The Uruguay star whose family tragedy inspired him to the top

In life there are always defining moments which can either break you, or propel you to become the best version of yourself that you can be. For Matias, thankfully it was the latter. 

When he was just 14, his father, who had taught him everything he knew about football, died in a car crash on his way to work at a local club in San Jacinto. 

The youngster could have let the event derail his efforts to become a top footballer, but instead he put his head down and got to work at Central Español, his first club.

Matias worked his way up from the Under-15s, to the Under-20s, to finally the senior team where he didn't relinquish his spot after making his debut on March 6, 2010. 

His performances were so impressive that it caught the attention of his country, who selected him in their Under-20 squad for the 2011 South American championship in Peru. He would go on to score the goal that would earn Urugay a place at the 2012 Olympics.

However, Matias wasn't content with that memory. He wanted more. Moves to Nacional and then Fiorentina led to loan spells with Cagliari and Empoli and it was there when he was spotted by Italy coach Antonio Conte.

Conte tried to convince him to take citizenship for his adoptive country, but Matias refused because it "didn't feel right". He wanted to wait for Uruguay.

In March 2016, the midfielder got his wish. Oscar Tabarez included him in the starting lineup against Brazil, a match in which Uruguay would fight back from being 2-0 down to draw 2-2.

Apart from injuries and suspensions, Matias hasn't missed an international game since and will be a big part in the squad travelling to the World Cup in Russia in the summer.

With regards to his club career, Matias moved to Inter last year and in his first season, scored the winning goal that gave them Champions League football for the first time since 2012.

It's safe to say that the Uruguayan has proved that overcoming adversity is necessary to make it to the top.