Who is Julio Enciso? - Brighton's upcoming talent

The Paraguayan youngster is swiftly moving up the ranks.

Just two years separate the photographs, demonstrating how rapidly Enciso rose through the ranks to become the Guarani people's greatest hope for future greatness. Enciso's climb has been truly dizzying.

The forward lived with his parents, grandparents, and other family members in a single home in Caaguazu until a successful trial allowed him to relocate to Asuncion, the nation's capital, with Libertad.

In the club's younger divisions, Enciso had an instant impression and moved into a different position due to his remarkable ability in front of the goal.

After shining for Libertad over the past year, the 17-year-old forward has over 50 senior club appearances under his belt and is already a hot prospect.

Swift progress in football

Every football fan, regardless of age, has the ambition of meeting their idol. Julio Enciso, a wunderkind from Paraguay, has taken it a step further, though.

When Oscar Cardozo, a former star for Benfica, led Paraguay on their drive to the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals. Paraguay were nearly defeated by eventual champion Spain, the Libertad striker was just six years old.

Together with Cardozo, who is 21 years his senior and a member of the Libertad attacking line. Enciso, who is now 17 years old, was called up to the national team for the September World Cup qualifiers.

Enciso hasn't turned back since then. He scored against Jorge Wilstermann of Bolivia in 2020 to become (at the time) the youngest player to ever score in the Copa Libertadores.

In 2021, he was called up to the Paraguayan team for the Copa America, where he was the competition's youngest player and made his fourth-youngest debut ever when he came in for Gabriel Avalos during their victory over Bolivia.

Enciso will have the honour of playing on the same pitch as not one, but two living Paraguay icons when the 2022 season begins because ex-Manchester City star Roque Santa Cruz, 40, secured a transfer from Olimpia at the end of 2021.

Soon to become a regular starter for Brighton Hove & Albion

Enciso signed a four-year deal and moved to Premier League team Brighton & Hove Albion on June 17, 2022, for a cost of £9.5 million with potential add-on fees. On August 24, he made his debut for Brighton, featuring 80 minutes of the 3-0 EFL Cup second-round victory away at League One's Forest Green Rovers, where he was credited with an assist on Steven Alzate's long-range strike.

On October 29, Enciso earned his Premier League debut, replacing Adam Lallana in the 65th minute of Brighton's 4-1 victory over Chelsea at home.

Enciso, who will turn 19 in a month, has occasionally made an impression, most notably as a replacement in the 4-1 thrashing of Chelsea. Yet in the most recent Carabao Cup match at Charlton, he was disappointed.

The playing style of Julip Enciso

Enciso has been used by Libertad in a variety of roles and positions throughout the course of his brief career, thus he hasn't really been characterised by any one of them.

The roles he has played so far have highlighted certain strengths and flaws in his game more so than others. He is an attacker with some extremely impressive strengths as well as some obvious weaknesses.

Enciso moves incredibly quickly, and when that speed is combined with some clever movement, it always presents a threat behind a strong opposition backline.

But he also poses a significant threat between the other side's backline and midfield line, close to the penalty area, because of his technical skill. He doesn't just achieve this by moving quickly and quickly behind the defence.