The 10 Latino stars to follow in the U20 World Cup in Argentina

The U20 World Cup gets going in Argentina on Saturday, this after the uncertainty generated by the cancellation of the tournament in Indonesia and the sudden appearance of the South American nation as the great saviour. The Albiceleste youngsters start as one of the candidates to win the title, however, other powers in this category including Nigeria, France, England and Brazil will also fancy their chances.

Argentina hosts U-20 stars at World Cup 2023

While other teams like the United States, Guatemala, Colombia and Ecuador will try to surprise the aforementioned favourites for this tournament, which will unfortunately have a significant number of absences due to the fact that some clubs did not release their players. Major leagues are ongoing.

However, despite these absences, there are other players who are destined to become the stars of this World Cup and take an important leap forward in their careers. That is why we wanted to share a list of the 10 Latino players to follow starring for the likes of Argentina, Guatemala, the United States, Ecuador and New Zealand.

The 10 Latino figures to watch

Maximo Perrone - Argentina - Manchester City

With Argentina facing significant player absences in the Under 20 World Cup, one player expected to step up for Javier Mascherano’s team is Maximo Perrone. Hailing from Vélez Sarsfield, Perrone caught the attention of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and is following in the footsteps of Julián Álvarez. He is poised to become one of the most promising midfielders of the future.

Federico Redondo - Argentina - Argentinos Juniors

FIFA’s website highlights Federico Redondo as one of the notable players from the Argentina squad. Carrying the weight of his famous last name, as the son of the legendary Fernando Redondo who excelled at clubs like Real Madrid and AC Milan, Redondo is a seasoned midfielder known for his creative flair, which is essential in any team.

Arquimides Ordóñez - Guatemala - FC Cincinnati

Representing Central America, Guatemala aims to make a splash in the Under 20 World Cup under the guidance of Mexican coach Rafael Loredo. Arquimides Ordóñez, who was one of the stars in the Concacaf World Cup, plays a pivotal role in the team. His impressive performances with FC Cincinnati have garnered attention, and this tournament could serve as a stepping stone in his career.

Jorge Moreno - Guatemala - Communicaciones FC

Another Guatemalan player to watch in the Under 20 World Cup is goalkeeper Jorge Moreno from Communicaciones. He showcased his exceptional talent during the Concacaf World Cup Pre-World Cup, displaying great skills between the goalposts and proving himself as an outstanding penalty saver.

Luciano Rodríguez - Uruguay - Liverpool

Luciano Rodríguez, a striker for Liverpool in Uruguay, is set to be one of the primary goal scorers for the Uruguayan national team. With important absences like Álvaro Rodríguez, who was not allowed to participate by Real Madrid, Rodríguez’s contributions will be vital for La Celeste.

Edison Azcona - Dominican Republic - Inter Miami

Edison Azcona emerged as one of the standout players for the Dominican team in the last Concacaf World Cup. This talented Caribbean player is destined to follow in the footsteps of important figures like Mariano Díaz, who currently plays for Real Madrid.

Marcos Leonardo - Brazil - Santos

Brazil, in search of its sixth Under 20 World Cup title, has assembled an impressive squad led by Ramon Menezes. Among the team’s key players is Marcos Leonardo, a striker known for his presence in the penalty area and his ability to shine and score crucial goals at decisive moments. At just 19 years old, he has already established himself as an important player for Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Gilmar Napa - Ecuador - Emelec

Gilmar Napa, the Ecuadorian goalkeeper, is another player to watch in this World Cup, joining the ranks of Jorge Moreno and Gabriel Slonina. Napa played a crucial role for the Ecuadorian team in the South American U-20 Championship, securing their spot in the tournament.

Marco Aceituno - Honduras - Real España

Marco Aceituno, the leading scorer for Honduras in the Concacaf Under 20 World Cup with six goals, is the main figure for the Honduran team aiming to make history. His innate goal-scoring ability has already earned him a call-up to the senior national team.

Gustavo Puerta - Colombia - Nuremberg

Gustavo Puerta, the captain and on-field leader for Colombia, possesses an exceptional right foot and unique vision to create plays and generate space for his teammates. Puerta is a versatile midfielder with offensive and defensive capabilities