The FC Porto winger scored a wonderful goal against Celta Vigo that will remind Paraguayans of the one that got away.
Iturbe, 19, received a pass 40 yards from his own goal and proceeded to show off the talent makes some call him the “new Lionel Messi.” He darted upfield, beating four Celta defenders before poking his shot past the helpless goalkeeper. It may have been the best goal scored in the history of preseason soccer, but we’re not sure.
The 2012-13 season will be the highly touted Iturbe’s first full campaign in European soccer. He was born in Argentina, but raised in Paraguay — where he learned the game and became a professional player at Cerro Porteno. Contract wrangles forced him to bounce back-and-forth between Cerro Porteno and Argentina’s Quilmes before he jumped to Portugal’s Porto last season.
Iturbe’s international career has mirrored his time at club level. He planned to play for Paraguay and was even capped at the senior level. But he decided to switch to Argentina after falling out with the federation. Standout performances at the U-20 level make it likely that Argentina’s federation will give him all the support he wants. After all, the teenager is a difference-maker. If you didn’t already know about him, you soon will.
Thumbnail photo via Flickr/ Egas Amaral
