Real Madrid and Manchester City Vie for ‘Next Messi’ After Stellar FIFA U-17 World Cup Performance

Following his standout performance in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, where Argentina emerged victorious, 17-year-old Claudio Echeverri from River Plate has garnered attention as the ‘Next Lionel Messi.’ Real Madrid and Manchester City have both set their sights on the highly-talented teenager, with other top clubs such as Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus also expressing interest.

Echeverri’s memorable hattrick against Brazil showcased his prowess, contributing to the anticipation surrounding his future in football. Despite Real Madrid’s earlier links to the Argentine talent, Manchester City aims to leverage their positive relationship with River Plate, established through the acquisition of Julian Alvarez.

Reports indicate that Echeverri’s contract with River Plate includes a release clause of £21.44 million, potentially rising to £25.73 million within 10 days of a transfer window closing. However, River Plate is reportedly in talks to renegotiate terms, seeking to double the release clause figure.

As the race for the ‘Next Messi’ intensifies, Echeverri’s emergence as one of the most exciting talents in world football adds intrigue to his potential move, with expectations and excitement building for the River Plate wonderkid.