Dario Sarmiento
Argentine footballer.
Darío Sarmiento is a promising Argentine footballer who is contracted to Manchester City. Born on March 29, 2003, Sarmiento began his professional career with Estudiantes in Argentina. He made his first-team debut for Estudiantes at the age of 16, becoming one of the youngest players to feature for the club. His performances caught the attention of Manchester City, who signed him in July 2021. However, Sarmiento's time at City was short-lived, as he was immediately loaned out to Girona in Spain for the 2021-22 season. After his loan spell, Sarmiento returned to Argentina, joining Tigre in July 2024.
Throughout his young career, Sarmiento has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly as a winger, and has been touted as one of Argentina's most exciting prospects. His journey so far has taken him across different leagues and countries, showcasing his adaptability and potential.
Early life & youth football
Sarmiento's early life and youth career were primarily spent in Argentina. He joined Estudiantes's youth academy at a young age, quickly progressing through the ranks due to his exceptional talent. Sarmiento's skills were evident from an early stage, and he stood out among his peers in the youth teams. His rapid development led to his promotion to the Estudiantes first team at just 16 years old, a testament to his precocious ability. This early exposure to professional football was crucial in shaping Sarmiento's development, allowing him to gain valuable experience against seasoned professionals while still in his formative years. His performances in the youth teams and early first-team appearances laid the foundation for his subsequent move to Manchester City.
Professional career
Darío Sarmiento's professional career began at Estudiantes, where he had been part of the youth academy since 2009. He made his first-team debut on October 5, 2019, at the age of 16, becoming the club's second-youngest debutant. Sarmiento quickly established himself as a promising talent, making 18 appearances for Estudiantes in the Primera División over two seasons. His performances at Estudiantes caught the attention of Manchester City, and on April 30, 2021, Estudiantes announced that Sarmiento would join the English club on July 1, 2021, for a reported initial fee of £5.
2 million. This transfer marked a significant milestone in Sarmiento's young career, moving from Argentina to one of Europe's top clubs. Shortly after joining Manchester City, Sarmiento was loaned out to Girona in Spain for the 2021-22 season. Girona, also owned by the City Football Group, provided Sarmiento with an opportunity to gain experience in European football.
During his loan spell, he made nine appearances in the Segunda División, although he didn't manage to score any goals. Following his loan at Girona, Sarmiento returned to Manchester City for the 2023/24 season. However, instead of breaking into the first team, he was assigned to Manchester City's Elite Development Squad (EDS) and Academy team. This move was likely aimed at further developing Sarmiento's skills and adapting him to English football.
Playing for Manchester City's U21 team in the 2023/24 season allowed Sarmiento to continue his development in a competitive environment. The Premier League 2 and other youth competitions provided him with regular playing time and the opportunity to showcase his abilities.
National team
Regarding his international career, Sarmiento has represented Argentina at the youth level. While he has yet to make his senior debut for the national team, he has been involved with Argentina's youth setups.
Player’s style
Sarmiento's style of play is characterized by his technical skill, agility, and creativity on the ball. He is primarily deployed as a right-winger in a 4-3-3 formation, where he can best utilize his dribbling abilities and vision. Sarmiento possesses excellent close control and a low center of gravity, allowing him to navigate tight spaces and beat defenders in one-on-one situations. His first touch is particularly noteworthy, enabling him to quickly bring the ball under control and make intelligent passes to teammates.
While not known for his goalscoring prowess, Sarmiento excels in creating chances for others through his precise passing and ability to draw defenders out of position. His speed and acceleration make him a threat on counter-attacks, and he has shown the ability to deliver accurate crosses from wide areas. As he continues to develop, Sarmiento is expected to refine his decision-making and improve his physical strength to adapt to the demands of top-level football.