Basketball, Lautaro, and Argentina: 10 Facts About Tiago Tomás Palacios

Born in General Pico on 28 April 2003, in the province of La Pampa, central Argentina, Tiago Tomás Palacios developed his football career at Club Atlético Costa Brava, the team from his hometown, before moving to Talleres in 2019. He made his professional debut with the Córdoba side, playing a total of eight matches before being loaned to Independiente Rivadavia in January 2024. During his time with the Mendoza team, he made 16 appearances across the Primera Division, Copa de la Liga, and Copa Argentina, before joining Inter in the summer of 2024.

THE NICKNAME

A defender with an imposing physique, Palacios stands 6'5". In Argentina, the 21-year-old was known by the nickname Torre Pampeana, a nod to his region of origin. Inter introduced Tomás to the Nerazzurri fans with a video that highlighted this nickname, depicting him as a chess piece.

FAMILY PASSION

From a young age, Palacios fell in love with football thanks to his family. The passion for the game is a shared one, passed down from his father and brothers, who played for the local teams in General Pico, Tomás's hometown. He himself took his first steps in football at Atletico Costa Brava.

ADMIRATION FOR LEO MESSI

Like every Argentine, Palacios holds a deep admiration for Lionel Messi. The captain of the Albiceleste was Tomás's idol when he was a child. As a young player, he played as a forward, and as a left-footed player, he couldn't help but draw inspiration from one of the greatest footballers of all time.

INTER, ARGENTINA, AND LAUTARO

Tomás Palacios is the 52nd Argentine player in the history of Inter, a country that has always had a special connection with the Nerazzurri club. Among the many players who have left unforgettable memories for Inter fans, Palacios’ favourite is Lautaro Martinez, a player he admired from afar and now shares a locker room with. After his debut, the defender thanked all his teammates, especially the captain and Tucu Correa, the other two Argentinians in the squad who help him grow every day.

THREE WORDS

Palacios describes himself as a defender skilled in ball management and playmaking, but also attentive in marking. In three words, he defines himself as aggressive, warrior, and lyrical, a term that in Argentina denotes refinement.

FROM ONE DEBUT TO ANOTHER

Among the most beautiful moments in Tomás's career is undoubtedly his debut in the Primera División, Argentina's top league. Palacios made his Argentine top-flight debut on 2 July 2023, when he played 90 minutes in the match that ended 1-1 between his Talleres and Godoy Cruz. At that time, Tomás had already made his professional debut more than a year earlier in a cup match against Defensa y Justicia on 9 April 2022.

Now he has made his official debut with Inter, a significant step forward in Tomás's career as he learns the differences between Argentine and Italian football.

BASKETBALL...

Despite his great love for football, Palacios also follows other sports. The Argentine is a basketball enthusiast, another sport very popular in Argentina. This passion is shared with Lautaro Martinez, another great lover of basketball.

...AND PADEL

Considering the significant amount of time dedicated to training and matches, Palacios does not pursue any particular hobbies, but he remains a great sports enthusiast in general. In addition to basketball, the 21-year-old player closely follows Padel, a sport invented in Mexico that is highly popular in Argentina and has become quite widespread in Italy in recent years. Argentina has a strong tradition in Padel. The men's national team has won 11 World Championships, while the women's team has achieved 8 victories.

ARGENTINA U20

Thanks to his positive performances with Talleres in 2022, Palacios was called up to the Argentina Under-20 team, led by coach Javier Mascherano. Wearing the Albiceleste U20 jersey, Tomás made 5 appearances and also participated in the South American Games. An indescribable emotion for Palacios, who is proud to have worn the Argentina shirt.

PRE-MATCH MUSIC

Before stepping onto the pitch, Tomás loves to listen to music. His favourite genre is Cuarteto, a musical style that originated in Córdoba, Argentina. In particular, Palacios's favourite artist is Q' Lokura.