31st October will be a memorable date for the Pezzolesi family. While many were celebrating Halloween, they were immersed in a completely different sentiment: the simultaneous debut as starters for the brothers Matías and Valentín in the Copa del Rey. Matías, aged 21, represented CD Tenerife, while Valentín, aged 17, made his first appearance with UD Las Palmas. Both played the full 90 minutes, with Matías going on to complete the full 120 after a thrilling extra time against Alfaro. This was a moment brimming with emotion, borne from years of family sacrifices and collective aspirations.
The narrative of the Pezzolesi family is characterised by hard work and commitment. Their parents, Fernando and Natalia, relocated from Argentina to the Canary Islands, seeking a brighter future for their family. Football is deeply ingrained in their family legacy, as Matías and Valentín’s paternal grandfather played for Boca Juniors in the 1950s. After moving to Europe, he attempted a season with Pisa in Italy. Understanding even a fragment of this family history highlights the Pezzolesi’s bond with the sport.
From a tender age, Matías and Valentín exhibited a passion for football. At just six, Valentín began to impress in sports centres across Argentina, showcasing his skills against older players. “I always advised them to play with older kids. It would enhance their skills as footballers,” states their father. Matías grew up learning from his older sibling, Agustín, who trained at CD Marino and whom his father regards as “the best” among the three brothers. Fernando elaborates that “Matías gained invaluable insights from Agustín, while Valentín, like a sponge, absorbed the prowess of his brothers,” noting that the youngest is the most well-rounded player of the trio.
The journey for Matías was challenging. He began his football journey with CD Marino, later transferring to Águilas de Adeje, and finally, he was signed by UD Las Palmas. “Even while ill during a match against Marino, he caught the eye of Jony Vega, a talent scout at UD Las Palmas, who had been monitoring him for some time,” explains his mother.
During his three-year stint at UD, Matías progressed through all youth levels within the yellow club, securing league titles and playing in the youth Copa del Rey, a prominent tournament in the country at the formative level. Ultimately, Deportivo de La Coruña ousted them in a penalty shootout, crowning the Coruña team as champions, led by the remarkable Yeremay, the emerging Canarian talent currently excelling in La Liga Hypermotion.
After his departure from the Canary Islands team, he continued his progression at Buzanada, where he succeeded in ascending to Tercera RFEF. His hard work led to his signing with CD Tenerife, where he has made significant strides in the reserve side, earning promotion to Second RFEF last season.
Valentín began his journey at the Adeje football school and, in the Alevines category, was signed by CD Tenerife. However, the long journeys between their home in the south of the island and the training ground of the blue and white team wore him out, leading to his decision to switch teams due to the lack of support from the Tenerife club in providing nearby accommodation. Once again, Jony Vega crossed paths with the Pezzolesi family, resulting in Valentín signing with UD Las Palmas. Fate smiled upon them. Presently, the youngest son holds a starting position as a right winger on the second team and is also integrated into “first team dynamics.” “He is more cunning and streetwise for his age, whereas Matías is distinguished by his commitment and diligence,” his parents remark.
A Dream Debut
The day of the debut was filled with emotions within the Pezzolesi household. “We only learned about Matías’s debut a few hours before it took place. For Valentín, we were already aware the previous day,” states Fernando. The family convened at 8:00 p.m., sitting before a television and a tablet to witness their two children’s simultaneous debuts. Such an occurrence is indeed rare. Natalia, feeling anxious, couldn’t remain still: “I felt nauseous all day,” she admits. Meanwhile, Fernando held onto a medal bearing an image of his parents, praying for his children’s success. “If my father were present, he would have gone wild,” he confides with heartfelt emotion.
The debut concluded on a high note: Valentín even assisted in his team’s sixth goal, while Matías exerted himself until the very last moments of an exhausting and seemingly never-ending extra time (even with the lights out at one point). “I just hoped they made as few mistakes as possible,” recalls his father, feeling relieved. Both parents understand that their children have much still to learn. “This is merely the start. The aim is to establish themselves as professional footballers,” Natalia humbly states.
It is worth noting that both siblings could potentially receive call-ups from three national teams: Spain, Italy, and Argentina; however, both have expressed their aspiration to don the albiceleste shirt. Valentín, in particular, has already attracted the attention of the AFA, who have inquired about his possible integration into their youth categories.
Notwithstanding the rivalry between their clubs, the brothers celebrate each other’s successes, showcasing that for the Pezzolesi family, football is indeed a matter of heritage. Two united brothers, destined to represent the colours of Tenerife and Las Palmas amidst the historic rivalry. “They resemble the Milito brothers, one playing for Independiente and the other for Racing,” concludes Fernando.
