Forget Mbappe! Madrid look to future and latest South American sensation

Daniel Edwards

• Updated: 1 Jul 2023 18:25 BST
• 5 min read

Another summer, another round of fevered transfer speculation surrounding Kylian Mbappe.

Real Madrid could well be forgiven for having tired of the circus the Paris Saint-Germain star brings with him every time temperatures rise and doubts over his future in the French capital emerge.

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We are still none the wiser over where Mbappe will play come August, though it is at least clear that Madrid or any club that seals his signature will have to pay dearly for the privilege, perhaps breaking all previous transfer and contract records.

But while that same dance is played out, the Merengue as always are keeping one eye firmly fixed on the long term. And in this case, the future can be found taking his first steps in Argentina.

You may not be overly familiar with the name Claudio Echeverri, but in his native land the 17-year-old River Plate wonderkid is already a sensation.

River have an almost unparalleled reputation in recent years for bringing through top talent and while it is still absurdly early for sweeping predictions, all indications suggest 'El Diablito' - dubbed so in reference to namesake, Bolivia legend Marco Echeverry - can follow in the footsteps of Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez and make it big in the game.

Meet Argentina's next sensation

Echeverri has been in the River system since moving down to Buenos Aires from the province of Chaco at just 10 years old, and by the end of 2022 and still two months shy of his 17th birthday was already starring in the club's reserve team, scoring on his debut against Patronato. Even prior to that his quality was no secret, after a dazzling tour of Italy with River (he is the No. 8 in the video below) at the tender age of 11.

La categoría 2006 de River jugó el Champions Trophy en Italia. Atención a lo que juega el 8, Claudio Echeverri. Acá, contra la Juventus. 👇😳 pic.twitter.com/9dLJYOyI4R

— Alejandro Varsky (@pollo_va) July 23, 2017

It was in Argentina colours, though, that he would make his first breakthrough. Echeverri smashed five goals and added a further three assists to lead the Albiceleste to third place in the South American U-17 Championship back in April, gaining widespread acknowledgement as the stand-out talent in the competition.

That stunning performance caused an almost irresistible groundswell of pressure on new River boss Martin Demichelis to blood his new hotshot, and the ex-Bayern and Argentina defender finally relented at the end of June, sending Echeverri into the action against Instituto to a standing ovation from the home crowd. The teenager did not disappoint, either, and posed a threat every time he picked up possession - while also laying on a goal for Lucas Beltran to cap a dream debut.

"I'm so happy about today's debut, it was really something special with all our fans here who always support us," Echeverri beamed to the television cameras after the game.

"I know a lot was said but I was very calm, I tried to enjoy it with my family and I got a really good debut."

Madrid were almost certainly among those paying close attention to the youngster's electric cameo. The Merengue make a point of tracking down top prospects from across South American and signing them up before their rivals, a policy that has landed them the likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Federico Valverde and most recently Palmeiras wonderkid Endrick in recent years; and reports are growing that El Diablito could be the next star of the future to cross the Atlantic and join the Merengue system.

One thing is certain: he would certainly come cheaper than Mbappe, at least for now!

Echeverri signed his first professional contract with River in December 2022 following his reserve breakthrough, which included a release clause worth €20 million. Naturally, the Millonario are already keen to tear that deal up and commit to a fresh extension which would push the clause far higher, meaning that any suitor may have to work fast to seal a transfer.

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It may seem a lot for a 17-year-old with exactly 28 minutes of senior experience, and it is. But Madrid are committed to getting the best young talent at any price and Echeverri would seem to fall square into that category.

Short, slender, supremely confident with the ball at his feet and with a lightning turn of pace, he has all the attributes which make great Argentine playmakers; including, crucially, that fearlessness when it comes to taking on the marker that electrifies fans and was already on display against Instituto.

Mbappe may be dominating the headlines right now around the Bernabeu, but he is far from the only star on the Madrid radar this summer.