🇦🇷 Santiago Ascacíbar is thriving back in Argentina

Santiago Ascacíbar is thriving back in Argentina.

Having struggled for regular game time across a few clubs in Europe’s major leagues, the Argentine midfielder returned to his home country by sealing a transfer to hometown club Estudiantes de La Plata in 2023, with whom he previously spent about a decade in their youth academy.

The now-26-year-old midfielder instantly became a key figure in the heart of midfield for Los Pincharratas, showing serious quality both defensively and in attack. His tenacity and work rate have shone through in his extremely high defending quantity numbers, while his quality has been quite good too. On the ball, he offers great retention and progression as well as substantial attacking output.

Ascacíbar has started all but one of his side’s matches this season as they have reached the final of the Copa de la Liga Profesional for the first time. He has already helped the club to one title in the form of the Copa Argentina last year, so he will hope to make it two titles in two seasons when Estudiantes take on Vélez Sarsfield this weekend.

By Neel Shelat