Pablo Piatti

Lore & Background

Piatti spent the vast majority of his career in Spain after starting out at Estudiantes, appearing in 313 La Liga matches over 14 seasons and scoring a total of 48 goals for Almería, Valencia, Espanyol and Elche. He also represented Toronto FC in Major League Soccer, having signed in 2020. Piatti was capped once for the Argentina national team, in 2011.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights hummed over a packed Estadio de la Cerámica as the clock ticked into stoppage time. Piatti received the ball near halfway, shielding it with his body before turning sharply onto his left foot. The crowd roared, sensing the danger. He drove forward, weaving through two defenders, and released a weighted pass that split the defense open. In that moment of pure Argentine flair, the Yellow Submarine felt like home.

Reader's Guide

Piatti was a talented, skillful and diminutive player with a keen eye for goal. He contributed effectively to his team's attacking play by both scoring and assisting goals; although, he could shoot with either foot, despite being naturally left-footed. Primarily deployed as a winger, he was also comfortable playing as a forward, on occasion, in a deeper creative role behind the main striker. He usually played on the left side of the pitch, although he could also play on the right flank. A dynamic, explosive and fleet-footed attacker, he was known for his turn of pace, which along with his dribbling technique enabled him to get past opponents and make runs into the penalty area.

Did You Know?

• Piatti made his senior debut for Estudiantes at age 17, scoring the winning goal deep into injury time against Newell's Old Boys.
• He scored a career-best ten goals during his loan spell at Espanyol in the 2016–17 season.
• Piatti was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.
• He retired on 21 December 2024 after winning the Trofeo de Campeones de la Liga Profesional with Estudiantes.