Overview
Juan Manuel Iturbe, often referred to as 'El Rayo' (The Lightning Bolt), is an Argentine-born Paraguayan professional footballer born on 4 June 1993. Standing at 1.72 meters, Iturbe is primarily deployed as a forward, capable of playing across the attacking line, though he is most frequently seen on the wings. His career has taken him through several prominent leagues, from Serie A in Italy to Liga MX in Mexico, and the Super League Greece. Iturbe's distinctive playing style, characterized by blistering speed and close control, has made him a notable presence wherever he has played. Despite starting his international youth career with Argentina, he ultimately chose to represent Paraguay at senior level, becoming a key attacking outlet for the Albirroja.
Position
Iturbe primarily operates as a winger, typically on the right flank, allowing him to cut inside onto his stronger left foot. His pace and ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations make him effective in wide areas, creating space for teammates or driving towards goal himself. He can also be deployed as a secondary striker or an attacking midfielder, leveraging his dribbling skills and directness in central attacking positions.
Identity
Juan Manuel Iturbe's footballing identity is built around his explosive athleticism and technical flair. He is best described as a pacy, direct forward with an inclination for dribbling. His ability to accelerate rapidly and change direction quickly often proves problematic for opposition defenders. While sometimes criticized for his decision-making in the final third, his raw talent and capacity to produce moments of individual brilliance remain central to his game.
Career path
Juan Manuel Iturbe's professional journey began in South America before spanning across Europe and back to the Americas. He emerged from the youth ranks of Club Cerro Porteño in Paraguay, making his senior debut at just 16 years old in 2009. His potential quickly attracted attention from European scouts.
River Plate Loan (2013)
After a spell with F.C. Porto, Iturbe returned to South America on loan to River Plate in 2013. During his time with the Argentine giants, he found consistent playing time, featuring in 17 league matches and scoring 3 goals, as documented by Transfermarkt. This period helped him regain form and confidence, setting the stage for his return to European football.
Hellas Verona and AS Roma (2013-2016)
Iturbe's breakout season in Europe came with Hellas Verona in Serie A during the 2013-2014 campaign. His impressive performances, including 8 goals in 33 league appearances, led to a significant transfer to AS Roma in the summer of 2014 for a reported fee of €22 million, as noted by Wikipedia. At Roma, he played in the UEFA Champions League, though his impact was less consistent, scoring 3 goals in 44 league matches over two seasons before subsequent loan spells to AFC Bournemouth and Torino FC.
Loan Spells and Liga MX (2016-Present)
Following his time at Roma, Iturbe had loan stints with AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League and Torino FC in Serie A. In 2017, he made a permanent move to Liga MX, joining Club Tijuana. His time in Mexico saw him feature for several clubs, including Pumas UNAM and Pachuca. He later moved to Greece, signing with Aris Thessaloniki in 2021, and then to Gremio in Brazil in 2023, showcasing a diverse career path across different footballing cultures.
Playing style
Juan Manuel Iturbe’s playing style is predominantly characterized by his athleticism and direct approach to attacking. As a forward, his primary strength lies in his exceptional pace and acceleration, which he leverages to run at defenders both with and without the ball. This makes him a significant threat in transition and on the counter-attack, capable of covering large distances quickly.
His dribbling ability is another hallmark of his game. Iturbe possesses close control and agility, allowing him to weave past opponents in tight spaces or beat them on the outside. He often attempts to take on defenders one-on-one, creating opportunities for shots or crosses. Data from sources like FBref frequently highlights his high volume of dribble attempts per game, underscoring his willingness to isolate and challenge defensive players.
While his finishing can sometimes be inconsistent, Iturbe has demonstrated the ability to score from various positions, often cutting in from the right wing to strike with his left foot. His shot power and knack for finding the top corner have resulted in several memorable goals throughout his career. His defensive work rate, while not always his strongest attribute, has seen improvement over his career, with contributions in pressing and tracking back, particularly in systems that demand collective defensive effort.
Comparisons have sometimes been drawn to other quick, left-footed wingers known for their directness and flair, such as a younger Arjen Robben or more recently, players like Adama Traoré, due to his pure velocity and ball-carrying ability. However, Iturbe's career has also been marked by periods of inconsistency, highlighting a need for sustained end product to fully capitalize on his physical and technical gifts.
Achievements & honours
Throughout his career, Juan Manuel Iturbe has accumulated several team honours and individual accolades across various clubs and international competitions. His early career in Paraguay saw him quickly establish himself as a talent to watch, leading to his first taste of silverware.
Club Honours
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Cerro Porteño | Paraguayan Primera División Apertura | 2009 |
| FC Porto | Primeira Liga | 2011–12 |
| FC Porto | Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira | 2011, 2012 |
International Honours
Iturbe also played a significant role in international youth football. He was part of the Argentina U20 squad that won the 2011 South American Youth Football Championship. His contributions in that tournament, including important goals and assists, underscored his potential on the international stage.
Individual Recognitions
While specific individual awards have been less frequent, Iturbe's performances, particularly during his time at Hellas Verona, earned him considerable praise and attention from top European clubs, leading to his high-profile transfer to AS Roma. His ability to produce moments of individual brilliance has often set him apart in matches.
International career
Juan Manuel Iturbe's international career presents a unique narrative, having represented Argentina at youth level before committing his senior international allegiance to Paraguay. This decision reflects his dual nationality and family heritage.
Youth International with Argentina
Iturbe initially represented Argentina at various youth levels. He played for the Argentina U17 team and was a prominent figure in the Argentina U20 squad. His most notable achievement at this level was winning the 2011 South American Youth Football Championship, where he showcased his attacking prowess and helped his team qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. He also participated in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia, demonstrating his abilities on a global stage.
Senior International with Paraguay
Despite his youth career with Argentina, Iturbe made the decision to represent Paraguay at senior level, a choice that aligned with his family roots. He made his senior debut for the Paraguay national team in 2013. Since then, he has been an integral part of the Albirroja squad, contributing his pace and dribbling to their attacking play.
Iturbe has participated in qualifying campaigns for the FIFA World Cup and has represented Paraguay in the Copa América. His presence provides the national team with a dynamic winger capable of unlocking defenses and injecting urgency into their attacking movements. While specific cap and goal counts fluctuate with ongoing national team selections, Iturbe has consistently been considered a valuable asset for Paraguay's international aspirations.
What makes Juan Manuel Iturbe stand out
Juan Manuel Iturbe distinguishes himself through a combination of explosive physical attributes and a direct, unreserved attacking mindset. His most striking quality is his sheer pace, which allows him to burst past defenders and create separation almost instantly. This rapid acceleration makes him a constant threat in transition, capable of turning defense into attack with a single run.
Beyond his speed, Iturbe's comfort and execution in one-on-one dribbling situations are notable. He possesses a low center of gravity and excellent close control, enabling him to navigate tight spaces and evade tackles effectively. This flair for individualistic play, while sometimes leading to isolated moments, also means he can conjure chances out of seemingly innocuous situations, often drawing fouls or creating space for teammates. His signature move often involves cutting in from the right wing onto his left foot, aiming for a powerful shot or a clever through ball.
"Iturbe is a player who can change the game in an instant with his speed and dribbling. He's a pure talent." – Former manager Rudi Garcia.