If one accepts the rule of thumb that goalkeepers generally reach the peak of their powers aged 26-27, it takes a brave coach to install a 23-year-old as their No1 at his very first FIFA Futsal World Cup. Argentina's Diego Giustozzi has done just that thanks to his unstinting faith in Nicolas Sarmiento, the youngest of the 55 keepers at Colombia 2016.
"Age is relative," the shot-stopper told FIFA.comwith the same assurance that he displays when staring down opposition players. "It's true that older players who have featured in more matches or World Cups will approach things differently because of their experience, but I don't think about any of that when I walk out on to the pitch. And I don't know when I'll be at my best – here's hoping it's every time I'm standing between the sticks," he went on light-heartedly.
Nevertheless, with the hours ticking down before his Futsal World Cup debut, Sarmiento did own up to some understandable jitters. "I know that my youth and inexperience could work against me. That's why I try to stop it turning into something negative, because I can't control it. I'm relaxed about it and take it in my stride as far as possible."
This is not something he talks about with Giustozzi. "Diego showed his faith in me by playing me when I was younger and he had older, more experienced keepers available, so I've never needed him to tell me that my age wasn't going to be a hindrance," the starlet said of the man who thrust him into the international spotlight as a starter at the 2014 Nations Cup. "And he doesn't have to start doing so now," he added with a smile.
The precocious custodian is now well used to batting away misgivings about his age, in particular following the formative season he spent on loan at Intelli Orlandia, in the fiercely competitive Brazilian league, two years ago: "People were surprised to see a foreign player, because there weren't many, let alone one so young who was a goalkeeper. So that year I broke a couple of taboos."
From an innocent choice to the World CupBlazing an unconventional trail is another thing that 'Nico' is used to. When he was growing up, while many of his team-mates at River Plate, the club he supports and where he learned his trade, dreamed of making it as footballers, he preferred futsal. "I've always been a 'keeper. I liked futsal because it was fast, I was more involved and I had fun."
We'll have to dig deep and take the matches by the scruff of the neck if we're going to go through.
Unlike in the 11-a-side game? "Exactly. Sometimes the opposition wouldn't threaten for 20 minutes, plus the ball hurt and because I was small, if they shot high I couldn't reach it. At that age I found it boring and so, in all innocence, I chose futsal," said Sarmiento who, at just 5'6 (1.68m), is the third shortest of the goalkeepers assembled for the global extravaganza in Colombia.
His idol is Santiago Elias, who kept goal for Argentina at the 2008 and 2012 World Cups. Although they have highly contrasting styles, Elias has become something of a mentor: "He's tall and physically imposing, and his strengths are his positioning and his ability with his feet. I'm the complete opposite: I'm all about speed and agility. I'm trying to copy him because the more strings I add to my bow, the better."
The idea of Sarmiento becoming even more accomplished is a tantalising prospect, as his considerable existing talents have already been enough for him to attract admiring glances aplenty and earn a move to Palma Futsal in the formidable Spanish top flight.
The youngster has also played an important role in the success enjoyed since Giustozzi took charge of La Albiceleste and set about implementing a more attacking, enterprising brand of football. He was part of the teams that were crowned Nations Cup and Intercontinental Cup champions in 2014, beating Brazil in the final in both instances, and that secured a runners-up finish in this year's World Cup qualifying competition.
As a consequence of these exploits, Argentina have been tipped as one of the contenders for the title in Colombia. "I don't concern myself with that," said Sarmiento. "I'm just focused on our work and the opportunity we have to consolidate our new identity as a team."
The youngster was similarly dismissive of the belief among some observers that his side should be a shoo-in to progress from the group stage. "Only someone who doesn't know much about futsal could say that," he stated. "Kazakhstan, Costa Rica and Solomon Islands all have their own style and none of them will make it easy. It would be irresponsible for us to think otherwise. We'll have to dig deep and take the matches by the scruff of the neck if we're going to go through."