_(cropped)_(cropped).jpg) Barco withArgentina U20 in 2023 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Valentín Barco[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (2004-07-23)23 July 2004 (age 21)[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Veinticinco de Mayo,Buenos Aires, Argentina[2] | ||
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Left-back,wide midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Strasbourg | ||
| Number | 32 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2007–2013 | Sportivo Las Parejas | ||
| 2013–2014 | Norberto de la Riestra[3] | ||
| 2014–2021 | Boca Juniors | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021–2024 | Boca Juniors | 23 | (1) |
| 2024–2025 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 6 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | →Sevilla (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 2025 | →Strasbourg (loan) | 14 | (0) |
| 2025– | Strasbourg | 13 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2019 | Argentina U15 | 6 | (3) |
| 2022– | Argentina U20 | 11 | (1) |
| 2023– | Argentina U23 | 2 | (1) |
| 2024– | Argentina | 1 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19:22, 22 November 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 04:40, 23 March 2024 (UTC) | |||
Valentín Barco (born 23 July 2004) is an Argentine professionalfootballer who plays as aleft-back orwide midfielder forLigue 1 clubStrasbourg and theArgentina national team.
In 2021, Barco was scouted by Argentine clubBoca Juniors and immediately signed his professional contract.[4] On 16 July 2021, he made his professional debut at 16 years old in a 1–1 draw againstUnión.[5][6][better source needed] He was included inThe Guardian's "Next Generation" list for 2021.[7]
On 29 June 2023, Barco scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 win overMonagas in theCopa Libertadores.[8][better source needed] Less than one month later on 24 July, he scored his first league goal in a 2–1 victory againstNewell's Old Boys after converting across fromPol Fernández.[9][better source needed] He continued to fulfil his promise for Boca, when on 10 August 2023, during their game againstNacional Montevideo in theCopa Libertadores round of 16, produced a dominant display for the blue and gold, displaying creativity key to both Boca goals. Boca were pegged back twice during the 90 minutes of regulation play and with the game at 2–2 on the night and on aggregate, it went to penalties. Barco stepped up fifth of five for Boca, and scored the decisive penalty to take them to the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals, Boca met Brazilian sidePalmeiras. The first leg finished 0–0 atLa Bombonera inBuenos Aires. During the return leg in Brazil, Barco famously stood on the ball with both feet whilst in possession, a move that at his young age in aCopa Libertadores semi-final, stunned the Palmeiras players, fans and South American critics alike. It was a move that garnered many headlines, despite a counterattacking goal byEdinson Cavani and a red card being shown toMarcos Rojo. The tie, once again for Boca, with a 1–1 aggregate score, went to a penalty shootout. They won the shootout 4–2, courtesy of a heroic display by goalkeeperSergio Romero.
At the age of 19, Barco had cemented his place in the starting 11 for Boca and started in the2023 Copa Libertadores final againstFluminense. He played 78 minutes before being substituted for fellow youth productLuca Langoni. Boca lost the final 2–1 after extra time, courtesy of goals byGerman Cano andJohn Kennedy.
On 20 January 2024, Barco transferred toEnglish Premier League sideBrighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around $10 million (€9.1 million), signing a four-and-a-half-year contract until 30 June 2028.[10][11]
On 23 August 2024, Barco was loaned toLa Liga clubSevilla for the 2024–25 season with no buy option.[12]
On 2 February 2025, Barco was loaned toLigue 1 clubStrasbourg.[13] On 2 July 2025, Barco completed a permanent move to Strasbourg for a fee of £7.87 million.[14]
On 23 March 2024, Barco debuted for theArgentine senior squad on 23 March 2024 in afriendly match againstEl Salvador.[15]
Barco has been described as one of Argentina's most intriguing youth prospects. He normally plays as a maraudingfull-back who can make forward runs and create chances for his teammates. He has also been noted for his versatility, having played as awinger.[16][17][18]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Boca Juniors | 2021 | Argentine Primera División | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2023 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9[b] | 1 | 32 | 2 | ||
| Total | 23 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 35 | 2 | ||
| Brighton & Hove Albion | 2023–24 | Premier League | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 7 | 0 | |
| Sevilla (loan) | 2024–25 | La Liga | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 9 | 0 | |
| Strasbourg (loan) | 2024–25 | Ligue 1 | 14 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 0 | ||
| Strasbourg | 2025–26 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4[c] | 0 | 17 | 1 | |
| Total | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 31 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 63 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 82 | 3 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 2024 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 | |
