Juma Bah: The baker turned towering defender hoping to be City's future leader

Biggest winners & losers from the Champions League last 16

Four games in 12 days: Where Chelsea-City will be won & lost

The new Ghana kits are out of this world

Madrid are unkillable! UCL luck is shining on Real yet again

Editors' Picks

Pique 'brought to tears' at trial over alleged fraud and corruption

Dele thanked by Brentford's Norgaard for sleeping pill admission 

Tuchel, what are you thinking?! Winners & losers from first England squad

Ronaldo basks in 'another battle won' after scoring for Al-Nassr

Barca look to avoid Messi issue with Yamal amid contract talks 

Fernandes fires back at Ratcliffe over 'overpaid' comments

Greenwood's England future decided?! McClaren reveals Jamaica talks 

Messi & MLS told why can't compete with CR7 & Saudi Pro League

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Echeverri called up by Lionel Scaloni</li><li>Yet to make Man City debut</li><li>Shone at U20 South American Championship</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Man City wonderkid Claudio Echeverri earns shock senior Argentina call-up as he joins Lionel Messi in preliminary squad for Brazil & Uruguay World Cup qualifying showdowns

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/claudio-echeverri-argentina-next-lionel-messi-man-city/bltc9488e939c73955a" target="_blank">The 19-year-old starlet</a> has been called up to Lionel Scaloni's preliminary senior squad for the clashes later this month alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez - despite the fact he is yet to make his City debut.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Selecci%C3%B3nMayor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SelecciónMayor</a> Prelista de convocados para la doble fecha de <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eliminatorias?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Eliminatorias</a> ante Uruguay y Brasil 🫡 <a href="https://t.co/p0GtQuwt8O">pic.twitter.com/p0GtQuwt8O</a></p>— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) <a href="https://twitter.com/Argentina/status/1896343162987462891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Echeverri's City bow has been delayed by his involvement in the Under-20 South American Championship in Venezuela, and his call-up seems to be reward for his stellar performances there. The teenage attacking midfielder racked up nine goal involvements in nine games, including six strikes of his own, although Argentina's arch-rivals Brazil ultimately triumphed.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/man-city-finally-sign-the-next-lionel-messi-claudio-echeverri-joins-in-gbp12-5m-deal-from-river-plate-teenage-forward-rest-of-2024-with-argentine-giants/bltdadf02d99c1d7608" target="_blank">City signed Echeverri from River Plate in January 2024</a>&nbsp;for a reported fee of £12.5 million ($15.7m) plus add-ons before sending him back on loan to the Argentine giants for the rest of the year. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/forgotten-man-city-signing-joins-up-year-after-signing-south-american-giants-reveals-conversation-sergio-aguero/blt117c1e7d8fd68dcf" target="_blank">He has now finally joined up with his new club</a> ahead of the run-in and has been handed the No.30 shirt at the Etihad Stadium.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Claudio's here! 🩵 <a href="https://t.co/dVucRwyXBF">pic.twitter.com/dVucRwyXBF</a></p>— Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/1895081497314423201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



DID YOU KNOW?

<p>It remains to be seen when Echeverri will be deemed ready to make his debut for his new club, but it is feasible that he makes his first senior international appearance before that. City travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, while Argentina continue their World Cup qualifying campaign against Uruguay on March 22.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR ECHEVERRI?

Man City wonderkid Claudio Echeverri earns shock senior Argentina call-up as he joins Lionel Messi in preliminary squad for Brazil & Uruguay World Cup qualifying showdowns | Goal.com

Manchester City&apos;s Claudio Echeverri is a surprise inclusion in the Argentina squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil.

Man City wonderkid Claudio Echeverri earns shock senior Argentina call-up as he joins Lionel Messi in preliminary squad for Brazil &amp; Uruguay World Cup qualifying showdowns