AFP/Getty Images
PLAYER PROFILE: Who is Rodrigo Bentancur, AC Milan’s priority midfield target
Juventus can also sign Bentancur paying € 1 million by the end of the year and € 9.4 million by the end of April 2017. But who is Rodrigo Bentancur? Which are the secrets of the promising midfielder known as ‘El Pibe’?
“I am more similar to Gago than Riquelme”, Bentancur told South American media a few moth ago. “Xavi and Iniesta are my role models.”
‘El Pibe’ or ‘El Pollo’ is one of the hottest commodities in South America. He was born on the 5th of June 2017 in Nueve Helvecia, Uruguay, but spent most of his life in Argentina.
Bentancur left his childhood team Club Artesano to join Penarol when he was only 9-year-old. Three years later Luis Luque brought him to Boca Juniors after scouting him in some games plaid with the Uruguayan’s youth team.
During his first months in Argentina he lived with his grandparents, but moved to the club’s pension shortly after focusing on training and studies. One day he’d like to study kinesiology (scientific study of human or no-human body movement).
Bentancur is known for his tactical versatility. He has played everywhere in midfield under both Arruabarrena and Schelotto. Playmaker, centre midfielder or attacking midfielder, there is no role that Bentancur has not covered. He has also played as halfback in a 4-3-1-2 system. He can literally play everywhere in midfield.
Bentancur has enough personality to keep the ball possession and start the action from the back, he has vision and definitely smarter than what you would expect from a 19-year-old who has just begun his football career at the highest levels. Many South American media have linked him to Lucho Gonzalez for his physical structure. His moves without the ball are also one of the most appreciated qualities of this promising midfielder.
In April 2015 he made his first appearance in the Copa America. Bentancur was just 17 at the time. It was the beginning of an amazing season which ended with the victory of the Argentinean league and the ‘revelation of the year’ award.
He dreams of getting a senior Uruguay national team call-up even if he was not even called for the U-20 World Cup with his national team. Despite that, Bentancur remains one of the most promising prospects of South American football.
“I’ve heard there are many clubs interested in signing me, but I am focused on Boca only”, the 19-year-old told media before the interest of AC Milan. Who knows if after the enquiry made by the rossoneri, Bentancur has changed his mind. He definitely has the right skills to impress in a challenging league like the Serie A.
Alessandro Calà, translated by Lorenzo Bettoni @lorebetto
