revealed that the free-kick was no fluke. “He’s been practicing those every day after training,” said Guardiola. “The others go in, but he stays out and keeps working. And now it’s paying off. It was a fantastic goal from an incredible young player.”

City’s backup goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, was full of praise for Echeverri after the match. “He reminds me a bit of Julián Álvarez the same type of player. The way he finishes, his calmness, it’s unbelievable. He’s a really good kid, a bit shy at first, but I think he can bring a lot to this team.”

Beyond the goal, Echeverri’s all-round play stood out. Operating between the lines, he linked up well with Foden, made clever off-the-ball runs, and showed confidence in tight spaces, playing with a maturity far beyond his age. His presence helped City completely dominate possession and push Al Ain deeper and deeper into their own half. By halftime, City had registered 14 shots and controlled the match completely with Echeverri playing a key role in that attacking flow.

Unfortunately, just before the break, Echeverri appeared to roll his ankle after an awkward landing. Although he completed the half, Guardiola opted not to risk him in the second 45 minutes. Medical staff have since confirmed that the injury is minor and that the substitution was precautionary. He is expected to return to full training ahead of City’s next Club World Cup match against Juventus on Thursday. His involvement will depend on how his ankle responds, but Guardiola made clear that the youngster has already earned trust within the squad.

The match itself ended in a resounding 6–0 victory for Manchester City, with goals from Foden, John Stones, Doku, Kovačić, Rico Lewis, and of course, Echeverri. While the final score reflected City’s superiority, the performance of the young Argentine was the biggest talking point. In a team known for its precision and discipline, Echeverri’s creativity added a refreshing spark that many supporters hope to see more of in the coming matches.

City are now top of their Club World Cup group with six points from two games and will face Juventus in their final group-stage fixture. A draw would be enough to see them progress to the semi-finals, but Guardiola is expected to rotate again while maintaining a competitive lineup. Echeverri could feature, either as a starter or from the bench, depending on his physical condition.

For Manchester City fans, the rise of Claudio Echeverri is cause for real excitement. In a squad already brimming with talent, his emergence adds yet another layer of attacking depth and creativity. If Sunday night was any indication, City may have unearthed the next South American gem capable of following in the footsteps of players like Julián Álvarez or even Sergio Agüero. The free-kick goal may have been his first major moment in a City shirt but it almost certainly won’t be his last.