At 17, El Diablito stands tall among River Plate’s ranked talents, rising from the Millionaire reserve and the Sub 17 cohort where he trained with world-class champions who monitor his progress from Spain. Since arriving in River Plate around age ten, after leaving Chaco, the 2006-born striker became a emblematic figure in the club’s youth setup. El Diablito, a nickname inspired by a surname echoing Marco Antonio Etcheverry, captivated younger fans and quickly moved through River Plate’s youth ranks, from the ninth to the eighth and seventh divisions, consistently showing a level of talent well beyond his peers and even his teammates.
The pivotal moment came in July 2017 during the Champions Trophy attendance with his family. At eleven years old, he left a memorable impression against Juventus, scoring four goals in a single match and totaling nine goals across eight appearances. His instinctive attacking play and fearless drive drew attention beyond his club, signaling a future beyond the academy.
River Plate’s 2006 cohort carried the Champions Trophy to Italy, with Claudio Echeverri, El Diablito, shining in an eight-man line against Juventus. The moment was captured in posts that circulated among fans and observers who followed the youth teams closely.
Born in Resistencia, El Diablito began playing football at Club Deportivo Luján in the Río Negro neighborhood. By late 2016, after making a mark in the Chaco League, he tested himself with River and, early in 2017, joined the youth squads under coach Gustavo Fermani. His breakout in Italy opened doors for continued performances in every River game, drawing attention from fans and media alike. The club’s leadership began noting the growing interest in the 16-year-old, and he was repeatedly discussed in the context of potential involvement with Argentina Under-17 National Team, led by Pablo Aimar. In March 2022, his name surfaced again in match coverage of a friendly between Argentina Under-17s and the United States, where he appeared late and delivered a precise run and a clever assist that his teammate could not finish.
Claudio Echeverri, El Diablito, the jewel of River Plate’s youth, appeared in the Under-17 friendly coached by Pablo Aimar against the United States, turning 16 that January and standing among the youngest on the field. The moment was shared in posts that highlighted his rapid ascent.
Weeks later, a setback emerged in the form of a vertebral fracture that sidelined him for months. He recovered fully and, by October, debuted as a substitute and scored in his first appearance against Patronato, contributing to a championship in the Seventh Division. As 2023 began, River Plate’s leadership maintained high expectations for a long and bright journey ahead for the young striker.
A Rising Devil in Argentina
On March 21, Echeverri experienced a childhood dream when he trained with the Senior Team. The coaching staff invited him to join the group, provided him with a training shirt, and watched him compete alongside world champions. The 17-year-old standout shone under the guidance of Pablo Aimar, who was overseeing his development at the time. His social posts included a photo with Lionel Messi and the caption dream fulfilled, a testament to the moment’s significance.
For those unfamiliar with his record, he delivered three goals and three assists in the opening phase of the South American Under-17 tournament, underscoring his ability to influence major youth competitions with a mature sense of play.
THE DEVIL’S CONTRACT: DURATION, CLAUSE, AND MARKET SPACE
At the start of the year, Echeverri signed a three-year contract through the end of 2025. The agreement carries a transfer clause similar to that of Enzo Fernández: 20 million dollars, with a potential rise to 25 million during the closing phases of the transfer period. River Plate’s leadership, however, envisions a loftier ceiling, proposing a clause of up to 50 million, a figure that would set a new benchmark in Argentine football.
Meanwhile, whispers in Spain suggested Real Madrid began scouting the South American scene, monitoring the progress of this young talent with an eye toward future acquisition as part of their regular talent-scouting network.