Alfonso Montero Benia (born 23 February 2007) is a Uruguayan footballer who plays as a defender for Italian Serie A club Juventus.

Alfonso Montero
Personal information
Full name Alfonso Montero Benia[1]
Date of birth (2007-02-23) 23 February 2007 (age 17)
Place of birth Montevideo, Uruguay[1]
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
Juventus
Youth career
La Escalinata
2021–2022 Defensor Sporting
2023– Juventus
International career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022 Uruguay U17 1 (0)
2024– Uruguay U20 1 (0)

Early and personal life

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Montero was born in Montevideo, Uruguay to former Uruguay international footballer Paolo Montero. He is the grandson of fellow Uruguayan international Julio Montero Castillo.[2]

Club career

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Montero began his career with local Montevideo-based side La Escalinata[3] before joining professional club Defensor Sporting at the end of the 2020 season.[4] In February 2023, Montero moved to Italian club Juventus, the club his father had captained during his time as a player.[5] In September of the same year, he signed his first professional contract, keeping him with the club until 2026.[3]

At the age of sixteen, he made his debut for Juventus' Primavera (under-19) side, featuring in a 1–1 draw with Lazio in February 2024.[6] On 15 October 2024, he was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2007 worldwide.[7]

International career

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Montero was called up to the Uruguay under-17 side for the first time in August 2022.[4] He was called up again for the 2023 South American U-17 Championship, though did not feature as Uruguay were knocked out in the first stage.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Alfonso Montero at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ "Alfonso Montero, hijo de Paolo y jugador de la Sub17: "No me presiona llevar el apellido»" [Alfonso Montero, Paolo's son and player of the U17: "I don't feel pressured to bear the surname"]. mediospublicos.uy (in Spanish). 16 March 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Alfonso Montero, hijo de Paolo y nacido en 2007, firmó su primer contrato profesional con un grande de Italia" [Alfonso Montero, Paolo's son and born in 2007, signed his first professional contract with a big Italian club]. elpais.com.uy (in Spanish). 14 September 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  4. ^ a b Berardi, Sofía (14 August 2022). "Alfonso, hijo de Paolo Montero, fue citado a la selección uruguaya en una categoría más grande" [Alfonso, son of Paolo Montero, was called up to the Uruguayan national team in a higher category]. elpais.com.uy (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  5. ^ Morales, Gabriel (1 February 2023). "Juventus contrató a Alfonso Montero, hijo de Paolo" [Juventus signed Alfonso Montero, son of Paolo]. grupormultimedio.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Con la misma estampa de su padre Paolo, que lo dirige, debutó Alfonso Montero en la Primavera de Juventus" [With the same image as his father Paolo, who directs him, Alfonso Montero made his debut in Juventus' Primavera]. elobservador.com.uy (in Spanish). 5 February 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  7. ^ Christenson, Marcus; Bloor, Steven; Blight, Garry (15 October 2024). "Next Generation 2024: 60 of the best young talents in world football". theguardian.com. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Alfonso Montero lidera la lista de Uruguay para el Sudamericano sub'17" [Alfonso Montero leads Uruguay's list for the South American U-17]. swissinfo.ch (in Spanish). 8 March 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2024.