Valentín Castellanos, better known as “Taty,” is one of those players who carries the Argentine passion in his heart and turns every match into a chance to shine. Born on October 3, 1998, in Mendoza, Argentina, this 27-year-old stands out as a skilful centre-forward with a deadly nose for goal and an impressive ability to adapt to different leagues. His career—marked by triumphs across the Americas and challenges in Europe—reflects the determination of an athlete who left home young to build his name in world football. Today, wearing Lazio’s shirt in Italy’s Serie A, Castellanos keeps evolving, even while battling recent injuries and transfer rumors that keep the market buzzing.
At 1.79 m tall with an agile, powerful build, Taty blends physical strength with tactical intelligence. His childhood nickname “Taty” has followed him from the dusty pitches of Mendoza. The son of a Chilean father who became an Argentine citizen, he could have played for La Roja, but he chose the Albiceleste—speaking volumes about his roots. His story is not just about goals; it’s about overcoming obstacles: from South American academies to packed stadiums in Italy, Castellanos proves that talent paired with persistence can take you far.
Early Steps: From Argentina to Chile and Uruguay
Castellanos’ journey began in local youth setups in Mendoza (Villa Nueva and Independiente Rivadavia). At just 16, in 2015, he made a bold leap: moving to Santiago to join Universidad de Chile’s academy. That’s where the kid from the provinces started turning professional. In 2017 he debuted for the senior side in the Copa Sudamericana, coming on in the 14th minute against Corinthians—a match that put him on the continental radar.
His real polish, however, came in Uruguay. Loaned to second-division Club Atlético Torque, Taty helped the club win the title and earn promotion. In 11 games he scored twice, showing versatility and clinical finishing. The following year, now a fixture at Torque, he played in the Uruguayan Primera División, adapting to the more physical “charrúa” style. Those early years were crucial: he learned to handle the pressure of being a foreigner, the value of consistency, and the importance of contributing to a rising team.
In 2018 a golden opportunity appeared in the United States. New York City FC (part of the City Football Group) brought him in on loan. At 19, Castellanos landed in New York—a city like no other. His first eight MLS games produced one goal, but it was enough to convince the club to make the move permanent. From 2019 onward he became a key piece under Patrick Vieira, blending youthful energy with precocious maturity.
Explosion in MLS: King of Goals in New York
His time at New York City FC was the springboard to international fame. Between 2019 and 2022 he played 101 regular-season matches and scored an astonishing 49 goals—one of the most lethal ratios in recent MLS history. The 2021 season was legendary: 19 goals in 32 games, winning the Golden Boot (edging Ola Kamara on the assists tiebreaker).
Castellanos wasn’t just numbers—he was spectacle. In August 2021 he was named MLS Player of the Month, producing hat-tricks that drove Yankee Stadium wild. That year he helped NYCFC lift the MLS Cup, beating Portland Timbers on penalties—Taty calmly slotted home the first kick. Twice voted the club’s Player of the Month, he became an idol in a city that forgives no mediocrity.
The 2020 pandemic tested his resilience: in only 22 games he scored six times but used the downtime to sharpen his physique. In 2022, despite injuries, he bagged 13 goals in 17 matches. His departure to Europe in 2023 was an emotional goodbye: loaned to Girona (with the City Group keeping close tabs), he scored 13 goals in 35 La Liga games, proving the jump to the Old Continent didn’t faze him. His constant movement, precise headers, and ice-cold finishing fit Spanish football perfectly and helped Girona to a surprising campaign.
The Italian Adventure: Challenges and Flashes of Brilliance at Lazio
In July 2023 Castellanos swapped Catalonia for the Eternal City. Lazio paid an undisclosed fee to NYCFC (still within the City Group orbit) to bring him in, banking on his goal-scoring instinct to bolster Maurizio Sarri’s attack. Adaptation was gradual: by October 2025 he had played 70 matches and scored 16 goals—solid, but below the sky-high expectations of an ambitious biancoceleste side.
The 2024–25 season had ups and downs. Taty delivered important goals in the Coppa Italia and Europa League, but recurring injuries disrupted his rhythm. The 2025–26 campaign, however, started brightly: by early November he had logged 430 minutes, scoring twice in six Serie A appearances. His standout performance came against Genoa in September, where Italian papers said he “ran the show,” scoring and assisting in a 3–0 win.
Unfortunately, November brought bad news. On the 9th he suffered a hamstring injury that is expected to sideline him for up to eight weeks (per Sky Sport Italia). That means missing key fixtures—including the Rome derby—forcing Lazio to rethink their attack. Still, his 1.64 xG from just 12 shots shows the finishing quality is there; he simply needs full fitness. At 27, Castellanos still has room to grow in a league that demands more than just goals—it demands constant presence.
The Albiceleste Shirt: Olympic Dreams and Senior Debut
Wearing Argentina’s colors is every Mendocino’s pride. Castellanos began with the Olympic team in 2019, playing eight games in the 2020 Pre-Olympic tournament that secured a spot in Tokyo (later affected by the pandemic). He didn’t score but contributed defensively and helped win the medal.
His senior debut came late, in August 2024, when Lionel Scaloni called him up for 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He came off the bench in September against Chile in a 3–0 win. By November 2025 he has two caps and is still chasing his first senior goal, but being part of a squad with two World Cup titles is extra motivation. “It’s a dream that comes true every day,” he recently said, citing the influence of Messi and company.
Rumors and the Horizon: Where Could Taty Go in 2026?
The transfer market never sleeps, and Castellanos is in the spotlight. In July 2025 Flamengo made a strong push to bring him to Brazil, attracted by their attacking style, but talks cooled. In August–September Taty himself admitted interest in a South American return. By October the tide turned toward the Premier League: Everton and West Ham made inquiries, with Lazio reportedly open to a €30–35 million sale in January 2026 to fund reinforcements.
The recent injury may slow things down, but analysts see Taty as ideal for more physical leagues like England’s. His current market value of around €25 million reflects a versatile forward who can start or be a luxury substitute. Former club Girona has also shown interest, but the decision belongs to the Argentine. “I want to play where I can grow and be happy,” he said, prioritizing minutes over glamour.
A Legacy in the Making: Why Castellanos Matters
Valentín Castellanos is more than statistics; he is the story of a boy from Mendoza who crossed oceans to prove his worth. From Torque in Montevideo to the lights of Rome, he embodies South American football: creative, resilient, unpredictable. His 49 MLS goals, 13 in La Liga, and contributions in Serie A add up to over 80 professional career goals—not counting trophies like the MLS Cup and the Uruguayan second-division title.
Right now, with the November 2025 injury testing him, Taty has the chance to come back stronger. Whether he stays at Lazio, heads to Flamengo, or lands in London, his journey inspires young strikers: success comes from sweat, not hype. At 27 he is entering his prime for a brilliant decade ahead. And who knows—maybe in 2026 we’ll see him lifting the World Cup with Argentina? For now, we wish him a speedy recovery—because football without players like Castellanos loses a bit of its magic.
