Richard Rios: Why Man Utd have honed in on Colombia’s unsung Copa America hero

Rios was born in Vegachi, a town in the Colombian region of Antioquia, where opportunities for young people were scarce. Sport would quickly become a healthy outlet for Rios, as he showed an early aptitude for futsal, the more fast-paced version of football generally played indoors or on street courts with just five players to a team.

Futsal has been a starting point for a number of superb technical players in South America over the years, from Pele to Ronaldinho, and Rios was also able to set himself apart from his peers, eventually earning a spot at professional futsal side Alianza Platanera aged just 16. He helped Alianza win the Colombia Liga Arsos – the most prestigious futsal tournament in the country – which served as a springboard to bigger things.

 

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Colombia called Rios up to their squad for CONMEBOL’s Under-20 Futsal Championship in 2018, and his performances drew praise from a number of Brazilian football scouts. The talented youngster was advised to attend Flamengo’s academy trials, and didn’t hesitate for a second. “I left everything in Colombia and came with a backpack (to Brazil) to fulfil my dream,” Rios said when reflecting on his humble beginnings.

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  The big break

  Rios’ dream came to fruition, as he was officially brought into the Flamengo ranks in July 2019, with the Colombian youngster putting pen to paper on his first professional football contract. He would go on to make his senior debut just six months later, in a Campeonato Carioca clash with Vasco da Gama, but had to bide his time for his next appearance.

  The Flamengo squad was hit with a Covid outbreak in September, which allowed Rios to get his first taste of action in the Brazilian Serie A against Palmeiras. It did not lead to a regular role in the team, however, and Rios took the decision to join Mexican outfit Mazatlan in a bid to fast-track his development.

  Luck continued to elude Rios, though, as he tore his knee ligaments just six games into his stint with Mazatlan. He spent the next seven months on the sidelines, and upon his return to Flamengo, he was told his contract would be terminated.

  That would have been a devastating blow for most young players, but it only served to strengthen Rios’ resolve, and he accepted a move to Brazilian second division Guarani in a bid to get his fledging career back on track. There he soon became a key player, scoring his first senior goal against Club Regatas in October 2022, and a second chance in the top flight presented itself ahead of the 2023 season.

  Palmeiras handed Rios a three-year contract, and he impressed head coach Abel Ferreira right from the off, with one of his standout performances coming in 3-0 win over Fortaleza in the first leg of a last-16 Copa do Brasil tie. “He’s a good player who helps us,” Ferreira said after the game, which saw Rios net the third goal. “When I look at a player it isn’t just about his technique, it’s about tactics, physicality, mentality and character. He has a good character.”

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    How it’s going

    Palmeiras ended up winning the 2023 league title, with Rios featuring in all but one of their matches. Real Madrid-bound teenager Endrick took most of the plaudits, but Rios was just as important to their triumph, and he also earned his first call-up to the Colombia national team as a result.

    Rios made substitute appearances in three of Colombia’s opening five 2026 World Cup qualification games, and he got his maiden start in a 3-2 friendly win against Romania in March – an occasion he marked with an assist. Manager Lorenzo had taken a liking to Rios, and after seeing him go on and make a strong start to the 2024 campaign at Palmeiras, he drafted the midfielder into his Copa America squad.

    Colombia warmed up for the tournament with a 5-1 friendly win against the United States, with Rios among the scorers, which set the tone for what was to come. The midfielder was the Tricolor’s driving force at the Copa as he started all six of their games.

    Lorenzo’s side finished top of their group ahead of Brazil before thumping Panama 5-0 in a one-sided quarter-final that saw Rios score one of the best goals of the tournament. He found the bottom corner with a beautifully placed, first-time shot from 25 yards to all but wrap up the victory, pouncing on a loose ball while Panama protested in vain for a free-kick on the edge of the box.

    Rios was also colossal in a bad-tempered semi-final match-up with Uruguay as Colombia ground out a 1-0 win amid ugly scenes in the stands. Crowd trouble also overshadowed the showpiece against Argentina, who ultimately retained their title thanks to an extra-time winner from Lautaro Martinez, but Colombia could still hold their heads up high, and Rios had proved beyond all doubt that he belongs at the highest level.

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    Biggest strengths

    As per WhoScored, Rios completed 18 dribbles during the Copa America – more than any other player. The 24-year-old is an accomplished ball carrier, and he was a real threat for Colombia on the right of their midfield three as he bombed on whenever James moved into central positions.

    Rios is also adept at breaking up play, ranking third for ball recoveries in the midfield third at the Copa. He covered every blade of grass and his relentless pressing was a big reason for their success on the transition.

    “Richard Rios has not reached his ceiling,” Lorenzo said when quizzed on the Flamengo academy graduate’s impact. “He will grow a lot and will give us a lot.” Old Trafford might very well be the best place for Rios to unlock his full potential as he appears to boast all of the necessary attributes to thrive in the Premier League.

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    Room for improvement

    Rios does have one glaring weakness, however. His passing is very erratic, which will have to change if he is to become a complete central midfielder. Colombia had the lion’s share of possession against most of their opponents at the Copa, but Rios was guilty of giving it away cheaply and halting their momentum on a number of occasions.

    The Palmeiras talisman made 33 passes per 90 minutes, but only completed 84 percent of them. It appears, then, that he doesn’t possess the technical quality of a Kobbie Mainoo, who might end up being his midfield partner at Old Trafford, though that hasn’t put the Red Devils off.

    Under the guidance of a world-class coaching team, Rios can iron out the kinks in his game and be a real asset for United. His infectious energy and knack for winning the ball back have been invaluable to Colombia and Palmeiras, and he will only improve as he approaches the prime years of his career.

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    What comes next?

    Understandably, Palmieras are reluctant to lose another one of their prized assets, having already sanctioned the sales of teenage talents Estevao Willian and Luis Guilherme to Chelsea and West Ham, respectively, this summer. Rios is still under contract until 2026, which puts his current employers in a position of power in any negotiations with United.

    But the Red Devils have shown they mean business in this transfer window. Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee have already been snapped up for a combined fee of £88m ($113m) including add-ons, with the new INEOS ownership regime following through with their promise to prioritise deals for younger players.

    Palmeiras surely won’t stand in Rios’ way if United table an offer closer to his reported release clause of £82m ($106m). Old Trafford is a dream destination, and Rios has shown he’s an ambitious player with the choices he’s made up to now; it’s possible a deal could even be struck that sees Rios join the Red Devils at the end of the Brazilian season in December.

    But the bottom line is: United usually get their man in these situations. It’s likely Rios would settle in quickly, too, given the contingent of South American stars already at the club, which includes Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony.

    With all due respect to Palmeiras, Rios is destined for bigger things, as anyone who watched him at the Copa can attest to. And excitement for United’s new era will ramp up if he does make the jump into the European game.

    Source goal.com