The young leper reviewed his career from the youth ranks to his debut in the first division.
Newell’s is recognized worldwide for being a soccer hotbed, for the numerous cases of soccer players who emerged in the minor divisions who reached the elite and even became world champions. They are the kids from Newell’s, who later stand out throughout the world, who defend our colors with love and passion every weekend. Mateo Silvetti is one of them, a player who is a “lifelong Newell’s fan.”
Toto, as his teammates and friends call him, was born on January 14, 2006, he is from Funes and started playing rugby, a sport he inherited from his father, a former Puma: «At one point I had to choose because my schedules coincided. and I leaned towards the round one,” said Mateo.
Born leprous, he passed through the Malvinas and practically lived in Bella Vista for years: “Since I was a child, my family instilled in me a love for the club. My great-grandfather went swimming and he is the one who most transmitted the passion to us. I always insisted to my parents to play and when I was seven years old I had my first test in Malvinas. At 8 I definitely started playing tournaments. The greatest memories are going to eat at the barbecue pits with the kids in the category and going to the field with my old man,” he commented.
In Malvinas they did not hesitate and saw in Toto the conditions to join the training sessions. «My parents always supported and accompanied me. Whenever they could, they were behind the fence,” he added and fondly remembered that stage of training and recreation: “From Malvinas I take away the beauty of playing for the simple love of ball and the friends that I have to this day.”
Mateo broke it on the weekends and earned the opportunity to continue his football training at the club, thus going on to train at what is now the Jorge Griffa Training Center: «The transition from Malvinas to the property was not easy because many teammates did not continue. I remember how nice it was to arrive and see the first division. Today I can say that Bella Vista is like my second home: I have spent a lot of time there, I have laughed and cried many times.
Everyone knows the path to the lower divisions is difficult, full of obstacles, difficult moments, football slumps and in which not only talent is necessary, but also a lot of effort, dedication and passion, from Monday to Monday, with the dream of becoming in professional: «In youth I had moments where I did not have to play, even for a physical issue because I had become short. I had to correct many things, but that’s what it’s about, insisting,” he said.
As a forward, Mateo could be placed in any sector of the attack, a versatile player for the coaches who could place him both in the center and on the sides, as a nine or as a winger, always with that physical power and goal-scoring hunger that characterizes him. His explosion began to be seen with the seventh division and in the sixth he confirmed it every weekend, showing himself as one of the great jewels of the club.
In 2023 and with the sixth division under the orders of Fernando Capobianco, Toto showed his best side, even internationally: he was the figure of Newell’s champion of the International Under 17 Tournament “Canteras de América”, even scoring the winning goal in the final against Panama. He also stood out in the Criciúma Cup and was immediately chosen to move up a step in the club and become part of the reserve. However, the best thing without a doubt was having received his first call to train with the under 17 national team.
«We had the possibility of playing international tournaments that marked us how we were compared to other institutions. I didn’t expect the call to the national team and I feel that it is a reward for my effort. I am clear that this possibility is gained week by week by training here at Newell’s. With reserve, I think I had a good year, I was able to adapt to the category, the coaches, play a lot and we were able to fight for a championship. It was important to continue training, I think that the reserve is for that, to finalize details and be ready when one is needed in First Division,” Mateo commented.
Silvetti was fundamental in the team led by Ricardo Lunari that reached the semifinals of the last Projection Cup and earned the call to face the preseason with the professional team. Under the orders of Sebastián Méndez, Toto made his debut with the first team on July 16 in the away win against Barracas Central and was one of the first variants of the coach during his cycle. Now, with Ricardo in Primera, he already had his first start and retired applauded and excited in the victory against Tigre in the Coloso.
«The first games I felt good, I feel that it is a process but I also understand that there is not much time. The goal is to establish myself in First Division, so that everything goes well. As a fan of the club, that is what I want: to be able to help from my place and contribute to making everything go well. Newell’s ends up being my life and my dream is obviously to be a champion with this shirt,” Toto Silvetti concluded.
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