Originating from Málaga and currently refining his craft in Italy, Paco Esteban, a 19-year-old striker with a past at both Atlético Madrid and Real Betis, has been making significant waves within the ranks of Lecce’s youth setup. Demonstrating remarkable prowess during his inaugural season abroad, Esteban has already amassed an impressive tally of 13 goals, rendering him the top scorer in the Primavera league—a competition showcasing the finest reserve teams nationwide.
Emergence and Recognition at Lecce
Within the giallorossi environment, Esteban has swiftly transformed into a formidable forward, earning the attention of the senior team’s head coach, Di Francesco. Recognizing the scarcity of attacking options—currently limited to only two strikers—Di Francesco has integrated Esteban into adult training sessions, recently assigning him the first-team squad number 22. This strategic move underscores the coach’s confidence in the young forward’s abilities and potential contribution to the senior squad.
Esteban’s relentless scoring exploits, marked by precise and powerful finishes, have positioned him as a pivotal figure in Lecce’s Primavera campaign. His breakthrough extends beyond mere statistics; the striker’s capacity to influence matches has not gone unnoticed by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), which maintains a vigilant watch on his burgeoning career.
As the season progresses, Esteban continues to forge his path, embodying the archetype of a rising talent ready to transition from promising youth prospects to a professional contender within the highly competitive landscape of Italian football’s top tiers.