Manchester City is currently assessing the fitness of young Argentinian midfielder Claudio Echeverri after he sustained an ankle injury during the Club World Cup. The 19-year-old, who recently made his first start for the club, twisted his ankle during City's dominant 6-0 victory over Al Ain of Abu Dhabi in Atlanta, a match that secured their place in the last 16 of the competition.

Echeverri, a January arrival from River Plate, had an immediate impact on the game, scoring a stunning free-kick that showcased his potential and hinted at a significant role in Pep Guardiola's evolving squad. However, his promising performance was cut short as he was forced to leave the pitch at halftime due to the injury.

Guardiola addressed the situation after the match, stating that Echeverri was "a little bit sore" and that the injury was the reason for his substitution at the interval. Despite the setback, Guardiola was full of praise for the young player, acknowledging his "incredible" talent, especially in tight spaces. The City manager also highlighted Echeverri's dedication to improving his game, revealing that the Argentine had been diligently practicing free-kicks after training sessions, a testament to his work ethic. "Since he arrived, in the three or four months with us, at the end of training sessions he was practicing free-kicks with the goalkeeper, the wall and alone. The other ones did not practise," Guardiola noted. "He was practising and practising and the work pays off at the end. The more you practise, the more chances you have. It was a fantastic goal."

Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega echoed Guardiola's sentiments, drawing comparisons between Echeverri and fellow Argentinian forward Julian Alvarez, a former City player and World Cup winner.

The extent of Echeverri's injury remains uncertain, and the club is currently evaluating the situation. His availability for Thursday's crucial match against Juventus is in doubt. City needs a victory against the Italian giants to secure the top spot in their group and advance to face the second-place team from a pool including Real Madrid, RB Salzburg, and Al-Hilal.

Echeverri's recent injury with Argentina's Under-20 side is also worth noting. He suffered a grade one sprain in his left ankle during a 1-1 draw against Brazil Under-20 earlier this year in the South American Under-20 Championships. He missed Argentina's final match of the tournament against Paraguay as a result.

This ankle issue also tempered the excitement surrounding his arrival at the City Football Academy, as it occurred after a strong showing for Argentina's Under-20 team. In eight appearances as captain, Echeverri recorded six goals and three assists, highlighting his importance to the national team setup.

Echeverri signed a contract with Manchester City until the summer of 2028, for a reported £12.5 million plus add-ons. The initial agreement stipulated that he would remain on loan at River Plate until the end of 2024.