8 Wonderkids To Look Out For In The 2025 Uruguayan Primera | OneFootball

Peñarol were the big domestic winners in 2024, winning both the Apertura and Clausura titles and making a historic run to the Libertadores semi-finals. Not only was it 13 years since they had last reached this stage, in the interim period they had not even made it out of the group stages.

The only minor blot on their copybook was losing the Torneo Intermedio to eternal rivals Nacional, denying them a clean sweep of league trophies.

As ever, the league provided the platform for many exciting talents to shine, demonstrating what a great place it is for scouts to unearth good value youngsters. Many of last year’s list have been snapped up, while the likes of Rodrigo Dudok and Faustino Barone surely won’t be in Uruguay much longer.

So who are the next young prospects that could make a name for themselves in 2025? World Football Index picks out eight of the most interesting rising talents, under the age of 23, to keep an eye on this year.

Gonzalo Petit (Nacional)

The tall, elegant attacker broke through in the second half of 2024 with three goals in 10 appearances and only 270 minutes, including one in the final of the aforementioned Torneo Intermedio.

No relation to French World Cup winner Emmanuel, Petit is a versatile presence in the final third, able to act in a number of roles across the attacking line given his physicality, intelligence and movement. One of the better performers for Uruguay at the U20 Sudamericano, the 18-year-old scored a couple of goals and has now been handed the number 9 shirt at Nacional. A big year awaits.

Notable mention: Bruno Arady

Thiago Espinosa (Racing Club de Montevideo)

Known as “La Escuelita” (the Little School) for their record of producing young talent, Racing have produced some good players recently, such as Santiago Mouriño and Dylan Nandin.

Back in the top flight since 2023 and backed with investment from Red&Gold Football, a joint venture between Bayern Munich and LA FC, Racing are looking up and made the knockout round of the Copa Sudamericana last year.

One of the most impressive players was young left back, Thiago Espinosa, who made 24 appearances and scored twice in his debut season. Quick, solid in the challenge, and full of energy to get up and down the pitch, he’s rapidly becoming one of the best in his position in the league and is already off the mark this season with a goal against Montevideo City Torque.

Notable mention: Alejandro Severo

Renzo Machado (Liverpool)

19-year-old forward Machado has been on the radar for a couple of years but had a breakthrough 2024 season, with eight goals and two assists in 33 games, and led the line for Uruguay at the recent U20 Sudamericano.

The Liverpool goalgetter scored three goals in the group stage as Uruguay topped their group, but sustained an injury against Argentina and missed the majority of the final stage as the young Charruas disappointingly missed out on qualification for the U20 World Cup.

A stocky, bullish striker with a good range of finishing and decent aerial ability, he’ll be looking to bounce back with club side Liverpool

Notable mentions: Kevin Amaro, Facundo Núñez, Lucas Wasilewsky

Agustín Soria (Defensor Sporting)

A box-to-box midfielder full of energy, Soria established himself as yet another prospect to watch from Defensor’s famed academy. Capable of fitting into a number of roles, the 20-year-old made 34 appearances and has continued where he left off this year.

Covers lots of ground, presses well and brings intensity to his off the ball work, Soria also has good technique, links well with teammates and is dynamic going forward. Orlando City were heavily linked with him and if he keeps going at this rate, more clubs will certainly be ready to test Defensor’s resolve.

Notable mentions: Xavier Biscayzacú, Diego Abreu

Juan Rodríguez (Peñarol)

Another of the Uruguay U20 cohort, Peñarol centre back emerged with credit despite the Charrúas poor final stage performance. Tall and composed, Rodríguez reads the game well, knows when to choose his moments to engage and is good in the air. The left-footed 19-year-old is also comfortable on the ball, is calm when pressed, and can even slot in at left back when needed.

Yet to make his senior debut for Peñarol, Rodríguez had a successful loan spell at Boston River last year and will now hope to make an impact at his parent club. With interest from Shahktar and Getafe, among others, Carboneros fans will have to enjoy his defensive displays while they can.

Notable mention: Germán Barbas

Jeremía Recoba (Nacional)

Son of Nacional and Uruguay legend Álvaro, any claims of Jeremia being a nepo baby were well and truly cast aside after a fantastic debut season. Recoba scored seven goals and provided four assists from just 1361 minutes and has continued where he left off this year with a goal in the Super Copa victory over Peñarol and two strikes in his first four league games.

While he might not have the magic of his father, he’s proven he can contribute decision actions thanks to his good finishing and ability to be in the right place at the right time. Capable of playing off either wing, he can whip in a devilish cross with his right boot and is always an energetic outlet.

Notable mention: Rodrigo Mederes

Patricio Pacífico (Defensor Sporting)

Such is the talent factory that is Defensor Sporting, we had to include another of their promising jewels in the form of 18-year-old versatile defender Patricio Pacífico. While his long term future probably lies at centre back, Pacífico has typically operated at left back for club and country but has the football IQ, technique, and physical attributes that he could probably play in a multitude of roles further forward.

A remarkably well-rounded player for his age, Pacífico marks well, is strong in both ground and aerial duels, and is very good with the ball at the feet – be that carrying the ball forward or breaking the lines from deep. If that’s not, he has good pace and displays good leadership and mentality too. There’s still room for improvement but it would be no surprise to see Pacífico cross the Atlantico sooner rather than later.

Notable mentions: Kevin Prieto, Lautaro Navarro

Mateo Peralta (Danubio)

Peralta was a passing mention on last year’s list but an impressive breakthrough season meant he could not be ignored this time around. The midfielder arrived at Danubio from Nacional’s youth ranks as more of a number 10 playmaker but has settled into a more deep-lying role.

Peralta still has that excellent vision, allowing him to spray passes and progress the ball, as displayed by his average of 8.91 passes to the final third and 7.47 progressive passes. But he’s also got that dog in him, as shown by his high numbers for dangerous and counterpressing recoveries. An iron fist in a velvet glove.