A Former Street Vendor Called Up to the Argentina National Team

                                                                      Lautaro Rivero 

A Former Street Vendor Called Up to the Argentina National Team

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has caused a stir by surprisingly calling up several players to the Tango Dancers' squad for the upcoming friendlies against Venezuela and Puerto Rico. Among the players Scaloni called up is Lautaro Rivero, a 21-year-old former street vendor whose journey from suffering to championship has inspired many.

Defender Rivero caught the attention of River Plate, who recently activated the buy-back clause in his contract to allow him to participate in the Club World Cup. However, just a few years ago, Rivero was selling alfajores, a popular South American pastry, on the streets to support his family.

Born and raised in Moreno with five siblings, Rivero began his football career with the local club Los Halcones, a few blocks from his home. He spent his early days honing his skills playing on empty lots in the neighborhood before moving on to Villa Loro Norte and La Victoria. 

At the age of fourteen, Rivero joined River Plate's youth team, initially playing in midfield before moving into defense. By 2021, he had moved to River Plate's reserve team, which competes in the lower leagues in Argentina.

In 2024, Rivero became a key player in the reserve team's defense and caught the attention of River Plate coach Martin Demichelis, who included him in the squad for the Copa Libertadores. However, due to his lack of playing time, he was loaned to Central Córdoba, making his debut last June in a 4-2 defeat to Talleres.

Rivero's playing time increased under González Vélez, before he fell out of favor with his successor, Omar De Felipe. However, after a period of absence, he returned to the team and, in 2025, became one of Argentina's best center-backs, before returning to River Plate.