Matías Kranevitter
A composed Argentine midfielder once seen as the natural heir to Javier Mascherano, anchoring teams in South America and Europe.
Born 1993 (age 33)·Argentine footballer·Birthday: May 21·Millennials
Biography
Matías Kranevitter's football identity was forged in the image of the classic Argentine '5' – the deep-lying, tactically astute midfielder who breaks up play and distributes with calm precision. His rise at River Plate was meteoric, where his maturity and reading of the game made him indispensable, culminating in a Copa Libertadores triumph. This success triggered a move to Europe, first to Atlético Madrid and then to Sevilla, where he faced the intense competition and adaptation challenges of top-tier leagues. Later chapters saw him return to South America before venturing to Turkey. Kranevitter's career arc speaks to the weight of expectation placed on a designated successor to a national icon and the global journey of a modern footballer navigating different footballing cultures.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Matías was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Matías Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Matías's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Copa Libertadores with River Plate in 2015, starting in both legs of the final.
- Lifted the Copa América with the Argentina national team in 2016.
- Won the UEFA Europa League with Sevilla in 2016, although he was an unused substitute in the final.
- Secured the Argentine Primera División title with River Plate in the 2014 Final tournament.
Did You Know?
His nickname is 'El Príncipe' (The Prince), a reference to his poised playing style.
He made his full international debut for Argentina in a 2015 World Cup qualifier against Bolivia.
He played under legendary manager Diego Simeone during his time at Atlético Madrid.
“The first pass sets the rhythm; it must be clean and thoughtful.”
