Valentín Barco
Valentín Barco (born 23 July 2004) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a left-back or wide midfielder for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion and the Argentina national team. He was included in The Guardian's "Next Generation" list for 2021.[4]
| Barco with Argentina U20 in 2023 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Valentín Barco[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 23 July 2004[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Veinticinco de Mayo, Buenos Aires, Argentina[2] | ||
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Left-back, wide midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Brighton & Hove Albion | ||
| Number | 19 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2007–2013 | Sportivo Las Parejas | ||
| 2013–2014 | Norberto de la Riestra[3] | ||
| 2014–2021 | Boca Juniors | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021–2024 | Boca Juniors | 23 | (1) |
| 2024– | Brighton & Hove Albion | 6 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2019 | Argentina U15 | 6 | (3) |
| 2022– | Argentina U20 | 11 | (1) |
| 2023– | Argentina U23 | 2 | (1) |
| 2024– | Argentina | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:44, 19 May 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 04:40, 23 March 2024 (UTC) | |||
Club career edit
Boca Juniors edit
In 2021, Barco was scouted by Argentine club Boca Juniors and immediately signed his professional contract.[5] On 16 July 2021, he made his professional debut at 16 years old in a 1–1 draw against Unión.[6][7][better source needed] On 29 June 2023, he scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 win over Monagas in the Copa Libertadores.[8][better source needed] Less than one month later on 24 July, he scored his first league goal in a 2–1 victory against Newell's Old Boys after converting a cross from Pol Fernández.[9][better source needed]
Brighton & Hove Albion edit
On 20 January 2024, Barco transferred to English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around $10 million (€9.1 million), signing a four-and-a-half year contract until 30 June 2028.[10][11]
International career edit
On 23 March 2024, Barco debuted for the Argentine senior squad on 23 March 2024 in a friendly match against El Salvador.[12]
Style of play edit
Barco has been described as one of Argentina's most exciting youth prospects. He normally plays as a marauding full-back who can make forward runs and create chances for his teammates. He has also been noted for his versatility, having played as a winger.[13][14][15]
Career statistics edit
Club edit
- As of match played 19 May 2024[16]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Boca Juniors | 2021 | Argentine Primera División | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2023 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9[b] | 1 | 32 | 2 | ||
| Total | 23 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 35 | 2 | ||
| Brighton & Hove Albion | 2023–24 | Premier League | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Career total | 29 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 42 | 2 | ||
- ^ Includes Copa Argentina, FA Cup
- ^ Appearances in Copa Libertadores
International edit
- As of match played 22 March 2024
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 2024 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 | |
References edit
- ^ a b c "FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023™ SQUAD LIST: Argentina (ARG)" (PDF). FIFA. 22 May 2023. p. 1. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ Valentín Barco at WorldFootball.net
- ^ Parrottino, Roberto (20 May 2023). "El Colo Barco no sonríe". Cenital (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ "Next Generation 2021: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. 7 October 2021.
- ^ Boero, Germán (17 August 2021). "Valentin Barco: Boca Juniors wonderkid who could be Manchester City-bound". Goal. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ "Valentín Barco set to join Brighton from Boca Juniors". OneFootball. 11 January 2024.
- ^ "Unión (Santa Fe) 1–1 Boca Juniors | Final Score". ESPN. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ "Boca Juniors 4-0 Monagas SC | Final Score". ESPN. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ "Boca Juniors 2–1 Newell's Old Boys". ESPN. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ "Valentin Barco joins Albion from Boca Juniors". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 20 January 2024.
- ^ O'Sullivan, Joseph (16 January 2024). "Brighton Sign Valentín Barco From Boca Juniors For $10 Million Fee". Forbes. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ Castillo, Nico (23 March 2024). "Valentín Barco, el integrante número 45 de los debutantes en el ciclo del "Leónidas"". Vavel (in Spanish).
- ^ Kulig, Jacek (31 May 2021). "Valentín Barco". Football Talent Scout. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "Valentin Barco: Why Man City and Liverpool are targeting the teenage Boca Juniors left-back who moonlights as an attacking playmaker". Goal. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "Barco: I try to be an all-round full-back". FIFA. 12 January 2024.
- ^ Valentín Barco at Soccerway