Marcelo Jesús Torrez Contreras (born 8 July 2006) is a Bolivian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for the under-20 team of Brazilian club Santos and the Bolivia national team.[1]

Marcelo Torrez
Personal information
Full name Marcelo Jesús Torrez Contreras
Date of birth (2006-07-08) 8 July 2006 (age 18)
Place of birth Villamontes, Bolivia
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
Santos U20
Youth career
Atlético Pilcomayo
2020–2022 Proyecto Bolivia 2022
2022– Santos
International career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023 Bolivia U17 4 (1)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:25, 27 August 2024 (UTC)

Club career

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Born in Villamontes, Tarija,[2] Torrez began his career with local side Club Atlético Pilcomayo before joining Proyecto Bolivia 2022, a project created to encourage the development of young Bolivian men's footballers, in 2020.[3] In 2021, he went on a trial at Santos, subsequently joining the club in the following year but being unable to sign a contract due to the FIFA rules over underage players.[4][5]

Torrez signed his first professional contract with Santos on 17 July 2024, shortly after his 18th birthday.[6]

International career

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Torrez represented the Bolivia national under-17 team at the 2023 South American U-17 Championship, making four appearances and scoring once in a 3–1 loss to Paraguay; he was also team captain of the side in the tournament.[2] On 19 August 2024, he was called up to the Bolivia national under-19 team for a period of trainings.[7]

On 23 August 2024, Torrez was included in Óscar Villegas' first call-up to the full side for two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Chile.[8][9]

References

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  1. ^ Marcelo Torrez at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Torrez, el villamontino del Santos y capitán de la Verde Sub-17" [Torrez, the villamontino from Santos and captain of la Verde under-17s] (in Spanish). El País. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Quién es Marcelo Torrez, el boliviano que es capitán en el Santos de Pelé y Neymar" [Who is Marcelo Torrez, the Bolivian who is a captain at Pelé and Neymar's Santos] (in Spanish). RedUno. 22 July 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Novo Miguelito? Boliviano do Santos é destaque na primeira rodada do Sul-Americano sub-17" [New Miguelito? Santos' Bolivian is a spotlight in the first round of the South American Under-17] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Gazeta Esportiva. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Marcelo Torrez: "Mis compatriotas en Santos son una gran ayuda"" [Marcelo Torrez: "My compatriots at Santos are of great help"] (in Spanish). El País. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Parceiro de Miguelito e Enzo, defensor boliviano Marcelo Torrez assina com o Santos" [Partner of Miguelito and Enzo, Bolivian defender Marcelo Torrez signs with Santos] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Peixe. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Defensor da base do Santos é convocado pela Seleção Boliviana Sub-19" [Defender of Santos' youth setup is called up for the Bolivia national under-19 team] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Peixe. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Villegas mezcla experiencia y juventud y presenta tres novedades en la Verde" [Villegas mixes experience and youth and present three news at la Verde] (in Spanish). Los Tiempos. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  9. ^ "El villamontino Torrez recibe su primera citación a la selección mayor" [The villamontino Torrez receives his first call-up to the senior national team] (in Spanish). El País. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.