Burgeoning young winger Diego Perotti started his professional football career at the age of 18, playing for Club Deportivo Moron in his home nation of Argentina. By this stage, ‘El Monito’ – the monkey - had already been earmarked for an impressive career and was included in a preliminary squad for the 2007 Under-20 World Cup in Canada, only to be denied a role in the team by players deemed more experienced.
Back at home, the teenager swiftly established himself as a member of the first team squad and promptly caught the eye of Sevilla. Suitably impressed to bid €200,000 for his services, success was certainly not instant in Spain for Perotti, who would have to endure two years of service with the club’s ‘B’ team before finally getting his chance in the first XI this term – an opportunity he has grasped with both hands.
Tormentor Of The Dutch
The Netherlands were left frustrated as Argentina ultimately ran riot in Toulon, cruising to a 4-0 victory against a side that was expected to push them close. In a game still finely poised at 1-0 at the interval, Perotti scored the vital second goal for his side, albeit something of a fluke, giving them the spur that they required to saunter to success.
But it was not just his goal that caught the eye. There was more than a hint of Lionel Messi’s wonderful dribbling technique on display in Perotti’s game as he threatened to cut the Dutch defence to ribbons in the second period as the game opened up. One jinking run saw him cut in from the left flank, gracefully evade a series of tackles before prodding the ball narrowly wide. Another strong burst might have ended in a goal had PSV defender Erik Pieters not halted him in his tracks in a rather agricultural fashion.
Progressing With Sevilla
On the club scene, Perotti is busy making a name for himself at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, which is coming to love his exciting style of wing play. Essentially, Perotti has only made a handful of appearances for his club side since first breaking into the first team ranks in February, but he has wowed the Sevilla fans with his skill and remarkable level of consistency on the left flank.
He may only have one goal to his name in club football, but what an important strike it was, scoring the goal that sealed Champions League qualification for Sevilla next season. In the very last minute of the penultimate fixture of the season, Perotti started and finished the move to break a game that appeared destined to finish scoreless. The following week, he induced an own goal from Juan Carlos Moreno, again deep into the fixture.
Having only started to establish himself at Sevilla, there has been previous little interest shown in the player. It is clear that Perotti is already a favourite of the Rojiblancos’ faithful, who would be loathed to see him leave. With such potential, he will simply try to make an impression next season as Sevilla compete both at home and abroad.
Goal.com