Overview
Mathias Villasanti, born on January 24, 1997, in Caacupé, Paraguay, is a central midfielder renowned for his defensive capabilities and strategic play. Standing at 1.78 meters, Villasanti's physical presence and tactical discipline make him a formidable force in the middle of the park. His career trajectory has seen him develop from a promising talent in Paraguayan football to a recognized international player and a key component in Brazil's Série A.
Position
Villasanti primarily operates as a defensive midfielder, often deployed as a number six, shielding the defense and dictating the tempo from deep. His role involves breaking up opposition attacks, winning possession, and initiating build-up play. While his primary strengths lie in his defensive contributions, he also possesses the ability to carry the ball forward and contribute to offensive transitions. He is often praised for his ability to cover ground and track runners, making him a vital asset in transitions.
Identity
Mathias Villasanti is best described as a tenacious ball-winning midfielder with significant tactical awareness. His game is built on relentless effort, intelligent positioning, and precise tackling. He embodies the classic South American defensive midfielder archetype: tough, uncompromising, and highly competitive. This identity has allowed him to adapt successfully to various tactical systems and perform consistently at a high level for both his club and the Paraguay national team.
His leadership qualities, even from a relatively young age, have also been noted, contributing to his integral role within the squads he represents. Villasanti's commitment to the defensive phase of the game, combined with his capacity to instigate attacks, underscores his value as a complete midfielder in contemporary football.
Career path
Mathias Villasanti's professional journey began in his native Paraguay, where he progressed through the youth ranks before establishing himself in the top flight.
Club Libertad
Villasanti began his youth career at Club Libertad, one of Paraguay's most successful clubs. He made his senior debut for Libertad in 2016. His early years were marked by consistent development, showcasing his potential as a robust central midfielder. His tenure at Libertad included several loan spells designed to accelerate his experience and game time.
Loan Spells: Rubio Ñu and Deportivo Capiatá
To gain further first-team experience, Villasanti was loaned to Rubio Ñu in 2017. This spell provided him with crucial minutes and exposure to regular competitive football. Following this, he spent time on loan at Deportivo Capiatá in 2018, continuing his development and refining his craft in the Paraguayan Primera División. These experiences were fundamental in shaping his understanding of senior professional football.
Return to Club Libertad and Breakthrough
Upon his return to Club Libertad, Villasanti cemented his place in the starting eleven. He became a pivotal figure in their midfield, attracting attention for his consistent performances in domestic competitions and the Copa Libertadores. His strong displays between 2019 and 2021 made him one of the most sought-after midfielders in Paraguay, leading to significant transfer interest from abroad. His transfer value steadily increased during this period, as documented by Transfermarkt.
Grêmio
In August 2021, Villasanti made a significant move to Brazilian club Grêmio, signing a multi-year contract. This transfer marked a new chapter in his career, entering one of South America's most competitive leagues. He quickly adapted to the demands of Brazilian football, becoming an undisputed starter for Grêmio. His performances have been crucial in Grêmio's campaigns, showcasing his leadership and work rate. Villasanti has continued to be a foundational player for Grêmio, contributing significantly to their successes and stability in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, as detailed on Transfermarkt.
Playing style
Mathias Villasanti's playing style is defined by a blend of defensive resilience, tactical intelligence, and a high work rate, making him an archetypal modern defensive midfielder.
Defensive Attributes
His primary strength lies in his defensive capabilities. Villasanti is an expert at breaking up play, employing intelligent anticipation and strong tackling to dispossess opponents. He consistently ranks highly in metrics such as tackles won, interceptions, and pressures, as data from FBref often illustrates. His ability to read the game allows him to cut passing lanes and nullify opposition attacking threats effectively. He is also proficient in aerial duels, providing an additional layer of defensive solidity in midfield.
Work Rate and Stamina
Villasanti's engine is a key component of his game. He covers vast amounts of ground throughout a match, pressing opponents, tracking back to support the defense, and joining attacks when opportunities arise. This tireless work rate ensures he is consistently involved in passages of play across the pitch, contributing to both offensive and defensive transitions. His stamina allows him to maintain a high intensity for the full 90 minutes.
Distribution and Ball Progression
While primarily a defensive midfielder, Villasanti is also comfortable in possession. He possesses a reliable passing range, capable of playing short, incisive passes to maintain possession and longer, diagonal balls to switch the play. He demonstrates good decision-making under pressure, rarely losing the ball in dangerous areas. His ability to carry the ball forward, dribbling past an initial press, adds another dimension to his game, allowing Grêmio to transition from defense to attack smoothly. His progressive passing and carrying statistics are often noted on platforms like Sofascore.
Comparisons
Villasanti's style draws comparisons to players known for their defensive midfield prowess and energy, such as Casemiro in his prime, or some aspects of N'Golo Kanté's early career work rate and ball-winning ability, albeit with a more traditional holding midfielder's approach.
Achievements & honours
Mathias Villasanti has accumulated various team honours throughout his career, contributing significantly to his clubs' successes in Paraguay and Brazil.
His time at Club Libertad saw him lift domestic titles, showcasing his influence in a successful era for the club:
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Club Libertad | Paraguayan Primera División (Apertura) | 2021 |
| Club Libertad | Paraguayan Primera División (Apertura) | 2017 |
Since his move to Grêmio, Villasanti has continued to add to his trophy cabinet, experiencing success in state and national competitions in Brazil:
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Grêmio | Campeonato Gaúcho | 2022 |
| Grêmio | Recopa Gaúcha | 2022 |
| Grêmio | Campeonato Gaúcho | 2023 |
| Grêmio | Recopa Gaúcha | 2023 |
While individual awards are less common for defensive midfielders, Villasanti's consistent high-level performances have frequently earned him recognition in team of the season selections and player ratings, underscoring his value to both his clubs and his national team.
International career
Mathias Villasanti has been a consistent presence for the Paraguay national team, representing his country at various levels before becoming a senior international.
Youth International
Villasanti represented Paraguay at youth levels, progressing through the U-20 and U-23 squads. These early experiences provided a platform for him to showcase his abilities on the international stage, preparing him for the demands of senior football.
Senior Debut and Role
He made his senior international debut for Paraguay in 2019. Since then, he has become a regular fixture in the national squad, earning over 30 caps. Villasanti's role for La Albirroja mirrors his club responsibilities: providing defensive solidity, breaking up play, and orchestrating transitions from midfield. His combative style and reliability have made him a vital part of Paraguay's midfield, especially in crucial World Cup qualifiers and Copa América tournaments.
Major Tournament Appearances
Villasanti has consistently featured for Paraguay in significant international competitions, including multiple editions of the Copa América. His performances in these tournaments have highlighted his ability to compete against some of South America's elite talent. He has been instrumental in Paraguay's efforts to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, providing stability and leadership in competitive qualifying campaigns. His participation and statistics in these matches are regularly updated on platforms such as FIFA's official website.
International Goal
Villasanti scored his first international goal for Paraguay in a crucial World Cup qualifier, further cementing his importance to the team beyond just defensive duties.
What makes Mathias Villasanti stand out
Mathias Villasanti stands out primarily due to his exceptional defensive intelligence and unrelenting work rate. He possesses a rare ability to consistently win the ball back cleanly, often anticipating plays before they fully develop, which allows him to intercept passes and make crucial tackles without resorting to fouls. This tactical acumen is coupled with immense stamina, enabling him to cover vast areas of the pitch and maintain defensive pressure throughout the entire match.
Another distinguishing trait is his leadership and composure under pressure. Even in high-stakes matches, Villasanti demonstrates a calm demeanor, making sensible decisions in possession and organizing the midfield. His ability to anchor the midfield provides a crucial platform for his team's attacking players to flourish, knowing they have a dependable shield behind them. This combination of defensive quality, endurance, and leadership marks him as a truly impactful player.
“Villasanti is a modern defensive midfielder; he reads the game incredibly well and has the engine to be everywhere you need him to be.”