- Dreams of helping Uruguay return to a World Cup after missing out in 2023.
- La Celeste debuts against Ecuador on February 22.
Juan Manuel Iturriaga (02/15/1999) started playing beach soccer in 2020. He previously played as a left-back in Progreso’s third division (reserve team). He tried beach soccer and never looked back. He has already played twice in the CONMEBOL Libertadores Fútbol Playa and is now preparing for his first CONMEBOL Copa América™.
-What is Uruguay’s goal? -The goal is to take Uruguay back to the World Cup, the same objective that all 10 teams in this Copa América will have. We know there is one team slightly above the rest (Brazil), but I believe the other nine will fight to the death for those two spots.
-How did you get into beach soccer? -It was in 2020, and everything happened very quickly. I was playing 11-a-side football in Montevideo, and after finishing a season in the third division, a friend invited me to join some training sessions. I met the coach and started practicing. I trained with Malvín, Uruguay’s most successful club, alongside very experienced players with years on the national team. I had to show up every day, learn from my teammates, get a feel for the sport, understand its tricks, adapt to the sand, and learn how to fall without getting hurt. The best part was finishing training and jumping into the sea. That first tournament in January 2020, we became champions, and I earned a spot on the team. I was a newcomer to the sport, but I gave it my all. In my second year, I caught the attention of the national team. I trained with them for a few months. The team was preparing for the 2021 World Cup, and I was a sparring player in training. After Malvín, I played for Uruguay Montevideo and then moved to Peñarol.
A Physical Education student, "Mono" also played in two CONMEBOL Libertadores Fútbol Playa tournaments with Cerrito (also from Uruguay) and spent three months in 2024 playing in Europe, competing for teams in Spain and Italy.
-Beach soccer gives players the chance to travel and have incredible experiences. What does that mean to you personally, beyond the sport? -We never imagined having so many experiences thanks to this sport. When you start playing 11-a-side football, your dream is to reach the top division, play in front of packed stadiums, and build a club career. But with the national team, I’ve had the chance to see all of South America, travel with an incredible staff to top-level destinations. I could never have imagined—nor do I still fully grasp—the possibility of going to Seychelles. I’ve also traveled through Europe, competing with full responsibility while enjoying meeting people from all over the world. New stadiums, different cultures—that’s what stays with you.
-What will people enjoy the most about watching the CONMEBOL Copa América™ if they are not familiar with the sport? -Just as we players fall in love with the sport, I think fans do too. It’s easy because there are constant attacking plays, lots of goals, spectacular tricks, incredible players, bicycle kicks, volleys. Something that amazes me and is fantastic is the goalkeeper-player format—how influential the goalkeeper is on the team is just beautiful. And playing with music in the background? People ask, “How do you concentrate with the music playing?” Well, that’s part of it. It makes it unique, more fun.
-A personal dream for this tournament? -We have a very important team dream: qualifying for the World Cup. I want to bring my experience to the team to help achieve that—contributing defensive solidity and hopefully scoring a goal or two to secure qualification would be incredible. My family will be traveling with me, and celebrating a goal with them in the stands would be unforgettable.
Uruguay finished fifth in the last CONMEBOL Copa América Fútbol Playa™ and is in Group A alongside Chile, Colombia, Bolivia, and Ecuador, their first opponent on February
