Diego Leon: The “new Marcelo” begins his Manchester United journey

When asked about his footballing inspiration, Diego Leon doesn’t hesitate: Marcelo.

The young Paraguayan left-back, who just completed his move to Manchester United, has long modeled his game on the legendary Brazilian, aiming to emulate Marcelo’s blend of attacking flair and defensive grit.

“Hopefully, one day we can say he’s had a career similar to Marcelo’s—or perhaps one like Patrice Evra’s at United,” said his former coach Manolo Jimenez.

Just a year ago, Leon was an unheralded member of Cerro Porteno’s Under-17 squad.

But a defensive injury crisis in August forced coach Manolo Jimenez to make a bold call: hand the 17-year-old his senior debut in a top-flight clash against Sportivo Ameliano.

Leon seized the moment, scoring the match-winner with a powerful header. He found the net again the following week and was soon named player of the month by the coaches’ association.

“This is what every kid dreams of. I invite you all to dream. I’m a dreamer,” Leon said after his breakthrough.

Leon’s explosive pace and fearlessness on the ball quickly made him a fixture in Cerro’s first team.

His impact was so immediate that Jimenez had to fend off interest from European giants, including Arsenal and Manchester City. Ultimately, it was Manchester United’s long-term vision and determination that convinced Leon to make Old Trafford his next destination.

Leon’s journey is rare for Paraguayan footballers. Most move to other South American clubs before heading to Europe, but Leon follows in the footsteps of Diego Gavilan, the first Paraguayan to play in the Premier League, who also left Cerro for England.

Gavilan, who coached Leon at various youth levels, describes him as “a kid from the countryside with tremendous potential and great physical power”.

Growing up as the youngest of nine siblings in a modest family near the borders of Brazil and Argentina, Leon’s first ambition after signing for United is to build a house for his parents.

His brother Hernan revealed, “The first thing he wants to do is build a house for our parents.” Leon left home at 12 to join Cerro’s academy in Asuncion, determined to chase his dream.

Originally a left winger, Leon’s attacking instincts are no surprise. “He plays as a left-back, but he really enjoys getting forward, overlapping from his position to join the attack,” explained Hernan Acuna, Cerro’s head of scouting.

While his offensive qualities stand out, there’s still work to be done on his defensive discipline—a challenge United’s coaches will relish1.

Leon’s development has been shaped by Jimenez, who previously nurtured stars like Sergio Ramos and Jesus Navas. “He was a player in development, but I saw his strength and quality, so I took the chance on him. Physically, he’s a powerhouse,” Jimenez said.

Now, as Leon settles in Manchester, both United fans and South American football watchers will be eager to see if he can fulfill his “Marcelo” potential.

His transfer is a unique case for Cerro Porteno, with Leon joining United directly rather than via another South American club—a testament to his rare talent and the high hopes surrounding his future