- He has been part of the national team for over 15 years, playing in World Cups and CONMEBOL Copa América Fútbol Playa™.
- He plays for Acassuso, with whom he competed in the last CONMEBOL Libertadores Fútbol Playa.
Sebastián Gómez Polatti began playing for Argentina’s beach soccer national team in 2009 at just 20 years old. His coach at Aranzazu, Francisco Petrasso, was also the head coach of the national beach soccer team and invited him to try out. Sixteen years later, he is one of the key figures of La Albiceleste, which will compete in the CONMEBOL Copa América Fútbol Playa 2025™ in Chile starting February 22.
- What is Argentina’s goal for the upcoming CONMEBOL Copa América™?
-To repeat what we did in Rosario: reach the final. Obviously, we know we’ve landed in a very tough group with strong opponents (Editor's note: Group B with Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela), but our first step is advancing to the knockout stage, making it to the semifinals, and winning to reach the final and secure a spot in the Seychelles World Cup.
- You mentioned Rosario, where Argentina lost the final against Brazil, the sport’s powerhouse. What sets them apart?
-Everything (laughs). Most of their players are either fully professional or almost professional. They compete year-round, not only in Brazil—where the level is extremely high—but also in Europe. They have extensive experience playing against the best in the world, facing Spaniards in the Russian league, competing in Italy, and making a living from the sport. That gives them a huge advantage over us, as our sport remains amateur. We mainly compete among ourselves in the local league and have limited international exposure. That gives them a big edge. Besides, they benefit from being born in a country where beach soccer is deeply embedded in the culture. You go to any beach in Brazil, and everywhere you look, people are playing with a ball in the sand. They produce talent from all corners. Here, the sport is growing little by little. Still, we’ve had good matches against them and are narrowing the gap.
Why is Beach Soccer Fun to Watch?
Big events attract new audiences. What can fans expect from the CONMEBOL Beach Soccer Copa América 2025™?
“It’s fun to watch because there are a lot of bicycle kicks, scissor kicks, and acrobatic plays. The game is designed for lots of goals. Free kicks are taken without a wall, you can shoot from anywhere, and the short distances make it thrilling. The quality of the players is outstanding. Goals are usually beautiful because they often come from aerial plays, as it’s difficult to move the ball on the sand.Since beach soccer isn’t seen on TV as often, people are usually shocked when they watch it for the first time. After a World Cup or a Copa América, many kids become interested in playing because they realize how exciting and goal-filled the sport is,” said Gómez Polatti, who was born in Buenos Aires on April 12, 1989, and plays alongside his twin brother, Adrián, at Acassuso.
- It’s a game built for goals, yet you’re a goalkeeper. What was the biggest challenge transitioning from traditional soccer to beach soccer?
-It changed everything. I never played in youth divisions in 11-a-side soccer. I was just a kid who played with friends and enjoyed playing outfield more than being a goalkeeper. One day, the goalkeepers at my club decided they didn’t want to play anymore, so I stepped in. I had no idea about diving techniques or positioning. I learned all that the day I was called up to train with the national team. I picked up many goalkeeping skills I didn’t know before and adapted to the game. Not having a traditional soccer background actually helped me absorb the beach soccer style more quickly. I didn’t have to unlearn things from 11-a-side; I just absorbed everything as new. One key adjustment was learning how to handle bounces. In beach soccer, any shot that bounces before reaching the goal can be unpredictable. It may look like an easy shot from the outside, but goalkeepers know that skilled opponents aim for tricky bounces on purpose. Nowadays, Brazilian players intentionally shoot softly so the ball bounces before reaching the goal, making it harder to read. You have to stay patient and react accordingly. Another big difference is the goalkeeper’s role in ball possession. About 60 to 70 percent of the game’s possession goes through the goalkeeper. We control the tempo with our throws and passes. Many goalkeepers, using their feet, act as playmakers.
The CONMEBOL Copa América Fútbol Playa 2025™ is approaching, and Argentina is aiming to be a contender once again, just like in Rosario 2023. Hernán Magrín’s team will have a bye on the opening matchday and will debut in the tournament on February 23 against Peru.
