Juan Cabal is the defender chosen by Lazio and the new Biancoceleste coach, Marco Baroni, to reinforce the defensive department of the Roman team. For him, it would certainly be an opportunity to make a very important leap forward for his career. It would also be a way to repay that ‘debt’ he has with his father, given that the difficult economic situation had pushed the latter to decide between football or family (choosing the second option). He was unable to fulfill his personal wishes to raise his son Juan David. Now, however, “I will make them come true for him”, as Juan Cabal himself declared a few years ago and he seems to be absolutely on the right path to do so.
CAREER – Cabal took his first steps in his career at Futbol Paz, before moving to the youth team of Atletico Nacional, a Colombian club from Medellín, where he made his debut in the Categoría Primera A (the top division) on 14 July 2019. The first European team to notice his qualities was Hellas Verona, who bought him in August 2022 and made him debut on 11 September against Lazio at the Olimpico. The season of his definitive explosion is the one just passed (2023/24) together with mister Baroni, who sat on the Verona bench, in which he not only became one of the great protagonists of Hellas’ miraculous salvation, but he also made his debut with the Colombian national team on 15 March 2024. Now the possibility of definitively taking flight with the white and blue shirt and the eagle on his chest could concretely present itself.
ROLE – Cabal is, in all respects, a complete defender (left-footed) from a physical and tactical point of view. In fact, he has a significant build (186 cm), which makes him skilled in the air game. However, he is also gifted with good speed (a bit like Stefan Radu). This allows him to play both as a center back and as a full back. These are all characteristics that are particularly appreciated by coaches and sports directors, along with scouts. Now we have to wait (and hope) that Lazio fans will also be able to appreciate his qualities when they can see him in action.
IDENTITY CARD:
Name: Juan David Cabal Murillo
Date of birth: 08/01/2001
Birth place: Cali, Colombia
Height: 1,86 m
Role: left back, central defender
Favorite foot: left
