In just three matches, Renato Veiga has already made a significant impression on Juventus fans. Gazzetta dello Sport report how, whether it’s his Socrates-like mustache, his passionate celebrations to rouse the crowd, or his consistently precise long passes, the 21-year-old Portuguese defender has quickly become a standout figure for the Bianconeri.
Despite his young age, Veiga arrived at Juventus with high expectations. The club paid €3.8 million (plus bonuses) for just a six-month loan from Chelsea, banking on his potential as a left-footed central defender with good ball-playing abilities. Initially compared to Riccardo Calafiori, Veiga’s performance against PSV in the Champions League playoff actually drew comparisons to Leonardo Bonucci, particularly for his ability to launch accurate long passes to the wings.
Statistics from Fbref show that against PSV, Veiga attempted 16 long-range passes, completing 13 and helping Juventus gain over 500 meters of field position. While it’s early to draw definitive comparisons, in his first 270 minutes for Juventus, Veiga has averaged 6.3 long passes per game, covering an average progressive distance of 332 meters. This surpasses Bonucci’s career average at Juventus of three accurate long passes per game for an average progressive distance of 156 meters.
However, Veiga’s impact goes beyond his technical skills. He has shown remarkable passion and commitment on the pitch. Early in the PSV match, he encouraged the Curva Sud to raise the volume after winning a throw-in in the attacking zone. In the 92nd minute, following a crucial defensive intervention, he celebrated with the fans as if he had scored a goal.
While Veiga still has room for improvement in man-marking, his character and leadership qualities are undeniable. In a Juventus team searching for new leaders, the Portuguese defender has firmly put himself forward as a candidate.
