Javier Pastore

Early life

Pastore was born in Córdoba in an Italian-Argentine family originally from Volvera, Turin. He started his career in the youth system of the Argentine club Talleres, and slowly worked his way up to the first team. In 2007, he made his debut in the Argentine second division under the wing of manager Ricardo Gareca. In 2007, he only managed to play five games.

Huracán

During the 2008 season, Pastore was loaned to Huracán of the Argentine Primera. He made his professional debut for Huracán on 24 May 2008 in a 1–0 loss to River Plate. In the 2009 Clausura championship, he established himself as a regular first-team player for the club under the management of Ángel Cappa. This was his breakthrough tournament, where his side narrowly missed out on the championship title. His performance against River Plate was particularly lauded, where he opened the scoring with a 25-yard shot and then scored again with a piece of individual brilliance, helping Huracán win 4–0 in the club's biggest win against River Plate in over 60 years. He ended up as the team's top scorer with seven goals and three assists. Pastore and teammate Matías De Federico were integral to Huracán's title challenge that season.

Palermo

On 11 July 2009 Palermo formally announced the signing of Pastore for five years until 30 June 2014, with the transfer fee listed at approximately €4.7 million. Before his move to Palermo, the player was also linked to number of other top European…

On 25 May 2010, Pastore was included by Maradona in Argentina's 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He debuted on 22 June by coming on the pitch in the 77th minute against Greece, replacing Sergio Agüero, ending in a 2–0 victory. Against Mexico on 27 June, Pastore replaced Maxi Rodríguez in the 87th minute. Pastore was included by manager Sergio Batista in Argentina's 23-man squad for the 2011 Copa América on home soil. Argentina were eliminated by eventual champions Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals. On 31 March 2015, Pastore scored his first senior international goal in a 2–1 friendly victory against Ecuador at the MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. Later that year, Pastore was selected by coach Gerardo Martino for the 2015 Copa América, and started in the team's opening fixture against Paraguay in La Serena. At the semi-final stage, Pastore scored the team's second goal and assisted Ángel Di María for the third as Argentina defeated Paraguay 6–1 to reach the tournament final. In the final against hosts Chile on 4 July, Pastore came off for Éver Banega in the 81st minute; following a 0–0 draw after extra-time, Chile claimed the title with a 4–1 penalty shoot-out victory. In 2016, Pastore was included in Argentina's 23-man squad for the Copa América Centenario. Argentina went on to reach the final, only to lose out on penalties to Chile once again.

An elegant, creative and technically gifted advanced playmaker, with excellent dribbling skills and close control, Pastore is capable of playing in several offensive roles, due to his ability to both score and create goals. Although he is usually deployed as an attacking midfielder due to his vision, passing and striking ability from distance, he is also capable of functioning as a winger, as a supporting striker or even as a forward, and has also been deployed in more withdrawn midfield roles on occasion, operating as a central midfielder, as a deep-lying playmaker, or even as a mezzala, due to his work-rate, creativity, skill, and physical attributes, despite his lack of notable pace. Pastore is particularly renowned for his proficiency in executing the caño to bypass defenders in tight spaces. Described by The Athletic as a master of the skill, he frequently utilizes various techniques, including the inside, outside, sole, and heel of his foot, to nutmeg opponents. Pastore himself has characterized the skill not only as an effective tactical tool to breach compact defences, but also as an essential aesthetic component of football. A talented, strong, quick and hard-working right-footed player, his playing style has drawn comparisons to Kaká, Zinedine Zidane, Zlatan Ibrahimović and one of his childhood idols, Enzo Francescoli, although Pastore has stated that his main influence is compatriot Juan Román Riquelme. Nicknamed "El Flaco" (like Francescoli before him) due to his…

Club

As of match played 9 May 2023

International

Scores and results list Argentina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Pastore goal.