Nice wine, romantic tango, and an unparalleled frenzy for soccer are some things Argentina is legendary for. On this record of Argentineness, we would as properly add a sub-section of ‘world-class forwards with a low centre of gravity and a knack for dropping deep and getting concerned within the playmaking’ beneath the broader class of soccer.
Even when contemplating modern occasions, the listing is lengthy. There’s clearly Lionel Messi and former Independiente graduate Sergio Agüero. Then got here the likes of Paulo Dybala, Lautaro Martínez, and Ángel Correa, amongst others, and the most recent star on this class is Julián Álvarez. Goes with out saying that, like every part else in Argentinian soccer, the shadow of Diego Maradona looms giant over this record as properly.
The potential of the left-footed, 17-year-old, Santiago Hidalgo, who stands at 1.71m, can threaten to increase this peculiar Argentine legacy. He already made his senior debut for Independiente earlier this 12 months and was included in The Guardian’s class of 2022 for the highest 60 skills on the planet of males’s soccer.
Who’s Santiago Hidalgo?
Hidalgo left the comforts of his house in Santiago del Estero at a young age to assemble a profession in skilled soccer, becoming a member of San Lorenzo in Buenos Aires earlier than transferring to Independiente on the age of 11.
Sluggish at first, when the Argentine picked up tempo in Independiente’s youth ranks, it was speedy. In a matter of months, he progressed from taking part in within the seventh division to the primary, making his debut on July 16, 2022. He’s now being touted as ‘the promise’ of El Rojo.
Whereas witnessing La Scaloneta’s jubilant journey in Qatar, the assured teen advised his dad and mom that they’ll be watching him defend Argentina’s crown within the subsequent event in 2026.
2022 could not get any higher for Messi🙌#Messi #Argentina #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/nE7TVRobCF
— FootTheBall FC (@FootTheBallFC) December 22, 2022
Santiago Hidalgo Stats
Hidalgo made his senior debut towards Rosario Central, approaching as a second-half substitute. Within the following fixture as properly, he was given 45 minutes from the bench, earlier than he was despatched again to Independiente’s Reserves.
In his first season for the Reserve workforce, the 17-year-old scored on six events and offered one help. The striker has additionally impressed throughout his time with Argentina’s under-17 set-up.
At Independiente, Hidalgo is a supply of nice pleasure however, realizing the fragility of the soccer business, the administration desires to maintain a sensible head and never attempt to velocity up the 17-year-old’s development by drive.
Santiago Hidalgo’s place and elegance of play
A fan of Ronaldo Nazário, Hidalgo additionally takes inspiration from Agüero and Karim Benzema, and calls himself just like Álvarez and Martínez in model however outsiders say that his skillset and positional choice put him nearer to France’s Antoine Griezmann within the footballing canon.
Speedy with nifty footwork, the 17-year-old initially began out on the wing however, for now, he’s discovered his abode within the centre of the attacking third.
With a pointy understanding of the sport and commendable technical aptitude, to maximise his potential, Hidalgo likes to retreat and combine himself into the gameplay often. Though comparatively brief in top, the ahead has a robust header on him to go together with his first rate bodily energy.
As any good skilled would, Hidalgo is conscious of his weaknesses and is eager to enhance them. “I wish to proceed enhancing my punch with my proper foot and we at all times should work on ending,” he commented.
Santiago Hidalgo potential & switch information
Promising as he’s, Hidalgo has solely made two senior appearances from the bench for El Rojo on the level of writing, after having signed his first skilled contract with them in January 2022, which ties him at there till 31 December 2024.
Though he desires to “win one thing with Independiente”, his dream is to “play in Europe” in addition to put on the esteemed Sky and Blue jersey someday.
If and when the 17-year-old brightens his future in real-time that presently seems to be vivid within the creativeness, European golf equipment received’t hesitate from matching his $15m launch clause to sail him throughout the Atlantic.