Gianluca Prestianni named top U21 outside Europe’s big five | OneFootball

Gianluca Prestianni has been named the leading under-21 footballer playing outside Europe’s big five leagues. According to Glorioso 1904, the latest CIES Football Observatory report places the 20-year-old Benfica winger top with an average score of 86.5 on a 0-100 scale.

The assessment covers eight areas of performance, and also factors in appearances and minutes played. Prestianni is in one of his best spells since arriving at Benfica, with eight goals and two assists in 11 matches this season.

The ranking also features Porto-linked duo Pietuszewski and Froholdt. The podium is rounded out by Dutch midfielder Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar on 83.8 points and Dynamo Kyiv forward Matviy Ponomarenko on 82.6.

Prestianni’s form has brought further recognition with a recall to Argentina’s squad. Lionel Scaloni has included the winger for three friendlies between September and October.

He is set to be available for Bolivia on 30 September, Burkina Faso on 3 October, and Benin on 6 October. The final fixture is planned as Lionel Messi’s Argentina farewell.

His call-up follows his omission from Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad.

Source: Glorioso 1904

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