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Villarreal secures its striker for the future with a renewal until 2029

Villarreal CF has secured its future in attack by renewing Argentine forward Nico Barattucci until 2029, the team's top assist provider in the Segunda División B. The 20-year-old, trained in Mallorca, has stood out with 2 goals and 3 assists in four games under David Albelda.

24 September 2026 2 min read Text edited 26 Sep 2026
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Villarreal CF has taken a key decision for its immediate future by shielding one of its greatest promises: Nico Barattucci. The Argentine forward, who plays in the club’s reserve team, has reached an official renewal agreement that binds him to the Castellon entity until June 2029. This measure not only reinforces the club’s commitment to its youth academy, but also responds to the growing demand for high-potential players in the European market.

The 20-year-old young striker, with double Hispanic-Argentinian nationality, has been one of the sensations of Villarreal B this season. Under the orders of David Albelda, he has played four matches in the Primera Federación, where he has scored two goals and distributed three assists. His performance has stood out for his tactical intelligence, his powerful physique and his ability to attack free spaces, making him a constant nightmare for rival defenses.

His path to the first team began in Mallorca, where he was trained in a Balearic youth academy. After astonishing the red-shirted scouts as a barely a junior, he joined a youth academy where he finally exploded in the 2024/25 season, scoring 13 goals in the Youth Division of Honor. His superlative performance caught the attention of Villarreal, which did not hesitate to recruit him in the summer of 2025. After successfully honing his skills last season in the ranks of Villarreal C, the Argentine has knocked down the door of the first affiliate purely with talent.

Football runs naturally through the veins of this talented forward, since he is the son of Luis Baratucci, a former player of Racing de Avellaneda in the highest category of Argentine football. Since childhood, Nico absorbed the values of effort and love for the ball, qualities that today manifest themselves in every match. His versatility allows him to alternate between forward and winger with an amazing ease for his short age.

The renewal is a clear bet by the club on its internal training policy. By ensuring its continuity, Villarreal cuts off the interest of other major European transatlantic clubs that were closely following its evolution. The club thus ensures one of its most valued and coveted pieces, strengthening its model of player development.