Franco Ibarra
FullnameFranco Gabriel Ibarra
Birth date28 April 2001 (age 25)
Birth placeTigre, Argentina
Height1.75 m
PositionDefensive midfielder
CurrentclubRosario Central
Clubnumber5
Youthyears 12010–2019
Youthclubs 1Argentinos Juniors
Years 12019–2021
Clubs 1Argentinos Juniors
Caps 111
Goals 10
Years 22021–2024
Clubs 2Atlanta United
Caps 253
Goals 20
Years 32023
Clubs 3→ Toronto FC (loan)
Caps 37
Goals 30
Years 42024
Clubs 4→ Rosario Central (loan)
Caps 430
Goals 40
Years 52025–
Clubs 5Rosario Central
Caps 531
Goals 51
Nationalyears 12019
Nationalteam 1Argentina U18
Club-update17:07, 21 December 2025 (UTC)

Franco Gabriel Ibarra (born 28 April 2001) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Rosario Central in the Argentine Primera División.

Club career

Argentinos Juniors

Ibarra arrived in Argentinos Juniors in 2010, aged nine.[1][2] He would go on to make over one hundred competitive appearances in their youth system.[1] Ibarra made his breakthrough into first-team football in December 2019, coming off the bench to replace Francis Mac Allister in a Primera División draw at home to Estudiantes.[3] June 2020 saw Ibarra sign a new contract that would last until December 2024.[4] His next appearance wouldn't arrive until 31 October 2020 against San Lorenzo, though the defensive midfielder would leave the match prematurely after receiving a red card; as he would again nine games later versus Boca Juniors; his final appearance.[3][5]

Atlanta United

On 22 February 2021, Ibarra signed with Major League Soccer club Atlanta United[6] with a release clause amounting to €1,700,000 and his contract is valid until 2026.

Toronto FC

In July 2023, Ibarra was loaned to Major League Soccer club Toronto FC for six months with Atlanta receiving $50,000 in General Allocation Money.[7] The loan comes as a result of a logjam with the U-22 initiative roster slots, with the returns of Erik Lopez and Edwin Mosquera, there were four U-22 players with only three allotted spots.[8]

International career

Ibarra represented Argentina's U18s at the 2019 COTIF Tournament.[1][9]

Career statistics

[3][10]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Argentinos Juniors2019–20Argentine Primera División100000000010
2021["nb" 1]1000000—00100
Total11000000000110
Atlanta United2021Major League Soccer16000—3[a]000190
202220020———220
202317010———180
Total53030003000590
Toronto FC (loan)2023Major League Soccer70———1[b]080
Career total71030003010780
  1. ^ Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League
  2. ^ Appearance in Leagues Cup

Honours

Rosario Central

References

  1. ^ "LOS 100 PARTIDOS DE IBARRA". Argentinos Juniors. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Franco Ibarra en Pasión Paternal: "Trabajo día a día para estar en la Primera"". Pasión Paternal. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  3. ^
  4. ^ "Argentinos Juniors, renueva Franco Ibarra". TODOmercadoWEB. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  5. ^ "San Lorenzo no pudo con Argentinos". El Diario de La Pampa. 31 October 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Atlanta United signs midfielder Franco Ibarra". Atlanta United FC. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  7. ^ "Toronto FC acquire midfielder Franco Ibarra on loan from Atlanta United". Toronto FC. July 10, 2023.
  8. ^ Usry, Rob (July 6, 2023). "Report: Atlanta United to loan out Franco Ibarra to get roster compliant". Dirty South Soccer
  9. ^ "Los elegidos para defender el título". Olé. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  10. ^ "Ficha Estadistica de FRANCO IBARRA". BDFA. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  1. ^ Soccerway counts Copa de la Liga Profesional appearances as league appearances.