Less than three months ago, 19-year-old midfielder Xavier Stella made his senior bow for Melbourne City. On Saturday night, he walked out in the navy blue and white of City’s bitter rivals, Melbourne Victory, for his Isuzu UTE A-League debut.
A star of City’s NPL setup, Stella made the move across town to Victory in September and, less than two months later, his impressive display on Isuzu UTE A-League debut led Network 10 commentator Robbie Thomson to pose the question:
“How did he end up at Melbourne Victory?”
GOAL OF THE WEEK NOMINEES: Pick your winner TODAY!
R1 TALKING POINTS: Coach puzzled by rival’s methods in post-game swipe
The 19-year-old central midfielder was picked to play from the start in Victory head coach Arthur Diles’ first matchday squad of the 2025-26 season, and he didn’t disappoint on his Isuzu UTE A-League debut.
Deployed as the deepest of three midfielders in Diles’ system, Stella went about his business quietly but effectively. In his 68 minutes on the pitch he took 42 touches and laid 25 passes at 92.6% accuracy, won possession twice and had one audacious shot on goal from long distance.
REACTION: Coach’s injury update amid growing list that includes Socceroo after surgery
MATCH REPORT: Mata debuts as the spoils are shared in heated instalment of a new A-Leagues rivalry
Not groundbreaking numbers by any means – but when viewed in the context of a Round 1 clash with reigning Premiers Auckland FC, the teenage midfielder’s performance on debut was well deserving of plaudits. Mixing it with the experienced Jake Brimmer and Louis Verstraete in the centre of midfield, Stella didn’t look out of place.
It’s early days, but the teenager looks capable of delivering on the promise he showed while rising through the academy of Victory’s enemy.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO ROUND 2!
“Xavier Stella has been very good in his first senior appearance,” said Network 10 pitchside reporter Michael Zappone in the second half of the goalless draw.
“Another player who worked under the tutelage of Alessandro Diamanti at Melbourne City… a very mature player beyond his years and one rated very highly by the former Italian international.”
Stella was one of five City academy products playing for Victory on Saturday night, alongside Denis Genreau – who was a standout performer for Victory in the 0-0 draw with Auckland – as well as Jordi Valadon, Josh Inserra and fellow Isuzu UTE A-League debutant Sebastian Esposito.
City, the reigning Isuzu UTE A-League Champions, have blooded academy graduates aplenty into their first team in recent years and are reaping the rewards, with the likes of Max Caputo, Lawrence Wong, Zane Schreiber, Emin Durakovic, Medin Memeti, Harrison Shillington and Kavian Rahmani all becoming part of the furniture in the senior squad.
Xavier Stella is one player who slipped through the cracks – but his Round 1 starting debut for Victory suggests Diles, his new head coach, has big plans for his future at a club the young midfielder recently thought of as a great rival.
Stella and Victory are next in action against Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday, October 24. Click here to get your tickets!
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO ROUND 2!
