MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 10: Facundo Buonanotte of Leicester City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Leicester City FC at Old Trafford on November 10, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Leicester City have one of the stars of the future on their hands in Facundo Buonanotte and he is being tipped to be a success for his country too.
Buonanotte has been Leicester’s best player this season, scoring three goals and registering two assists, and has been instrumental in guiding the Foxes to 15th in the Premier League table.
His performances have even seen Buonanotte called up to Argentina’s national team squad for their October and November internationals.
Although he didn’t feature in either of La Albiceleste’s two most recent games, he is still touted to be the heir to the throne of one of the country’s most-loved players in recent years.
Angel Di Maria names Facundo Buonanotte as his long-term successor
Angel Di Maria is one of the best players to have worn the blue and white for Argentina since the turn of the 20th century.
Di Maria scored in their 2022 World Cup final victory, won two Copa America titles and earned 145 caps before retiring from international football in the summer.
He’s also had a glittering career at club level, playing for the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, making him an inspiration for any young Argentine.
And despite the lack of gametime with the senior squad, Di Maria is backing Facundo Buonanotte to be the heir to his throne.
Speaking to South American outlet Clank, he said: “There are players with a lot of quality, and I really like Buonanotte.
“It’s not easy to get into the national team, but he’s a player I really like. I think he can give a lot to the team.
Facundo Buonanotte to miss Leicester’s tough test against Chelsea
There will be some frustration from Leicester City that Buonanotte travelled all the way to South America and didn’t even get onto the pitch, however, it will play no factor in Steve Cooper’s selection.
Buonanotte is suspended for the Foxes’ game against Chelsea this weekend after he picked up a fifth yellow card of the Premier League campaign against Manchester United last time out.
The 19-year-old will be back and available to face Brentford the following week but will be a big absence at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
In the two league games the Foxes have won this season (against Bournemouth and Southampton), Buonanotte has scored in both.
Due to Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu both being doubts, Wilfred Ndidi is expected to move into the number 10 role while Bilal El Khannouss will come into the starting XI on the right-hand side.
