Who is Ian Subiabre, River’s new star who has caught Inter’s eye?

cm subiabre inter

The Argentine talent has caught the eye of Inter – and others too: he’s keen to play in Europe

River Plate’s talent factory shows no sign of slowing down and, following much-talked-about talents such as Franco Mstantuono, Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez and Claudio Echeverri (to name but a few of the most recent), a new name is emerging as the next star on the radar of Europe’s top clubs. 

His name is Ian Subiabre, a winger or second striker born in 2007 who, according to the Argentine press, has made it onto Inter’s shortlist of transfer targets for next summer.

A FAMILY OF SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS

Ian Martin Subiabre was born in Comodoro Rivadavia (yes, the town’s name is reminiscent of former Inter player Exequiel Palacios, who was playing for Independiente Rivadavia at the time of his signing) in Patagonia, a long way from Buenos Aires, on 1 January 2007. 

He comes from a sporting family: his maternal grandfather and uncle played football in local leagues, whilst his paternal grandfather was an amateur boxer who won 18 of the 19 bouts he contested. Finally, his father Martin, back when the Argentine leagues had not yet been merged into a single major division, had a trial with River Plate and secured promotion to the second division with CAI, the team where his son Ian also began his career.

ON RIVER'S RADAR SINCE THE AGE OF 5 AND TRIALS IN SPAIN

It was that very trial with his father that brought Ian Subiabre into the orbit of River Plate, as he had been playing football since the age of five, attracting the attention of many clubs in the big cities. 

The family could not afford a move to Buenos Aires, so the move turned into short training stints every three months, involving bus journeys lasting as long as 24 hours. 

Over the years, he has also had several trials in Europe with Villarreal and Levante, who, however, decided not to take a chance on him.

ARGENTINA-CHILE: MESSI VS ALEXIS SANCHEZ

Subiabre has both Argentine and Chilean roots and holds passports from both countries; he made his international debut for Chile’s youth teams before switching to the Albiceleste following a call-up from Pablo Aimar, one of his greatest admirers. 

An attacking winger or second striker, his technical attributes – and although his idol is Lionel Messi – are reminiscent of the former Inter striker, the Chilean Alexis Sánchez. Like the early-career ‘Nino Maravilla’, his strengths lie in his ability to dribble in tight spaces and his explosive pace, but he can and must improve his finishing. 

ALREADY A REGULAR

Subiabre made his debut for River Plate as a youngster during the 2023/2024 season, featuring in both the league and the Copa Libertadores. He began to carve out a regular place for himself last season under Gallardo, but it is this season that he has established himself as a first-team regular for the Millonarios. After starting out as a substitute, since becoming a regular under Eduardo Codet he has scored 1 goal and provided 2 assists in 3 matches, starting wide on the left and getting to the byline with his left foot without playing on his weaker foot.

INTER AND THEIR RIVALS ACROSS HALF OF EUROPE

Represented by Claudio Caniggia’s agency – a player we have long admired in Italy’s Serie A, where he played for Verona, Atalanta and Roma – he has long been on the radar of several major European clubs. According to the Italian press, with next summer in mind, alongside Inter – who are strongly pursuing the player – there are also Chelsea, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Atlético Madrid and even Juventus.