Manchester United have officially announced the signing of Paraguayan teenager Diego León from football club Cerro Porteño. The left-back joins the English top team on a long-term deal valued at approximately US$9.5 million, including performance-related add-ons. But who is this 18-year-old phenomenon from Paraguay?
Coming from modest beginnings
Diego Basilio León Blanco was born on April 3, 2007, in Colonia Yguazú, a small city in Paraguay’s Alto Paraná department. As the youngest of nine siblings, León grew up in a family of modest means.
His mother, Brigida Blanco, recounted a touching memory in a previous interview: “There were many times when we could not afford a football, so Diego would take a piece of clothing, roll it up, and play with that.”
A dream coming true
Despite these hardships, young Diego León remained steadfast in his dream of becoming a professional footballer. “One day I am going to play for Cerro,” he would often tell his mother. At the age of 10, he joined Paraguayan top club Cerro Porteño indeed, and embarked on a determined path through the club’s youth academy.
Coaches quickly recognised his outstanding talent, and he consistently distinguished himself among his peers. León made his senior debut for Cerro Porteño on August 2, 2024, making an immediate impact by scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Sportivo Ameliano.
His performance earned him the Paraguayan Football Association’s Player of the Month award for July 2024, a rare accomplishment, considering his official debut was in August; the match against Sportivo Ameliano had been postponed from the previous month.
Diego León: A Paraguayan prodigy
León was also acknowledged by the CIES Football Observatory (International Centre for Sports Studies), which included him in their list of the “Top 10 Young Revelations of the Year” for 2024, placing him fourth among all Under-18 players worldwide.
Despite his young age, León now already possesses considerable first team experience, having made 33 appearances for Cerro Porteño, scoring four goals. He has also played regularly for Paraguayan national Under-20 team, earning nine caps and netting once.
Diego León’s journey, from fashioning makeshift footballs from clothing, to signing for one of the world’s most illustrious clubs, serves as a strong reflection of his determination and exceptional ability. According to his eldest brother, Hernán, one of Diego’s first goals is “to build a house for our parents.”
Prospects at Manchester United
Originally playing as a winger, León’s offensive instincts continue to shine through in his role as a left-back, where he frequently pushes forward to support attacks.
His former manager, Manolo Jiménez, who has overseen the development of top players such as Sergio Ramos (former Real Madrid, now C.F. Monterrey in Mexico) and Jesús Navas (former Sevilla, now retired), described León as “a powerhouse”, with “immense potential and remarkable physical strength.”
Although León is not expected to shine in Manchester United’s first team immediately, the club intends to evaluate his readiness upon arrival. The youngster is anticipated to start with the Under-21 squad, in order to adapt to English football, but there is optimism about his rapid progression. It appears only a matter of time before León makes his debut for the Paraguayan national team. Last month, the Albirroja suffered a hard-fought defeat against Brazil, but remains well-positioned to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
“From Paraguay to the world”
Upon the confirmation of his transfer, Diego León expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm on his social media:
‘I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to defend such a great badge as Manchester United. I promise to give my best every day; in training, on the pitch, and off it. Thank you to the club for the trust, and to my family for always being by my side. I hope to bring a lot of joy to all the Manchester United fans and everyone who supports me on this journey. One more goal achieved. From Paraguay to the world. Let’s go Red Devils!”
Stepping into big footsteps
Diego León now stands among other talented Guaraní players who have pursued greatness in the Premier League, such as Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City), Diego Gómez (Brighton & Hove Albion), and Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United). Carrying not only the pride of his nation, but also the aspirations of many others who see their own potential reflected in his remarkable rise.
Follow the journey from Asunción to Manchester at Diego León’s Instagram.
