Holger Quintero is a 14-year-old attacking midfielder who plays for Independiente del Valle. He featured mostly in Independiente del Valle’s U-15 team, but also played for the U-14 in the Conmebol Evolucion and the U-15/16 in the Next Generation Trophy. Quintero was one of the important players who helped Independiente del Valle U-15 win the league title this season.
He stands at 1.71m with a slim build. Quintero is expected to grow a few centimetres, as he has only recently turned 14. The midfielder has an impressive acceleration on the ball and is capable of maintaining that speed over longer distances. He is capable of gliding past opponents, avoiding challenges and tackles whilst maintaining his balance. Quintero changes directions quickly and has a very smooth running style. He is quite strong on the ball. The midfielder always plays with a high intensity and battles well defensively.
Holger Quintero is one of the few technically gifted players in Independiente del Valle’s youth academy. He plays with a high intensity following the pass and move principle. Quintero is almost consistently on the move playing one-touch football. His technical excellence alongside his tactical intelligence makes him a joy to watch. He consistently roams around the pitch, trying to get on the ball and dictate play. Quintero has a very nice passing technique over short and long distances. He has a wide range of passing techniques he is capable of using.
The Ecuadorian midfielder is very effective in first-phase possession, too. He has the vision and technique to progress the ball up the pitch through line-breaking passes, whilst also being capable of taking on his opponent using his excellent burst and close control. He has an excellent first touch and rarely gets a first touch wrong. Quintero sporadically has the tendency to overestimate his own dribbling ability and run into congested areas. He has good finishing ability from close range but his ball-striking from long range is slightly inconsistent. Quintero sometimes overlaps on the right when his twin brother Edwin Quintero has tucked inside. He is quite efficient with these runs, displaying good crossing ability to find players like Gabriel Porozo or Riquelme Angulo.
My expectation for 2024 is that Holger Quintero will become a regular starter for Independiente del Valle U-17. I can see him making his debut for Independiente del Valle U-19 in the late stages of the second stage, too. He is an exceptional talent and it is even more remarkable that his twin brother Edwin Quintero also is a world-class talent. Holger Quintero breathes football and has the potential to become a world-class player. However, he will always face competition from Kendry Páez, Edwin Quintero, Keny Arroyo and even Justin Lerma for a place in Ecuador’s starting line-up.
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