A Story of Perseverance and Determination

Lautaro Rivero has earned a starting spot in River Plate’s defense and will be part of the national team roster for the upcoming October friendlies. His journey is one of relentless perseverance and never giving up on his dreams.

Ahead of the upcoming FIFA international window, the name grabbing headlines is Lautaro Rivero. The center-back has been in excellent form with Central Córdoba de Santiago del Estero and River Plate, where he secured a starting role under Marcelo Gallardo.

However, the 21-year-old’s story is marked by remarkable resilience. During his teenage years, he worked various jobs to keep his dream of playing professional football alive. On his personal Instagram account, he shared a photo recalling the effort he made during his youth to continue chasing that dream.

“A year ago. I can’t believe all of this,” he wrote alongside an image showing him selling alfajores on the streets.

From Neighborhood Fields to Professional Football

His first steps in the game came in baby fútbol and local fields in Moreno, Buenos Aires, where he grew up. Club Los Halcones was the team where he showcased his talent during childhood. Later, he joined Villa Luro Norte, setting his sights on dedicating himself fully to the sport he loves.

At 14, he joined River’s youth academy in 2018. His first appearances for La Banda came as a left wing-back, but his height (1.85 m) and physical presence quickly turned him into a defensive pillar.

In 2021, he made his debut with River’s reserve team and went through an adaptation period, occasionally alternating with the fourth division. By December of last year, just days before his contract was set to expire, he signed his first professional deal, achieving a major milestone.

Under Marcelo Escudero’s guidance, he became a key starter and earned a loan move to Central Córdoba de Santiago del Estero until December 2025.

After winning the Copa Argentina with the Ferroviario, Lautaro Rivero cemented himself as a starter in the first half of 2025. At center-back, he was crucial during Omar De Felippe’s team run in the Copa Libertadores.

Despite a historic win against Flamengo at the Maracanã, the team finished third in their group with 11 points. Rivero played the full 90 minutes in all six group-stage matches.

Breakthrough at River and National Team Call-Up

Following his strong performances with Central Córdoba, Marcelo Gallardo decided to end his loan early and bring him back for the Club World Cup. River also extended his contract through December 2028 with a salary increase.

Although the 21-year-old didn’t see action in the international tournament, he gradually broke into River’s starting lineup during the second half of the year after recovering from injuries.

His official debut came on August 9 in a scoreless draw against Independiente in Avellaneda. Since then, the center-back has delivered outstanding performances and earned significant minutes.

He even surpassed experienced defenders like Lucas Martínez Quarta and Paulo Díaz, winning Marcelo Gallardo’s trust to the point of starting both legs of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals against Palmeiras.