Exclusive interview
Club Libertad’s Julio Enciso is one of the five most valuable players born in 2004. In June, the 17-year-old became the player with the highest ever market value in Paraguay’s Primera División since the league was officially included in the Transfermarkt database.
The winger’s market value jumped to an impressive €5.5 million as part of the Copa América market value update (to the update). “The market value is Club Libertad’s issue,” Enciso said when asked about the record. “I am happy with playing and progressing day by day. Of course, I am proud that I am being noticed as it means that my hard work pays off.
“Julio Enciso is one of the latest gems coming out of Paraguay with bags of experience to his name at the tender age of 17,” Paraguayan-American BeIn Sports football journalist Roberto Rojas said to Transfermarkt.
Enciso in the top 5 – The most valuable players born in 2004
Enciso can play multiple positions – “Immense pride” in playing for Paraguay
The winger has scored five goals and one assist in 17 games across all competitions. Enough to convince Paraguay head coach Eduardo Berizzo to include him in the 23-men squad for the Copa América, making him the fifth-youngest player to debut for his country.
“I feel immense pride,” Enciso said when asked about his inclusion in the squad. The winger was also quick to point out the importance of his parents Angelina and Luis, in his development. “They always supported me above all things.”
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But what sort of player is Enciso? Originally a winger, Enciso has seen his game evolve since he broke into the first team. According to Louis Smith from The Paraguay Football Blog, Libertad head coach Daniel Garnero has slowly turned Enciso into an all-out striker. “Enciso is a pacy winger with the ability to change direction and an eye for goal, Enciso has all the potential to be one of the future stars from South America for club and country,” Rojas said.
©Prensa Club Libertad – Julio Enciso in action for Club Libertad
Smith describes Enciso as a player with a high work-rate, who runs at opponents’ backlines, forcing defenders into mistakes. As a result, the 17-year-old is comfortable in a high-pressing style and when his team sits deep against better opponents.“I consider myself an attacker,” Enciso said when asked about his role. “I can play all positions in the front but also just behind the attacking line.”
Enciso “would like to play in Europe” – 5th youngest player in Paraguay’s history
Those attributes make him a hot prospect for Europe’s top teams. “I would like to play in Europe. That is my aim, and that is what my representative Pedro Aldave and I are working towards,” Enciso said when asked about his next step. “Getting his national team debut as the fifth-youngest player ever to play for La Albirroja, Enciso looks to be someone that could indeed make that jump to a more competitive league very soon if he keeps his consistency up,” Rojas added.
On the pitch, Enciso feels that he can still improve every area of his game. “I want to improve game situations, but both my country and the club team are giving me plenty of opportunities to work on this both in practice and during games.” Off the pitch, Enciso has been busy learning English in anticipation of a move to Europe further down the line.
Before heading to Europe, Enciso knows that he has to keep working hard. “It is normal that there is transfer noise,” the forward said. “First, I have further to prove myself at Libertad and the national team.”
Enciso: Playing with Cardozo & Almirón is “dream come true”
Enciso also considers himself lucky to play with players like Óscar Cardozo. The 38-year-old is one of the most experienced players in Paraguayan football and, like Enciso, represented by Aldave.
“Cardozo has already gone through everything in his career, and he guides me on and off the field,” Enciso said about the striker. “Cardozo brings us his experience, wisdom, and little secrets. He is a relentless scorer and also is a great person; I am happy to have him by my side.”
Copa América: The 25 most valuable players after the update
The 38-year-old Paraguay legend is one player Enciso looks up to; another is Newcastle United star Miguel Almirón. “He is one of my teammates, and it is a dream come true to play with him.” Almirón, of course, took the path via Major League Soccer before becoming the second most expensive Paraguayan in history when he joined the Magpies from Atlanta at the beginning of 2019. With Enciso learning English, there have been some rumors that he could also take a path via MLS.
Sources, however, have told Transfermarkt that they would be surprised to see Enciso ending up in another South American league or MLS. They believe he is a generation talent who could go to a European top league right away.
