FC Barcelona and Real Madrid wanted him at 15, but he is now a free agent with no pro debut
When this wonderkid was 15 years old, he was considered the new Lionel Messi and both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid were behind him. Now at almost 21, he has not even played professionally.
In 2015, a 15-year-old attacking midfielder caught the attention of the whole soccer world. Because FC Barcelona wanted him and had made an offer to his club, Independiente. Because Real Madrid also wanted him and even was invited by the club to the training ground. And there was interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea too.
That kid made it to the newspapers in Argentina but since then, he never played again the way that attracted so many top clubs. He was released from Independiente three years later and after a trial with Boca Juniors, he joined Velez Sarsfield in the youth teams, but he was released last year, leaving him with no club. He will turn 21 and still has not made his professional debut.
This player is Lucas Patanelli. He was an left footed, attacking midfielder with the same height as Lionel Messi, and reminded everybody of the GOAT. But it seems the world attention made a bad impact on him when he was only 15, and he simply stopped making progress. His peak just came too early.
The news at the time said that FC Barcelona had signed him for four million euros, but the club stated that was not true. He was rumoured to have also a precontract with Real Madrid on the table. At 21 years old, he will be just hoping for a late pro debut. But first of all for a club that wants him to be part of.
