The controversial case of Francisco Barido and Boca: abandonment of the club or new ‘abuse’ of parental authority?

Words Francesco Barido AND Mouth They began spreading rapidly on social media Wednesday evening. In the middle, the controversies. The talented number 10 of the Seventh Division will leave Xeneize, where he has been since he was five years old, to continue his career in Italy. The news ended there, although the debate began when the snag emerged He turned 16 on January 1st., which left him in a position to sign a contract. AS: Was it an oversight on the part of the club or a juvenile ‘abuse’ on the part of the parental authority in following the family’s decision?

With the departure of Valentine’s Day boat at Brighton in England due to the release clause still fresh among Boca fans and on the eve of Diego Martínez’s official debut as manager, the case of the player who had already had time in the Argentine youth team dominated the blue and gold scene.

The player fulfilled his 16 years last January 1st and He would exercise parental authority because he will move to Italy with the whole family. The club with which he is reportedly carrying out negotiations to continue his career is none other than Juventus. The precedent that would allow his departure thanks to the community passport is that of Benjamín Garré, when he left Vélez for Manchester City one day after reaching that age.

The reason that pushed him to exercise parental responsibility was that his parents, both physical education teachers, would have received a job offer that would have given them a better quality of life in that European country. In this context, and aware of the Turin team’s interest in young people, the family had no reason to prevent them from emigrating.

Indeed, Barido would already be headed to Italy to start the new stage of his life. Martina, his girlfriend, confirmed this. “Our great challenge begins, the one we have been talking about for a long time but we never thought it would come so quickly. I will be here to support you and wait for you, I have made all your dreams come true and I will be the happiest person of all”the girl wrote on her Instagram account.

The boy’s young age was not a reason why the news of his departure fell like a bomb inside Boca Predio. According to those who had the chance to see him play, He was considered one of the club’s greatest promises today.. It is no coincidence that he has always worn the number ’10’ shirt.

Furthermore, what worries Xeneize is not only the loss he will suffer from a footballing point of view, but also from an economic point of view: The midfielder born on January 1, 2008, despite being legitimately authorized to sign his first professional contract, never did so.. Therefore, his departure for Calcio would be at no cost and Boca would receive no money for the pass in addition to the corresponding training rights.

The minimum age that young players must reach to become professional footballers is 16 years. That means, Barido was allowed to sign his first contract and remain tied to Boca for 25 days. But the club where he will make his first signature will perhaps be the Vecchia Signora.

The young man, born in Adrogué, arrived at Boca at the age of five and, having finished his experience in baby football at the Cultural Mármol club, had already paved the way.

Since his arrival in the bluoro institution, Barido’s level has been on the rise. With the Boca shirt he demonstrated not only his qualities as a match, but also He has been called up to the Under 15 national team several times. There they also decided that he will wear the “10” and this is already evaluated as a projection towards Sub 17.

Likewise, Barido’s skill when he has the ball under his feet does not appear to be anything new for European clubs. During the Covid-19 pandemic, In Spain they even classified him as the “new Messi” after the interest that Barcelona had shown in him became public.

Furthermore, what allows the boy’s qualities to be further enhanced is his position: It has characteristics worthy of old hooks, those that are already in short supply in modern football. His trademark is trampling the ball with his blocks, with a style inherited from baby football, and he has no difficulty leaving opponents on the path with a simple movement. Furthermore, he stands out for his free throws.

Cases like Barido’s are increasingly frequent in Argentine football. To find a precedent it is not necessary to go back very far in time. The thing is In 2020, at the age of 16, Matías Soulé left the Vélez youth team to also join Juventus. He now wears the colors of Frosinone on loan, where he has scored 9 goals this season.

The same fate that befell Fortín seems to be the one that will befall Boca this time, who will not be able to afford the luxury of seeing the young hitch shine in the Bombonera. Meanwhile, the Old Lady fans are rubbing their hands, hoping to see a new talent wear their shirt.