1. Overview
Romario Andrés Ibarra Mina (born on September 24, 1994) is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who primarily plays as a winger or midfielder. He currently represents Ecuadorian Serie A club Independiente del Valle and the Ecuador national team. He is the younger brother of fellow professional footballer Renato Ibarra.
2. Early life and personal background
2.1. Birth and youth
Romario Andrés Ibarra Mina was born on September 24, 1994, in Atuntaqui, located in the Imbabura Province of Ecuador. He began his football journey early, progressing through several youth academies before his professional debut.
2.2. Family relationships
Romario Ibarra is the younger brother of Renato Ibarra, who is also a professional footballer. Renato Ibarra has also represented the Ecuador national team at the senior level, making them both notable figures in Ecuadorian football.
3. Club career
Romario Ibarra's club career began in youth development before transitioning to senior professional play, encompassing various clubs across Ecuador, the United States, Mexico, and Spain.
3.1. Youth career
Ibarra's youth career saw him develop his skills across several Ecuadorian clubs:
- 2006-2010: CD Valle del Chota
- 2010-2011: CSCD Espoli
- 2011-2012: Universidad Católica del Ecuador
3.2. Senior club career
Ibarra's professional club journey began in Ecuador and expanded internationally, including loan spells and permanent transfers.
He made his professional debut in 2012 with Universidad Católica del Ecuador in the Ecuadorian Serie A, where he played until 2018, accumulating 134 appearances and scoring 14 goals. In 2013, he had a loan spell with LDU Quito, making 7 appearances.
On July 9, 2018, Ibarra moved to Major League Soccer club Minnesota United. He quickly made an impact, scoring his first goal for the club on August 12, 2018, against LA Galaxy in the 84th minute, helping secure a 2-2 draw. During his time at Minnesota United, he made 17 appearances and scored 5 goals.
On May 21, 2019, Ibarra was loaned to Mexican club Pachuca for a 13-month period, with an option for a permanent transfer. He made 20 appearances and scored 4 goals during his loan. The move was made permanent on July 1, 2020. With Pachuca, Ibarra achieved significant success, including winning the Liga MX Apertura 2022. He made 78 appearances and scored 11 goals in his permanent spell with the club.
On June 16, 2023, Ibarra embarked on his first European venture, joining Spanish club Real Oviedo on a loan deal until the end of the season. He departed the club on December 12, 2023, after making 7 appearances. In 2024, he returned to Ecuador, joining Independiente del Valle.
4. International career
Romario Ibarra has been a consistent presence for the Ecuador national football team, participating in qualifying campaigns and major tournaments.
4.1. National team debut and early years
Ibarra made his debut for the senior national team on October 5, 2017, in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Chile. Notably, he also scored his first international goal in this debut match.
4.2. Major tournaments
His contributions to the national team have included participation in major international competitions:
- 2019 Copa América:** Ibarra was selected as part of Ecuador's 23-man squad for the tournament.
- 2022 FIFA World Cup:** He was named in the Ecuadorian squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
4.3. International goals
Romario Ibarra has scored three goals for the Ecuador national team.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 5, 2017 | Estadio Monumental David Arellano, Santiago, Chile | Chile | 1-1 | 1-2 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2 | October 10, 2017 | Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito, Ecuador | Argentina | 1-0 | 1-3 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3 | September 11, 2018 | Toyota Park, Bridgeview, United States | Guatemala | 2-0 | 2-0 | Friendly |
5. Playing style and position
Romario Ibarra is known for his versatility, primarily operating as a winger or an attacking midfielder. He is a right-footed player. His physical attributes include a height of 69 in (174 cm) and a weight of 170 lb (77 kg).
6. Honours
Romario Ibarra has achieved one major club honor in his career.
Pachuca
- Liga MX: Apertura 2022
7. Career statistics
Romario Ibarra's comprehensive career statistics, covering both club and international appearances and goals, are detailed below.
7.1. Club statistics
| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universidad Católica del Ecuador | 2012-2018 | 134 | 14 | |
| → LDU Quito (loan) | 2013 | 7 | 0 | |
| Minnesota United | 2018-2020 | 17 | 5 | |
| → Pachuca (loan) | 2019-2020 | 20 | 4 | |
| Pachuca | 2020-2023 | 78 | 11 | |
| → Real Oviedo (loan) | 2023 | 7 | 0 | |
| Independiente del Valle | 2024-present |
7.2. International statistics
| Ecuador | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2017 | 2 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 | 1 |
| 2019 | 11 | 0 |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 9 | 0 |
| Total | 27 | 3 |