Vietto: "I would love to be half as good as 'Kun' Agüero"

At just 21 years of age, Luciano Vietto (Balnearia, Cordoba, Argentina, 5-12-1993) is one of the most exciting prospects in world football. After the player stood out in the ranks of Racing Club de Avellaneda, Villarreal went to great lengths to sign him and the young striker has delivered with goals and numerous displays of his potential on the pitch. Although this is his first experience outside of his native Argentina, Vietto has proved immune to the usual difficulties of adapting and has already found the net seven times in the Liga BBVA, making him one of the men of the moment. LFP.es spoke with him exclusively about his first months in Spanish football.

LFP.es: Coming to Europe was your dream and you have become one of the surprise packages of La Liga. How are you fitting in at Villarreal?

Vietto: Really good. Villarreal is a great club who are committed to their young players; that is great for me in order to learn and improve.

LFP.es: At your presentation you said you had offers from several clubs. What made you choose Villarreal? 

Vietto: Villarreal was the team that showed the most interest in me and I think that is worth something. I wanted to thank them for the gesture and demonstrate that I was keen to come here, that is why I made the decision.

LFP.es: What differences have you seen between Argentine and Spanish football? 

Vietto: Spanish football is much more about passing the ball than in Argentina, where there are more long balls… There are several differences, but it is something you sense when you are playing. The ball is played on the ground more here. 

LFP.es: How would you sum up 2014?

Vietto: These six months in Spain have been very good and very positive. They have been the first months of my career outside of my country and I really am very happy with how things are going. I am with an excellent group of people and players, who want to learn every day; that has been a great help in becoming part of the group.

LFP.es: ¿What is it like to work under the orders of Marcelino García Toral?

Vietto: He is an interesting manager, who works a lot and is always on the players' backs. He does not want us to get comfortable. That is very important, because he keeps us on our toes every day. That keeps us in a good rhythm for all three competitions.

"Marcelino gives me peace of mind. He tells me there's no rush, that these are my first months in Spain and that I have to go through a period of adaptation"

LFP.es: Has he given you any particular advice? 

Vietto: He gives me peace of mind. He tells me there's no rush, that these are my first months in Spain and that I have to go through a period of adaptation. Not pressuring me or demanding anything from be has really helped me stay calm and take things step by step. 

LFP.es: How does a young player cope with so much praise? 

Vietto: You have to keep your feet on the ground. These things come and go in a footballer's career; there are times at which you're praised and others when you're not. You have to enjoy it while being aware that I still haven't done anything, that these are my first months in the Liga BBVA and I have to keep learning and improving a lot of things.

LFP.es: What do you think you still have to improve on? 

Vietto: A lot of things. Technically, tactically and individually. I always have to improve and my family, my agent and the people at the club and the coaching staff are there to help me. I hope to keep improving and correcting the things I do badly in order to keep learning.

"You have to enjoy the praise while being aware that I still haven't done anything"

LFP.es: One of your best performances was against Atlético Madrid. Villarreal became the first team to win in the Vicente Calderón since May 2013 thanks to your goal. Was it one of the most important of your career? 

Vietto: It was undoubtedly one of the most important I have scored in my career. Atlético had not lost at home for a long time, they were the Liga BBVA champions… There were a lot of things that made it an important goal. I really enjoyed it with my teammates because it was so amazing. Getting three points was the most important thing. 

LFP.es: In that match you were facing the manager who gave you your debut in the Argentinian First Division at the age of 18. What does Simeone mean to you?

Vietto: Simeone gave me the most important opportunity in a player's career, which is the first-division debut. I will be grateful to him for the rest of my life.

LFP.es: That same day, in the early hours, 'your' Racing de Avellaneda were crowned champions of Argentina.

Vietto: Yes! (laughs) It was the perfect finish to a great day. When I got home they were showing the match and I sat down to watch it. I was very happy for my ex-teammates, who have gone through hard times and they deserved to enjoy something like that.

LFP.es: The Argentina manager, Gerardo Martino, has stated that he is watching your progress. I imagine it would be a dream come true for you to represent your country. 
Vietto: Obviously, all players dream of playing for their country. I am aware that there is a lot of competition in my position, with the best strikers in the world. I'll try my best at Villarreal and the day that Martino decides to call me up I'll be happy and very grateful. 

"The goal against Atlético was one of the most important I have scored in my career. I really enjoyed it with my teammates because it was so amazing"

LFP.es: You get compared a lot with 'Kun' Agüero, one of your idols. What do you think about that comparison?

Vietto: It is great to be compared with players like that. I would love to be half as good as 'Kun' Agüero. He is a great player and he shows it every day. As I said I would love to be a player like him… I would be very happy. 

LFP.es: You've scored 12 goals in all competitions with Villarreal and at Racing you scored 18 in 72 matches. Do you set yourself a target for the end of the season?

Vietto: I haven't set myself a target. I try to score in every game, but what I want is to help the team get points. 

LFP.es: Finally, what are you hoping for from 2015?

Vietto: I always wish that my family are ok. In terms of football, that the opportunities I am enjoying continue to come, because that is amazing. I will try to make the most of them.