Thiago Helguera
Full name: Thiago Helguera Merello Volante
Country: Uruguay
Date of birth: 26/03/2006 (17 years old)
Place of birth: Paysandú (Uruguay)
Height: 181cm
Youth career: Club Nacional
Current club: Club Nacional
Squad number: —
Current national team: Uruguay U-17
Position: defensive midfielder, central midfielder
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: 2023 South American U-17 Championship (3/0)
Contract until: 31.12.2025
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Sofyan Amrabat
Strengths:
– passing 
– tackling
– work rate
– ability to read the game
– positioning
– maturity 
– determination
– vision
– pace
To improve:
– mid and long-range shooting skills
– still has a margin to improve his progressive passing and general creativity on the ball
Style of play:
– modern holding midfielder
– player with good body mass ratio, physical strength, power, stamina, and natural fitness who feels comfortable in contact situations
– also able to play higher in a more box-to-box role
– very interesting mix of a ball-winning midfielder and midfield controller
– well-rounded and tactically intelligent midfielder
– excellent positional sense and an acute ability to read the game
– very good range of passing at all distances
– energetic and confident on the ball
– likes to maraud forward and he’s able to surprise the defence with his late runs
– good composure and retention skills under pressure
– above-average decision-making on and off the ball
– tireless runner with a good engine who covers a lot of space
– combative, hardworking, and determined in the defensive phase with good anticipation sense to provide key interceptions and tackles
– accurate and tenacious tackler who likes an active style of defending by getting into challenges and pressing opponents
– committed, courageous, and willing to sacrifice
– great timing and confidence in 1v1 defensive duels
– high maturity and consistency for a player of his age
– operates quite comfortably with his weaker left foot
Helguera gets out of pressure well and plays a very good diagonal ball to his full-back.
Helguera wins the ball back after showing some good physicality and winning a 1v1 duel.
Helguera reads the game very well, intercepts the ball, and starts a dangerous counter-attack.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Defensive midfielder in 4-3-3.
Video:
Achievements:
Uruguayan U-16 Championship 2022 winner with Nacional.
League summary (as for 7 April 2023):
No senior team appearances yet.
Description:
Thiago Helguera is a product of the Club Nacional youth academy. He is considered to be one of the most talented teenagers in Uruguay. He made his unofficial debut for Nacional on 14 January 2023 in a friendly against the Argentinian side Colón. Thiago is also one of the leaders of Uruguay U-17, a very interesting team with many exciting prospects such as Rodrigo Dudok, Luciano González, Facundo Núñez, Paolo Calione, Mateo Peralta, Felipe Serrés, and Mateo Ureta.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
First team material in a top European league.
Links: