ian Subiabre, River Plate’s Next World Star – 10 New Gods Premier League Big Clubs Are Watching

ian Subiabre, the new jewel of River Plate

river Plate has produced a number of world-class prospects in the past, including Enso Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, and Claudio Echeverría, who has since overcome the disappointment of missing out on Lionel Messi. The latest youngster to attract interest from top European clubs is 18-year-old winger IanSubiabre. his technical perfection, explosive dribbling, and speed have landed him on the radar of Premier League clubs including Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

soccer DNA from Patagonia – family and upbringing

• place of Birth: Comodoro Rivadavia, Patagonia, Argentina
• family: Maternal grandfather and uncle (soccer players), paternal grandfather (amateur boxer, 18 wins in 19 fights with soccer team), father (helped lead team to promotion from lower leagues)
• youth career: Starred for El Globito from age 5, invited to River Plate youth team
• unable to move to Buenos Aires due to financial difficulties, traveled by bus for 24 hours every three months to train
• signed professional contract with River Plate in 2023 (€25 million buyout) after trials with Villarreal and Levante

potential burst on the national team – U-20 South American breakthrough

• Flew under the radar at the U-17 World Cup, but emerged as a key part of the team’s offense at the 2025 U-20 South American Championship with three goals in eight games
• scored left-footed goals against Brazil and Chile and the game-winner against Colombia to help Argentina qualify for the U-20 World Cup

scored first professional goal and earned first-team recognition

• appeared in eight matches (league) and three matches (Copa Libertadores) as a substitute for River Plate’s first team
• scored debut goal (volley) against Rosario Centrale in March 2025, gradually gaining more regular minutes
• invited to train by Argentina senior national team head coach Lionel Scaloni, seen as a future national team resource

the ‘kite-flying’ winger – Playstyle and strengths

• nickname: Barrilete (kite) – Great speed and acceleration, excellent ball control off the dribble
• emphasizes his ability to get through tight spaces, shoot with his left foot, break one-on-one and link up with teammates
• official interview: “Powerful goal scorer and assisted striker, enjoys playing deep”

developing 18-year-old – what lies ahead

• stamina – needs to improve physically, hasn’t started yet
• right-footed shooting – needs to improve his ability to shoot from mid-range
• family and coaches say “technique is already there, fitness is the key to success”

role model comparisons – similarities to Julian Alvarez

• role model: julian Alvarez (Man City, World Cup and Champions League)
• similarities: Side-to-center flexibility in attack, passing to set up teammates, and defensive commitment
• aims to reach Europe after growing up in River Plate like Alvarez did

european stage yet? – taking it one step at a time

• recent River Plate prospects have gone straight to Europe after making their first-team debuts, but Subiabre needs more experience and physical growth
• expect more playing time due to injury to star striker Droussi
• performances against European giants, such as the upcoming match against Inter Milan, will increase his chances of a European move

conclusion

ian Subiabre is River Plate’s latest teenage prodigy, and he’s the next big thing on the radar of Premier League clubs. With his speed, dribbling, goal-scoring ability, and family soccer DNA, he’s a player with tons of potential. for now, he’s gaining experience at River Plate, and it won’t be long before he makes a name for himself on the European stage.