Valentín Castellanos
Valentín Mariano José Castellanos Giménez (born 3 October 1998), also known by his nickname Taty Castellanos, is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for New York City FC. Club career. Early career. Castellanos started his club career in the youth academy of Universidad de Chile. He made his senior team debut in the 2017 Copa Sudamericana against Corinthians playing 14 minutes. He then moved to Torque on a one-year loan in July 2017. While on loan he scored two goals in 11 appearances and helped the club win the Segunda Division title and secure  promotion to Uruguay's top flight. On 1 July 2018, his move from Universidad de Chile to Torque was made permanent. New York City FC. On 27 July 2018, he joined Major League Soccer side New York City FC on loan until the end of the 2018 season. In his first match with New York City FC, he started for the club and scored a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps. New York City exercised their option to buy Castellanos on 29 November 2018, ahead of the 2019 season. In 2019, Castellanos played an integral role in New York City's  attack, scoring 11 times and adding seven assists in 30 matches. This form helped NYCFC finish atop the Eastern Conference standings and qualify for their first ever CONCACAF Champions League. In 2020, Castellanos declined in his production, scoring six goals and adding three assists in 22 matches during a season shortened by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Castellanos suffered from an inability to finish the chances he created for himself as he had an xG/90 of 0.65 but ended the season with G/90 of only 0.40. NYCFC would finish fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. During the first round of the 2020  MLS Cup Playoffs Castellanos had his initial penalty in a shootout vs. Orlando City saved but VAR overturned the call due to goalkeeper Pedro Gallese leaving the goal line early. He scored his second penalty but NYCFC lost 6–5 in the shootout eliminating them from the playoffs. Castellanos was able to finish much more consistently during the 2021 Season, starting with becoming only the fifth player in MLS history to score in each of their club's first four matches. Shortly after this milestone, on 13 May 2021, Castellanos signed a new deal with NYCFC that would keep him contracted  with the club through 2025. Castellanos again played an integral role in New York City's attack throughout the 2021 season. He was able to significantly improve his G/90 all the way to 0.62 and also raised his xG/90 to 0.70 showing improvement in his movement,creation ability, and finishing. He was especially good near the season's conclusion, scoring 12 goals in NYCFC's last 14 matches. During this stretch he was awarded MLS Player of the Month for August and the NYCFC Player of the Month for both August and September. He ended the season as the team 's leading scorer with 19 goals and added eight assists, winning the MLS Golden Boot over DC United's Ola Kamara on the assist tiebreaker. Castellanos also led the league in both Shots and Shots on Target, with 132 and 57 respectively. Castellanos would go on to score in all 3 of his 2021 MLS Cup Playoff appearances, including the opener in 2021 MLS Cup, a match which NYCFC won on penalties giving Castellanos the first domestic trophy of his career. International career. In October 2019, Castellanos was called up for the first time to the Argentina national under-23 football  team by coach Fernando Batista for two friendly matches against Mexico. Honours. New York City FC Argentina U23 Individual