A couple of years ago, Barcelona were in a bidding war with Atlético Madrid for him, now he plays in Saudi Arabia. What happened to Vietto?

Luciano Vietto is an Argentine striker who has shot up like a rocket in European football. After his first season in Europe, he was snapped up by Europe’s leading clubs, led by Atlético Madrid and Barcelona. He is now playing in Saudi Arabia. What happened to this footballer and what direction did his career take?

Luciano began his journey in European football when he transferred from Argentine side Racing Club to Villarreal on 4 August 2014. In his first season in Europe, the Argentine striker did more than well.

During the 2014/15 season, Vietto played a total of 48 games in the yellow submarine jersey, scoring 20 goals and notching 8 assists. These are very good numbers, especially considering that this was his first season outside of Argentina.

With his performances in a Villarreal jersey, the Balnearíe native caught the attention of many big clubs. Atlético Madrid and Barcelona in particular were keen on the then twenty-one-year-old striker.

Initially, it seemed that the Messi factor would take over, as Vietto expressed during the season that he would love to play alongside Messi. In the end, however, this did not happen, as Vietto transferred to Atlético Madrid on 7 July 2015.

In the 2015/16 season, the talented Argentine played a total of 28 games in a Madrid jersey, scoring 3 goals and notching 5 assists. During those matches, Vietto played a total of 1,425 minutes, or just under 16 games.

The Balnearíe native did not get another chance in a Madrid jersey next season, as he was sent on a one-year loan to Sevilla on 29 July. During the loan spell, Vietto played a total of 31 games, scoring 10 goals and notching 6 assists.

Luciano started the 2017/18 season in the Atlético squad, but was only given a chance in 10 matches, in which he played only 520 minutes. During these, he did not score a goal or an assist. Subsequently, on 4 January 2018, he was sent out on loan again, this time to Valencia until the end of the season.

Vietto played 19 games in a Bats jersey, scoring 5 goals and notching 1 assist. After his return from his loan spell, the Argentine did not get another chance in a Madrid jersey and was sent on a one-year loan to Fulham on 9 August 2018.

In England, Luciano played a total of 22 matches in a Fulham jersey, scoring 1 goal and notching 4 assists. During these matches he accumulated a total of 1,161 minutes, or just under 13 matches.

On 1 July 2019, Vietto’s stage at Atlético Madrid officially ended as he transferred to Sporting for €11 million. In Portugal, the Argentine was already primarily playing on the left wing instead of the position of a top striker.

In the 2019/20 season, the now 28-year-old played a total of 36 games in the Portuguese club’s jersey, scoring 8 goals and notching 5 assists. In the opener of the 2020/21 season, Vietto managed to play 5 games, scoring 1 goal and notching 2 assists.

After that, the Argentine changed his location again. On 25 October 2020, he transferred for €3.50 million to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal Riyadh, with whom he signed a contract until 30 June 2024 and whose colours he has defended until now.

So far, Vietto has played a total of 36 matches for the Saudi club, scoring 6 goals and notching 5 assists.

It is quite sad to see the direction in which the talented Argentine’s career has taken. Anyway, it would no doubt be interesting to think about where he would be now if he had chosen Barcelona before.

Source: Transfermarkt