Not all football talents reach higher levels or the biggest stage.
This is why Juan Gafas is bringing us a variety of talents and stories on a weekly basis, of those who aren’t the most famous wonderkids and the immediate suspect to become the next signings of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester City.
From Venezuela to Europe and back, and again, and again. A talent waiting to breakout. Matías Lacava (Photo: Academia Puerto Cabello @la_academiapc)
Matías Lacava
Age: 18
Club: Academia Puerto Cabello (Venezuela)
Position: Winger, Attacking Midfielder
Nationality: Venezuelan
Market Value: 300.000 € (Transfermarkt)
Why follow him? Like many other talented, young, small figure and left-footed players worldwide, Lacava was called ‘el nuevo Messi’ at some point as a kid. He spent some time in Barcelona too. While the nickname, “The new Messi” is highly exaggerated, Matías is a talented and promising young player.
Lacava returned to Venezuela from Europe (previously at Benfica, Portugal) during 2019, and last year was his breakthrough season. He played regularly, scored goals and got better gradually as the season advanced.
He has excellent ball control and quick feet, can get away from tight spaces with ease and likes to take on opponents and play forward. While his decision making and understanding of when to pass the ball and when to dribble needs some improvement, he has the ability to pick teammates in behind, breaking the opposition’s defence.
Physically he is far away from what’s needed in the higher levels; about 1.62 meters tall and of lean build, he lacks power and pace. He can be outplayed or outrun quite easily, limiting his ability in transition or out of possession, and his technical skills can only take him some way.
At this point, I can’t see him playing at better levels, but he is really young, the talent is there, and he can still improve in many aspects. Much of it depends on his character, which I can’t assess; I do not know under what circumstances he came back home and how determined he is to get out there again, and his motivation and determination will play a big role in his chances to make it.
Photo via Academia Puerto Cabello, @la_academiapc.
