Diego Lugano

Diego Alfredo Lugano Morena (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈdjeɣo luˈɣano]; (born 2 November 1980) is a Uruguayan former professional footballer who played as a central defender.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Lugano and the second or maternal family name is Morena.
Diego Lugano
Lugano with Uruguay in 2014
Personal information
Full name Diego Alfredo Lugano Morena
Date of birth (1980-11-02) 2 November 1980
Place of birth Canelones, Uruguay
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre back
Youth career
1996–1999 Nacional
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2003 Nacional 13 (0)
2001–2002 → Plaza Colonia (loan) 46 (4)
2003–2006 São Paulo 95 (7)
2006–2011 Fenerbahçe 125 (21)
2011–2013 Paris Saint-Germain 12 (0)
2013 → Málaga (loan) 11 (0)
2013–2014 West Bromwich Albion 9 (1)
2015 BK Häcken 11 (0)
2015 Cerro Porteño 15 (5)
2016–2017 São Paulo 18 (2)
Total 355 (40)
National team‡
2003–2014 Uruguay 95 (9)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 June 2018
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 June 2014

Nicknamed Tota, Lugano played for a number of clubs in South America and Europe, including Plaza Colonia, Club Nacional de Football, São Paulo, Fenerbahçe, Paris Saint-Germain, Malaga and West Bromwich Albion, before finishing his career with a second spell at Brazilian club São Paulo, where he now works as an administrator.

Lugano made 95 appearances for the Uruguay national team, captaining his country at two FIFA World Cups. He was named best captain at the 2010 tournament.[2]

Club career

Early years

Born to Alfredo Lugano and Diana Morena in Canelones, Canelones Department,[3] Lugano started playing football for his hometown club Club Atlético Libertad, like his father Alfredo. In December 1998, he played his first match with the first-team squad of Libertad, becoming league champions with the club at the age of 18 years. From Libertad, in 1999, Lugano transferred to Club Nacional de Football in Montevideo. Three years later, Lugano was loaned out to Plaza Colonia for the duration of the playing season.

São Paulo

Lugano came to São Paulo FC in 2003. He was contracted by club President Marcelo Portugal Gouveia without consulting the head coach Oswaldo de Oliveira. President Gouveia's actions led to the ascribing of the nickname "Homem do Presidente" ("President's Man") to Lugano.[4] After Oswaldo de Oliveira left the club in late 2003, Lugano started playing matches more frequently. In 2005, he led the team to titles in the Campeonato Paulista, the Copa Libertadores, and the FIFA Club World Championship in Japan. That same year, Lugano was recognized as South America's best defender. His leadership skills[5] and his willingness to fight for ball possession[6] have raised his profile amongst São Paulo's supporters, where he is still highly regarded.[7] Lugano has also mentioned that he still maintains a good relationship with the club.[8] In 2006, he helped his club to the runner-up stage of the Copa Libertadores.

Fenerbahçe
Lugano playing for Fenerbahçe

Lugano joined Fenerbahçe on 21 August 2006 for a reported transfer fee of €7.5 million,[9] where he signed a ​3 1⁄2-year contract with the Turkish club. He and Edu Dracena's powerful defensive abilities helped Fenerbahçe win the league during the club's 100th anniversary year.

Lugano is notorious for his presence in attack, as was shown with his scored goals from headers from dead ball situations and support of the forward line. He became a fan favourite with his defensive tenacity and his spectacular play from free kick situations. Following a red card, he was suspended for five weeks after the derby match against Galatasaray during the 2008–09 season when he clashed with Emre Aşık on 12 April 2009 at Ali Sami Yen Stadium.[10] Since then, he has a strong connection with supporters, especially with the Genç Fenerbahçeliler.[11][12] He was one of the captains of the team. He signed a new four-year contract in 2009 with Fenerbahçe.[13]

Paris Saint-Germain

On 27 August 2011, Fenerbahçe announced Lugano was leaving the club to join Paris Saint-Germain in the French Ligue 1 for a fee worth €3 million.[14][15] His first season in France, however, ended poorly and Lugano made just 12 appearances, mostly being cut out of the side due to injury and poor form.[16]

Málaga

On 21 January 2013, Lugano signed with Spanish side Málaga CF until 30 June on loan. As he was not in PSG manager Carlo Ancelotti's plans, Lugano was not inscribed in the Champions League for that season; this way, he was not cup tied for his new club and represented Málaga in their European ambitions.[17] He returned to PSG on 1 July 2013, with Málaga failing to make the loan move permanent.

West Bromwich Albion

On 2 August 2013, Lugano joined Premier League club West Bromwich Albion on a two-year contract.[18] He scored his first goal for West Brom on 20 January 2014, heading in an equalizer in a 1–1 home draw with Everton.[19]

On 17 May 2014, West Bromwich announced the release of five players of their squad, including Lugano.[20]

BK Häcken

On 26 March 2015, Lugano signed for Swedish side BK Häcken on a short-term contract until the summer. Lugano became one of the most merited player to ever play in the Swedish top league.

Return to São Paulo

In January 2016, after almost 10 years, Lugano returned to São Paulo FC, in Brazil, where he won 2005 Copa Libertadores and 2005 FIFA Club World Championship, he instantly became São Paulo's idol. On 12 January 2016, he was welcomed at the Guarulhos Airport by nearly 1000 fans of Tricolor paulista.[21]

In January 2018, Lugano accepted the role of director of institutional relations at São Paulo, confirming his retirement as a player.[22]

International career

Lugano has made 95 appearances for the Uruguay national football team[23] since making his debut in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Paraguay.[24] He has represented the country at two FIFA World Cups, two Copa América tournaments and one FIFA Confederations Cup. He captained the team for eight years, beginning in May 2006, when he was given the armband of La Celeste for the first time prior to a 2–1 friendly defeat to England at Old Trafford.

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, Lugano scored his first international goal in a 1–1 draw with Venezuela at Montevideo's Estadio Centenario. He went on to score three further goals during qualification, including the only goal of a 1–0 win in San José against Costa Rica in the inter-continental play-off.[25]

Lugano in action against Austria in 2014

Lugano was a first choice player for Uruguay at the 2007 Copa América, captaining the team in each of its six matches.[26] In the team's semi-final against Brazil, Lugano had his decisive kick in the penalty shootout saved by Doni.[26] Lugano was sent off in the 3–1 third-place play-off defeat to Mexico at the Estadio Olímpico in Caracas.[26]

At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Lugano led Uruguay to an impressive fourth-placed finish. Lugano also captained Uruguay to victory at the 2011 Copa América, playing in all six games for the eventual champions.[27] On 2 September 2011, Lugano scored a goal as Uruguay defeated Ukraine 3–2 in an international friendly away in Kharkiv. In his next call up to the national side, on 7 October 2011, Lugano netted a brace in Uruguay's 4–2 defeat of Bolivia in World Cup qualifying.[28]

On 20 June 2013, Lugano scored his ninth goal for Uruguay against Nigeria in a 2–1 win at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, where the nation eventually finished in fourth place. He also participated in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, playing in his first and only game of the tournament as the captain against Costa Rica on 14 June 2014, where Uruguay lost 1–3. A knee injury saw Lugano miss the remainder of Uruguay's World Cup matches, with 19-year-old José Giménez replacing him as Diego Godín's partner in defence.[29]

Lugano was omitted from Óscar Tabárez's first post-World Cup squad for friendly matches against Japan and South Korea in September 2014.[30] Later, the 34-year-old stated that he had not retired from the national team and would be available for selection if required.[23] However, he was not named in Uruguay's squad for the 2015 Copa América.[31]

Career statistics

Club
As of 3 December 2017[32]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
São Paulo 2003 Série A 231106110312
2004 341608010491
2005 27514117170657
2006 1109012010330
Total 95730143210017810
Fenerbahçe 2006–07 Süper Lig 244507190455
2007–08 2303011161432
2008–09 2577090102519
2009–10 2538191131556
2010–11 28722201514710
Total 1252125338343524132
Paris Saint-Germain 2011–12 Ligue 1 120415083294
2012–13 0000005050
Total 1204150133344
Málaga(loan) 2012–13 La Liga 110000091201
Total 110000091201
West Bromwich Albion 2013–14 Premier League 913000100221
Total 913000100221
BK Häcken 2015 Allsvenskan 110000000110
Total 110000000110
Cerro Porteño 2015 Primera División 155100000165
Total 155100000165
São Paulo 2016 Série A 132104070252
2017 50100050110
Total 1821040120362
Career total 2873665590595953755

International
Source:[33]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Uruguay 200310
200410
200570
200620
2007110
200892
2009102
2010110
2011164
201280
2013151
201440
Total959

International goals
Scores and results list Uruguay's goal tally first.[34]
NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.14 June 2008Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay Venezuela1–01–12010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2.11 October 2008Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, Buenos Aires, Argentina Argentina1–21–22010 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.28 March 2009Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay Paraguay2–02–02010 FIFA World Cup qualification
4.15 November 2009Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá, San Juan de Tibás, Costa Rica Costa Rica1–01–02010 FIFA World Cup qualification
5.29 March 2011Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland1–03–2Friendly
6.2 September 2011Metalist Oblast Sports Complex, Kharkiv, Ukraine Ukraine2–23–2Friendly
7.7 October 2011Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay Bolivia2–14–22014 FIFA World Cup qualification
8.4–1
9.20 June 2013Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil Nigeria1–02–12013 FIFA Confederations Cup
As of 20 June 2013.[35]

Honours

Club

Nacional

São Paulo

Fenerbahçe

International

Uruguay

Individual

Personal life

Lugano is married to Karina Roncio and has three children: Nicolás, Thiago, and Bianca. Nicolás, the oldest child, played for Fenerbahçe youth teams.[37][38] Nicolás now played for the U-19 Defensor squad. Thiago and Bianca were born in Istanbul.[39][40] He has cited the defenders Hugo de León and Paolo Montero as his personal football heroes.[41]

References
  1. "Player Profile". www.psg.fr. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  2. "Uruguay'da Diego furyası".
  3. Diana Morena: La madre del capitán y un relato con propiedad Archived 11 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine – Hoy Canelones, 24 June 2010 (in Spanish)
  4. Nakano. "São Paulo Minha Vida: Sangue Celeste, Alma Tricolor".
  5. "Uruguay team profile". Reuters. 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  6. "Diego Lugano: The Great Wall of Uruguay". CBC.ca. 2 June 2010 [2010]. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  7. "No pensé en vivir del fútbol hasta los 18". El País Uruguay. 2010. Archived from the original on 13 January 2010. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  8. "Diego Lugano: "Sou torcedor fanático do São Paulo"". Portal Terra. 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  9. "Fenerbahçe unveil defender Lugano". UEFA.com. 22 August 2006. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  10. "Lugano beat all players from Galatasaray". Youtube.com. 13 April 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  12. "We don't let him go ayaw". Gfb-europe.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  13. "Neşeli antrenman" [Happy Training] (in Turkish). Fenerbahce.org. 17 August 2009. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  14. "Uruguay captain Diego Lugano leaves Fenerbahce to join PSG".
  15. "Oyuncumuz Diego Alfredo Lugano Morena'nın transferi konusunda Paris Saint-Germain Kulübü ile anlaşmaya varılmıştır". Fenerbahçe (in Turkish). Turkish Public Disclosure System (KAP). 29 August 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  16. "Diego Lugano's time in Paris is over - bettor.com". Archived from the original on 17 January 2013.
  17. "Lugano frustra brasileiros e acerta com Málaga até junho".
  18. "West Brom signs Paris Saint-Germain defender Lugano". Goal.com. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  19. "Lugano lifts beleaguered Baggies". ESPN. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  20. "Lugano, Gera & Reid among players released by West Brom". Goal.com. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  21. "Lugano desembarca em SP e é recebido por multidão são-paulina em festa - Futebol - UOL Esporte".
  22. "Former Uruguay captain Lugano accepts off-field role with Sao Paulo - Chinadaily.com.cn". China Daily. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  23. "Diego Lugano - I will always be available should Uruguay need me". CONMEBOL. 1 April 2015. Archived from the original on 14 June 2015.
  24. "Lugano é convocado para a Celeste - Sambafoot.com, tudo sobre o futebol brasileiro". www.sambafoot.com.
  25. "Costa Rica 0-1 Uruguay: Crucial Lugano Goal Brings South Americans Closer To World Cup 2010". Goal.com. 15 November 2009.
  26. "Copa América 2007". RSSSF. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  27. "Uruguay's Diego Lugano: Our Hard Work Paid Off In Copa America". Goal.com. 26 July 2011.
  28. "Uruguay defeats Bolivia 4–2 in World Cup qualifier". Kitsap Sun. 7 October 2011. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  29. "Lugano out of England clash". FIFA. 18 June 2014. Archived from the original on 7 March 2015.
  30. "Uruguay begin renewal without Diego Lugano and Diego Forlan". Gulf News. 22 August 2014.
  31. "Uruguay confirm Copa América squad numbers as Rolán lands Suárez's No.9". Archived from the original on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  32. "Diego Lugano". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  33. "Diego Lugano - AUF". Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  34. Diego Lugano at Soccerway
  35. "Uruguay - D. Lugano - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com.
  36. "Em 2005, melhores do Campeonato Brasileiro recebem prêmio Craque do Brasileirão" (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 6 December 2005. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  37. "Nicolas Lugano signed with Fenerbahce". Forumel.biz. 18 August 2006. Archived from the original on 15 April 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  38. "Lugano'nun oğlu Fener'de!" [Lugano's son signed too with Fenerbahce] (in Turkish). Radikal.com.tr. 19 August 2006. Archived from the original on 8 May 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  39. "Lugano Tekrar Baba Oldu" [Lugano became father second time] (in Turkish). Fenerbahce.org. 2 November 2006. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  40. "Lugano 3.kez baba oldu" [Lugano became father third time] (in Turkish). Fenerbahce.org. 3 January 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  41. "The rock of São Paulo: Lugano on his Brazilian success, Uruguayan struggles". SouthAmericanFutbol.com. 12 April 2006. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
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