Facundo Pellistri is back with the Uruguay squad after landing a call-up despite his limited game time at Alaves.
Pellistri was a surprise call-up for the country in January. He quickly proved his quality, providing an assist and winning a penalty, and has now made three appearances for his country.
After helping his country seal a World Cup spot, Pellistri has a good chance of making 2022, with Uruguay boss Diego Alonso a big fan.
Alonso this week spoke to AS and talked up the Manchester United loanee, explaining why he called him up in the first place.
Uruguay boss has confidence in Pellistri
Uruguay boss Diego Alonso explained: “I believe a lot in the characteristics of soccer players and I also believe a lot in my soccer players. I trust a lot in the Uruguayan footballer and in what he can do.
“I thought that the characteristics that Pellistri has could help us a lot with the game that we want to implement. From there, I told him what I wanted from him, what I did value him and then the one who gave the rest was him.
“He came here when he was 20 years old, he put on the starting shirt of the senior team and he played the way he played… That speaks much better about him than about me.”
Pellistri’s season has been saved by the Uruguay call. He did not get a single start at Alaves in 2022.
That’s their loss, with the Spanish side finishing in 20th place and suffering relegation from La Liga, and going through three different managers.
Pellistri will get a chance to try and impress Erik ten Hag too, upon return to Manchester United this summer.
Another loan is possible, with Pellistri ideally getting game time ahead of the World Cup. It just won’t be at Alaves, thankfully.
Pellistri has shown for Uruguay he can be a good contributor for a side which has control of games, helping them stretch the play, and offering an outlet in the final third. At Alaves he just didn’t get enough of the ball to make an impact, even when he did play.
Over the coming fortnight, Uruguay have friendly matches against Mexico, USA, and Jamaica.