The recent case of Luca Scarlato, who left River Plate without signing a professional contract to move abroad under the legal mechanism of “patria potestad,” has led the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to implement a new restriction affecting youth national teams. Under Argentine law, this mechanism allows minors to leave their clubs with parental authorization before signing a professional contract. According to the federation, players who choose this route will no longer be considered for call-ups to Argentina’s youth selections, with the stated goal of protecting the investment made by domestic clubs in player development.
The decision applies to all youth players who leave Argentine clubs using this legal framework. Javier Méndez Cartier, president of Excursionistas and an AFA official involved with the Under-20 and Under-23 teams, explained that the measure was approved by AFA president Claudio Tapia together with the Executive Committee. He stated that defending the interests of training clubs is a priority and that players who leave in this manner will not be eligible for youth national teams.
AFA officials argue that youth development involves long-term investment beyond football training, including education, housing, medical care, nutrition, and social support. When a player departs before signing a professional deal, clubs lose both a potential first-team player and any possibility of recovering their investment.
In Scarlato’s case, River Plate confirmed that it contacted European clubs to which the player had been offered, requesting that no transfer be completed. Among them, AC Milan formally informed River that it would not pursue the signing, a position also adopted by AS Roma and several other European clubs.
The federation’s stance is not unprecedented. In September 2025, Ian Subiabre was advised that participation in the Under-20 World Cup would depend on finalizing his professional contract with River Plate. After reaching an agreement, he went on to represent Argentina in the tournament.
According to official information, the restriction will come into effect in upcoming youth national team cycles and will apply to all players who leave Argentine clubs through this legal mechanism.
River Plate youth football coordinator Gabriel Rodríguez confirmed that Scarlato, 16, would leave the club after failing to agree on his first professional contract. A regular youth international and captain of his age group, Scarlato is expected to continue his career in Italy, with initial interest reported from Parma and previous contact with Inter.
Rodríguez described the situation as part of a growing trend in which European clubs recruit Argentine talents before they reach adulthood. He added that negotiations with Scarlato’s family had been ongoing for several months, including direct involvement from club president Jorge Brito, but ultimately did not result in an agreement.
Scarlato captained River’s youth teams for four consecutive years and was part of the squad that won the UC Under-16 Cup in Chile. His departure adds to a list of young players leaving Argentine academies, as the AFA seeks to reinforce protections for domestic player development through new regulatory measures.
