2018 has been the year of U23 players as the next generation of footballing talent has proven that age is just a number as they have shone on the biggest stages in world football. From Kylian Mbappé scoring 4 goals at the World Cup to help lead France to their second World Cup win to Trent Alexander-Arnold breaking into the Liverpool first team and putting in some top performances that got Liverpool to a Champions League final. These feats from teenagers prove that if they’re good enough, they’re old enough! Another player who is living up to this fact is 18-Year-Old winger, Matías Pellegrini who has already been a star man for Estudiantes whilst having only made his Superliga debut a little over a months ago!
The Argentine has been a revelation for his side who currently sit 17th in the league after 4 games, with Pellegrini featuring in all 4 which shows how much faith they have in one of their top academy products. Matías Pellegrini has already scored 2 goals and assisted one for Estudiantes from left wing which is a superb start for the teenager who is in his first season as a professional and there is no doubt that more will come swiftly if he can keep this current form up.
The winger scored on his second ever league game against Boca Juniors of all teams in a 2-0 victory over them. His goal was definitely a special one as he picked up the ball from about 30 yards, took it past 3 players and slotted it past the keeper who got a touch to it but of course it wasn’t enough to stop the teen from getting his first professional goal late in the game to seal the win for his side against tough opponents.
Pellegrini also got an assist in the Copa Argentina in a 4-0 victory over Central Córdoba, again it is a goal you have to watch as he showed his tremendous footwork to take it past 3 players then his superb vision and passing as it threaded it through beautifully to Lucas Rodríguez who put it away nicely to top off great play from Pellegrini.
Matias Pellegrini is capable of playing on both wings as shown by him usually swapping wings with the right winger towards the end of the game to keep changing it up and be unpredictable which sums his game up with how brilliant his footwork is. The 5ft 9 winger has shown at times that he is unstoppable with the ball at his feet which makes him a joy to watch and something that has made him an instant fan favourite with the Estudiantes faithful who are enjoying every minute they get to see the play in the Estadio Ciudad de La Plata.
With so many huge talents coming out of Argentina at the moment, like Exequiel Palacios for example, it must be very hard for certain players to stand out but Matías Pellegrini really stands out like a sore thumb and is a player who will go far in the game. If the teenager isn’t playing in Europe by the start of next season then I will be very shocked as the Argentine has shown the credentials to play at the very top.
mitchellprocter 