Valentín Barco Explained

Valentín Barco
Full Name:Valentín Barco[1]
Birth Date:23 July 2004
Birth Place:Veinticinco de Mayo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height:1.72 m
Currentclub:Brighton & Hove Albion
Clubnumber:19
Position:Left-back, wide midfielder
Youthyears1:2007–2013
Youthclubs1:Sportivo Las Parejas
Youthyears2:2013–2014
Youthclubs2:Norberto de la Riestra[2]
Youthyears3:2014–2021
Youthclubs3:Boca Juniors
Years1:2021–2024
Clubs1:Boca Juniors
Caps1:23
Goals1:1
Years2:2024–
Clubs2:Brighton & Hove Albion
Caps2:6
Goals2:0
Nationalyears1:2019
Nationalteam1:Argentina U15
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:3
Nationalyears2:2022–
Nationalteam2:Argentina U20
Nationalcaps2:11
Nationalgoals2:1
Nationalyears3:2023–
Nationalteam3:Argentina U23
Nationalcaps3:2
Nationalgoals3:1
Nationalyears4:2024–
Nationalteam4:Argentina
Nationalcaps4:2
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:23:44, 19 May 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:04:40, 23 March 2024 (UTC)

Valentín Barco (born 23 July 2004) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a left-back or wide midfielder for club Brighton & Hove Albion and the Argentina national team. He was included in The Guardian's "Next Generation" list for 2021.[3]

Club career

Boca Juniors

In 2021, Barco was scouted by Argentine club Boca Juniors and immediately signed his professional contract.[4] On 16 July 2021, he made his professional debut at 16 years old in a 1–1 draw against Unión.[5] [6] On 29 June 2023, he scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 win over Monagas in the Copa Libertadores.[7] 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.[8] He continued to fulfil his promise for Boca, when on 10 August 2023, during their game vs Club Nacional De Football in the Copa Libertadores quarter-final, produced a dominant display for the blue and gold, displaying creativity key to both Boca goals. Boca were pegged back twice during the 90 minutes of regulation play and with the game at 2-2 on the night and on aggregate, it went to penalties. Barco stepped up 5th of 5 for Boca, and scored the decisive penalty to take them to the semi-finals.

In the semi-finals, Boca met Brazilian side Palmeiras. The first leg finished 0-0 at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires. During the return leg in Brazil, Barco famously stood on the ball with both feet whilst in possession, a move that at his young age in a Copa Libertadores semi-final, stunned the Palmeiras players, fans and South American critics alike. It was a move that garnered many headlines, despite a counter attacking goal by Edinson Cavani and a red card being shown to Marcos Rojo. The tie, once again for Boca, with a 1-1 aggregate score, went to a penalty shootout. They won the shootout 4-2, courtesy of a heroic display by goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

At the age of 19, Barco had cemented his place in the starting 11 for Boca and started in the 2023 Copa Libertadores Final against Fluminense. He played 78 minutes before being substituted for fellow youth product Luca Langoni. Boca lost the final 2-1 after extra time, courtesy of goals by German Cano and .

Brighton & Hove Albion

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.[9] [10]

International career

On 23 March 2024, Barco debuted for the Argentine senior squad on 23 March 2024 in a friendly match against El Salvador.[11]

Style of play

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.[12] [13] [14]

Career statistics

Club

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueNational cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Boca Juniors2021Primera División30000030
202200000000
20232013091322
Total2313091352
Brighton & Hove Albion2023–24Premier League60100070
Career total2914091422

International

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023™ SQUAD LIST: Argentina (ARG) . FIFA . 1 . 22 May 2023 . 29 May 2023.
  2. Web site: Roberto . Parrottino . El Colo Barco no sonríe . Cenital . 20 May 2023 . 10 August 2023 . es.
  3. Web site: Next Generation 2021: 60 of the best young talents in world football . . 7 October 2021.
  4. Web site: Germán . Boero . Valentin Barco: Boca Juniors wonderkid who could be Manchester City-bound . . 17 August 2021 . 18 August 2021.
  5. Web site: Valentín Barco set to join Brighton from Boca Juniors . OneFootball . 11 January 2024.
  6. Web site: Unión (Santa Fe) 1–1 Boca Juniors | Final Score . . 16 June 2023 . 11 January 2024.
  7. Web site: Boca Juniors 4-0 Monagas SC | Final Score . ESPN . 29 June 2023 . 11 January 2024.
  8. Web site: Boca Juniors 2–1 Newell's Old Boys . . 25 July 2023 . 11 January 2024.
  9. News: Valentin Barco joins Albion from Boca Juniors . Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. . 20 January 2024.
  10. Web site: Joseph . O'Sullivan . Brighton Sign Valentín Barco From Boca Juniors For $10 Million Fee . . 16 January 2024 . 21 January 2024.
  11. News: Nico . Castillo . Valentín Barco, el integrante número 45 de los debutantes en el ciclo del "Leónidas" . . 23 March 2024 . es.
  12. Web site: Jacek . Kulig . Valentín Barco . Football Talent Scout . 31 May 2021 . 12 January 2024.
  13. Web site: 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 . 12 January 2024.
  14. Web site: Barco: I try to be an all-round full-back . . 12 January 2024.