“Your dribbling is really impressive. Who are the players you have tried to emulate when developing these skills?” “Improving my dribbling has been one of my main goals, as I want to be able to use these tricks and feints effectively in every game. Players like Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are the ones I really admire when it comes to dribbling,” Barko said, speaking to the Spartak Moscow club website. “The way these guys can manipulate the ball, change direction and beat defenders is just incredible to watch. I really tried to study their movements and techniques when I progressed through the youth ranks. There is so much I can learn from watching how they use their dribbling to create chances and unbalance the opposition.”
Barko joined Spartak Moscow in the summer after making a name for himself in his native Argentina with Boca Juniors. The 21-year-old winger has quickly established himself as an exciting prospect with his agile dribbling and flair on the ball. “I feel like I was lucky enough to have good natural coordination and ball control from a young age. But of course, that’s just the starting point. I’ve spent countless hours working on my touch, my changes of pace, my body feints – all the little details that make a dribbler really effective,” he explained. “You can see players like Messi, Neymar and Mbappe, they always have complete control of the ball, even when they’re running at full speed or being marked from close range. That’s the level I aspire to.” I know I have the raw ability, but it's about refining those skills and developing the decision-making to use them at the right time in matches."
Barko said he tries to analyse how the world's best dribblers organise their movements and create space. "They make it look easy, but I'm sure there's a lot of calculation and anticipation that goes into it. I always try to pick up little tricks and nuances by watching them play." The young Argentinian stressed that while his dribbling is a strong point, he is also working hard to improve other aspects of his game. "These days, you can't just focus on one talent. The best players have to be complete and versatile attackers. So I focus a lot on my passing, my finishing, my movements off the ball – everything that will make me a more dangerous and unpredictable attacker."
Barko is excited about the opportunity to continue his development at Spartak Moscow and test himself against the best defenders in the Russian Premier League. “It’s a big step for me to come to Europe. But I feel ready for the challenge. I know I have to keep pushing myself to improve every day if I want to reach the elite level.” He concluded by saying that while he prides himself on his dribbling ability, he’s not content to rely on that alone. “My goal is to become a player who can influence the game in multiple ways: scoring goals, creating chances, connecting the play. Dribbling is just one part of my arsenal. I still have a lot of work to do.”
Barko has certainly had an interesting career path to get to this point. Before joining Spartak Moscow this summer, the young Argentinian winger spent the second half of 2023 in his home country, playing for prestigious club River Plate. Prior to his stint in Argentina, Barko plied his trade in Major League Soccer with Atlanta United. He spent a few seasons in the United States, gaining valuable experience at the senior level. By all accounts, he really started to assert himself during the 2023 MLS campaign, contributing 2 goals and 7 assists in 28 appearances across all competitions. “Those two years in MLS were huge for my development,” Barko said.
“It’s a very demanding and physical league, and I had to adapt my game to that style of play. But I was also able to show my skills and creativity with the ball, which I think is one of my biggest strengths.” Barko’s strong performances with Atlanta seemed to attract the attention of clubs in South America, and he eventually decided the time was right to return home and join a prestigious club like River Plate. “It was a dream of mine to one day play for River Plate. They have such a rich history and a passionate fan base. I was really excited to test myself at that level.” He was able to make 28 appearances for River Plate in the first half of 2024 before Spartak Moscow came calling with a tempting offer to bring him to Europe. “I knew it was a huge opportunity, to come to a club with the stature and ambitions of Spartak. I felt ready for the challenge of playing in one of the best leagues in Europe."
According to transfer rating website Transfermarkt, Barko's market value was estimated at around €9m when Spartak signed him. "It was really encouraging to see that the experts thought I deserved that kind of fee. It showed that my performances, first in MLS and then with River Plate, had started to attract attention." Now at Spartak, the 21-year-old winger will be eager to take the next step in his development and showcase his skills against the best defenders in the Russian Premier League. He is clearly a talented player with plenty of experience under his belt, so the move to Europe could be a fantastic opportunity for him to really assert himself on the world stage. "I know the Russian league is going to be a big test, but I'm really looking forward to it," said Barko. "The quality of the teams and players is extremely high. It will push me to raise my game even higher."
One of Barko’s main strengths is his exceptional dribbling ability. During his time in MLS and with River Plate, he has built a reputation for his quick feet, creative flair and ability to beat defenders one-on-one. “I’ve always had a natural talent for dribbling, even from a young age. But I’ve also worked really hard to perfect those skills: the close control, the change of pace, the body feints. Looking at players like Messi, Neymar and Mbappé, you can see how important those skills are at the highest level,” he explained.
