Juan Fernando Quintero
Who?
Name: Juan Fernando Quintero Paniagua
Date of Birth: 18 January 1993
Nationality: Colombian
Position: Attacking midfielder
Club: Pescara
Making his Name:
Juan Fernando Quintero began life playing football at a school run by his uncle in the El Socorro neighbourhood of Medellín and from there, aged 10, he joined the academy of nearby Envigado.
The highlight of his junior career came in the Medellín PonyFútbol youth tournament in 2005, which he won and was voted player of the campaign, before he eventually stepped up to first-team level in 2009.
Over the course of the 2009 and 2010 seasons, “Quinterito” racked up 31 competitive games for Envigado, scoring on three occasions, but misfortune was about to strike. On 15 December 2010, having come on as a substitute himself, the youngster found his season brought to an end by a break of the tibia and fibia, suffered in a challenge with Deportivo Pasto defender Germán Mera.
The injury would rule the youngster out of both the South American Youth Championship and Colombia-hosted Under-20 World Cup in 2011, much to his disappointment. However, by late August he was making strides on a first-team return and, following his return to full fitness, earned himself a loan move to Medellín-based giants Atlético Nacional for the 2012 season.
On 18 July 2012, following six months in which Atlético enjoyed a strong Copa Libertadores campaign, it was announced that Quintero had joined Italian Serie A newcomers Pescara on a five-year contract (Corriere dello Sport), making his debut on 27 August as a second-half substitute against Inter Milan.
In the first-half of his debut campaign in Italy, the Colombian would go on to make 14 first-team appearances for the club, including scoring a wonderful free-kick to earn his side a draw with Bologna. Midway through the season, in January 2013, he was called to the Colombia Under-20 squad for the South American Championship to be held in Argentina.
Style of Play:
At 5’6″ tall (167cm), Quintero is somewhat stereotypical for a South American playmaker. Heavily left-footed, slight of build and quick, the No. 10 looks to find space between the midfield and forward lines, with the intention of conducting his side’s attacking moves from that area. He may occasionally drop deeper or drift to the flanks, but his natural instincts see him drawn to this pocket of space that has been so well used by the continent’s great enganches over the years. Typically, like so many of those who have played his position, he shows little interest in the defensive side of the game besides occasionally pressing defenders..
The epitome of the clichéd “head-up player”, Quintero’s first instinct when picking up the ball is nearly always to look for a through-ball. If a penetrating pass is not on then he simply lays off the ball to a colleague and waits for his next opportunity to split the defence. Technically strong with the ball at his feet, he will look to free up space with fine close control and is also renowned for his shooting from distance. However, it is the vision and technique he shows to produce a key pass that remain his defining attributes.
From set-pieces, he can be lethal. With a glorious left-foot, Quintero has the ability to test the goalkeeper from anywhere within 30-yards of the opponent’s goal. His dead-ball expertise was well-known in Colombia and, within just a few months at Pescara, he is already making his mark on the Serie A. Bologna, for one, will testify as to the quality of the young star’s free-kick striking ability.
What Others Say:
The Future:
There has been much speculation about the future of the young Colombian heading into the January 2013 transfer window and his starring roles at the South American Under-20 Championship have only seen that chatter intensify. Manchester United, Juventus and even Lokomotiv Moscow have been linked with his services (Sky Sports), while the player himself has suggested that he would prefer Inter Milan as his next destination. Amid all the rumour and speculation, it seems unlikely that Pescara will retain his services for long and €10 million is being touted as his current worth.
At international level, assuming there are no major setbacks in the next ten days, Quintero will have the Under-20 World Cup to look forward to in Turkey this summer—an event where Colombia will look to prove the worth of their younger generation. Beyond that, promotion to the senior side in time for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil would appear a near certainty at present. Who knows, should Quintero continue to develop at such a rapid rate, he may just find himself lining up alongside the likes of James Rodriguez and Falcao, come the start of the main event.
Pescara are clearly just a stepping stone in his career and we will no doubt discover in the next 12 months which direction Quintero and his advisors will choose to head next. For now, Italy’s Serie A seems a natural home for the young playmaker as he learns his role, but it may be that he is tempted elsewhere. He does not lack talent, while his desire to succeed is clear for all to see. Whether he fulfils his potential, though, may well depend on taking the right next step for his long-term development—not an easy decision, but one he will face in the coming months.
Who?
Name: Juan Fernando Quintero Paniagua
Date of Birth: 18 January 1993
Nationality: Colombian
Position: Attacking midfielder
Club: Pescara
Making his Name:
Juan Fernando Quintero began life playing football at a school run by his uncle in the El Socorro neighbourhood of Medellín and from there, aged 10, he joined the academy of nearby Envigado.
The highlight of his junior career came in the Medellín PonyFútbol youth tournament in 2005, which he won and was voted player of the campaign, before he eventually stepped up to first-team level in 2009.
Over the course of the 2009 and 2010 seasons, “Quinterito” racked up 31 competitive games for Envigado, scoring on three occasions, but misfortune was about to strike. On 15 December 2010, having come on as a substitute himself, the youngster found his season brought to an end by a break of the tibia and fibia, suffered in a challenge with Deportivo Pasto defender Germán Mera.
The injury would rule the youngster out of both the South American Youth Championship and Colombia-hosted Under-20 World Cup in 2011, much to his disappointment. However, by late August he was making strides on a first-team return and, following his return to full fitness, earned himself a loan move to Medellín-based giants Atlético Nacional for the 2012 season.
On 18 July 2012, following six months in which Atlético enjoyed a strong Copa Libertadores campaign, it was announced that Quintero had joined Italian Serie A newcomers Pescara on a five-year contract (Corriere dello Sport), making his debut on 27 August as a second-half substitute against Inter Milan.
In the first-half of his debut campaign in Italy, the Colombian would go on to make 14 first-team appearances for the club, including scoring a wonderful free-kick to earn his side a draw with Bologna. Midway through the season, in January 2013, he was called to the Colombia Under-20 squad for the South American Championship to be held in Argentina.
Style of Play:
At 5’6″ tall (167cm), Quintero is somewhat stereotypical for a South American playmaker. Heavily left-footed, slight of build and quick, the No. 10 looks to find space between the midfield and forward lines, with the intention of conducting his side’s attacking moves from that area. He may occasionally drop deeper or drift to the flanks, but his natural instincts see him drawn to this pocket of space that has been so well used by the continent’s great enganches over the years. Typically, like so many of those who have played his position, he shows little interest in the defensive side of the game besides occasionally pressing defenders..
The epitome of the clichéd “head-up player”, Quintero’s first instinct when picking up the ball is nearly always to look for a through-ball. If a penetrating pass is not on then he simply lays off the ball to a colleague and waits for his next opportunity to split the defence. Technically strong with the ball at his feet, he will look to free up space with fine close control and is also renowned for his shooting from distance. However, it is the vision and technique he shows to produce a key pass that remain his defining attributes.
From set-pieces, he can be lethal. With a glorious left-foot, Quintero has the ability to test the goalkeeper from anywhere within 30-yards of the opponent’s goal. His dead-ball expertise was well-known in Colombia and, within just a few months at Pescara, he is already making his mark on the Serie A. Bologna, for one, will testify as to the quality of the young star’s free-kick striking ability.
What Others Say:
“He is a young man with great talent. We have high hopes for him. He has made his name at Pescara and we want to defend him from these [transfer] rumours. He needs to have some continuity and play regularly, enhancing his quality.” - Daniele Sebastiani, Pescara president, January 2013.
The Future:
There has been much speculation about the future of the young Colombian heading into the January 2013 transfer window and his starring roles at the South American Under-20 Championship have only seen that chatter intensify. Manchester United, Juventus and even Lokomotiv Moscow have been linked with his services (Sky Sports), while the player himself has suggested that he would prefer Inter Milan as his next destination. Amid all the rumour and speculation, it seems unlikely that Pescara will retain his services for long and €10 million is being touted as his current worth.
At international level, assuming there are no major setbacks in the next ten days, Quintero will have the Under-20 World Cup to look forward to in Turkey this summer—an event where Colombia will look to prove the worth of their younger generation. Beyond that, promotion to the senior side in time for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil would appear a near certainty at present. Who knows, should Quintero continue to develop at such a rapid rate, he may just find himself lining up alongside the likes of James Rodriguez and Falcao, come the start of the main event.
Pescara are clearly just a stepping stone in his career and we will no doubt discover in the next 12 months which direction Quintero and his advisors will choose to head next. For now, Italy’s Serie A seems a natural home for the young playmaker as he learns his role, but it may be that he is tempted elsewhere. He does not lack talent, while his desire to succeed is clear for all to see. Whether he fulfils his potential, though, may well depend on taking the right next step for his long-term development—not an easy decision, but one he will face in the coming months.
Brasil: Flamengo, Vasco, Fluminense, Botafogo (100% Carioca) Rio > Säo Paulo
MENGÃO TRI DA AMÈRICA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RlVt8zJhXQ