5 most underrated Argentinian footballers
After finishing runners-up in both the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Copa America, as well as having performed well in the qualification phases for next year’s World Cup, Argentina now sit top of the FIFA World Rankings, above the likes of Brazil and Germany, on 1644 points.
They are a nation renowned for churning out world class talent and have produced the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero among others over the years.
The strength of the first team may be paramount when it comes to big tournaments, but it means that some great players get overlooked on the international stage and even forgotten altogether. There are countless top Argentines in every position on the field and here we take a look at five in particular who are severely underrated...
#5 Lucas Pratto
Now plying his trade for São Paulo in Brazil, the 28-year-old Lucas Pratto was only handed his first international cap in August last year, a testament to how overlooked his talents have been. He was subsequently included in the squad for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Venezuela and has since played five matches for his country, scoring on two separate occasions, both in competitive qualifiers.
Domestically he’s been sharp too; he scored 13 goals in his debut season for Atletico Mineiro in Brazil in 2015/16 and is one of the most sought after talents on the continent. Tall, strong and quick, he is capable of playing on the flank or through the centre and such versatility would undoubtedly earn him the critical claim he deserves if he were to play for a club in Europe.