Agustín De La Cuesta is the big surprise of Marcelo Gallardo in the River's call-up list for the classic match on Saturday against Independiente for the fourth round of the 2025 Apertura Tournament. At just 18 years old, the left-footed midfielder born in Navarro has stood out in the club's youth ranks and will now have the opportunity to experience a first-team match.
In his first semester in the youth team, De La Cuesta played eight matches, starting twice and scoring a goal against Instituto. His debut occurred on August 1 in the victory over Vélez, showing a solid performance in midfield when he came on in the second half. His inclusion in the call-up list against Independiente will accelerate the process for signing his first professional contract, which is expected to happen in the coming hours.
De La Cuesta has shown great vision of the game, good long-range shooting, and constant dynamism in midfield, characteristics that make him a promising figure in River Plate's youth divisions looking to establish himself in the team led by Gallardo.
Amidst the prominence he has gained, a stunning goal he scored in the 2024 Proyección Cup against Instituto has come to light: a spectacular left-footed shot from outside the box that has captured the attention of the club's followers. Born in Navarro, Agustín De La Cuesta began his football career in the E.F.I.N. school in his city, being selected by River at ten years old during a trial. Throughout his development in the club, he has demonstrated to be a versatile midfielder, capable of playing in different positions on the field. In the reserve team, he played alongside Claudio 'Diablito' Echeverri, showcasing his talent and versatility.
The young midfielder made the leap to the reserve team in August 2024, after becoming champion of the Promesas Tournament in Paraguay with the sixth division. His call-up for the classic against Independiente is a significant step in his budding football career, and he is expected to showcase all his potential on the field.
