# Santino Andino
**Santino Andino** (Santino Andino Valencia, born 2005) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a left winger for Panathinaikos in the Greek Super League.[1](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/santino-andino/profil/spieler/1305935) A product of the Godoy Cruz academy in Mendoza, he became that club's record sale when he moved to Athens in January 2026, and he was a runner-up with Argentina at the 2025 [FIFA U-20 World Cup](https://www.edgepedia.org/fifa-u-20-world-cup) in Chile.[2](https://gegensports.com/en/santino-andino-scout-report-panathinaikos-en/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name / born | Santino Andino Valencia, 2005, Villa Nueva, Argentina; 1.74 m; right-footed; Argentine and Italian citizenship[1](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/santino-andino/profil/spieler/1305935) |
| Position | Left winger (also left midfielder and attacking midfielder)[1](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/santino-andino/profil/spieler/1305935) |
| Youth career | Joined Godoy Cruz in 2013 at age 8; youth-team debut in April 2021 at 15[3](https://www.tycsports.com/liga-profesional-de-futbol/del-tablon-a-ser-pasapelotas-y-de-ahi-a-la-seleccion-argentina-la-historia-de-santino-andino-id618234.html) |
| Senior debut | Primera División, 15 September 2024, as a substitute against Sarmiento de Junín; first goal on 28 September against Huracán[2](https://gegensports.com/en/santino-andino-scout-report-panathinaikos-en/) • [3](https://www.tycsports.com/liga-profesional-de-futbol/del-tablon-a-ser-pasapelotas-y-de-ahi-a-la-seleccion-argentina-la-historia-de-santino-andino-id618234.html) |
| International | 14 caps for Argentina U-20; runner-up at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the South American U-20 Championship[2](https://gegensports.com/en/santino-andino-scout-report-panathinaikos-en/) |
| Transfer to Europe | Signed by Panathinaikos on 16 January 2026; 75% of his economic rights for €10 million, with Godoy Cruz retaining 25%; the highest-value sale in Godoy Cruz's history[2](https://gegensports.com/en/santino-andino-scout-report-panathinaikos-en/) |
| Current contract | Panathinaikos, contract to 30 June 2030[1](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/santino-andino/profil/spieler/1305935) |
## Early life and Godoy Cruz
Andino was born in 2005; the TyC Sports profile places his birth in Guaymallén, in Mendoza province, while Transfermarkt lists Villa Nueva as his birthplace.[3](https://www.tycsports.com/liga-profesional-de-futbol/del-tablon-a-ser-pasapelotas-y-de-ahi-a-la-seleccion-argentina-la-historia-de-santino-andino-id618234.html) • [1](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/santino-andino/profil/spieler/1305935) His father nicknamed him "El Chulu" when he was a child. He joined Godoy Cruz in 2013 at the age of 8, worked as a ball boy while in the seventh division, and debuted for the youth sides in April 2021 at 15, in a 3-1 loss to Estudiantes.[3](https://www.tycsports.com/liga-profesional-de-futbol/del-tablon-a-ser-pasapelotas-y-de-ahi-a-la-seleccion-argentina-la-historia-de-santino-andino-id618234.html)
**Rapid rise in 2024.** After about 40 matches with the reserve team, Andino made his first-team debut on 15 September 2024, coming on in a 1-1 draw with Sarmiento de Junín.[3](https://www.tycsports.com/liga-profesional-de-futbol/del-tablon-a-ser-pasapelotas-y-de-ahi-a-la-seleccion-argentina-la-historia-de-santino-andino-id618234.html) Two weeks later he scored the equalizer against Huracán, his first Primera División goal, and shortly afterward scored in a 2-0 win over [Newell's Old Boys](https://www.edgepedia.org/newells-old-boys) in Mendoza.[3](https://www.tycsports.com/liga-profesional-de-futbol/del-tablon-a-ser-pasapelotas-y-de-ahi-a-la-seleccion-argentina-la-historia-de-santino-andino-id618234.html) Within roughly two months of his debut he had played 9 matches with 2 goals and 2 assists, and in November 2024 he was called up by [Javier Mascherano](https://www.edgepedia.org/javier-mascherano) to the Argentina under-20 squad for friendlies against Bolivia in [Santa Cruz de la Sierra](https://www.edgepedia.org/santa-cruz-de-la-sierra).[3](https://www.tycsports.com/liga-profesional-de-futbol/del-tablon-a-ser-pasapelotas-y-de-ahi-a-la-seleccion-argentina-la-historia-de-santino-andino-id618234.html) His coach at Godoy Cruz, Daniel Oldrá, cited his speed as the quality that earned him first-team minutes.[4](https://gegensports.com/es/santino-andino-informe-scouting-panathinaikos-es/)
## International youth career
Andino accumulated 14 caps for [Argentina U-20](https://www.edgepedia.org/argentina-national-under-20-football-team) and reached two tournament finals: runner-up at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile and at the South American U-20 Championship.[2](https://gegensports.com/en/santino-andino-scout-report-panathinaikos-en/) He was named in Argentina's squad for the 2025 U-20 World Cup, held from 27 September to 19 October, alongside players including Maher Carrizo, Ian Subiabre, and Gianluca Prestianni.[5](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/sin-mastantuono-convocatoria-completa-de-argentina-para-el-mundial-sub-20-de-chile-n/) He appeared for Argentina in the tournament's match against Italy on 4 October 2025 at the Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander.[6](https://www.fifatrainingcentre.com/media/native/tournaments/fu20wc-25/M31%20ARG%20V%20ITA%20POST%20MATCH%20REPORT.pdf)
## The River Plate episode and the move to Panathinaikos
**A near-transfer to River.** According to the newspaper Olé, River Plate reached an agreement with Godoy Cruz to buy 50% of the rights of the 20-year-old for around 4.5 million US dollars.[7](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/santino-andino-deshoja-la-margarita-f202512-n/) Godoy Cruz's president José Mansur confirmed in January 2026 that there was an agreement with River.[8](https://media.losandes.com.ar/adjuntos/368/documentos/100/680/0100680718.pdf) The transfer did not happen: Andino changed representatives, joining Roc Nation Sports Brazil, the agency that also represents [Vinícius Júnior](https://www.edgepedia.org/vinicius-junior) and Endrick, and the agency's strategy of seeking opportunities in European or Brazilian football led him to wait before deciding his next step.[7](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/santino-andino-deshoja-la-margarita-f202512-n/) Panathinaikos, Olympiakos, and Brazilian clubs were also reported to be interested.[7](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/santino-andino-deshoja-la-margarita-f202512-n/)
**Record sale to Athens.** Godoy Cruz and Panathinaikos reached an agreement in January 2026 for a record figure reported as 10.2 million euros for 75% of the transfer.[9](https://media.losandes.com.ar/adjuntos/368/documentos/100/681/0100681822.pdf) The Gegen Pres scouting report records the signing on 16 January 2026, with 75% of his economic rights acquired for €10 million, 25% retained by Godoy Cruz, and an obligation to purchase the remaining share if the player is not sold on within three years.[2](https://gegensports.com/en/santino-andino-scout-report-panathinaikos-en/) The sale was recorded as the highest-value sale in Godoy Cruz's history, and it came after the club's relegation to the Primera Nacional.[2](https://gegensports.com/en/santino-andino-scout-report-panathinaikos-en/)
## Playing style
Andino's game is built on the one-against-one and on acceleration rather than top-end speed: the gap he opens over a defender in the first five to ten meters is described as more decisive than the pace he holds over long runs.[2](https://gegensports.com/en/santino-andino-scout-report-panathinaikos-en/) His first touch holds up under pressure, opening his control away from the defender, while his weaknesses include long decision time inside the box, limited weak-foot use, and a narrow range of early crosses.[2](https://gegensports.com/en/santino-andino-scout-report-panathinaikos-en/) At Godoy Cruz he played as a classic wide player holding width, often receiving in his own half in a relegation-fighting side; at Panathinaikos, in a higher-possession team, the key adjustment is his movement off the ball against defenses in a low block.[2](https://gegensports.com/en/santino-andino-scout-report-panathinaikos-en/)
## Panathinaikos
Andino debuted for Panathinaikos on 1 February 2026 in a 3-0 win over Kifisia, starting and playing 79 minutes and providing an assist; his first goal came about a month later in a 4-1 win over OFI Crete.[10](https://www.tycsports.com/futbol-internacional/que-fue-de-la-vida-de-santino-andino-la-figura-que-quiso-river-y-emigro-al-futbol-europeo-id732783.html) He played mostly as a starter in the league and the Europa League, finishing the season with 19 matches, 1 goal, and 1 assist, as Panathinaikos ended fourth in the Championship group, 20 points behind champion AEK Athens, and qualified for the second qualifying round of the Conference League.[10](https://www.tycsports.com/futbol-internacional/que-fue-de-la-vida-de-santino-andino-la-figura-que-quiso-river-y-emigro-al-futbol-europeo-id732783.html) In the [Super League](https://www.edgepedia.org/super-league) 2025/26 he recorded 15 matches, 13 starts, 910 minutes, 1 goal, and 1 assist.[11](https://www.fotmob.com/en-GB/players/1680164/santino-andino) In mid-2026 he returned to Mendoza during the off-season and was honored at Godoy Cruz's Feliciano Gambarte stadium, receiving a shirt in recognition of his time at the club.[10](https://www.tycsports.com/futbol-internacional/que-fue-de-la-vida-de-santino-andino-la-figura-que-quiso-river-y-emigro-al-futbol-europeo-id732783.html)
## References
1. [Santino Andino player profile, Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/santino-andino/profil/spieler/1305935)
2. [Santino Andino Scout Report: Godoy Cruz's Record Sale in Athens, Gegen Pres](https://gegensports.com/en/santino-andino-scout-report-panathinaikos-en/)
3. [La historia de Santino Andino, del tablón a figura de Godoy Cruz y citado a la Selección Argentina, TyC Sports](https://www.tycsports.com/liga-profesional-de-futbol/del-tablon-a-ser-pasapelotas-y-de-ahi-a-la-seleccion-argentina-la-historia-de-santino-andino-id618234.html)
4. [Informe de scouting de Santino Andino: la venta récord de Godoy Cruz en Atenas, Gegen Pres](https://gegensports.com/es/santino-andino-informe-scouting-panathinaikos-es/)
5. [Sin Mastantuono: convocatoria completa de Argentina para el Mundial Sub 20 de Chile, AS](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/sin-mastantuono-convocatoria-completa-de-argentina-para-el-mundial-sub-20-de-chile-n/)
6. [Argentina 1-0 Italy, FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 post-match report, FIFA Training Centre](https://www.fifatrainingcentre.com/media/native/tournaments/fu20wc-25/M31%20ARG%20V%20ITA%20POST%20MATCH%20REPORT.pdf)
7. [Santino Andino deshoja la margarita, AS](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/santino-andino-deshoja-la-margarita-f202512-n/)
8. [Los Andes, 9 January 2026, printed edition PDF](https://media.losandes.com.ar/adjuntos/368/documentos/100/680/0100680718.pdf)
9. [Los Andes, 14 January 2026, printed edition PDF](https://media.losandes.com.ar/adjuntos/368/documentos/100/681/0100681822.pdf)
10. [Qué fue de la vida de Santino Andino, la figura que quiso River y emigró al fútbol europeo, TyC Sports](https://www.tycsports.com/futbol-internacional/que-fue-de-la-vida-de-santino-andino-la-figura-que-quiso-river-y-emigro-al-futbol-europeo-id732783.html)
11. [Santino Andino Valencia stats and career, FotMob](https://www.fotmob.com/en-GB/players/1680164/santino-andino)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Association football › Football people and teams › People › Men's footballers of South America › Argentine men's footballers › Argentine forwards*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 11, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
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