Kiko Sagardia, the new Cavani

Francis Sagardia (19 years old, Uruguay) is the only foreign player on the U-20 squad of Independiente del Valle. The striker has only been in Ecuador for a short time after leaving Defensor Sportig at the beginning of 2022, since he decided to sign for one of the best quarries in South America. Now he is playing brilliantly in the Copa Libertadores Sub-20 and in March he will play the Serie B tournament.

His football year could not have started in a better way due to his ability as a scorer. Currently, the Uruguayan striker He has four goals in three games of the Libertadores Sub-20. Caracas, Sporting Cristal, in the first phase, and Guaraní in yesterday’s semifinal match, with two goals, have been its victims in this South American competition. His goals have helped Independiente del Valle on their way to the final, which will be played on February 20 at the Banco Guayaquil stadium.

In its semi-final double against Guaranithe Uruguayan scored his first goal from eleven meters and in the second, he made a rejection of a defender inside the area and then left the rival goalkeeper aside, thus achieving the first goal.

TO Kiko Sagardia is already being compared to Edison Cavani and not only for his celebrations where the young man imitates his compatriot but for his way of playing on the field. In some respects he resembles the Manchester United striker especially when he approaches the rival area, there he is also a real killer. In addition, his movements with and without the ball and his reading of the game are similar.

The player himself confessed that Cavani is his idol and, therefore, he celebrates his goals in the same way. “The first time I did it was at Defensor Sporting and in the Uruguayan youth team. If I score another goal, I will celebrate it the same way”, commented Kiko Sagardia after that game. It also has several similarities with Manchester United because they are both from Salto, a city in the northwest of the country, and they started their football career in Montevideo. Cavani played for Danubio and Sagardia for Defensor Sporting.

Independiente del Valle will play its third consecutive final of the Copa Libertadores Sub-20 having participated in the six editions that the competition has been present. And he will do it after leaving Guaraní on the road. The Ecuadorian team will defend its title against Peñarol, its rival in the final.