Lucas Ontivero

PLAYER PROFILE: LUCAS ONTIVERO

By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)

Position: Midfielder
Primary Role: Attacking Midfielder
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 140
DOB: 9/9/1994
Nationality: Argentina
Preferred Footed: Left
Club: Montreal Impact (MLS)

No International Experience

Signed on loan with Montreal Impact for the 2016 MLS season from Galatasaray, Turkish Super Lig.

2012-2013: Fenix (Uruguay Primera) – 3 games, 74 minutes, 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 shots on target
2013-2014: Fenix (Urugauy Primera) – 6 games, 152 minutes
2013-2014: Galatasaray (Turkish Super Lig) – 3 games, 60 minutes
2014-2015: Gaziantepspor (Turkish Super Lig) – 1 game, 45 minutes
2014-2015: Budapest-Honved (Hungarian NB1) – 1 game, 32 minutes
2015-2016: Olimpija (Slovenia 1.SNL) – 11 games, 699 minutes, 4 goals, 1 assist, 1 yellow

Ontivero is a left footed attacking midfielder whose balance and agility on the ball as seen him a wanted prospect by many clubs but has yet to prove he can be consistent player as a professional. If you include youth clubs, Montreal Impact are the 21-year-old Argentinians 13th club including San Lorenzo, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Genoa and Independiente, Argentina as a youth player.

After failing to sign a pro contract with these clubs, Lucas signed with Fenix in the Uruguayan Primera and made his professional debut in 2013 Apertura. He was with the club for the 2013 Clausura although midway through the season he was transferred to Galatasaray for a reported transfer fee of around $2 million. Ontivero made his Turkish Super Lig debut on March 2014 against Kayerispor. Lucas didn’t play a game for Gala during 2014-2015 and was loaned to fellow Turkish side Gaziantepspor, but only played in one game and then joined Hungarian side Budapest-Honved but again only played in one game. Galatasaray again loaned Ontivero for the start of the 2015-2016 season and he finally got the chance to play for Slovenia side Olimpija where he played in 11 games and scored four goals and added an assist.

After talks of joining a side in Italy, Ontivero was loaned to the Montreal Impact for the 2016 Major League Soccer season. Ontivero did show a scoring touch as a youth player although as a pro is seen as a winger or wide midfielder. He has the skill to play with both feet so can play on either wing. He has good agility and can beat a player on the turn although only has average straight on speed. The biggest concern for Ontivero has been his overall awareness and effort he consistently puts out each game. He is a selfish player who is best with the ball at his feet challenging a defender or cutting in looking for a shot or a foul. Lucas will succeed in the MLS if he can out skill his defender although if closed down properly he could struggle to make an impact in the game.

+ Played San Lorenzo Academy to the age of 12
+ Played for Real Madrid Academy from 12 to 15
+ Also played for Merida, Tottenham, AC Milan and Genoa youth teams
+ Made professional debut in 2014 for Fenix in the Uruguayan Primera
+ Transferred to Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig in 2014
+ Loaned to Montreal Impact of MLS in 2016