Manuel Ugarte: The Dynamic Uruguayan Midfield Star

Manuel Ugarte is an explosive and dynamic midfield powerhouse, who dictates play from the middle of the park as a midfield enforcer and he is one of the sort-after young players in the world. He is an elite blend of a Busquet and Casemiro playing style.

He has played alongside world-class talents such as Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. At Sporting he learned from playing alongside Matheus Nunes and Joao Palhinha.

As he continues to perform on the global stage, Footballers’ Biographies will continue to bring you the adventures of this dynamic Uruguayan midfielder enforcer.

Player Profile – Manuel Ugarte Ribeiro

Manuel Ugarte is a talented Uruguayan footballer who plays as a central midfielder for PSG and the Uruguayan national team. Starting with Club Atlético Fénix, he moved to CA River Plate in Argentina in 2020, where he impressed and earned a call-up to Uruguay’s senior national team.

Ugarte has played for Fenix in Uruguay, Famalicão and Sporting CP in Portugal and Paris Saint-Germain in France. He debuted internationally in September 2021 against Bolivia. Known for his versatility and tactical acumen, Ugarte is seen as a rising star in South American football.

Player Profile Overview

Manuel Ugarte’s Early Life and Background

Manuel Ugarte Ribeiro was born on April 11, 2001, in Montevideo, Uruguay, a city renowned for its production of talented footballers.

Coming from a football-loving family, with his father having played at an amateur level, Ugarte was inspired from a young age to pursue the sport.

He joined the prestigious youth academy of CA Fénix, known for its role in developing promising young players. At the remarkably young age of 15, Ugarte signed his first professional contract with CA Fénix, marking the auspicious start of his professional football career.

First Glimpses of Manuel Ugarte’s Talent: Youth Academy Days

Manuel Ugarte, born in Montevideo, began his football career with City Park’s youth team before moving to Fénix’s youth setup. At just 15 years old, he was promoted to Fénix’s first team by manager Rosario Martínez. Soon after, he was included in the 30-man squad for the 2016 Copa Sudamericana.

Manuel Ugarte made his professional debut on December 4, 2016, coming on as a substitute in the 83rd minute during a 4-1 league victory over Danubio. At 15 years and 233 days old, he became the youngest player to play professionally in Uruguay in the 21st century. He initially played as a striker before transitioning to a midfielder.

Juan Ramón Carrasco gave Ugarte more playing opportunities at a young age, making him club captain at 18. Ugarte scored his first goal on March 10, 2019, in a 2-0 victory against Racing Club and made 14 appearances in the Uruguayan Primera División that season.

On October 29, 2020, he assisted Luciano Nequecaur’s goal in a 3-1 win over Huachipato during the first leg of the 2020 Copa Sudamericana. In total, Ugarte played 57 games for the club and scored one goal.

Manuel Ugarte’s European Adventure: From Famalicão to PSG

On December 29, 2020, Manuel Ugarte signed a five-year contract with Portuguese club Famalicão for €3 million, covering 80% of his economic rights.

He debuted in the Primeira Liga on January 17, 2021, in a 2–0 win against Santa Clara, and scored his first goal for the club on February 21 in a 1–0 victory over Rio Ave.

Initially not a starter, Ugarte eventually secured a regular spot under manager Ivo Vieira due to his versatility in midfield. His contributions were significant as Famalicão narrowly missed qualifying for the Europa Conference League.

Ugarte Signs For Sporting CP

Manuel Ugarte signed a five-year contract with Sporting CP for €6.5 million, acquiring half of his economic rights. The Uruguayan made his debut for the club on August 14, replacing João Palhinha in the 92nd minute of a 2–1 away win against Braga in the Primeira Liga.

Due to his impressive performances and injury to Palhinha, manager Rúben Amorim entrusted him with a starting berth in the Derby de Lisboa. He played alongside Matheus Nunes, Goncalo Inacio and Pedro Porro in a 3-1 away victory over Benfica.

Ugarte scored his first goal for Sporting on January 2, 2022, in a 2–1 home victory over his former club Famalicão. He stepped up as a starter following Palhinha’s injury.

Manuel Ugarte’s impressive performances and quick adaptation earned him praise and more regular playtime, threatening Palhinha’s starting position.

In the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League group stage, Ugarte led with the most combined tackles and interceptions at 34, including 12 tackles in a 3–0 away win against Eintracht Frankfurt.

After dropping to the Europa League due to their third-place finish in the Champions League group stage, Ugarte performed admirably in Midtjylland and impressed as Sporting CP knocked out London club Arsenal before eventually losing to Juventus in the quarter-finals.

Moving to Paris Saint-Germain

During an interview with the Portuguese newspaper Record on June 15, 2023, Ugarte confirmed his move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). On July 7, 2023, PSG officially announced that Ugarte had signed a five-year contract, keeping him at the club until June 30, 2028.

The transfer fee was reported to be €60 million, with PSG activating Ugarte’s release clause. He made his debut for PSG on August 12 in a 0-0 draw against Lorient at the Parc des Princes.

In August 2023, Ugarte was nominated for the UNFP Player of the Month award alongside two others. He made an impressive start in Ligue 1, recording 41 ball recoveries in his first four matches, the highest in the league at that point.

Since the 2006–07 season, only current Juventus manager Thiago Motta, formerly of PSG, had bettered this statistic with 47 recoveries.

Ugarte’s performances in August and September were highly praised, with Le Parisien and L’Équipe hailing him as a standout player for PSG early in the season, describing him as a “revelation.”

His impressive performances for PSG earned him a call-up to the national team to play at the 2024 Copa America taking place in the United States of America.

Manuel Ugarte’s International Career

Manuel Ugarte began his international career with Uruguay at the under-20 level with five caps and was selected by head coach Gustavo Ferreyra for Uruguay’s under-23 squad in the 2020 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament.

Throughout the competition, he featured prominently, playing in seven out of nine matches. His notable contribution came with a goal in a crucial 1–1 draw against Brazil during the final stage, which helped Uruguay secure a third-place finish in the tournament.

Ugarte was included in Uruguay’s preliminary squad of 35 players for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Argentina and Bolivia on 5 March 2021.

However, CONMEBOL suspended these matches the following day due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. He later made his debut for the senior team on 5 September 2021, entering as a substitute in the 70th minute during Uruguay’s 4–2 victory over Bolivia.

Manuel Ugarte also represented Uruguay at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, playing alongside Rodrigo Bentancur, Facundo Pellistri and Darwin Nunes. However, the South Americans were knocked out in the group stage despite being tipped to progress from the group.

Manuel Ugarte’s Playing Style and Strengths

Manuel Ugarte, a midfielder known for his versatility, typically plays as a central midfielder. His playing style is characterized by excellent ball control, vision, and tactical awareness.

Ugarte is adept at distributing the ball with precise passes, both short and long-range, and is known for his ability to dictate the tempo of the game from midfield.

He is also recognized for his defensive contributions, often intercepting passes and breaking up opposition plays effectively. Ugarte’s work rate and ability to cover ground make him a valuable asset in both offensive and defensive phases of the game.

Comparisons With Other Football Greats

Manuel Ugarte has been compared with Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey as they share similar qualities like excellent tackling, efficient passing, dribbling, and aerial ability.

However, Partey is more tactically astute and focuses on counter-attacks and feeding wingers, while Ugarte is a more aggressive ball-hunting player.

A more fitting comparison for Manuel Ugarte is former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho. The Brazilian is known for relentless tackling, creative passing, perfectly timed tackles and impactful play against low blocks.

No matter which football elite he has been compared to, it speaks volumes of the talent and potential of the Uruguayan midfielder.

Influences and Idols

Manuel Ugarte has said he draws inspiration from players like Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets and Manchester United midfield star Casemiro. He has studied their playing styles as part of his ongoing quest to refine and improve his own game on the field.

Manuel Ugarte’s Personal Life and Interests

Manuel Ugarte Ribeiro has a diverse range of interests and activities outside of football. He enjoys playing video games in his leisure time, with FIFA being one of his preferred choices.

Fluent in Spanish, he is also learning Portuguese to enhance communication with his teammates in Portugal. Active on social media, Ugarte regularly engages with fans, sharing updates about both his career and personal life.

Beyond football and gaming, Ugarte is deeply involved in charitable endeavors, contributing to various community initiatives in his hometown of Montevideo.

Conclusion

Manuel Ugarte Ribeiro has swiftly risen through the ranks of Uruguayan and European football, showcasing his talents as a formidable defensive midfielder.

From his beginnings at Fénix’s youth academy to his successful stints at Famalicão, Sporting CP, and now Paris Saint-Germain, Ugarte has consistently impressed with his skill, dedication, and ability to adapt to top-tier competition.

As a promising player for both club and country, his career continues to evolve, with fans and pundits alike eager to see his future achievements on the field.