Juan Manuel Sanabria #25

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After winning the Under-20 Copa Libertadores with Nacional, an 18-year-old Sanabria signed for Atlético Madrid. It was a big change for a kid who used to travel the 100km to training and back in Montevideo so he could “chill out at home” in Florida during his time in the Nacional academy. In a country such as Uruguay, that sort of daily commute is an immense undertaking. Sanabria played for Atlético’s B team before leaving for their feeder club in Mexico, Atlético San Luis, where he swapped midfield for left-back. “He’s technically excellent. No one has more rhythm than him and he can play as a full-back, in central midfield or as a winger,” said Marcelo Bielsa, who called him up for the first time last year.

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