Exequiel Palacios: Leverkusen's Unsung Argentine Dynamo in Midfield

Exequiel Palacios was 20 years old when he starred for River Plate as they defeated crosstown rivals Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores Final. He was 21 when he departed his boyhood club and joined Bayer Leverkusen for €22 million. He was 22 when he came off the bench and led Argentina to victory against Brazil in the Copa América Final and 24 when he featured in Argentina's World Cup win. Now 25, he has played a pivotal role in Bayer Leverkusen's domestic double.

Palacios has proven essential in their stellar form, and after a decade of patiently developing his trade, he has emerged as one of the finest midfielders on the continent. Having made a name for himself in the 2017 U-20 World Cup in South Korea, Palacios quickly rose through the ranks at River following his professional debut in 2015, claiming two Copa Argentina titles and one Recopa Sudamericana.

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When Xabi Alonso took charge on October 5, 2022, Bayer Leverkusen were second-bottom & had suffered their worst start to a season since 1979.Fast forward 18 months, and they have won the Bundesliga for the first time in club history.@gillikas: https://t.co/vxJZImd122pic.twitter.com/WKbh8p4sTa— Breaking The Lines (@BTLvid) April 14, 2024