Franco Zapiola Yamartino

Franco Zapiola Yamartino used to travel from Magdalena to La Plata every day just to train, before moving into the home of former Estudiantes midfielder Santiago Ascacíbar so he could focus on his development without the commute. He broke into the Estudiantes de La Plata first team and made his professional debut on 17 July 2021, going on to win the Copa Argentina in 2023 and the Copa de la Liga Profesional in 2024 before signing his first professional contract that December.

In July 2024 he moved to Platense, who bought half of his economic rights from Estudiantes on a deal running to the end of 2027. He became a key player for the club, and in the 2025 season he helped deliver the first league title in Platense's history, the Torneo Apertura. His goal stood out along the way: he scored the winner in the semi-final against San Lorenzo, a 1-0 victory on 25 May 2025.

He kept up that form into the 2026 season, scoring goals and setting up others in both the Liga Profesional and the Copa Libertadores. A brace against Corinthians was decisive in sending Platense through to the Round of 16 of the continental competition.

Zapiola plays as an attacking midfielder or left winger and operates off his left foot. He has not been capped by Argentina at senior level, nor has he featured for any of the country's youth national teams.