Facundo Pellistri makes biggest impact yet for new club since leaving Man Utd

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Facundo Pellistri enjoyed a memorable moment in the Greek Cup playing for Panathinaikos this week.   

It has been almost five months since Facundo Pellistri left Manchester United for Greece, signing for Panathinaikos to become a regular in the first-team.

Since then, the Uruguay international has recorded three goals in 24 matches across all competitions.

Pellistri initially joined United from Penarol as an exciting young winger in 2020, but he was sent on loan to Spain three times before moving to Greece where he has progressed his career.

The 23-year-old only made 25 appearances for United, with 13 of those coming in the Premier League. It is understood that the Reds have a three-year buy-back clause as well as a 45% sell-on clause.

In Greece, Pellistri started brightly after scoring in his third Panathinaikos appearance. It came as the opener in a 2-0 win over RC Lens that secured a place in the Europa Conference League.

However, the early promise faded fast as Diego Alonso, the man who brought Pellistri to Panathinaikos, was replaced by Rui Vitoria.

Panathinaikos are now second in the Greek Super League, just two points adrift of Olympiacos.

Pellistri’s best moment for Panathinaikos yet

Panathinaikos beat Atromitos 2-1 on Thursday to win the two-legged tie 4-2, securing their place in the quarter-finals of the Greek Cup.

Pellistri opened the scoring for Panathinaikos to increase their lead on aggregate just four minutes into the game.

It was an important goal to put the Greek side into the next round, with a greater chance of winning silverware this season.

With just three goals to his name this season, Pellistri needs to learn how to score more goals if he wants to become a star in Greek football, but booking his side’s place in the Greek Cup quarter-finals will do his reputation no harm.

Facundo Pellistri stats 2024/25

Hoping for a better second half to the season, Pellistri made the perfect start to 2025 with a decisive goal in the Greek Cup last 16.

To build on that Pellistri needs to add more goal contributions to his game.

The Premier League always seemed like a level too high for the Uruguayan, who tended to perform better on the international stage.

Pellistri has faced criticism this season but his stats aren’t terrible. They could just be a lot better.