Esequiel Omar Barco (born 29 March 1999) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for Russian Premier League team Spartak Moscow.
Born in Villa Gobernador Gálvez, Barco began his career with Independiente. He was promoted to the first team and made his debut during the 2016–17 season. Barco played two seasons with Independiente before signing with American side Atlanta United in 2018. At the international level, Barco has represented Argentina at the under-20's.
Club career Independiente Born in Villa Gobernador Gálvez, Santa Fe, Barco joined Independiente's youth setup in 2015 from AA Jorge Bernardo Griffa. Promoted to the first team by manager Gabriel Milito in July 2016, he signed his first professional contract later that month.
Barco made his first team – and Primera División – debut on 28 August 2016, coming on as a second-half substitute for Jesús Méndez in a 1–0 away win against Belgrano. He scored his first professional goal on 11 September, netting the last in a 2–0 home defeat of Godoy Cruz.
Barco finished his first senior season with four goals in 30 league appearances. As a starter during the 2017 Copa Sudamericana, he scored the equalizer in the second leg of the Final against Flamengo through a penalty kick.
Atlanta United On 19 January 2018, Barco joined Major League Soccer club Atlanta United as a designated player. The transfer fee paid by Atlanta United was reported to be $15 million, an MLS record. Barco made his debut for Atlanta United on 15 April 2018 in a 2–2 draw against New York City FC, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute for Kevin Kratz. He scored his first goal for the club on 5 May 2018 against the Chicago Fire. He scored the opening goal as Atlanta United won 2–1.
Barco was on the bench for Atlanta United during MLS Cup 2018 against the Portland Timbers. He came on as a substitute in the first minute of second-half stoppage time as Atlanta United won 2–0. Barco then won his second trophy with Atlanta United when the club won 3–2 over América in the Campeones Cup, coming on as a late second-half substitute. A couple of weeks later, on 27 August, Barco was a starter in the U.S. Open Cup final against Minnesota United, helping his side win 2–1.
River Plate On 30 January 2022, Barco joined Argentine Primera División side River Plate on loan with an option to make the move permanent at the end of 2022 or 2023. On 10 February 2023 it was announced that Barco's loan to River Plate would become permanent on 1 January 2024.
Spartak Moscow On 25 July 2024, Barco signed a three-year contract with Spartak Moscow in Russia. On 5 October 2026, Barco's contract with Spartak was extended to June 2030.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsIndependiente2016–17Argentine Primera División3041040—3542017–18Argentine Primera División8120123—224Total38530163—578Atlanta United2018Major League Soccer26421—503352019Major League Soccer1543050302642020Major League Soccer152—40—1922021Major League Soccer257—3110298Total8117511219010719River Plate (loan)2022Argentine Primera División3533072—4552023Argentine Primera División417203110478River Plate2024Argentine Primera División201206010291Total9611701632012114Spartak Moscow2024–25Russian Premier League271292——36142025–26Russian Premier League29880——3782026–27Russian Premier League5100—1061Total6121172—107923Career total2765432344712036464
Honours Independiente Copa Sudamericana: 2017
Atlanta United MLS Cup: 2018 U.S. Open Cup: 2019 Campeones Cup: 2019
River Plate Argentine Primera División: 2023 Trofeo de Campeones: 2023 Supercopa Argentina: 2023
Spartak Moscow Russian Cup: 2025–26
Individual MLS All-Star: 2018, 2019 Russian Premier League Player of the Month: March 2026.
References
External links