Real Madrid eye 16-year-old South American talent likened to Fede Valverde | OneFootball

Real Madrid are once again on the hunt for young talent, as they continue to scout the global market for future stars and according to Mundo Deportivo, their latest focus is on German Barbas, a promising 16-year-old footballer currently playing for Uruguayan club Penarol.

Real Madrid have already made their interest known to Peñarol, indicating that they are closely monitoring Barbas’ progress.

Barbas made his professional debut with Penarol’s first team in May of this year, quickly making a name for himself on the field.

His standout performance came during the L’Alcudia International Football Tournament, where he represented the Uruguayan national team.

In a thrilling final, Uruguay’s U-19 squad faced off against Argentina, and it was Barbas who scored the decisive goal, securing the title for his team.

Setting history already

Barbas’ debut for Penarol was historic in its own right. When he stepped onto the pitch at the Estadio Campeon del Siglo, he became the second youngest player ever to debut for the club’s first team.

His journey to this point began at the age of 12 when he joined Penarol’s youth academy.

From the outset, Barbas drew attention not only for his skills but also for his physical resemblance to Federico Valverde, another Uruguayan who has made a significant impact in European football.

Comparisons with Valverde

Interestingly Valverde is a player that Barbas has long admired and looked up to. This comparison is frequent and not without reason.

Both players share similar physical attributes and playing styles, which has led many to see Barbas as a potential successor to Valverde. For Barbas, these comparisons are a source of motivation rather than pressure.

He has openly expressed his admiration for Valverde, saying: “I pay a lot of attention to Fede Valverde, especially because of where he came from, because he’s Uruguayan and because I’d also like to play in Europe at the level he plays.

“Since I was little, at ten years old, they called me ‘Pajarito’ just like him, they always saw some resemblance to me.”

Barbas’ impressive performances have not gone unnoticed by other European clubs. Benfica and Galatasaray are among the teams that have shown interest in the young talent.

However, with Real Madrid now in the picture, the stakes have been raised significantly. Barbas currently has a buyout clause set at €12 million, a figure that is considered highly accessible for a club like Real Madrid.