Seasons that end with a World Cup are often different from any other. The FIFA tournament is the most important competition in soccer and is held only once every four years, so no player wants to miss out. As a result, many make key career decisions in the months leading up to it. According to reports, Franco Mastantuono and two other young stars are now doing exactly that as they aim to join <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a> with Argentina in 2026.



“Mastantuono, the talented 18-year-old attacking midfielder, has formally requested a move away from Real Madrid this January,” Fichajes reported this week, a claim also echoed by El Nacional de Catalunya.



The reason behind the request is tied to the limited role Franco has played recently with the Spanish side. After a strong start to the season, with several appearances as a starter, a groin injury sidelined him. Since then, he has made just one start in the last 10 matches.



The lack of minutes at Real Madrid could seriously damage <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/franco-mastantuono/">Mastantuono</a>’s hopes of making Argentina’s final roster for the 2026 World Cup. “The main driver behind this desire for change is the need to convince Lionel Scaloni ahead of the international tournament,” Fichajes added. “Staying on the Argentina radar requires competing at the highest level every Sunday, something that now seems distant at the Santiago Bernabeu.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20251219_WST_611015_echeverri_8fd07784.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-611016"></figure><figcaption>Claudio Echeverri is one of Argentina’s brightest young talents.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Two other Argentine gems who could change clubs before the World Cup</h2>



Much like Franco Mastantuono, two other Argentine players are reportedly eager to change clubs this winter to improve their chances of playing at the World Cup. “Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester City have agreed to terminate <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/claudio-echeverri">Claudio Echeverri</a>’s loan deal from January,” reporter Fabrizio Romano said on his X account.


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The talented 19-year-old midfielder barely played in Germany, which cost him his place with the national team, to the point that Lionel Scaloni did not call him up during the most recent FIFA international windows. As a result, Echeverri is now planning his next step at a club where he can see more regular action. “The Argentinian talent returns to Man City for a new loan, with Girona and River Plate both keen,” Romano added.



There is a similar case in Serie A. “Valentin Carboni’s loan to Genoa is expected to be interrupted as he will return to Inter in January. A new loan will follow, as Inter want Carboni to play on a regular basis and get more game time,” Romano also reported this week.



<h2>Argentina face intense internal competition ahead of the World Cup</h2>



The situations involving Mastantuono, Carboni, and Echeverri also apply to more established players such as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/lionel-messi-teammates-january-decision-could-shape-argentinas-2026-fifa-world-cup-squad-la-albiceleste-star-weighs-bold-move-to-stay-in-lionel-scalonis-plans/">Paulo Dybala, who has also been linked with a potential move this winter</a>. This wave of midseason changes may seem surprising, but it is directly tied to the ambition of playing at the World Cup.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/argentina/">Argentina</a> boast a squad packed with top-level talent, especially in attack, and the 26 available spots for the FIFA tournament will not be enough for everyone. Lionel Messi obviously has his place secured—if he ultimately decides to play in the World Cup—while stars such as Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Thiago Almada, Giovani Lo Celso, Nicolas Gonzalez, Julian Alvarez, and Lautaro Martinez also appear close to locks.


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Behind them, however, is a long list of players who will be closely evaluated by coach Scaloni. Young talents like Mastantuono, Carboni, and Echeverri have been considered in the past and remain in contention, but they also face competition from peers such as Nicolas Paz, Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Buonanotte, Matias Soule, and Gianluca Prestianni. None of them are guaranteed a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup/">World Cup</a> spot, making their club performances over the coming months decisive.

Mastantuono and two other Argentine gems reportedly seek January move to secure World Cup spot alongside Messi

Mastantuono and two other Argentine gems reportedly seek January move to secure World Cup spot alongside Messi - World Soccer Talk

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River Plate’s Claudio Echeverri is on the verge of joining<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/manchester-city"> Manchester City</a>, according to reports in the British press. The 18-year-old Argentine midfielder’s move to the Premier League champions follows a highly successful period with River Plate, but comes as the club is struggling for form.



Echeverri’s departure marks the end of his time at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/river-plate">River Plate</a>, at least for the foreseeable future. The young midfielder will not play another home match for River Plate until further notice, as the team struggles for form under manager Óscar García Junyent.



The move to Manchester City is anticipated to happen in January. The English media portrays Echeverri as a potential game-changer for a City side currently experiencing a period of underperformance, compounded by a significant injury list. The expectation is that Echeverri’s arrival will inject fresh talent and energy into the team.



<h2>The “new Messi” hype</h2>



The Sun described the anticipation surrounding Echeverri’s arrival: “Guardiola will unleash the ‘new Lionel Messi’ straight into Manchester City’s struggling squad next month… 18-year-old Argentine star Claudio Echeverri arrives from River Plate, a year after a transfer deal was completed.” 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20241210_WST_543496_Claudio-Echeverri-1200x675_85714ce4.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-543510" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/10101350/Claudio-Echeverri-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/10101350/Claudio-Echeverri-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/10101350/Claudio-Echeverri-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/10101350/Claudio-Echeverri-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/10101350/Claudio-Echeverri-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/10101350/Claudio-Echeverri-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/10101350/Claudio-Echeverri-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/10101350/Claudio-Echeverri.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



The article highlights the significance of this signing for Manchester City’s future, particularly given the club’s current struggle to qualify for the next UEFA Champions League.



The possibility of a loan move to Girona has been previously discussed. However, Manchester City’s need for immediate reinforcements has led to a change in plans. The report states that Guardiola wants Echeverri for the second half of the season.


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Before his departure, Echeverri will play one last match for River Plate: an away game against Racing Club de Avellaneda on December 15th. His move to the Premier League is imminent. The English media is already referring to him as “the new Messi,” creating significant hype around his arrival.


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Guardiola's Manchester City signs new player dubbed the 'next Messi,' who will join the first team upon arrival

Guardiola's Manchester City signs new player dubbed the 'next Messi,' who will join the first team upon arrival - World Soccer Talk

Manchester City is re-upping young talent by purchasing Claudio Echeverri. The 17-year-old River Plate sensation is one of the brightest talents coming out of South America, and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a> has had recent success dipping into the Argentine Primera. For example, the club purchased <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/the-rapid-rise-of-julian-alvarez-on-the-world-cup-stage-20221217-WST-412412.html">Julian Alvarez</a> from River Plate in January 2022. In his lone season in Manchester, Alvarez <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/manchester-city-top-inter-to-grab-elusive-ucl-title-complete-treble-20230610-WST-437138.html">won the treble</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/argentina-win-world-cup-in-one-of-the-classic-finals-of-all-time-20221218-WST-412674.html">the World Cup</a>. He scored 17 goals in his first season with Manchester City.



Now, Echeverri appears to be an elite talent of the future. Manchester City is spending <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/dec/27/manchester-city-agree-25m-deal-to-sign-teenager-claudio-echeverri-from-river-plate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$27 million</a> to bring the Argentine to English shores, but he will not join right away. Manchester City is allowing Echeverri to continue his development in the Argentine Primera and the Copa Libertadores. The midfielder is signing a contract similar to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/alvarez-strike-hands-man-city-narrow-win-against-newcastle-20230819-WST-451110.html">that of Alvarez</a>. He will join Manchester City officially in the January transfer window. However, the club will immediately send him out on loan to River Plate. He will remain with the Argentine side for a year before joining Manchester City. 



Echeverri made a name for himself at the recent U-17 World Cup, where he represented Argentina. As a midfielder, Echeverri scored five goals for Argentina. Pundits voted Echeverri as the third-best player at the tournament despite Argentina finishing fourth. With River Plate, Echeverri made his debut with the first team. In his four appearances in league play, Echeverri already logged an assist.



<h2>An open spot for Echeverri at Manchester City?</h2>



Manchester City may be an ideal landing spot for Echeverri for two reasons. On one hand, the club has a knack for propping up young talent. Much of that has happened in recent seasons with products coming out of the Manchester City academy. Rico Lewis and Phil Foden have emerged as regular starters in Pep Guardiola’s squad. Also, four of the players are aged 21 and younger.



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Manchester City has signed Argentina wunderkind Claudio Echeverri from River Plate for $27 million. He&apos;ll stay with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/River?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#River</a> next season on loan. 🇦🇷 Here&apos;s a taste of him scoring a hat trick for Argentina in the u17 World Cup <a href="https://t.co/5BHmjdlY8G">pic.twitter.com/5BHmjdlY8G</a>— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1740037254448566409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Secondly, one of the attacking midfielders in the Manchester City ranks could be on his way out. Kalvin Phillips is a frequent transfer rumor to be leaving Manchester City either in January or at the end of the current campaign. While Echeverri traditionally plays in an attacking midfielder role, Pep Guardiola trains players to switch around positions to fit their talents. Take John Stones as an example. He can play anywhere along the back line or in the midfield.



<h2>City otherwise quiet in the transfer market</h2>



The acquisition of Echeverri is one of the few moves Manchester City is making in the upcoming transfer window. Pep Guardiola’s side has dealt with a few major injuries this season that may contribute to the side’s struggles. Notably, Kevin de Bruyne has been out for most of the season with muscle injuries. 



Signing Echeverri as a player for the future could be Manchester City’s preparation to move on from Kevin de Bruyne. When he is healthy, the Belgian is unequivocally one of the best players in the world. His absence from Manchester City’s squad has been noticeable. De Bruyne’s <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/epl/manchester-city-fc/kevin-de-bruyne-22865/#:~:text=Current%20Contract,cap%20hit%20of%20%C2%A320%2C800%2C000." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contract expires</a> at the end of the 2024/25 season. Therefore, Echeverri will have the opportunity to gain experience under the Belgian.



PHOTO: IMAGO.

Manchester City drops $27 million on Argentine teenager

Manchester City is re-upping young talent by purchasing Claudio Echeverri, a 17-year-old playing for River Plate in Argentina.

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Manchester City drops $27 million on Argentine teenager