Revista Fútbol Federal | Mateo Ledesma
Inside Huracán’s Youth Gamble Under Daniel Vega
The press room at Huracán was fuller than usual, not with star signings or marquee names, but with expectation. Nine boys, all 16 years old, stood in suits that still looked unfamiliar on their shoulders. In front of them, Director of Football Daniel Vega adjusted the microphone and cleared his throat.
A total of $2.855 million spent.
No immediate first-team reinforcements.
No guarantees.
Instead, a statement of intent.
This was not a press conference about the present. It was about who Huracán want to be in three, five, even ten years’ time.
Daniel Vega Introduces the Class of 2026
Vega began by explaining the philosophy behind the investment before introducing each player one by one.
Daniel Vega:
“We are coming out of an embargo, but that doesn’t mean abandoning the work we’ve done in youth development. Quite the opposite. These players are not bought to fill numbers. They are profiles chosen specifically for the football Gabriel Batistuta wants Huracán to play.”
Lucas Ibarra – Goalkeeper
$475,000 | Independiente Rivadavia
“Lucas is 16, so patience is essential,” Vega said. “Goalkeepers mature later, but what we saw already was special.”
Ibarra is agile, sharp in one-on-one situations, and possesses strong reflexes, an important trait at Huracán, where keepers are often exposed due to Batistuta’s aggressive, front-foot system.
“He doesn’t panic,” Vega added. “That’s rare at his age.”
Gonzalo Paz – Defender
$160,000 | Def. de Pronunciamiento
A dual-footed defender with speed and positional awareness.
“Gonzalo gives us flexibility,” Vega explained. “He can play on either side and understands space well.”
Francisco Martínez – Left Wing-Back
$170,000 | Defensores (VR)
A natural fit for Batistuta’s system.
“He runs. He runs again. And then he runs some more,” Vega smiled. “Technically he’s raw, but the work rate and fitness levels are non-negotiable for us.”
Nicolás Ponce – Defensive Midfielder
$130,000 | Atlético Paraná
A ball-winner by nature.
“Aggressive, brave, competitive,” Vega said. “Now we must teach him what to do after he wins the ball.”
Leonardo Robles – Central Midfielder
$150,000 | Patronato
More refined in possession than Ponce.
“Leonardo has balance,” Vega noted. “He can fight, but he can also play.”
Pablo Ríos – Attacking Midfielder
$220,000 | Liniers
A more nuanced profile.
“He’s quick and works hard,” Vega explained. “He needs to become braver, more decisive. That’s part of his development.”
Joel Agüero – Central Midfielder
$525,000 | Colón
One of the more expensive signings.
“Joel has personality,” Vega said firmly. “Dual-footed, aggressive, technically gifted. We believe he can become a complete midfielder.”
Víctor Vilches – Winger
$550,000 | Ferro
Explosive and intense.
“He plays with anger,” Vega said. “In a good way.”
Santiago Crispino – Wide Attacker
$475,000 | Gimnasia (Mendoza)
The final introduction.
“Speed, aggression, fearlessness,” Vega concluded. “The technique must improve, but the mentality is already there.”
Questions from the Floor
The room opened to questions. I raised my hand.
Mateo Ledesma:
Daniel, nearly three million dollars on 16-year-olds. Isn’t this a huge risk for a club like Huracán?
Daniel Vega:
“Of course it’s a risk. But not investing is also a risk. Look at the market. Look at what Huracán can and cannot compete with. Our strength must be development, identity, and timing.”
Ledesma:
How many of these players do you realistically expect to reach the first team?
Vega:
“If two or three become first-team regulars, it’s a success. If one becomes a star, it changes the club.”
Ledesma:
How much influence has Gabriel Batistuta had in these profiles?
Vega:
“Every single one. He doesn’t want ‘talent’ without character. These boys fit his football: intensity, courage, verticality.”
Ledesma:
Fans worry about blocking pathways for existing academy players. Is that a concern?
Vega:
“No. Competition improves everyone. If you’re good enough, you’ll play. Gabriel has proven that.”
Ledesma:
When will we see them near the first team?
Vega:
“Slowly. Carefully. The worst thing we can do is rush them.”
Final Thoughts
As the conference ended, the boys stood quietly again, aware that today was only the beginning. No applause. No headlines—yet.
Huracán have chosen patience over impulse. Structure over noise. Belief over certainty.
Is spending $2.855 million on nine teenagers a gamble? Absolutely.
Is it reckless? Not necessarily.
From where I stand, this feels less like speculation and more like alignment. Daniel Vega and Gabriel Batistuta are building a club that survives not by chasing stars, but by creating them.
The real question is not whether this will work—but whether Huracán can afford not to try.
Mateo Ledesma
Revista Fútbol Federal
The Gaffers Lounge 
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