Valentín Barco: Strasbourg’s full-back turned playmaker is thriving under Rosenior
When Valentín Barco walks onto the pitch, you never quite know what you’re going to get — but it’s guaranteed to be entertaining. "Brilliant and box-office," was the phrase to describe the 20-year-old Argentine by The Athletic journalist Andy Naylor back in 2024 when Barco made his first steps in the England with The Seagulls.
From his first steps at Boca Juniors, to his flourishing form now under English coach Liam Rosenior at Strasbourg, Barco has always had tenacity for flair and a mischievous streak that’s made him a fan favourite at the clubs he has played at.
From La Bombonera to the Premier League dream
“When I started playing football, my mother and then my father would travel 100km to take me to training every day," Valentín Barco revealed shortly after signing for Strasbourg on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion last February. “After that, we moved to live next to the stadium.”
Born in Veinticinco de Mayo, Buenos Aires Province, Barco’s story began humbly. Boca Juniors spotted him early, turning a wiry winger into a marauding left-back with a flair for chaos. By 16 he was debuting in Argentina’s top flight; by 19 he was starting a Copa Libertadores final.
His mix of audacity and aggression caught European eyes. Brighton & Hove Albion spent €8.5m on the teenager in early 2024. But as The Athletic noted, Barco’s introduction to English football was delayed by a chaotic but brilliant Olympic qualifying campaign with Argentina’s U-23s. Barco had three assists, two yellow cards, and one red in five matches.
He set up the decisive goal against Brazil, but then infamously booted away a late free-kick to waste time and rile an opponent. It was, in short, peak Barco: attacking ability coupled with a competitive attitude.
Brighton: flashes of promise, lessons in patience
When Barco finally arrived at Brighton’s Lancing training ground, he was raw but fearless. He’d been in contact with fellow South Americans Facundo Buonanotte, Julio Enciso and Pervis Estupiñán. “Boca has been my life since I was nine, but I’m happy to be making this move,” he told ESPN. “We’re going to be well accompanied there.”
Yet despite some promising performances in a Brighton shirt, Barco would find game time limited in the Seagulls' Premier League and UEFA Europa League campaigns under current Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi. He was then sent on loan to Sevilla in Spain at the start of the 2024-2025 season, but would only make seven appearances before joining Strasbourg on an initial loan in January 2025.
Then, the breakthrough came after joining Les Alsatiens. “I feel very good here, I am very happy to be in Strasbourg. I really want to bring energy to the team,” he said on his arrival to the club.
And he delivered. Used as a wing-back and occasionally as an inverted midfielder, Barco used his mix of energy, flair and feistiness to light up Ligue 1 McDonald's. Two assists, tireless running, and that unmistakable edge made him an instant fan favourite at the tail end of last season. In July, Strasbourg triggered their purchase option from Brighton.
WATCH: Barco provides assist at Le parc
A player thriving under Liam Rosenior
“You ask any young person what they enjoy about football, it’s having the ball,” said Liam Rosenior in one of his first interviews as Strasbourg manager. Barco certainly now sees a lot more of it after growing beyond his classic left-back role into an inverted and technical midfielder.
Rosenior's aggressive 3-4-3 or 4-2-3-1 shape utilises him high, enabling him to drift inside, combine in midfield and even act as a wide attacking outlet when the situation demands. Whereas previously at Boca or even on loan he was more strictly left-back, here Barco has been asked to push into midfield zones, link with the inside forwards and break lines.
Barco’s progress was laid bare last weekend in Strasbourg’s 3-3 draw away at Paris Saint-Germain. While young forward Panichelli stole headlines, Barco’s performance down the flank reflected how far he’s come.
His chemistry with Panichelli and Moreira was crucial; particularly on Strasbourg’s second goal where Barco’s composure under pressure led to a spectacularly chipped assist for the latter to finish past Chevalier.
A year ago, Valentín Barco was still a curiosity — the fiery Boca Juniors wonderkid trying to find his feet in Europe. Now in his first full Ligue 1 McDonald's campaign, he’s become one of RC Strasbourg’s most intriguing modern full-backs: part playmaker, part agitator, and fully adapted to life in France.
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