Goal efficiency
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
Emiliano Buendía
Aston Villa · FA Cup · Midfielder · #10 · Argentina · 29 yrs
Aston Villa · FA Cup · Midfielder · #10 · Argentina · 29 yrs
Emiliano Buendía plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa. Emiliano Buendía is a Argentine international, 29 years old, midfielder, currently at Aston Villa. Emiliano Buendía wears shirt number 10 for Aston Villa. Emiliano Buendía was born in Mar del Plata, Argentina on 1996-12-25. Emiliano Buendía is 172 cm tall and weighs 72 kg. Emiliano Buendía's Sportra profile tracks season statistics across Segunda División, DFB Pokal, UEFA Europa Conference League, Premier League - Summer Series, and other leagues. Emiliano Buendía's page brings together career clubs, trophies, injury history, multi-competition stats, and related news headlines. On Sportra you can explore Emiliano Buendía season statistics, transfer history, trophies, injury updates, and related news across every competition tracked in the profile.
| Season | Team |
|---|---|
| 2026 |  Argentina ARG |
| 2025 | Argentina ARG |
| 2025 |  Aston Villa AST |
| 2024 | Aston Villa AST |
| 2023 | Argentina ARG |
| Date | Type | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-01 | Back from Loan |  Bayer Leverkusen BAY | Aston Villa AST |
| 2025-06-29 | Return from loan | Bayer Leverkusen BAY | Aston Villa AST |
| 2025-01-29 | Loan | Aston Villa AST | Bayer Leverkusen BAY |
Season intelligence
Profile as Midfielder: finisher, creator, pressure magnet, defensive work. Archetype: Advanced playmaker. Season rating 7.3.
Scaled 0–99 from season output — map to fantasy, comparisons, or scouting cards.
Per-90 rates, efficiency ratios, and Sportra indices from season totals.
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
Playmaking output: assists, key passes, and custom chance-creation signals.
Isolation threat and progressive carrying — volume plus success rate.
How often they draw fouls and stay out of trouble with cards.
Tackles, duels, and off-ball defensive contribution.
Shot-stopping, goals conceded, and penalty saves.
Minutes, availability, and how central they were to the team.
Every tracked category for this league and season, grouped by Sportra.
Following Leonardo Balerdi's tournament-ending injury, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni is reportedly leaning toward naming Guido Rodríguez as his replacement for the 2026 World Cup. Lionel Scaloni has arrived at a critical decision point. The Argentina manager and his coaching staff must officially finalize and communicate their roster replacement for the injured Leonardo Balerdi before the 2026 World Cup gets underway. According to a report from ESPN Argentina insider Esteban Edul, Valencia defensive midfielder Guido Rodríguez has emerged as the frontrunner to claim the open roster spot left behind by the Olympique de Marseille center-back. While Edul noted that midfielders Máximo Perrone and Emiliano Buendía remain on Scaloni’s radar, Rodríguez currently holds a significant edge. By selecting a natural holding midfielder, Scaloni would secure tactical insurance for Leandro Paredes, who continues to undergo intensive rehabilitation for a right hamstring strain. Speaking at his Monday press conference ahead of Argentina’s friendly against Iceland, Scaloni indicated that a final decision will be made no later than Wednesday, June 10, factoring in how his remaining squad members recover physically from their final European warmup match. Guido Rodriguez of Argentina looks at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy. (Getty Images) “We can take these next few days, and by Wednesday, whoever we decide on will be with us,” Scaloni told reporters. “We feel well-covered in [Balerdi’s] position, so we will evaluate other options based on how the rest of the guys pull through physically”. Why is Scaloni swapping a defender for a midfielder? When Balerdi was ruled out with a muscle tear during training camp, conventional wisdom suggested Scaloni would simply call up a direct positional replacement or another versatile defender. However, the coaching staff is highly confident in their current defensive depth, assuming no further injuries surface before the opening World Cup whistle in North America. Argentina‘s final roster boasts a robust defensive unit featuring right-backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel, a world-class central pairing of Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, and Nicolás Otamendi, alongside Facundo Medina and Nicolás Tagliafico holding down the left side. Furthermore, Scaloni has baked immense flexibility into his squad; versatile players like Nicolás González, Valentín Barco, and Giuliano Simeone are fully capable of dropping back into wing-back roles, which would allow Medina to shift centrally if extra cover is needed.
Emiliano Buendia's chances to be part of the World Cup remain alive as Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni claimed that Leonardo Balerdi's position "can be covered" already. Emiliano Buendía was one of the more surprising omissions from Argentina‘s official 26-man World Cup roster following a prolific season at Aston Villa, but his chances of representing the Albiceleste in North America are still alive. With Lionel Scaloni now forced to find a replacement for the injured Leonardo Balerdi, the head coach has suggested the defensive void “can be covered,” while leaving the door wide open on who fills it. The Argentine Football Association confirmed ahead of the Honduras friendly that Balerdi had sustained a muscle injury to the soleus in his right leg during a training session, effectively ruling him out of the tournament. While several defenders have been mentioned as potential replacements, Scaloni has been deliberately vague, declining to limit the search to a natural right-footed center back. At his pre-Iceland press conference, Scaloni expanded on his thinking when asked about potential replacements: “Saying it after the match, I don’t know. But we will have a clearer picture. Fortunately, we can take these few days and by Wednesday, the boy we decide on can be with us. In Balerdi’s position, we can be covered, and we will see where we draw from. We have an idea, and based on how we finish, we will see. I don’t think it will go past Wednesday.“ Scaloni’s comments are consistent with reporting from Argentina insider Gaston Edul, who indicated that Balerdi’s replacement would not necessarily be a right-sided center back. With Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi both capable of covering that position, the search has widened to include other areas of the squad, opening the door for Buendia among others. Leonardo Balerdi of Argentina. Buendia’s competition for the vacant spot According to ESPN Argentina‘s Diego Monroig, Buendia is among the players Scaloni has contacted to put their vacation plans on hold, as they remain in contention for a spot in the final World Cup roster. The door had initially cracked open primarily for Nico Paz, who has since recovered from his injury, but Balerdi’s setback has created a fresh vacancy that multiple players are now competing to fill. Two names already part of the pre-tournament tour are in the running. Nicolas Capaldo and Agustín Giay were originally brought along to cover for the injured Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel, but one or both could now find themselves earning a permanent place in the squad heading into the tournament. In the midfield, Scaloni is also weighing different profiles. Como’s Maximo Perrone has been reported as a potential option, with Scaloni reportedly asking him to keep training and remain available. Perhaps the most intriguing name to emerge in recent hours is defensive midfielder and World Cup champion Guido Rodríguez, a holding profile that the current squad notably lacks. Buendia, who has been exceptional under Unai Emery at Aston Villa, offers the ability to play out wide on the right or operate as a No. 10 in a more central role. While that space is already crowded with Messi as an unmovable presence and Nico Paz as the creative understudy, Buendia’s versatility and form could still be enough to earn him a late invitation to the World Cup.
With some players dealing with physical setbacks, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has reportedly identified five backup players that could have a last-minute call-up to be part of the 2026 World Cup. Lionel Scaloni has already locked in his final roster as Argentina begins its World Cup title defense in North America. However, a select group of five alternate players remain on high alert, as Scaloni has reportedly touched base with them regarding potential last-minute injury call-ups. Although the 26-man roster has been formally submitted, the physical condition of several players remains under close scrutiny. Scaloni has reportedly made clear that any player who fails to meet the required fitness standards could be removed from the list, and a small group of reserves has been kept on notice as a precaution. According to Argentine outlet Doble Amarilla, Scaloni’s coaching staff has identified five players across different positions who could receive a call-up at short notice. The players in question are goalkeeper Santiago Beltran, defenders Nicolas Capaldo and Marcos Senesi, and midfielders Maximo Perrone and Emiliano Buendia. Each player has been selected with a specific contingency in mind, their profiles matching particular needs in the current squad. As reported by the outlet, Scaloni’s staff has communicated to these five players that they should remain available until 24 hours before the start of the World Cup, which is the window FIFA has established for roster changes resulting from certified medical situations. #SelecciónMayor Postales 📸 de un nuevo día de actividades en Kansas City. pic.twitter.com/XJuuwNF2ub— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) June 3, 2026 Five players on standby for six with fitness concerns The five-player reserve list was assembled with clear purpose, as each name directly corresponds to a current fitness concern within the squad. Lionel Messi currently heads a list of six players managing physical issues, joined by goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, defenders Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel, and midfielders Nico Paz and Leandro Paredes. The profiles of the five backup players align precisely with the positions at risk, each one a potential like-for-like solution should a roster change become necessary. With Argentina aiming to become back-to-back World Cup champions, these five players will need to delay their summer plans and remain ready. Last-minute changes have happened before Scaloni’s contingency planning is informed not only by the current crop of fitness concerns but also by what happened in the buildup to the 2022 World Cup. Just before the tournament began in Qatar, Nicolas Gonzalez was ruled out with a biceps femoris tear in his left leg, and Joaquin Correa was disaffected due to Achilles tendinitis in his left leg. In their place, Angel Correa and Thiago Almada were called up as surprise additions by Scaloni, both going on to play a role, albeit a limited one, as Argentina went all the way to claim the World Cup title.
Nico Paz is reportedly undergoing specialized rehabilitation for a knee injury just 13 days before Argentina begins its 2026 World Cup title defense against Algeria. With less than two weeks remaining until Argentina’s 2026 World Cup opener against Algeria, manager Lionel Scaloni is closely monitoring the fitness of several squad members who reported to camp carrying injuries. Following the successful recoveries of Cristian Romero and Julian Alvarez, midfielder Nico Paz has become the primary focus of the team’s medical staff. The Como 1907 midfielder was forced to miss his club’s final match of the season due to a knee issue, immediately raising alarms within the Albiceleste camp. According to a report from Bolavip Argentina, the young playmaker is currently undergoing a specialized medical treatment to accelerate his recovery, with internal indicators suggesting he should be available for the tournament opener. While receiving this targeted treatment, Paz will not participate in full-intensity training sessions with the rest of the squad. The coaching staff will evaluate his day-to-day progress to ensure his knee is responding as expected before clearing him for his first career World Cup. Nico Paz’s post on his Instagram account. (nicopaz1o) Paz ruled out for Argentina’s friendlies Due to the ongoing rehabilitation schedule, Paz has been ruled out of Argentina’s upcoming pre-tournament friendlies against Honduras on June 6 and Islandia on June 9. If his knee continues to respond positively to the treatment initiated at the team’s base camp in Kansas City, his return to the pitch is expected to be saved for the opening match against Algeria. The medical staff is simultaneously managing concerns over full-back Gonzalo Montiel and midfielder Leandro Paredes. Both players are dealing with muscle tears and will be evaluated continuously over the coming days to determine if they can remain with the squad or if they must be replaced entirely. Scaloni weighs final roster adjustments Scaloni has until June 15 to finalize his decision regarding the injured players. FIFA tournament regulations state that participating nations are permitted to make emergency changes to their official rosters up to 24 hours prior to their opening match, provided the injury is officially verified by FIFA’s medical committee. Should Paz fail to recover in time, a contingency plan is already in place. Argentine network DSports reported via X that Aston Villa midfielder Emiliano Buendia could potentially be called up as a late replacement. According to the report, Argentina’s coaching staff has officially requested that Buendia delay his vacation plans in the event that he is needed in North America.
Lionel Messi will lead a revamped 26-man Argentina roster into the 2026 World Cup, featuring eight highly touted tournament debutants ready to step onto the grandest stage in international soccer. Lionel Messi is officially tuning up for his sixth and final World Cup campaign after manager Lionel Scaloni unveiled Argentina’s final 26-man squad, that will travel to North America looking to defend the title. The roster highlights a significant evolution from the group that hoisted the trophy in Qatar four years ago, with nine world champions missing out due to international retirement—such as icon Angel Di Maria—or direct tactical cuts by the coaching staff. To bridge the gap, Scaloni is injecting fresh energy into the squad, handing eight players the very first World Cup call-ups of their careers. Juan Musso, Leonardo Balerdi, Facundo Medina, Valentin Barco, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Gonzalez, Nico Paz, and Jose Manuel Lopez represent the vital tactical newcomers integrated to help the Albiceleste retain their crown. Notably, midfielder Giovani Lo Celso also returns to the World Cup fold after a heartbreaking injury forced him to miss the 2022 tournament, though he previously made his tournament debut at Russia 2018. Meanwhile, high-profile Premier League stars Emiliano Buendía and Marcos Senesi stand as the most glaring omissions, failing to make the cut despite spectacular domestic campaigns. Here they are. These are the guys. pic.twitter.com/xU2lcpJnpW— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) May 28, 2026 Meet Argentina’s eight World Cup debutants Juan Musso The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper has been a consistent fixture throughout the Scaloni era, missing out on the 2022 squad purely due to the veteran logjam ahead of him. Musso forced his way onto the plane this time around on the heels of a stellar European season, racking up seven clean sheets in 18 appearances while anchoring Los Colchoneros during their deep run to the UEFA Champions League semifinals. Leonardo Balerdi A reliable asset throughout the CONMEBOL qualifying cycle, Balerdi enters the tournament as the primary cover for Cristian Romero in central defense. Having established himself as a mature defensive anchor and team leader at Olympique Marseille, Balerdi logged 36 appearances this season, contributing a goal and an assist. Facundo Medina On loan at Olympique Marseille from Lens, Medina emerged as one of the most intriguing inclusions on Scaloni’s final sheet. His supreme tactical versatility—capable of slotting in as a center-back or operating as a left-back—proved irresistible to the coaching staff. Despite missing a 16-match chunk of the season to a nagging ankle injury, his impact over 26 appearances was enough to earn his ticket. Valentin Barco Barco stands out as one of the most versatile utility players on the entire roster, seamlessly alternating between a left-back and a central midfielder. Following a spectacular 43-match campaign with Strasbourg—where he registered three goals, 11 assists, and reached the Conference League semifinals—Barco secured a high-profile transfer to Chelsea, where he will play after the tournament. Nico Paz Despite a late-season knee scare that threatened his availability, Paz recovered in time to cement his spot. The creative midfielder enjoyed a breakout year with Como, playing a starring role in driving the Italian side to a historic Champions League qualification spot. Paz comes off a season featuring 13 goals and eight assists in 40 games, positioning him to fight for a starting spot under Scaloni. Giuliano Simeone Simeone’s tireless work rate has made him a vital tactical piece in Scaloni’s squad rotation. Capable of exhausting opposing defenses by covering the entire right flank, the Atletico Madrid attacker earned his World Cup stripes by logging seven goals and eight assists across 53 appearances this season. Nicolas Gonzalez After a heartbreaking, late-hour injury cruelly ruled him out of the Qatar 2022 s
Due to the suspension he received from the controversy involving Vinicius Junior, Gianluca Prestianni has been reportedly ruled out of the Argentina final roster for the 2026 World Cup. With Lionel Scaloni yet to announce the final 26-man roster, Gianluca Prestianni had been considered one of the leading candidates to represent Argentina in the attacking positions at the 2026 World Cup. However, the suspension he received following his controversy with Vinicius Junior has reportedly become the decisive factor in his exclusion from the final list. During the first leg of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League playoff round in February, Vinicius Junior accused Prestianni of racial abuse in a confrontation that caused significant controversy throughout the week. Because the Argentine forward had covered his mouth during the alleged exchange, UEFA did not charge him with racial abuse but instead sanctioned him for “homophobic conduct,” handing him a six-match ban. With Benfica subsequently eliminated from the Champions League, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee determined that the suspension would carry worldwide effect, in line with the governing body’s rules. That ruling meant that if called up, Prestianni would have been required to serve the remainder of his suspension during the 2026 World Cup while representing Argentina. Facing that complication, according to Bolavip Argentina, Scaloni and the Argentina coaching staff made the decision to leave Prestianni off the World Cup roster. The outlet confirmed that the suspension stemming from the Vinicius Junior incident was the primary reason behind the call. Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica and Arda Guler of Real Madrid. The Argentine Football Association had already attempted to reduce the suspension through an appeal, but that effort was rejected. With time now having run out to file an injunction that would have allowed Prestianni to serve the ban after the tournament, the decision to exclude him was made final. Prestianni had established himself as a regular presence in Scaloni’s recent Argentina squads, earning a profile somewhat reminiscent of the role Angel Di Maria had played before his international retirement. Now, at just 20 years old, the young winger will not only miss the World Cup but will also be remembered as the player whose controversy helped prompt FIFA’s new rule making it a red card offense to cover one’s mouth during a confrontation with an opponent. Who stands to benefit from Prestianni’s absence Prestianni had been included in Scaloni’s 55-man preliminary list and was widely expected to make the final cut, particularly after reports indicated that Franco Mastantuono of Real Madrid had been dropped from contention. His removal has opened the door for other players to claim a spot. According to Argentina insider Gaston Edul, Giovani Lo Celso and Valentin Barco are now expected to be included in the final World Cup roster. While both offer different profiles from Prestianni, neither had been consistent fixtures in the recent Argentina setup, Lo Celso due to recurring fitness and injury issues and Barco following his recent emergence in European soccer, making their inclusions a notable shift. Emi Buendia of Aston Villa celebrates winning the UEFA Europa League. On the more offensively minded front, the player who stands to gain the most from Prestianni’s absence is Emiliano Buendia. The Aston Villa midfielder closed out the 2025-26 season in excellent form, contributing to the club’s UEFA Europa League triumph, and his ability to operate across both attacking flanks has significantly strengthened his case for a place in Scaloni’s final squad.
After his unexpected omission, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni explained his decision to leave Paulo Dybala out of the preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup. Lionel Scaloni is putting the finishing touches on Argentina‘s 26-man World Cup squad as the defending champions prepare to take the field in North America, though several members of the 2022 title-winning group have already been left behind. Among those names, the head coach has addressed one of the most talked-about omissions by explaining why Paulo Dybala was left off the preliminary roster entirely. On May 11, Scaloni released a preliminary list of 55 players in contention for the final 26 spots. But one of the most striking absences was Dybala, who despite a strong finish to the season at AS Roma was not included even in the extended pool, a decision that raised considerable eyebrows among Argentina supporters. Speaking to DSports, Scaloni addressed the omission directly. “Paulo, it goes without saying that he is a great player. He has come back in an exceptional way with his team, they have qualified for the Champions League with a very strong showing from him. But this is how it always is: young players emerge who contribute, there are players who have consolidated themselves in that position, they deserve an opportunity, and we have made the decision to include other players,” the coach said. One of the underlying factors in the decision is Dybala’s extended absence from the national team setup. His most recent call-up came in September 2024, when he contributed just 16 minutes across the World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia. Since then, he has missed every Argentina international window while other players, most notably Nico Paz and Emiliano Buendia, have established themselves in the squad. Paulo Dybala of Argentina kisses the FIFA World Cup winning trophy. Now 32, Dybala was also passed over with an eye on where Argentina is headed beyond this tournament. “There is no doubt about the quality he possesses; we love him, he is a spectacular guy, but we look at the present and what others can give us in the future. There are other world champions who were also left out, but this goes day by day, and we have made that decision,” Scaloni said. The 2025-26 season was a challenging one for Dybala on multiple fronts. He first had to adapt to Gian Piero Gasperini’s system at AS Roma before undergoing knee surgery that cost him a significant stretch of the campaign. He did contribute four assists across the final three matches of Roma’s five-game winning streak to clinch a Champions League qualification spot, but the timing of those performances came largely before Scaloni’s preliminary list was released, leaving him precious little opportunity to change the coach’s mind. 2022 World Cup winners already left out of the 2026 edition While Dybala played a peripheral but meaningful role in the 2022 World Cup run, contributing 16 minutes in the semifinal and entering the final against France in time to clear one of Kylian Mbappe’s dangerous moments and convert his penalty in the shootout, that legacy was not enough to secure him a place in 2026. He is far from alone among the champions who have been passed over. Of the 2022 title-winning squad, the players absent from Scaloni’s 55-man preliminary list are Franco Armani, Juan Foyth, Alejandro Gomez, Angel Correa, Paulo Dybala and Angel Di Maria. Of those, only Armani and Di María have officially retired from international football, while Foyth suffered an ACL injury that ruled him out of contention. The exclusions of Correa, Dybala and Gómez are entirely a matter of Scaloni’s own choosing.
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