In a year marked by twists and turns in South American football, Jorge Carrascal has emerged as one of the most dynamic figures on the continent. Born in the sweltering streets of Cartagena, Colombia, this 27-year-old carries the tenacity of someone who grew up dreaming of the pitch. With his sharp vision and unpredictable dribbling, he has become an essential player for Flamengo, particularly in the club’s historic victory in the 2025 Copa Libertadores. But who is this midfielder who, under the scorching sun of Lima, lifted the continental trophy for the second time in his career? Let us explore the journey of a talent that blends Colombian tradition with the fast-paced rhythm of Brazilian football.
Early Steps: From Cartagena to the European Dream
Jorge Andrés Carrascal Guardo was born on May 25, 1998, in Cartagena de Indias, a port city where the Caribbean Sea sets the rhythm of life. The son of a humble family, he traded street games for the youth ranks of CD Heroicos, a local club that served as a springboard to Millonarios, a powerhouse in Colombia’s capital. At the age of 16, in 2014, Carrascal was already playing for Millonarios in the Categoría Primera A. His initial appearances were modest—only three matches with no goals—but his unmistakable spark was evident.
Destiny called him to Europe in 2016. At just 18, he signed a five-year contract with Sevilla FC in Spain and was immediately loaned to the club’s reserve team, Sevilla Atlético, in the Segunda División. His time there was limited to a single appearance, but exposure to professional European football instilled discipline in him. “It was a new world, with intense training and constant pressure,” Carrascal later recalled in an interview. This brief stint on the Iberian Peninsula served as a prelude to a journey that would take him to four different countries, proving that talent knows no borders.
The Breakthrough in Ukraine: Discovering the Taste of Victory
His true awakening came in Ukraine, where he was loaned to Karpaty Lviv in July 2017. What began as a temporary move became a longer stay. In the 2017-18 season, he played 22 matches in the Ukrainian Premier League, scoring six goals and drawing attention with his speed and creativity in the attacking midfield. In April 2018, he was named the league’s Player of the Month, a recognition that resonated even in his native Colombia.
The following season, 2018-19, saw his goal tally drop to zero in 16 appearances, but the Ukrainian period was formative nonetheless. “There, I learned to cope with the cold, homesickness, and the responsibility of being a foreigner who has to prove himself twice over,” he confided. This resilience prepared him for his next chapter: a loan to River Plate in Argentina in 2019. Under Marcelo Gallardo, Carrascal made his debut with a goal against Argentinos Juniors and, across 10 matches, contributed two goals. River Plate won the Primera División in 2021, and after becoming a permanent signing in 2020, he made 44 league appearances and scored three goals. It was at the Monumental de Núñez that he first experienced playing for a giant club with a fanbase that turns stadiums into cauldrons.
The Russian Adventure: Growth Under Pressure
Russian football presented a trial by fire. In 2022, Carrascal was loaned to CSKA Moscow, where he made 11 appearances and scored one goal in the Premier League. The club exercised its purchase option, and he remained until 2023, totaling 26 matches and six goals the following season. It was at Dynamo Moscow, where he transferred in August 2023 with a contract until 2027 (with an extension option), that he found greater stability. Over two seasons, he played 49 matches, scored seven goals, and was voted the club’s Player of the Month for March 2024 by the fans.
The harsh Russian winter and compressed schedule forged a more mature Carrascal. “Football there is physical and direct, but it helped me improve my game-reading ability,” he explained. In the 2024-25 season, he shone with seven goals in 26 matches, but his desire to return to South America grew. Rumors of dissatisfaction with the climate and distance from his family surfaced, and in June 2025, reports emerged of a preliminary agreement with Flamengo for the FIFA Club World Cup. The transfer was finalized on August 2 for €12.5 million, with a contract until June 2029. At 27, Carrascal returned to the continent where he had previously excelled, now bearing the weight of the red-and-black shirt.
Impact at Flamengo: From a Quiet Arrival to Libertadores Hero
His arrival at Flamengo was like a tropical storm. Under Filipe Luís, the former full-back turned manager, Carrascal competed for a spot in the attacking midfield alongside players like Arrascaeta and Everton Cebolinha. In his initial phase through November 2025, he accumulated 16 matches across all competitions, scoring three goals and providing four assists. In the Brasileirão, he played 12 matches, scoring two goals and delivering four assists—solid numbers for a newcomer.
His defining moment came in the 2025 Copa Libertadores. Carrascal was a key figure in the knockout stages, particularly the semifinals, where his vision dismantled opposing defenses. In the final on November 29 at Lima’s Estadio Monumental, Flamengo faced Palmeiras in an epic showdown. With the score locked at 0-0 for much of the match, Danilo headed the winning goal in the 72nd minute, securing a 1-0 victory. As an undisputed starter, Carrascal ran tirelessly across the pitch, enduring hard fouls from Veiga and Piquerez while delivering precise passes to the forwards. “He was the engine of the team, with passes that sliced through lines and dribbles that relieved pressure,” Filipe Luís praised after the match.
This triumph marked Flamengo’s fourth continental title (1981, 2019, 2022, and now 2025) and Carrascal’s second South American honor, following the 2019 Recopa Sudamericana with River Plate. In the locker room, he led an exuberant celebration—a blend of Caribbean rhythms and samba—that infected his teammates and went viral on social media. “That’s the Colombian way of celebrating: with joy and without fear,” he said as he lifted the trophy amid Peruvian fireworks.
Not everything was smooth; in November, a rib injury—an osseous edema without fracture, caused by a collision in a match against Sport—sidelined him for several weeks. However, he returned stronger, demonstrating his resilience. With two rounds remaining in the Brasileirão, Flamengo remains in contention for the title, and Carrascal dreams of a double.
Playing Style: Creativity and Versatility on the Pitch
What makes Carrascal special? Standing at 1.80 meters and predominantly right-footed, he operates as a central attacking midfielder but drifts to the flanks or even as a second striker. His strength lies in his creativity: vertical passes that break defensive lines, short dribbles in tight spaces, and a dangerous long-range shot. At Flamengo, Filipe Luís has praised his “quick decision-making near the penalty area,” a skill honed in Russia.
Frequently compared to compatriot James Rodríguez, Carrascal is more physical and less reliant on the spotlight. His assist rate—four in 12 Brasileirão matches—reflects a team-oriented player who elevates those around him. Critics have pointed to occasional inconsistencies in big matches, but his performance in the Libertadores final silenced many doubters. “He is the modern number 10: technically gifted, with the lungs to press high,” summarized an Argentine analyst.
The Colombian National Team: National Pride and a Promising Future
Carrascal made his senior debut for Colombia in September 2022 in a friendly against Guatemala (4-1). As of November 2025, he has earned 21 caps and scored two goals: one against South Korea in 2023 and another against the United States in 2024. He was a substitute in key matches as Colombia finished as runners-up in the 2024 Copa América under Néstor Lorenzo.
In youth international competitions, he shone with five appearances and one goal for the under-17 team in 2015, and seven matches with three goals for the under-23 side in 2020. “Representing Colombia is what drives me,” he says. With a Libertadores title to his name, Carrascal gains credibility ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where Colombia seeks direct qualification.
Personal Life: Roots That Inspire
Off the pitch, Carrascal maintains a low profile. Raised in Cartagena by a mother who sold fruit in the market, alongside his siblings, he has often said, “She taught me that effort comes before talent.” Married and the father of a young son, he balances fame with regular visits to Colombia, where he supports social projects in underprivileged neighborhoods. Managed by GBG Global, he maintains partnerships such as with Adidas, maintaining a scandal-free image focused on football.
The Horizon: A Rising Star
With the Libertadores title freshly won, Carrascal sets his sights on the December 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the Brasileirão. His market value, estimated between €5.7 million and €7.7 million, could surge with further trophies. For Colombia, he represents a link between generations: the heir to Carlos Valderrama and a partner to Luis Díaz.
Jorge Carrascal is more than just a player; he is proof that persistence and passion build legacies. From the Caribbean to the Maracanã, his story continues to inspire. And who knows? The next chapter may be written on the stage of a World Cup.
