Argentina’s new U-17 World Cup star Valentino Acuna has been living the dream! Acuna, who is currently playing in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, recently scored a goal against Japan yesterday. However, not everyone knows how Acuna is related to one of Argentina’s greatest soccer players of all time- Lionel Messi.
Valentino Acuna is a young Argentine soccer star who is currently playing for Argentina in the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia. He scored the second goal during Argentina’s clash against Japan yesterday in the 8th minute. Acuna’s goal gave Argentina their first win in the U-17 World Cup, having lost their opening fixture 2-1 against Senegal.
It was Acuna’s first goal in the U-17 World Cup and his second for the national team. Acuna’s first national team goal came in the U-17 Sudamericano game against Bolivia earlier this year. Currently, Acuna has two goals in twelve appearances for Argentina’s U-17 side. He also plays in the youth side of the Argentine club Newell’s Old Boys.
Valentino Acuna played the role of Lionel Messi in a documentary
Argentina’s new U-17 star Valentino Acuna shares some striking similarities with one of Argentina’s greatest-ever players, Lionel Messi. Acuna was born on January 27, 2006, in the city of Rosario, Argentina, like Messi. Both Acuna and Messi share similar physical traits. Both the players are diminutive, left-footed players who have the same height of five feet seven inches.
Valentino Acuna featured as a stunt double for a young Lionel Messi in the 2014 film ‘Messi’ thanks to his dazzling left foot… 🪄
Today, the 17-year-old scored for Argentina at the FIFA U-17 World Cup! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/cAiQR2OWYn
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 14, 2023
Moreover, Valentino Acuna also reportedly played Lionel Messi in a 2014 documentary about the 2022 World Cup-winning skipper. According to reports, Acuna was selected by the director of the documentary, Alex de la Iglesias, to play the scenes of a young Messi dribbling. Upon watching the videos of Acuna, Iglesias claimed, “This boy is twice the Messi game we are looking for.“
Acuna portrayed the scenes when Messi used to play for his first club, Grandoli, and then later during his time at Newell’s Old Boys. However, Acuna’s face wasn’t visible in the documentary. Instead, the parts involving Messi’s face were played by Juan Ignacio Martinez, while a young Messi’s voice was played by Juan Luppi.
Valentino Acuna’s father talks about his son’s love for Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi serves as an inspiration and is idolized by almost every young Argentine player who aspires to be a professional soccer player.
Messi, widely regarded as the greatest soccer player of all time, recently won the Copa America and the FIFA World Cup with the national team. In addition to this, Messi is also Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer and highest assist provider and has earned the most caps.
Lepers ❤️🖤#Newells youngster Valentino Acuña, who is with the Argentina U17s, with Lionel Messi today. pic.twitter.com/54azxjPZfo
— Newell’s Old Boys – English News (@Newells_en) October 10, 2023
Similarly, Valentino Acuna is also a huge fan of Lionel Messi and idolizes the Inter Miami star. Acuna’s love for Messi was revealed by the former’s father in an interview with Infobae.
His father said, “The only idol he has is Lionel (Messi).” He further talked about how despite watching a lot of Premier League, Acuna identifies with Messi since he is his idol and he has also played for Newell’s.