Iván Román: Chile’s Promising Talent Eyes U-20 World Cup Success

Iván Román is a key player for La Roja heading into the U-20 World Cup in Chile, as reported by La Tercera. However, the Atlético Mineiro defender will miss the group stage due to a suspension from a red card he received in the final match of the South American Championship earlier this year.

Born in 2006 and trained at Palestino, Román signed his first professional contract at 16 and made his debut in 2023. Despite his youth, he gained significant playing time in the Chilean Primera División, Copa Chile, and other tournaments. In the 2024 Copa Libertadores, he became the youngest Chilean to score in the competition at 17 years and 48 days, securing a victory against Portuguesa. After 42 appearances with Palestino, he moved to Atlético Mineiro on a contract that lasts until 2029, gradually earning more playing time in the Brazilian league and Copa Sudamericana.

Román’s swift ascent has made him an important player in Nicolás Córdova’s squad. He began with Chile’s U-17s and later excelled with the U-20s during the South American tournament. This performance even led to his senior debut against Brazil at the Maracanã recently.

Though he will not be part of the group stage, Román hopes that Chile can progress so he can participate later in the tournament. Away from football, he is seen as an unusual modern player, avoiding social media and nightlife. He believes that mindset is crucial for success in football, stating, “It’s not always the most talented who make it, but those with the strongest mindset, those who make the best decisions. I’ve worked with my psychologist Enrique (Aguayo) since I was young,” he shared with La Tercera.