Pablo Piatti

Piatti, 30, was in his fourth season with Espanyol, where he made 95 appearances, scoring 14 goals and adding 19 assists in all competitions (La Liga, Copa del Rey and Europa League). In May of 2017, Piatti was named to UEFA.com’s Best XI of La Liga 2016-17, a selection which included Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo. He originally joined Espanyol on loan from Valencia CF in 2016, signing a three-year contract in May 2017. Piatti scored on his debut for Espanyol against Sevilla FC on August 16, 2016.

Piatti began his career in Argentina in the youth system of Club Estudiantes de la Plata (Estudiantes). In 2006, he made his debut with the first team at the age of 17, when he came off the bench against Newell’s Old Boys and scored the winning goal in injury time. He appeared in 59 matches for Estudiantes, scoring 13 goals in two seasons. Piatti joined Spanish club UD Almería in the summer of 2008, where he played with 2017 MLS MVP Diego Valeri. In three seasons with Almeria, he made 110 appearances registering 23 goals and 11 assists in La Liga and Copa del Rey. In July 2011, Piatti was transferred to Valencia, where he played alongside 2019 MLS Best XI Carles Gil and appeared in 162 matches, registering 23 goals and adding 30 assists across all competitions. Piatti has played more than 300 games between La Liga, Copa del Rey and European competitions with Spanish teams.

Piatti represented the Argentina National team at the youth level. He was part of the squad that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007. He received his only call-up to the senior National team on June 5, 2011, making his debut in a friendly match against Poland in Warsaw.