Players Similar to Santiago Hezze — 5 Comparable Midfielders (2026)

Why look at similar players to Santiago Hezze

Santiago Hezze, born on October 22, 2001, is a central midfielder from Argentina, currently playing for Olympiacos in Greece. Standing at 1.77 meters, Hezze is primarily known for his role as a defensive midfielder, often operating as a number six or an advanced number eight. His playing style is characterized by a high work rate, strong tackling ability, and effective short passing to initiate attacks. Hezze excels in breaking up opposition play, winning aerial duels, and providing a crucial link between defense and attack. He possesses good positional awareness, allowing him to screen the defense effectively and anticipate passes. Scouts and analysts often look for players with a similar profile when seeking a midfielder who can provide defensive solidity, contribute to ball progression, and maintain tactical discipline.

His defining traits include his aggressive yet disciplined approach to winning the ball, his ability to cover ground, and his capacity to distribute possession under pressure. Hezze's contributions extend beyond just defensive actions; he also demonstrates a keen understanding of space, often making intelligent runs into the box or providing support in wider areas when needed. His consistent performances in the Greek Super League and European competitions have highlighted his potential as a well-rounded midfielder. For teams seeking a player who can anchor the midfield, protect the backline, and contribute to the team's build-up play, Santiago Hezze's attributes provide a strong blueprint for comparison.

Similar players ranked

1. 1. Alan Varela — A robust defensive midfielder

   Alan Varela, born on July 4, 2001, is an Argentine defensive midfielder who plays for FC Porto in Portugal. Like Santiago Hezze, Varela operates primarily as a number six, dictating play from deep and shielding the defense. Both players share a strong defensive work ethic, excellent ball-winning capabilities, and a calm demeanor under pressure. Varela's passing range is a notable strength, often initiating long-range attacks with precision, a trait also present in Hezze's game, albeit perhaps with less emphasis on expansive distribution. According to Alan Varela's Transfermarkt profile, he has consistently displayed high tackle success rates and strong possession retention, similar to Hezze's statistical output. While Hezze might be slightly more involved in box-to-box actions, Varela often focuses more on anchoring the midfield and distributing possession reliably.

2. 2. Enzo Fernández — A dynamic central midfielder

   Enzo Fernández, born on January 17, 2001, is another Argentine midfielder, currently with Chelsea in the Premier League. Fernández, a FIFA World Cup winner, shares Hezze's nationality and a similar birth year, making them direct contemporaries. While Hezze is often deployed as a more traditional defensive midfielder, Fernández exhibits a greater box-to-box presence, combining defensive duties with significant offensive contributions. Both players possess exceptional vision and passing accuracy, enabling them to control the tempo of a match. Enzo Fernández's FBref statistics show a higher volume of progressive passes and carries compared to Hezze, reflecting his more advanced role. However, their shared ability to break lines with passes and recover possession in midfield makes them comparable in terms of overall influence within the central areas of the pitch.

3. 3. Manuel Ugarte — A tenacious ball-winner

   Manuel Ugarte, born on April 11, 2001, is a Uruguayan defensive midfielder playing for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. Ugarte is renowned for his relentless pressing, aggressive tackling, and exceptional work rate, characteristics that strongly align with Santiago Hezze's playing style. Both players are formidable in disrupting opposition attacks and winning back possession in critical areas of the field. Ugarte's defensive metrics, as detailed on Manuel Ugarte's Sofascore profile, often highlight his high number of interceptions and successful tackles per game. While Hezze might offer a slightly more refined passing game in deeper areas, Ugarte's intensity and sheer volume of defensive actions make him a very close comparison in terms of midfield destroyer capabilities.

4. 4. Máximo Perrone — A deep-lying playmaker with defensive grit

   Máximo Perrone, born on January 7, 2003, is an Argentine defensive midfielder currently on loan at UD Las Palmas from Manchester City. Perrone, despite being slightly younger than Hezze, shares a similar foundational role as a deep-lying midfielder. He combines defensive solidity with excellent technical ability and vision, capable of initiating attacks from deep. Both players exhibit composure on the ball and a good understanding of tactical positioning. Perrone's development under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City suggests a strong emphasis on ball retention and progressive passing, which are also key aspects of Hezze's game. The main difference lies in Perrone's potentially higher ceiling for creative output from deep, whereas Hezze's primary focus leans more towards defensive security and short, sharp distribution.

5. 5. Florentino Luís — A disciplined holding midfielder

   Florentino Luís, born on August 19, 1999, is a Portuguese defensive midfielder who plays for Benfica. Luís is known for his exceptional defensive positioning, ability to read the game, and consistent ball recovery, drawing clear parallels with Santiago Hezze. Both players are specialists in breaking up play, shielding the back four, and providing a stable base for their respective teams. Florentino Luís's Transfermarkt data consistently shows high numbers for interceptions and defensive duels won. While Hezze might be more inclined to carry the ball forward or join attacks, Luís typically maintains a more disciplined, static defensive role, making him a pure holding midfielder. Their shared commitment to defensive duties and tactical discipline makes them strong comparative figures.

Side-by-side comparison

How to pick the right comparison

When evaluating players similar to Santiago Hezze, the choice of comparison largely depends on the specific attributes one prioritizes. If a scout or analyst is primarily looking for a direct replacement for Hezze's core defensive midfield role, emphasizing ball-winning, tackling, and positional discipline, then players like Manuel Ugarte or Florentino Luís would be highly relevant. Ugarte offers a more aggressive, high-intensity defensive presence, while Luís provides exceptional positional awareness and consistent ball recovery. Their defensive statistics and tactical roles closely mirror Hezze's foundational contributions.

However, if the focus shifts towards a midfielder who can also contribute significantly to ball progression and creative build-up from deep, then Enzo Fernández or Máximo Perrone become more pertinent comparisons. Fernández, with his World Cup experience and Premier League exposure, demonstrates a higher volume of progressive passes and carries, indicating a more dynamic, box-to-box influence. Perrone, while still defensively sound, possesses a refined passing ability that allows him to act as a deep-lying playmaker, distributing the ball with precision. These players share Hezze's technical competence but offer a broader offensive scope.

For those seeking a player with a balanced profile, combining defensive tenacity with reliable distribution, Alan Varela presents a strong case. Varela’s ability to anchor the midfield while also initiating attacks with his passing range creates a well-rounded option. His style aligns closely with Hezze's capacity to be both a disruptor and a facilitator. Ultimately, the 'right' comparison is subjective, driven by the specific needs and tactical philosophy of the team or the analytical lens being applied. Considering these nuances allows for a more accurate and beneficial comparison, moving beyond mere positional alignment to assess stylistic and functional overlaps.

Why Santiago Hezze comparisons matter

Player comparisons, especially for emerging talents like Santiago Hezze, are crucial for several stakeholders in football. For scouts and sporting directors, these comparisons serve as a vital tool for talent identification and recruitment. By understanding Hezze's specific skill set – his defensive acumen, passing range, and tactical intelligence – clubs can efficiently search for similar players who might fit their team's system or provide an alternative if Hezze himself is unavailable or too expensive. This process streamlines recruitment by narrowing down a vast pool of players to a select few who possess the desired attributes. For instance, a team needing a robust midfield anchor might specifically look at players whose defensive statistics and work rate mirror Hezze's, using data from sources like FBref statistics to inform their decisions.

For fans and journalists, comparisons provide a convenient framework for understanding a player's style and potential impact. Describing a player as 'the next Santiago Hezze' or 'similar to Hezze in his prime' offers an immediate, albeit sometimes oversimplified, mental image of their capabilities. It helps contextualize a player's performance and allows for more informed discussions about their role within a team. For instance, when Hezze moved to Olympiacos, comparisons to other defensive midfielders in the Greek Super League or players with similar European experience would have helped fans gauge his expected contribution. These comparisons are not just about identifying clones but about recognizing shared qualities and potential trajectories. As football analysts often highlight on Wikipedia, such analyses are fundamental to understanding player value and potential in the modern game.

"Comparisons are essential in football for benchmarking talent and projecting potential. They help us understand a player's role, their strengths, and where they might fit into different tactical setups." – A common sentiment among football analysts.