I think at river plate he was more of a winger who cuts in from the sides.
There was a Fourfourtwo interview with him before he went to Roma.
2 Erik Lamela
Age: 19
Club: River Plate
Nationality: Argentine
He's the new... Rivaldo
At only 19, you are playing for River and tracked by Milan, Inter, Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and Arsenal. Do you sleep well?
Yes, I try not to play attention to what's being said about me in the papers, even if some figures are quite shocking. But I'm in no rush to leave. Actually, the opposite: playing with River is a dream come true. I know if I do well at River Plate, rumours will always be there. And eventually, I might consider a transfer.
You had the chance of being the new Messi when you were 12. What happened?
I had played a tournament with River and then Barcelona came knocking at my door. They talked to my parents, with the club and finally they invited me to travel to La Masia, just after Messi had made his debut. I took the plane with my dad and I met Ronaldinho and Eto'o, stayed there for three weeks, doing interviews for papers and TV. But in the end, my family decided I should stay in Argentina.
After all the media frenzy, you virtually disappeared for a while...
At the time I was short, but then I suddenly grew up and had difficulties coping with the new body. But my managers would always tell me to be patient and they were right.
Now you're wearing River's famous No.10 shirt. Do you feel the pressure?
I've never felt pressure. Playing football is my passion, and if the stadium is packed, it's much better. OK, perhaps I had doubts of how I'd react to a Superclasico against Boca, but after playing a couple, I have to tell you - it was amazing!
So after having the chance of being the new Messi, you now look like Cristiano Ronaldo! Have you copied his haircut?
Some team-mates tell me so, but the truth is I had to cut it. [Long-haired team-mate] Matias Almeyda told me that my haircut was outdated. "Either you go to the hairdresser or I'll grab the scissors," he told me. The next day, I had the new haircut.
You share another similarity with Ronaldo: you are always the target of defenders.
Most of them don't know my style of play - perhaps they think I'm trying to wind them up. But I always play the same, no matter if my team is winning or losing. And if they try to intimidate me, I respond, because I'm young but I've got my character. You play football with the ball, not with your mouth.
What's your favourite position?
In the academy I had always been a No.10 in a 4-3-1-2, but now we are playing 4-3-2-1, I like to start from the wing and have a panorama of the game. If you're a typical No.10 you often have your back to goal and don't know what's going on behind you.
What's your next dream?
To play the U20 World Cup, like my idol Messi did in Holland. I can't wait to know what the Albiceleste shirt feels like.
So in summary, he can play the No.10 position but likes to start out wide.
