Santiago Ascacíbar
Ascacíbar with VfB Stuttgart in 2017
Personal information
Full name Santiago Lionel Ascacíbar
Date of birth (1997-02-25) 25 February 1997
Place of birth La Plata, Argentina
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Estudiantes
Number 5
Youth career
2006–2015 Estudiantes
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 Estudiantes 41 (0)
2017–2020 VfB Stuttgart 69 (1)
2020–2023 Hertha BSC 49 (1)
2022–2023 → Cremonese (loan) 13 (0)
2023 → Estudiantes (loan) 17 (3)
2023– Estudiantes 6 (1)
International career‡
2017 Argentina U20 12 (0)
2016 Argentina U23 5 (0)
2018– Argentina 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 July 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 27 September 2019 (UTC)

Santiago Lionel Ascacíbar (born 25 February 1997) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Estudiantes. He also represents the Argentina national team.[1]

Ascacíbar began his career at hometown club Estudiantes. He then moved to Bundesliga team VfB Stuttgart in 2017, developing a reputation as a natural leader alongside criticism for his temperament.[2] He completed a transfer to Hertha BSC in January 2020 after Stuttgart had suffered relegation the previous season, with manager Jürgen Klinsmann describing him as "one of the best defensive midfielders in the Bundesliga".[3]

Ascacíbar was part of the Argentine team that competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He made his senior debut in 2018.

Early years

Ascacíbar was born on 25 February 1997 in La Plata, Argentina, as part of an extended family: son of Mariana Rollero and Javier Ascacíbar, he was raised in Villa Elvira alongside his four brothers.[4][5] His family also took in two of his teammates who for various reasons could not stay in the academy of his youth club Estudiantes; also considering both to be his brothers.[6][7]

Club career

Estudiantes

Ascacíbar arrived at Estudiantes in 2006 at the age of 8, after performing a trial in which coach Omar Rulli –father of goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli – was surprised by his tenacity, describing Ascacíbar as "a fan of practice, very obsessive from a young age to improve his technique, as well as with his daily work".[8] Denoting his skill as a central midfielder from early on, and a strong presence on the pitch rarely seen among academy players, Rusito ("The Little Russian"), as he was nicknamed since childhood due to his blond hair and blue eyes, quickly became a key player in his age class.[9]

After recording impressive performances in his first four years in AFA youth divisions, the team's youth football coordinator Hermes Desio promoted him to the reserves for the first time in late 2014, and Ascacíbar made his debut in a match against the reserves of Rosario Central away at the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito.[10][11]

Already in early 2015, he represented Estudiantes at the Frenz International Cup in Malaysia and Indonesia with a team consisting of players born in 1997 and 1998. Although Estudiantes lost the final to Brazilian club Internacional, the organisers chose him as the best player of the tournament.[12][11] Once back in Argentina, Nelson Vivas, manager of the first team, made him the starting central midfielder of the reserves.[11]

That same year, and on the recommendation of former international Juan Sebastián Verón who was now president of the club, Ascacíbar finished his secondary studies at the Colegio de Estudiantes and enrolled in Anthropology at the National University of La Plata,[11] despite not being able to regularly attend classes due to his professional debut with the first team.16In this sense, Ascacibar was seen as the antithesis of the typical professional footballer: he still lived with his parents and siblings and lead a life away from lavishness, valuing an education.[13]

You have to have a clear mind on your goals and then it's up to you to reach those goals. If you want to have luxury cars and women, you're going to have them; if you don't want to have them, you're not going to have them. No one puts a gun to your head and says 'do it'. But you don't have to judge that either, because everyone is responsible for what they do and everyone is free in their life to do what they want.

— Santiago Ascacíbar in 2017.[14]

On 8 February 2016, Ascacíbar made his professional debut for Estudiantes, playing the entire match against Lanús in the Argentine Primera División which ended in a 1–0 loss.[15] Over the course of the season, his performances with the first team improved and he became a starter for the team.[16][17] In his first full season as a first-team player, he appeared in all games and was the player who recovered the most balls.[18] At the end of the season, he was awarded the Olimpia Award in the category Best Player of Local Football.[19]

His final appearance for the club came on 3 August 2017 in a 2–0 victory against Nacional Potosí in the Copa Sudamericana. When he was subbed off, he received a standing ovation at the Estadio Ciudad de La Plata.[20]

VfB Stuttgart

On 22 August 2017, Ascacíbar signed a five-year-deal with VfB Stuttgart.[21][22][23] He made his debut on 10 September, coming off the bench in the 62nd minute for Orel Mangala in a 3–1 away defeat against Schalke 04.[24]

In August 2018, Ascacíbar extended his contract with Stuttgart until June 2023.[25] At the end of the season, the club suffered relegation to the 2. Bundesliga.[26]

He scored his first goal for Stuttgart against Dynamo Dresden on 3 November 2019 in the 2. Bundesliga, slotting home from short distance in an eventual 3–1 victory at Mercedes-Benz Arena.[27] This came after a period, where Ascacíbar had been suspended by the team due to his demands of being the starting defensive midfielder. Manager Tim Walter afterwards called him a "temperamental boy" who could sometimes "get carried away".[2]

Hertha BSC

On 1 January 2020, Ascacíbar signed a long-term contract with Bundesliga club Hertha BSC.[28] He made his debut for the club on 19 January in a 4–0 home loss to Bayern Munich. Despite the defeat, Hertha manager Jürgen Klinsmann praised Ascacíbar, calling him "one of the best Number 6 in the Bundesliga".[3] In May 2020, however, following the upheavel of the COVID-19 suspension of German football, he suffered a foot injury that kept him out for several weeks.[29] Several injuries would keep him sidelined the following months, and he failed to make any more appearances in 2020.[30][31]

Ascacíbar returned to the pitch on 30 January 2021 under new manager Pál Dárdai, playing 89 minutes of the 3–1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.[32] In a Berliner Derby against Union Berlin on 4 April, Ascacíbar was shown a yellow card after a verbal altercation with opposing player Nico Schlotterbeck, which prompted a subsequent investigation by the German Football Association (DFB).[33] The investigation was, however, discontinued on 8 April after the conditions for blatantly anti-sports conduct were not met.[34] In the following game, on 10 April, Ascacíbar was also the centre of attention. Despite scoring the opening goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach in an eventual 2–2 draw, he sneered when substituted off in the second half, which coach Dárdai criticised afterwards.[35]

Ahead of the 2021–22 season, in a pre-season friendly against Liverpool, Ascacíbar suffered a concussion after colliding with opposing goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher after scoring the opening goal in a 4–3 victory.[36][37] He returned to the pitch for the first competitive game of the season, playing the entire DFB-Pokal match against SV Meppen.[38]

Loan to Cremonese

On 23 July 2022, Ascacíbar joined Serie A club Cremonese on loan with an option to buy.[39] On 14 August he made his debut for the club in Cremonese's 3–2 Serie A loss to Fiorentina.[40]

Return to Estudiantes

On 18 January 2023, Ascacíbar returned to Estudiantes on loan.[41] On 26 May 2023, Hertha announced that the transfer was made permanent.[42]

International career

He represented Argentina in the football competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He made his senior international debut for Argentina on 8 September 2018 in a 3–0 international friendly against the Guatemala national football team.[43] With the U20 team, Argentina finished in 4th place at the 2017 South American Youth Championship, thus qualifying to the 2017 U20 FIFA World Cup. As the case at the Olympics which was held a year prior, Argentina did not make it past the group stage.

Career statistics

Club

As of 9 January 2023[44]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Estudiantes 2016 Primera División 170———170
2016–17 Primera División 2401080—330
Total 4101080—500
Stuttgart 2017–18 Bundesliga 29020——310
2018–19 Bundesliga 27000—10280
2019–20 2. Bundesliga 13120——151
Total 69140—10741
Hertha 2019–20 Bundesliga 8010——90
2020–21 Bundesliga 13100——131
2021–22 Bundesliga 28020—10310
Total 49130—10531
Cremonese (loan) 2022–23 Serie A 13010——140
Estudiantes (loan) 2023 Argentine Primera División 0000——00
Career total 17229080201912

    International

    As of match played 20 November 2018[45]
    National teamYearAppsGoals
    Argentina 201830
    Total30

    References

    1. ↑ Santiago Ascacíbar at Soccerway
    2. 1 2 "Walter: Manchmal gehen Ascacibar halt die Gäule durch". kicker (in German). 1 October 2019. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    3. 1 2 "Klinsmann adelt Ascacibar: Einer der besten Sechser in der Bundesliga". kicker (in German). 20 January 2020.
    4. ↑ Cabrera, Martin (3 March 2016). "Me dan vergüenza los autógrafos". El Dia (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 31 August 2017.
    5. ↑ Randrup, Máximo (16 April 2016). "Santiago Ascacibar, el juvenil de Estudiantes que vive con sus padres, quiere estudiar antropología y es ovacionado por sus hinchas". LA NACION (in Spanish).
    6. ↑ Randrup, Máximo (16 April 2016). "Santiago Ascacibar: el pequeño gigante". LA NACION (in Spanish).
    7. ↑ "Ascacíbar, el mejor compañero". Cielo Sports (in Spanish). 25 April 2016. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017.
    8. ↑ "Ascacíbar es un obsesivo desde chiquito". Diario Hoy. 13 July 2016. Archived from the original on 9 July 2018.
    9. ↑ Plotycia, Gonzalo (22 June 2019). "Ascacibar y Grasso: voces de ganadores | Inferiores Platenses". Inferiores Platenses (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 22 June 2019.
    10. ↑ Bonafini, Blas. "De Villa Elvira a Río de Janeiro: Ascacibar irá a los Juegos Olímpicos". Todo Juveniles (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    11. 1 2 3 4 "Orgullo albirrojo: Ascacibar jugará en Río 2016 | Estudiantes de La Plata". Estudiantes de La Plata (in Spanish). 6 July 2016. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    12. ↑ Segura, Lautaro (2 July 2015). "Estamos tranquilos porque dejamos todo | Inferiores Platenses". Inferiores Platenses (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    13. ↑ Mejido, Gonza (13 April 2016). "Ascacibar: El clásico siempre tiene un plus especial y el jugador de Estudiantes lo sabe muy bien". Info Futbol (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    14. ↑ Tamagni, Roi (15 January 2017). "De antropólogo a futbolista: la historia de Ascacibar, el 5 que todos quieren en la Selección". infobae (in European Spanish). Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    15. ↑ "Torneo de Primera División 2016: Lanús venció a Estudiantes en Sarandí - TyC Sports". TyC Sports (in Spanish). 8 February 2016. Archived from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    16. ↑ Ochoa, Pablo (26 May 2016). "Resumen Estudiantes de La Plata VAVEL: Ascacibar, el pibe que se convirtió importante". VAVEL (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    17. ↑ "Ascacibar fue el debutante que más minutos jugó el torneo pasado". Diario Popular (in Spanish). 29 August 2016.
    18. ↑ "Ascacibar, un gran recuperador y pasador | Estudiantes de La Plata". Estudiantes de La Plata (in Spanish). 6 June 2016. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    19. ↑ "Ascacibar, ternado en los Premios Olimpia | Estudiantes de La Plata". Estudiantes de La Plata (in Spanish). 2 December 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    20. ↑ "Ascacibar y una emotiva despedida del Pincha – TyC Sports". TyC Sports (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    21. ↑ "VfB holt Ascacibar "aus tiefster Überzeugung"". kicker Online (in German). 22 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
    22. ↑ "Stuttgart seal deal for Argentina ace Ascacibar". Bundesliga. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
    23. ↑ "VfB sign Santiago Ascacíbar". VfB Stuttgart. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
    24. ↑ "Burgstaller sticht: Stuttgart verschläft den Wiederanpfiff". kicker (in German). 10 September 2017. Archived from the original on 15 February 2021.
    25. ↑ "VfB secure Santiago Ascacibar until 2023". VfB Stuttgart. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
    26. ↑ Muth, Carsten (28 May 2019). "VfB Stuttgart: Der Abstieg 2019 ist ein Desaster – ein Kommentar". Südwest Presse (in German).
    27. ↑ "3:1 - Blitz-Eigentor bringt Stuttgart früh auf Kurs". kicker (in German). 3 November 2019. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    28. ↑ "Jürgen Klinsmann's Hertha Berlin sign Santiago Ascacibar from VfB Stuttgart". Bundesliga. 1 January 2020.
    29. ↑ "Ascacibar fällt wochenlang aus". kicker (in German). 23 May 2020.
    30. ↑ "Ascacibar: Wieder der Mittelfuß". kicker (in German). 27 August 2020.
    31. ↑ "Pechvogel Ascacibar bricht ab: Für ihn ist es eine Katastrophe". kicker (in German). 12 October 2020.
    32. ↑ "Für Dardai ist "eigentlich alles okay, nur das Ergebnis nicht"". kicker (in German). 30 January 2021. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    33. ↑ "Krass sportwidriges Verhalten: DFB ermittelt gegen Ascacibar". kicker (in German). 7 April 2021. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    34. ↑ "Verfahren gegen Ascacibar eingestellt". DFB - Deutscher Fußball-Bund e.V. (in German). 8 April 2022. Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    35. ↑ "Dardai rügt Ascacibar: "Soll ich mich bei ihm bedanken?"". kicker (in German). 11 April 2021. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    36. ↑ Heise, Wolfgang (30 July 2021). "Gehirnerschütterung! Herthas Santi Ascacibar erhält Sportverbot". Berliner Kurier (in German). Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    37. ↑ "3-0 win in friendly called early | Hertha BSC". Hertha BSC. 31 July 2021. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    38. ↑ "Meppen vs. Hertha Berlin – 8 August 2021 – Soccerway". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
    39. ↑ "ASCACIBAR NUOVO CALCIATORE DELLA CREMONESE" (in Italian). Cremonese. 23 July 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
    40. ↑ Giuliani, Marco (14 August 2022). "Fiorentina-Cremonese 3-2: vittoria viola all'ultimo respiro". FirenzeToday (in Italian). Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
    41. ↑ "SANTIAGO ASCACÍBAR KEHRT ZURÜCK IN SEINE HEIMAT" (in German). Hertha BSC. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
    42. ↑ "Ascacíbar und Alderete verlassen Hertha BSC" (in German). Hertha BSC. 26 May 2023.
    43. ↑ "Argentina vs. Guatemala - 8 September 2018 - Soccerway". us.soccerway.com.
    44. ↑ "Santiago Ascacibar". SofaScore. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
    45. ↑ "Santiago Ascacíbar". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
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