Diego Lainez

Full name: Diego Lainez Leyva

Country: Mexico

Date of birth: 09/07/2000 (17 years old)

Place of birth: Villahermosa (Mexico)

Height: 168cm

Youth career: Club America

Current club: Club America

Squad number: 34

Current national team: Mexico U-17

Position: winger, attacking midfielder, second striker

Preferred foot: left

Market value (by transfermarkt.de): 500.000 €

Tournaments participated in: 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup (4/2)

Contract until: unknown

Player’s agent: unknown

Transfer rumours: —

Similar type of player: Leo Messi

Strengths:

– pace and acceleration

– ball control

– dribbling

– technique

– dynamism

– passing

– flair

– creativity

– balance

Weaknesses:

– defensive contribution

– athleticism

Style of play:

– capable of playing in several other positions, such as second striker, winger and attacking midfielder

– creative player with very good technical ability, 1vs1 short-dribbling skills, close ball control, fast direction shifts in possession and vision to make through passes to the teammates providing dynamism to the team’s last offensive third plays

– likes to dribble

– likes to play in a free attacking role granted the freedom to roam the pitch and find space

– extremely difficult to knock off the ball with a low centre of gravity and excellent close control

– likes to attack from the wing where he is capable of cutting into the middle and try powerful and accurate shots with his stronger left foot

– extremely dangerous on the counter thanks to his pace and acceleration

– known for his “quick feet”, coordination, speed of movement and dynamism

– capable both of creating chances for team-mates, as well as scoring goals himself, due to his vision and ability to play off of other players

– very good with the ball at his feet and can move past opponents with extreme ease

– plays with a natural flair and is dangerous in the box

– very strong in 1v1 situations, unpredictable and very confident of his skills

– excellent balance, coordination and changes of pace

– often makes surging runs into penalty box

– displays a natural technique to take fast decisions in tight spaces/under pressure

– gets fouled often

– likes to use tricks and skills to remain in possession of the ball

– all-action and energetic

He is best suited to playing as:

Second striker in 4-4-2.

Video:

Achievements:

—

League summary (as for 5 November 2017):

Liga MEX 2016/2017 : 9 games/0 goals (Club America)

Liga MEX 2017/2018 (ongoing): 5 games/0 goals (Club America)

Description:

Diego Lainez is a product of Club America youth academy. He is considered to be one of the most talented teenagers in Mexico. He has an older brother Mauro who is also a footballer and plays for Pachuca. Diego made his competitive debut on 1 March 2017 in the Copa MX group stage match against Santos Laguna. Three days later, he made his league debut against Club León, becoming the club’s youngest player to debut in the first team.

Quotes:

‘He may only be 16 but this diminutive attacking midfielder has already made his professional bow, in a Copa MX clash with Santos Laguna earlier this year. Europe’s elite have already taken note of a player who, both physically and stylistically, bears more than a passing resemblance to his idol, Lionel Messi.’

(goal.com)

Football Talent Scout potential rating:

9/10

Player has potential to become a key player in a top European club.

Links:

Transfermarkt

Soccerway