Argentina have confirmed Claudio Echeverri has sustained a sprained ankle while playing at the South American U-20 Championship.

Echeverri, 19, is due to join Manchester City after the tournament in Venezuela, which concludes this weekend. The attacking midfielder has captained his country during the competition and led by example, scoring six goals and assisting another three across eight appearances.

However, it appears he will be unable to play in their final match of the competition against Paraguay on Sunday. Echeverri limped off during their penultimate game with Brazil and has been diagnosed with a grade-one sprain on his left ankle.

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The grade refers to the severity of ligament damage, with one a mild sprain caused by overstretching but not tearing a ligament. However, it is said to take a least a week to heal and up to three.

Such a timeline would further delay the player's debut. City signed Echeverri from River Plate for £12.5million in last year's winter transfer window but loaned him back out the the Buenos Aires-based club for the rest of 2024.

The sprain also seemingly ends his tournament and prevents the player from participating in their pivotal final match. Argentina and Brazil are both level with 10 points ahead of the final games, but Brazil have the edge on goal difference by a single goal.

Frustratingly for Echeverri, having put Argentina in front against Brazil with a first-half penalty, his team conceded eight minutes after his forced withdrawal and drew the match 1-1. They must match or better Brazil's result against Chile while winning by at least a goal more than their rivals to take the top spot due to having scored two more goals through their four matches.

Argentina have not won the South American U-20 Championship for a decade. Brazil, however, are the reigning champions and record 12-time winners.