Álvaro Barreal

Barreal began his career with Vélez Sarsfield.[1][2] Gabriel Heinze promoted the midfielder into the club's first-team squad at the beginning of 2018–19, selecting him for his professional debut on 2 September at La Bombonera against Boca Juniors; he was substituted on for Lucas Robertone with thirty-two minutes remaining.[1][3][4] He netted his first goal on 3 February 2019 against River Plate.[1]

Barreal (right) dueling with Gabriel Pereira of New York City FC during a 2022 FC Cincinnati match

On 2 September 2020, Barreal signed for Major League Soccer side FC Cincinnati.[5] He signed a three-year contract with a club option for a fourth year.[6] Reports out of Argentina listed the transfer fee in the range of $1.5 to 1.7 million for 75 percent of the player's rights, with Vélez Sarsfield retaining 25 percent of any future sale. Also noted was the potential of $250,000 additional for a set number of appearances.[7][8][9] Barreal made his debut on October 7 in a 3–0 defeat away to the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park, having replaced Frankie Amaya early in the second half.[1] Four further appearances, all as a starter, arrived in his first season with the American club.[1]

In September 2023, Barreal was nominated for the prestigious FIFA Puskás Award for his 71st minute goal scored against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals.[10] Barreal joined 10 other players on the shortlist for the world's "most beautiful goal" of the year.[10][11] He was the fourth active MLS player to be nominated for the award, and the first since a 2018 goal by Zlatan Ibrahimović for LA Galaxy.[12]