- Age21
- Appearances
Updating
28
Biography
Born in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, Pellistri is an exciting winger with bags of potential, who has been described as a ‘rascal’ on the pitch.
He spent his junior career with La Picada and River Plate Montevideo before linking up with Penarol in 2018, earning a senior debut under former Reds striker and 2010 World Cup Golden Ball-winner Diego Forlan at the tender age of 17, in a game against Defensor Sporting in August 2019. Forlan counted upon the wide man, who made 20 appearances throughout the campaign, and the teenager even obtained the no.10 shirt before Diego left the club in September 2020. Quickly becoming a key man for Penarol, his surging runs and impressive acceleration earned enormous respect. “Pellistri has huge potential,” Forlan said earlier this year.”There is still a lot to work on. He is growing and he makes the difference. We know it will be difficult to keep him for a long time. He has great pace and that is hard to handle.” Another admirer of the youngster is ex-Barcelona star Juan Roman Riquelme who commented: “He is young and talented, he hasn't played that much but you can see he is a real rascal with the ball at his feet. And that is important. There aren't many like him around, who have the courage to be so cheeky on the pitch. That is highly valuable.” Former Lyon midfielder Juninho Pernambucano, who is still working at the club, spoke of the French side’s interest in his talents, earlier this year, and explained: “He already has experience, because to be a starter at Penarol at the age of 18 is not easy. I have played a few times over there and it is a violent league. At 18, he is handling himself.” Pellistri is said to have idolised Barcelona legend Lionel Messi and he clearly loves to dribble and take on defenders, but also has the ethos to track back and work hard for the team. Although ostensibly a right-winger, he can operate on either flank and use his pace to good effect. After proving his talent and character with los Carboneros, including competing in the Copa Libertadores, the winger has moved to Manchester to follow in the footsteps of his former coach Forlan. Following a successful spell with the Under-23s, getting used to life in English football, he moved to Alaves on loan in January to further his education of the European game. After taking part in United's pre-season friendlies, he rejoined the Basque club for the 2021/22 season and received a major boost when making his senior international debut in January 2022. He was selected to start a key World Cup qualifier against Paraguay and helped his team win 1-0, before enjoying an excellent performance on the right wing in the 4-1 triumph over Venezuela. The winger made 23 appearances in all competitions for Alaves in 2021/22, with the majority coming from the bench. After featuring in the first 13 matches of the Spanish top-flight season, Pellistri saw fewer minutes in the latter stages of the competition. Despite this, he established himself as a regular for Uruguay and has now made six appearances for his national side and looks the part in the light-blue shirt.
- Position
Midfielder
- Country
Uruguay
- Date of birth
20 Dec 2001
- Joined
5 Oct 2020
LatestView More
Why Ten Hag doesn't hand out opportunities
ArticleGarnacho and Pellistri's cup involvement is merited, says Erik, and not simply down to rotation.
- 4dpublished time 4 day agoNews
Ten Hag weighs up loans for young Reds
ArticleErik was asked whether the likes of Williams, Iqbal and Pellistri could leave temporarily in this transfer window.
- 5dpublished time 5 day agoNews
Ten Hag discusses Pellistri option
ArticleThe boss feels Facundo can offer something different with his skillset.
- 6dpublished time 6 day agoNews
Could Pellistri be a valuable squad member?
ArticleThat question was put to Erik as part of a recent fans' Q&A session - and the answer is encouraging!
- 2wpublished time 2 week agoInterviews
Pellistri: I have been waiting for this moment
VideoFacundo Pellistri was thrilled to make his United debut in the Carabao Cup win over Charlton...
- 3wpublished time 3 week agoMatch Highlights
Pellistri reflects on 'incredible' debut
ArticleFacundo Pellistri describes how it felt to make his competitive United bow with an eyecatching cameo against Charlton.
- 3wpublished time 3 week agoInterviews
Pellistri’s magic 10 minutes
VideoPlayer highlights | He may have only been on the pitch a short while, but Facundo Pellistri impressed on debut…
- 3wpublished time 3 week agoMatch Highlights
Ten Hag sends message to Pellistri
ArticleErik has words of encouragement for his Uruguayan on debut after his eye-catching cameo.
- 3wpublished time 3 week agoNews
Team news update before Charlton clash
ArticleOur exclusive training video may provide more clues to Erik ten Hag's selection plans for the Carabao Cup tie.
- 3wpublished time 3 week agoNews
Welcome back to Old Trafford
VideoErik and his players arrived at the stadium a short time ago, ahead of our first home match in nearly six weeks...
- Dec '22published time Dec 22Video
Pellistri's 2022 World Cup journey is over
ArticleFacundo's Uruguay were knocked out of the tournament in Qatar, despite winning their final group game.
- Dec '22published time Dec 22News
Pellistri’s iconic first World Cup memory
ArticleUruguay's Facundo Pellistri remembers watching a very controversial match back in 2010.
- Dec '22published time Dec 22Interviews
Pellistri's favourite World Cup memory
ArticleFacundo Pellistri has been to one World Cup match as a spectator when he was younger, and loved it.
- Dec '22published time Dec 22Interviews
What do our Reds need to progress?
ArticleWe run through the World Cup permutations, ahead of the final round of Group C fixtures.
- Nov '22published time Nov 22News
Pellistri is ready to face fellow Reds
ArticleThe Uruguayan winger is set to come up against Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot in this evening's World Cup game.
- Nov '22published time Nov 22Interviews