Valentín Acuña

At eight years old, Valentino Acuña appeared in Messi, the 2014 documentary about Lionel Messi, cast as a young Argentinian at the invitation of director Álex de la Iglesia. He was already at Newell's Old Boys by then, having joined the academy in 2010 after starting out at Bancaria, the Rosario club where he first kicked a ball at the age of three.

The professional contract came in December 2022. A strong showing at the 2023 Under-17 World Cup — one goal and three assists across the tournament — brought him into training with the senior squad the same year. He made his first-team debut in 2024. By May 2026 he had 21 competitive appearances for the club and one goal. Newell's extended his deal in January 2025, running to the end of 2026, and he wore number 17 through the 2025 season.

The Argentina youth teams have taken up much of his calendar. He won 16 caps at Under-17 level and scored twice. With the Under-20s he has 10 appearances and no goals, playing through 2025 against Morocco, Colombia, Mexico and Nigeria. That year brought two runners-up finishes: the Under-20 World Cup and the South American Under-20 championship. He has not yet been called up by the senior national side.