Some opportunities take years to arrive — but when they do, they’re worth every second of waiting. Gianluca Prestianni knows that feeling well. The young Argentine finally made his mark on the international stage at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™, wearing his nation’s colors with pride.
After missing out on the South American U-17 Championship, the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™, and the South American U-20 Championship earlier this year, Prestianni’s patience paid off. The highly talented winger, often seen as the next in Argentina’s line of gifted, diminutive playmakers, shone brightly — earning the Visa Player of the Match award in both the quarter-final win over Mexico and the semi-final victory against Colombia.
Still buzzing after the game, he couldn’t hide his gratitude. “First of all, I had to ask Benfica for permission to come,” he told reporters. “I wasn’t available for the South American tournaments or the U-17 World Cup, so I really want to thank Benfica for allowing me to be here. We’ll try to win the World Cup, and then I’ll return to help Benfica win everything. I’m getting more minutes now, and I’m happy.”
A product of the Vélez Sarsfield academy, Prestianni moved to Benfica in 2024, where he shared the dressing room with Ángel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi. After a tough FIFA Club World Cup™ campaign, he began earning more playing time under José Mourinho — the same coach who, like Pep Guardiola in 2008 with Lionel Messi, gave his player the green light to represent Argentina in Chile.
Prestianni arrived in Chile just hours before Argentina’s opener against Cuba. He started the tournament as a substitute, playing only 29 minutes across the group stage. But fate intervened — an injury to teammate Álvaro Montoro in the Round of 16 opened the door. From that moment on, Prestianni made the spot his own.
He dazzled in the quarter-final against Mexico and delivered a crucial assist in the semi-final against Colombia — a moment that showcased his vision and composure. Starting as a winger in Diego Placente’s dynamic setup, he adapted to a 4-4-2 system after halftime, working tirelessly on both ends of the pitch.
“We knew Colombia would be tough,” he said. “They press hard and attack fast, but this team is ready for anything — we can suffer, keep the ball, or strike when needed. We know how to adapt.”
True to his words, Prestianni combined creativity with commitment. His trademark bursts of acceleration, quick cuts, and sharp footwork constantly unsettled defenders. His game-winning assist for Mateo Silvetti came from a well-rehearsed play. “We’d talked about it before,” he revealed. “We knew they’d switch off when we moved the ball side to side. Chelo (Milton Delgado) saw me make the run, and I managed to pick out Silvetti perfectly.”
Coach Diego Placente couldn’t hide his admiration. “I’m so happy for him,” he said. “He missed out on the U-17 World Cup, but he’s grown — not just as a player, but as a person. Since joining us, he’s added solutions, maturity, and confidence. He’s always had quality, and now he’s proving he can make the difference.”
Prestianni’s story is one of patience, resilience, and seizing the moment — and with Argentina heading into the final, his long wait for the spotlight has finally been rewarded.