From attacking midfielder to World Cup champion: the versatile rise of Juan Foyth
In short: Before becoming a defensive mainstay for Villarreal and Argentina, Juan Foyth played as an attacking midfielder. This tactical shift, completed before he turned 16, set the stage for a career spanning the Premier League, La Liga, and a historic FIFA World Cup victory.
Born in La Plata on 12 January 1998, Juan Foyth’s professional journey began at his hometown club, Estudiantes de La Plata. While he is now recognized as a specialist centre-back or right-back, his early years in the Estudiantes youth academy were spent in a much more offensive role as an attacking midfielder. It was only before his sixteenth birthday that he transitioned to the defensive positions that would define his career.
Foyth's ascent through the professional ranks was rapid. After signing his first professional contract in January 2017, he made his Primera División debut against Patronato on 19 March 2017. His talent soon caught the attention of English giants Tottenham Hotspur, who signed him on 30 August 2017 for a reported £8 million. During his time in London, he experienced both the highs of scoring his first career goal against Crystal Palace and the frustrations of being sent off in a match against AFC Bournemouth in May 2019.
A pivotal move occurred in 2020 when Foyth joined Spanish side Villarreal on loan, eventually signing a permanent five-year deal for €15 million in June 2021. This move proved transformative; he became a vital component of Unai Emery's squad, helping them secure the UEFA Europa League title in 2021. This success provided the momentum for his international career under manager Lionel Scaloni. Foyth has since been a member of Argentina's most successful recent squads, including the 2019 Copa América third-place team, the 2022 Finalissima winners, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup champions.
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