Neyser Villarreal: Scouting Report by Vuyo Ndebele
Profile
- Name: Neyser Villarreal
- Date of Birth: April 24, 2005
- Place of Birth: Tumaco, Nariño, Colombia
- Nationality: Colombian
- Height: 1.86m (6 ft 1 in)
- Weight: 78 kg/172 lbs (estimated)
- Position: Right Winger (RW)
- Secondary Positions: Left Winger (LW), Attacking Midfielder (CAM)
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Current Club: Millonarios FC (Colombian Primera A)
- Youth Development: Millonarios FC Academy
- International Career: Colombia U-20
Club Career Overview
Neyser Villarreal progressed through the youth ranks of Millonarios FC, one of Colombia’s most prestigious clubs, known for developing high-caliber talents. His performances at the youth level caught the attention of the senior coaching staff, earning him a professional debut on September 16, 2023, in a 3-0 victory against Atlético Bucaramanga.
Since then, Villarreal has steadily integrated into the first-team setup, making 10 senior appearances in Colombia’s Liga Dimayor Primera A. While still developing, his contributions have been impactful, demonstrating maturity beyond his years. His ability to take defenders on in one-on-one situations, create goal-scoring opportunities, and contribute defensively has quickly made him a player of interest for both his club and international scouts.
Despite his young age, Villarreal has displayed notable confidence at the senior level. His adaptability and work ethic suggest that he could soon become a key player for Millonarios, with potential for a move to a top European league in the future.
International Career
Villarreal’s rise to prominence earned him a call-up to the Colombia U-20 national team in January 2025 for the South American U-20 Championship. He immediately made an impact on the international stage, scoring a decisive goal in a 1-0 victory against Brazil U-20 on February 1, 2025.
As of February 2, 2025, Villarreal has accumulated 4 caps and scored 3 goals for the Colombia U-20 team, solidifying his status as a key offensive asset for his country. His ability to perform under pressure against top South American talent highlights his composure and readiness for bigger challenges.
Attacking Attributes
Dribbling & Ball Control:
- Villarreal is a dynamic dribbler with excellent close control at high speeds.
- His ability to maneuver in tight spaces allows him to take on multiple defenders.
- Uses quick changes of direction and body feints to beat opponents one-on-one.
- Can improve on decision-making in dribbling to ensure efficiency in final-third actions.
Pace & Acceleration:
- Villarreal is an explosive winger with elite acceleration over short distances.
- His top speed is impressive, making him dangerous in counter-attacking situations.
- Effectively uses his pace to attack space behind defensive lines.
Passing & Vision:
- Demonstrates a good range of passing, with precise short combinations and effective through balls.
- Capable of executing quick one-twos to break defensive structures.
- Vision allows him to spot late-arriving teammates in the box and create goal-scoring chances.
- Could further develop his long-range passing and switching play to become more versatile.
Crossing & Final Delivery:
- Delivers accurate low-driven and lofted crosses into the box.
- Can whip in dangerous outswinging and inswinging crosses when given space.
- Needs to work on consistency in his final ball, as some deliveries lack precision under pressure.
Shooting & Goal Scoring:
- Possesses a powerful and accurate right-footed shot from inside and outside the box.
- Shows good composure in one-on-one situations with goalkeepers.
- Has a tendency to cut inside from the right and attempt curling shots towards the far post.
- Left-footed finishing could be improved to make him more unpredictable.
Defensive & Tactical Attributes
Defensive Work Rate:
- Actively tracks back and pressures opposition fullbacks when out of possession.
- Willing to engage in defensive duels and make recovery runs.
- Can improve his positional awareness when defending in a structured low block.
Pressing & Counter-Pressing:
- Engages in high-intensity pressing, fitting well into aggressive tactical systems.
- Quick to close down passing lanes and disrupt opposition buildup play.
- Effectiveness in pressing could improve with better anticipation of opponent movements.
Tactical Intelligence & Positioning:
- Positions himself well in wide areas to stretch defenses.
- Shows awareness of defensive gaps and makes intelligent off-the-ball movements.
- Understands when to invert inside to support midfield play.
- Can further develop his movement between defensive lines to become more unpredictable.
Physical & Mental Attributes
Physicality & Strength:
- Strong for a winger, capable of holding off defenders and maintaining balance under pressure.
- Uses his physical frame to shield the ball effectively.
- Can enhance his upper-body strength to become even more dominant in duels.
Stamina & Endurance:
- Maintains a high work rate throughout 90 minutes.
- Covers significant ground, both in attack and defense.
- Rarely shows signs of fatigue, even in high-tempo matches.
Mentality & Composure:
- Demonstrates a strong mentality in big matches, as seen in his goal against Brazil U-20.
- Shows confidence when taking on defenders, even in high-pressure scenarios.
- Needs to develop better game management skills, particularly in the latter stages of matches.
Strengths
✔ Explosive pace and acceleration make him a constant threat in transition.
✔ Elite dribbling ability with strong one-on-one capabilities.
✔ Good crossing ability with a variety of deliveries.
✔ Tactical intelligence allows him to adapt to different attacking roles.
✔ Strong work rate and defensive contribution for an attacking player.
Areas of Development
🔹 Needs to improve consistency in his final pass and shooting under pressure.
🔹 Could develop a stronger left foot to increase unpredictability.
🔹 Anticipation and positioning in defensive transitions could improve.
🔹 Needs more experience against high-level defenders to refine his decision-making.
Projection & Future Potential
Villarreal is an exciting young prospect with a skill set that makes him well-suited for European football. His mix of speed, dribbling ability, and tactical intelligence suggests he could thrive in leagues that favor dynamic wingers, such as La Liga, Bundesliga, or Ligue 1.
If he continues to develop his final product and refine his tactical awareness, he has the potential to become a top-level winger for both club and country.
Projected ceiling: Top 5 European league starter/ Colombian national team regular.