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Not the 'Cristiano Ronaldo of South America', but Esteban Cambiasso's long-term replacement - Meet new Inter signing Rodrigo Alborno
The 18-year-old has finally been snapped up by the Coppa Italia holders after a lengthy pursuit, with a spot in the first-team his ultimate goal after moving from Libertad
Aug 18, 2011 9:00:00 AM
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PROFILE
By Ralph Hannah
Paraguay’s supremely talented midfielder Rodrigo Alborno was yesterday unveiled as an Inter player having been finally allowed to join the Italian giants after turning 18 last week.
Alborno has been on the radar of the world champions for several months and back in March of this year the club confirmed they had agreed a deal to bring the Libertad player to Italy after his 18th birthday. He is said to have signed a contract keeping him with Inter until July 2016.
Alborno made his senior debut for Libertad, who have dominated the Paraguayan league recently with seven of the last 13 titles on offer, in January 2010 and went on to register 10 starts in the 2010 Apertura, scoring once. Recently he has been hampered by injury, leading to him missing the 2011 Sudamericano (South American U20 Championships) and only making three appearances in the 2011 Apertura for Libertad. However, his lack of game time in recent months did not curtail Inter’s determined pursuit. They were one of several foreign clubs chasing Alborno for his signature, according to Libertad’s vice-president Carlos Guggiari.
By Ralph Hannah
Paraguay’s supremely talented midfielder Rodrigo Alborno was yesterday unveiled as an Inter player having been finally allowed to join the Italian giants after turning 18 last week.
Alborno has been on the radar of the world champions for several months and back in March of this year the club confirmed they had agreed a deal to bring the Libertad player to Italy after his 18th birthday. He is said to have signed a contract keeping him with Inter until July 2016.
The versatile left-footed player caught the eye as a 16-year-old in the Paraguayan Under-20 side when he scored a penalty against Uruguay and played most of the game at left-back. In theory he could represent Italy as he holds an Italian passport which facilitated his transfer to Inter. There he will follow in the footsteps of Paraguay’s most capped international, Carlos Gamarra, who also played for the Nerazzurri.
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Born in Asuncion in 1993, Alborno turned out for Atlantida Sports Club in the populous Barrio Obrero as a child. Despite being in the fourth tier of Paraguayan football they have been the breeding ground for several Paraguayan stars, including Paulo Da Silva and Victor ‘Topo’ Caceres, the latter having moved onto Libertad as Alborno did.
| CAREER STATISTICS | Rodrigo Alborno (Inter & Paraguay) |
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Attributes: Skill, composure, pace |
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Alborno made his senior debut for Libertad, who have dominated the Paraguayan league recently with seven of the last 13 titles on offer, in January 2010 and went on to register 10 starts in the 2010 Apertura, scoring once. Recently he has been hampered by injury, leading to him missing the 2011 Sudamericano (South American U20 Championships) and only making three appearances in the 2011 Apertura for Libertad. However, his lack of game time in recent months did not curtail Inter’s determined pursuit. They were one of several foreign clubs chasing Alborno for his signature, according to Libertad’s vice-president Carlos Guggiari.
In the past Alborno has been described as the 'Cristiano Ronaldo of South America' and Inter stated on the club’s website that he is "one of the most exciting young talents in South America". The Ronaldo comparison is misleading, he is a skilful player but much more of an all-round midfielder, able to win the ball as well as create chances. His composure in possession is notable for somebody so young, and his turn of pace can surprise defenders.
His immediate aim will be to get up to speed physically, so that he is able to cope with the demands of Serie A and European football. A first-team appearance in the 2011-12 season might be too much to ask for Alborno, but just as Ricardo Alvarez was signed with a view to replacing the ageing Dejan Stankovic, Alborno could be seen as a long term replacement for Argentine Esteban Cambiasso, who has just turned 31. There is no doubt that sooner or later Rodrigo Alborno will make his name in Europe.
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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