Khaberni - The technical director of the Argentina national team, Lionel Scaloni, caused a wide sensation by unexpectedly calling up some players to his team list in preparation for the upcoming friendly matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico.
Among the players Scaloni called up to the Argentina national team is Lautaro Riviero, a 21-year-old former street vendor, whose journey from hardship to stardom has inspired many.
Defender Riviero caught the attention of River Plate, which recently activated a buy-back clause in his contract to enable him to participate in the Club World Cup.
But just a few years ago, Riviero was selling alfajores, a popular South American cake, on the streets to support his family.
Riviero was born and raised in Moreno with five siblings and started his football career with the local club Los Halcones, just a few blocks from his home. He spent his early days honing his skills by playing in empty lots in the neighborhood before moving to Villa Luro Norte and La Victoria, according to the website of the British newspaper "The Sun".
At the age of fourteen, Riviero joined the River Plate youth team where he initially played in midfield before moving to defense. By 2021, he had moved to River Plate's reserve team, which competes in the lower leagues in Argentina.
In 2024, Riviero became a crucial pillar of the reserve team's defense, drawing the attention of River Plate coach Martin Demichelis, who included him in the squad for the Copa Libertadores. However, due to lack of appearances, he was loaned to Central Cordoba, making his first appearance in June of the previous year when his team lost to Talleres 2-4.
Riviero's appearances increased under coach Gonzales Velez, before falling out of favor with the coach who succeeded him, Omar di Felippi. However, after a period of absence, he returned to play before becoming in 2025 one of the best central defenders in Argentina, thereafter returning to River Plate.
