Aguero, Di Maria, Higuain and, of course, Lionel Messi. Argentina has been blessed with some serious attacking talent over the last decade. But now, all the wrong side of 30 and close to retirement, it’s time for a new generation of talent to step up and take on the mantle. Below we look at the best young Argentinian players in FIFA 22.
Best Argentinian Wonderkids in FIFA 22
10. Alan Varela (Boca Juniors: CDM, CM)
The first of two Boca Juniors starlets to make the list, Alan Gonzalo Varela is a defensive midfielder currently rated 69 overall with a potential of 83. Blessed with 76 short passing, 71 long passing and 73 ball control Varela is capable of recycling and retaining possession. 77 stamina also means the 19-year-old has the energy levels to get up and down the pitch for the full 90 minutes.
9. Cristian Medina (Boca Juniors: CM)
Like Alan Varela, Cristian Medina is another promising central midfielder currently playing for Boca Juniors. The 19-year-old possesses similar passing attributes to his teammate, 72 short and 69 long passing, but is allowed to roam further forward where he’s able to unlock defences with 72 vision. He also has the ability to travel with the ball. 72 ball control, 72 balance and 71 dribbling make it difficult for defenders to dispossess the central midfielder who’s rated 70 overall with a potential of 83.
8. Enzo Fernández (River Plate: CM, CDM)
Fair to say Argentina has depth in numbers when it comes to central midfielders, and 20-year-old Enzo Fernández is up there with the pick of the bunch. Already rated 73 overall with a potential of 83 the River Plate starlet is combative, composed and, at times, creative. He has 72 ball control and 71 dribbling allowing him to retain possession in tight spaces. 79 short passing helps hum dictate play. And defensively he provides solid protection for his back four with 83 aggression, 76 standing tackles and 74 sliding tackles. He’s the complete package.
7. Franco Orozco (Club Atletico Lanus: LW, RW)
Still only rated 65 overall but with a potential of 84, 19-year-old winger Franco Orozco has plenty of room for improvement. Similar in stature to the legendary Lionel Messi, the Lanus teenager is pacy with a low centre of gravity. 80 sprint speed and 73 dribbling on FIFA 22 make him difficult to defend against, particularly in one-v-one situations. Crossing and finishing both need improving, though, with both attributes currently less than 70. Naturally right footed, Orozco is capable of playing on either flank. If he improves in the final third then there’s no doubt this kid will go on to become a serious player.
6. David Ayala (Estudiantes de la Plata: CDM)
18-year-old Maximiliano David Ayala is a defensive midfielder capable of playing the pivot role. Like all top players in his position the Estudiantes de la Plata academy graduate is an accomplished passer of the ball with 74 short passing in FIFA 22. He has bags of energy too. 72 stamina enables the starlet to cover plenty of ground, recovering possession and distributing it to those further forward with greater attacking threat. Defensively he’s okay, but there’s plenty of room for improvement with 62 defensive awareness and 67 standing tackles.
5. Facundo Farías (Club Atletico Colon: ST, CF)
A pacy, composed striker with an eye for goal 18-year-old Facundo Hernan Farias is expected by many to eventually lead the line for Argentina. Rated 73 overall with a potential of 85 the Club Atletico Colon star already has 73 finishing and positioning along with 78 dribbling and 77 ball control. But it’s the teenager’s movement that’s most impressive. 90 acceleration, 90 balance and 88 agility make him a nightmare to defend against, especially when he’s playing on the last shoulder looking to run in behind. With a release clause of just €11.9 m in FIFA 22, Farias provides outstanding value for money.
4. Pedro de la Vega (Club Atletico Lanus: RW, LW, RM)
A traditional right winger, Pedro De la Vega is an accomplished crosser of the ball and thrives in wide areas. Capable of beating a man with 77 dribbling, 73 ball control and 4 star skill moves or taking a touch and whipping a ball into the box with 73 crossing the 20-year-old has multiple strings to his bow and therefore provides a huge threat in the final third. He’s pacy too and dangerous on the counter attack with 87 sprint speed and 85 acceleration. Currently rated 74 overall with a potential of 85 in FIFA 22 the Club Atletico Lanus sensation has represented Argentina U20s 12 times, but is yet to feature for the senior side.
3. Luka Romero (Lazio: CAM, RW, LW)
At the age of just 16, Luka Romero is already rated 66 overall with a potential of 86 on FIFA 22. The only Argentine on the list to be playing in Europe, Luka Romero was snapped up by Lazio in 2021 after a short stint at Mallorca where he made 7 league appearances for the first team.
Despite being small in stature and lightweight, as you’d expect for a player of his age, Romero’s best attributes are pace and dribbling. He has the ability to cause defenders problems and evade challenges with 71 dribbling, 79 acceleration and 86 agility. Technically there’s still plenty of room for improvement, but given game time there’s no doubt he’ll develop into a serious player.
2. Alan Velasco (Club Atletico Independiente: LM, LW, ST)
Your typical modern day winger, Alan Agustín Velasco is predominantly right footed but plays on the left wing for boyhood club Independiente where he’s scored 6 league goals in 49 appearances.
Comfortable on the ball with 81 dribbling and 77 ball control the 18-year-old is currently rated 74 overall with a potential of 86. Standing just 5 ft 4” tall Velasco is similar in stature and build to Lionel Messi, and like his counterpart he also possesses a low centre of gravity with 91 agility and 82 balance allowing him to weave his way through challenges.
1. Thiago Almada (Velez Sarsfield: CAM, LW, RW)
Argentina’s hottest prospect in FIFA 22, and already rated 75 overall, Thiago Ezequiel Almada is an attacking midfielder capable of playing on either flank or through the middle. When deployed out wide the 20-year-old can utilise his 90 acceleration and 81 sprint speed to get in behind. Through the middle he has the ability to unlock defences with 74 short passing and 72 vision or dance his way past defenders with 82 dribbling, 79 ball control and 4 star skill moves.
In front of goal the youngster has shown outstanding potential for his with 81 composure and 71 finishing. He’s also an accomplished penalty taker, rated 77. A product of the Velez Sarsfieldacademy, Almada has a potential rating of 86 in FIFA 22 and has represented his country at both U21 and U23 level. It’s surely only a matter of time before he’s handed his first senior call up.
There’s no denying it’s going to be an impossible task to replace the irreplaceable Lionel Messi when he eventually calls time on his international career, but there’s reason for optimism for Argentina fans with their current crop of youngsters. Whilst they’ll never hit the heights of Lionel Messi individually, collectively there’s bags of talent at both ends of the pitch.
Boca’s pair of Varela and Medina could dominate the midfield for years to come whilst Romero, Velasco and Almada provide the flair and attacking threat further up the pitch. They’re just missing a couple of decent defenders. Can’t have everything though, eh?
