PROFILE: Every Europa League Thursday, Goal profiles a new starlet under the age of 21 who could be set for big things in the game. Here, we look at the Villarreal forward ...
By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Writer
Luciano Vietto is living the dream. The young Argentine forward admitted he yearned to play in Europe after making his debut at Racing Club in his homeland. And following his move to Villarreal in the summer, that particular goal has now been accomplished, but the dream is only just beginning.
Vietto was born in Cordoba and came through the youth system at Estudiantes, but was surprisingly released in 2010. The youngster was soon snapped up by Racing, however, and made his debut as a 17-year-old in October, 2011, under Diego Simeone.
"He is a promising young player and he has worked hard for his chance," Simeone said at the time. But the current Atletico Madrid coach left Racing soon afterwards, with Vietto making just three appearances under the former Argentina midfielder.
Simeone's replacement, Luis Zubeldia, used the young forward regularly in 2012-13 and Vietto responded with goals of many different kinds. Fast, with excellent dribbling skills, a powerful right foot, good aerial ability and a fine finisher, Vietto netted 13 times in 34 appearances in his first full season.
Those included one stunning strike from outside the area against San Martin and another reminiscent of Lionel Messi, as the forward ran from deep, beat several defenders and finished with a low drive inside the post versus Argentinos Juniors. "Vietto is different," Zubeldia said. "He has the face of a young boy, but he does amazing things on the pitch."
That was no understatement and Vietto's performances had not escaped the attention of Europe's biggest clubs, with the forward scouted by a number of top teams, including Atletico, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Valencia.
Italian World Cup winner Mauro Camoranesi, who played with Vietto at Racing, predicted big things for his talented team-mate. "Vietto is similar to [Sebastian] Giovinco," the retired midfielder said. "He plays a little closer to the area than Seba, but he has a lot of talent for such a young player. He will go far."
And former Argentina striker Diego Milito, who is also winding up his career at Racing, added: "He is a very impressive player - one of the best to emerge at Racing in a long, long time."
Vietto struggled to replicate the impact he made in his first full campaign at Racing as the team struggled, scoring only five times in his second season. That dip in form meant some of his suitors were reluctant to follow up their interest with a firm offer, but Villarreal pushed for his signing and a £4.3 million move was completed in early August.
"I'm a young player and I really want to learn," Vietto said at his presentation. "I want to achieve big things in football. Villarreal showed a lot of interest in me and that meant a lot. I hope to continue my development at this great club. Playing in Europe was a dream for me."
Vietto signed a five-year contract with the Yellow Submarine and president Fernando Roig was excited by the Argentine's arrival. "He is a young player with a bright future and we have hopes for him," he said. "We believe he can help us to grow and we hope he can show that everything being said about him is true."
Villarreal expected Vietto to take time to adapt to European football and planned to ease him in to the first team. But the Argentine made an instant impact in pre-season as he made his debut in a 3-0 win over Swansea and looked like he had been part of the set-up for years - not days. "He's a young guy who really wants to do well and he has adapted so quickly," said coach Marcelino Garcia Toral. "We knew he was a player who could give us a lot and we thought he would adapt, but we are surprised at just how quickly he has adapted."
In competitive action, the striker scored two and assisted another in the Europa League play-off win over Astana, before adding two more goals against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga and further strikes against FC Zurich and Sevilla, as well as a number of assists in Europe and the Primera Division.
Such has been the impact of the striker nicknamed 'Lucky' that many Villarreal fans have been critical of Marcelino for leaving the youngster on the bench in recent matches. Of his 14 appearances this term, only six have been starts and supporters of the Yellow Submarine believe the striker deserves a place in the starting line-up ahead of Mexico forward Giovani dos Santos.
Vietto has also impressed for Argentina's Under-20 team, netting twice in the 2-2 draw with Bolivia last year, and his fine form for Villarreal has seen him touted for a call-up to the senior side.
"That's still far away," the 20-year-old said last month. "The national team is something special and some of the best strikers of the world are there. It would be another dream for me."
Playing as he is at the moment, however, it's another dream that looks likely to be realised soon.
Follow Ben Hayward on 
Sign up with Ladbrokes for a free bet up to $100
Open all references in tabs: [1 - 5]