Manuel Ugarte

Manuel Ugarte
Name	Manuel Ugarte
Fullname	Manuel Ugarte Paredes
Birth date	11 April 1999
Birth place	Montevideo, Uruguay
Height	1.85 m
Position	Defensive midfielder
Currentclub	Paris Saint-Germain F.C.
Clubnumber	14
Youthyears	2010–2018
Youthclubs	Fénix
Years1	2018–2020
Clubs1	Fénix
Caps1	39
Years2	2020–2021
Clubs2	Talleres
Caps2	40
Years3	2021–2023
Clubs3	Sporting CP
Caps3	63
Years4	2023–
Clubs4	Paris Saint-Germain F.C.
Nationalyears1	2019
Nationalteam1	Uruguay U20
Nationalyears2	2021–
Nationalteam2	Uruguay
Nationalcaps2	30

Manuel Ugarte Manuel Ugarte Paredes is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and the Uruguay national football team. Known for his physical presence, tactical discipline and ball-recovering abilities, he progressed from Montevideo youth systems to top European competition, attracting interest from clubs such as FC Barcelona, Manchester City F.C., Arsenal F.C. and Liverpool F.C.. Ugarte has featured for Uruguay at senior international tournaments including the FIFA World Cup cycle and Copa América editions.

Early life and youth career

Born in Montevideo, Ugarte began in the youth academy of Centro Atlético Fénix before advancing through youth setups in the Uruguayan capital alongside peers who reached professional ranks in Primera División Uruguaya. He developed under youth coaches influenced by South American traditions linked to Peñarol and Club Nacional de Football methodologies, while competing in tournaments that included fixtures against academies from Club Atlético River Plate (Montevideo), Danubio F.C., Defensor Sporting Club and visiting sides from Argentina and Brazil. Early exposure to scouts from CONMEBOL competitions and friendly matches against teams like Boca Juniors and San Lorenzo de Almagro facilitated his move to Club Atlético Talleres in Argentina.

Club career

Ugarte made his senior debut with Fénix in the Primera División Uruguaya before transferring to Talleres de Córdoba in the Argentine Primera División, where he established himself against opponents such as Club Atlético River Plate, Club Atlético Independiente, Racing Club, and San Lorenzo de Almagro. His performances in clashes against continental sides and during domestic derbies drew attention from European scouts from La Liga, Premier League, and Primeira Liga clubs.

In 2021 he signed for Sporting CP, joining teammates and staff connected to the club’s history with players like Cristiano Ronaldo and managers influenced by Jorge Jesus and Rúben Amorim. At Sporting, he competed in the Primeira Liga, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA Europa League, facing opposition that included SL Benfica, FC Porto, Atlético Madrid, and Manchester City F.C.. Strong displays earned him comparisons with notable defensive midfielders who played for AC Milan and Juventus FC, and culminated in a high-profile transfer to Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in 2023, joining a squad featuring stars from Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, and France.

International career

Ugarte represented Uruguay at youth level with the Uruguay national under-20 football team at South American competitions and friendly tournaments across CONMEBOL zones. He made his senior debut for the Uruguay national football team in 2021 and was selected for squads involved in FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns against teams like Brazil national football team, Argentina national football team, Colombia national football team, and Chile national football team. He has been part of Uruguay selections coached by figures with connections to Óscar Tabárez's legacy and later managers influenced by Diego Alonso and others in the coaching lineage. Ugarte featured in Copa América qualifiers and friendlies versus European nations such as Spain national football team, Portugal national football team, and France national football team.

Playing style and reception

Ugarte is characterized as a defensive midfielder with a high work rate, tackling aggression and interception timing similar to profiles seen at Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, and Sevilla FC. Analysts have highlighted his ability to shield defenders alongside passing range that enables progression into channels used by playmakers at clubs like FC Barcelona and Manchester City F.C.. Media outlets contrasted his style with midfielders from Boca Juniors and River Plate, noting influences from Uruguayan predecessors who starred for Real Madrid and AC Milan. Coaches from Sporting CP and Paris Saint-Germain F.C. have praised his tactical adaptability in systems employing double pivots and single pivot formations used by managers such as Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino, and Rúben Amorim.

Personal life

Ugarte maintains ties to Montevideo and has family connections within Uruguayan football circles that include links to youth programs in neighborhoods where academies like Fénix and Danubio F.C. operate. Off the pitch he has engaged with charitable initiatives in Uruguay and participated in events associated with organizations tied to former national figures and clubs such as Club Nacional de Football and Peñarol. His transfer movements involved negotiations with agencies and representatives who have previously worked with players moving between South America and Europe.

Career statistics and honours

Club appearances and goals reflect spells at Fénix, Talleres, Sporting CP and Paris Saint-Germain F.C.. International caps include appearances for the Uruguay national football team in FIFA World Cup qualifying and Copa América campaigns. Honours include domestic cup and league contention with Sporting CP and selection to national squads for major tournaments. Individual recognition included nominations in lists highlighting emerging talents from CONMEBOL and acknowledgement by European scouting networks similar to yearly lists by outlets covering UEFA competitions.

Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:Uruguayan footballers Category:Association football midfielders