Pablo Daniel Piatti (born 31 March 1989) is an Argentine former professional footballer. He operated mainly as a left winger, but could also play as a forward.

He spent the vast majority of his career in Spain after starting out at Estudiantes, appearing in 313 La Liga matches over 14 seasons and scoring a total of 48 goals for Almería, Valencia, Espanyol and Elche. He also represented Toronto FC in Major League Soccer, having signed in 2020.

Piatti was capped once for the Argentina national team, in 2011.

Club career

Estudiantes

Born in Ucacha[es], Córdoba of Italian descent, Piatti was a product of Estudiantes de La Plata's youth ranks. He made the headlines when coach Diego Simeone gave him his first opportunity against Newell's Old Boys on 18 November 2006, as the player was just 17. He scored the winning goal (2–1) deep into injury time, and became one of the heroes of Estudiantes' championship-winning team.

Piatti made the side's starting eleven in the 2007 Clausura tournament, alongside José Luis Calderón, José Sosa, and Juan Sebastián Verón.

Almería

After making 60 appearances in all competitions for Estudiantes in two years, Piatti was sold to UD Almería in Spain for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of €7 million. Initially an undisputed starter, notably netting in a 1–1 home draw against Real Madrid, he struggled after the arrival, midway through his first season, of Mexican coach Hugo Sánchez.

In the 2009–10 campaign, without the presence of striker Álvaro Negredo, Piatti was much more depended upon in scoring matters and netted seven times in 35 matches, joint-second in the team as they finished in 13th position. On 23 September 2009 he opened and closed the scoresheet in a 2–2 draw at Atlético Madrid and, in the second La Liga match between the two teams, netted a last-minute winner (1–0).

Valencia

Piatti in action for Valencia in 2015

On 5 July 2011, Almería and Valencia CF reached an agreement for the transfer of Piatti, with the player signing a five-year contract for a fee of €7.5 million. He struggled to reproduce his previous form during most of his first season with the Che, but did feature in 47 official matches.

Piatti scored his first official goal for Valencia on 19 January 2012, netting the 3–1 in the 45th minute of an eventual 4–1 home victory over Levante UD in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. He added another two in the second leg (3–0).

After Jordi Alba and Jérémy Mathieu developed an efficient left-wing partnership, Piatti was used inconsistently by managers Mauricio Pellegrino, Ernesto Valverde and Miroslav Đukić, also struggling with some injury problems. He was transferlisted against his will by the latter in the summer of 2013.

After the dismissal of Đukić due to poor results, however, new boss Juan Antonio Pizzi showed faith in his compatriot Piatti, who repaid the former's confidence by finishing 2013–14 with five league goals from 17 appearances, one of those coming in a 3–2 win at FC Barcelona.

Following the purchase of the club by businessman Peter Lim, Piatti continued being a key player under Nuno Espírito Santo, being dubbed Pablito by the manager.

Espanyol

Piatti playing with Espanyol in 2019

Piatti was loaned to RCD Espanyol for one year on 16 July 2016, with a buyout clause. The following 24 May, after scoring a career-best ten goals to help his team to the eighth position, he signed a permanent three-year deal with the club.

In February 2019, during a home match against Rayo Vallecano, Piatti suffered an injury to both his right knee's anterior cruciate and internal lateral ligaments, going on to be sidelined for several months.

Toronto FC

In February 2020, Piatti moved to Toronto FC in Major League Soccer as a Designated Player, signing a one-year deal. Later that month, however, he was ruled out of the opening of the campaign after picking up a hamstring strain in training. He made his debut on 13 July, in a 2–2 draw against D.C. United in the group stages of the MLS is Back Tournament. He scored his first two goals on 18 August, in a 3–0 home win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC in his side's first match since the return of the regular season.

The team declined their option to extend Piatti's contract on 30 November 2020.

Elche

Piatti returned to the Spanish top division on 6 March 2021, joining Elche CF. He scored his only goal on 6 January 2022, in the 2–1 away defeat of Almería in the Spanish Cup.

Return to Estudiantes

On 14 June 2022, the 33-year old Piatti returned to his former club Estudiantes, on a deal until June 2024. On 21 December 2024, after claiming the Trofeo de Campeones de la Liga Profesional against Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield, he retired alongside his teammate Federico Fernández.

International career

Shortly after making his senior debut for Estudiantes, Piatti was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. The youngest player in the roster, he managed to play six of seven games.

On 5 June 2011, Piatti made his debut for the senior side, as national team boss Sergio Batista handed him a start in a 2–1 friendly loss with Poland.

Style of play

A talented, skillful and diminutive player with an eye for goal, Piatti was capable of contributing to his team's offensive play by both scoring and assisting goals; moreover, he could shoot with either foot, despite being naturally left–footed. Normally a winger, he was also able to play as a forward, but was even deployed in a deeper, more creative role, behind the main striker. He usually played on the left side of the pitch, although he could also play on the right flank. A dynamic, explosive and fleet–footed attacker, he was known for his turn of pace, which along with his dribbling technique enabled him to get past opponents and make runs into the penalty area. Regarded as a promising player in his youth, his playing style was initially likened to that of compatriot Lionel Messi.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Estudiantes2006–07Argentine Primera División1750000—175
2007–0832800100—428
Total491300100—5913
Almería2008–09La Liga31521——336
2009–1035710——367
2010–1135862——4110
Total1012093——11023
Valencia2011–12La Liga30273101—476
2012–131413020—191
2013–141753092—297
2014–1528720——307
2015–1621061101—372
Total11015214314—16223
Espanyol (loan)2016–17La Liga301010——3110
Espanyol2017–18La Liga30210——312
2018–1920161——262
2019–20302020—70
Total831310120—9514
Toronto FC2020Major League Soccer17400—20194
Elche2020–21La Liga9000——90
2021–2210031——131
Total19031——221
Estudiantes2022Argentine Primera División1621030—202
2023901011—111
2024272215010353
Total524419110666
Career total4316947105253053384

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Argentina201110
Total10

Honours

Estudiantes

Argentina U20

Individual

External links

  • at BDFA (in Spanish)
  • at BDFutbol
  • (in Spanish)
  • at National-Football-Teams.com
  • – FIFA competition record (archived)