Celta s key man Nolito / Image via marca.com
Manuel Agudo Duran, simply known as Nolito is a late bloomer.
Impressively consistent performed in Spanish La Liga at the moment, this 29-year-old has come a long way from his boyhood club Sanluenqueno and Barcelona where he arrived at nearly 22 years of age.
Not to be regarded as your typical La Masia product, Nolito is a proof that hard work does pay off.
Unnoticed jewel
The Catalan club had no patience to wait for Nolito.
Unnoticed in an endless streak of attacking players in their ranks and after only two league games for Barcelona, the Spanish forward was transferred to Benfica in 2011. Two years, 35 matches for the Portuguese club later, and a loan spell at Granada sandwiched in between, Celta came knocking on the door.
Current campaign has been particularly inspiring as Nolito has been instrumental to Celta’s undefeated run to the top of the standings. He helped his team with six goals in eight matches, assisting three times in the process and putting incredible all-round displays for his team, most notably a fine performance against his former club Barcelona in the fascinating 4-1 win last month.
What are his strengths?
Nolito can play wide left, but can also operate through the middle as a striker and fourteen goals from last season are there to prove it. Celta star has also created 96 chances last season, more than Leo Messi (95) and Cristiano Ronaldo (75) and his influence on the team’s play has been immense.
Hard-working footballer who had been waiting for his turn under the spotlight patiently over the course of past few years has also been rewarded with a place in the Spanish national team and he played a part in Spain’s successful qualifying campaign for Euro 2016.
He featured for 13 minutes in a 4-0 win against Luxembourg and even had time to set up a goal for Santi Casorla, and was given a 75-minute appearance and a starting berth in the 1-0 triumph over Ukraine in Kiev.
