Ricardo Centurión

Adrián Ricardo Centurión (born 19 January 1993) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a left-winger for Vélez Sarsfield.

Ricardo Centurión
Centurión at the Airport of São Paulo in 2016
Personal information
Full name Adrián Ricardo Centurión
Date of birth (1993-01-19) 19 January 1993
Place of birth Avellaneda, Argentina
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Left-winger
Club information
Current team
 Vélez Sarsfield
Number 7
Youth career
Racing Club
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2014 Racing Club 41 (7)
2013–2014 → Genoa (loan) 12 (0)
2015–2017 São Paulo 40 (2)
2016–2017 → Boca Juniors (loan) 22 (8)
2017 Genoa 3 (0)
2018– Racing Club 29 (10)
2019 → Atlético San Luis (loan) 9 (0)
2020 → Vélez Sarsfield (loan) 5 (1)
2020– Vélez Sarsfield 0 (0)
National team
2012–2013 Argentina U20 5 (2)
2018 Argentina 0 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14 March 2020

Club career

Racing Club and loan with Genoa

Centurión joined Racing's youth setup at the age of 15 and came through the ranks.[1][2]

On 19 August 2012, Centurión had a hand in both goals[3] as Racing defeated local rivals Independiente 2–0 in the Avellaneda derby at Estadio Juan Domingo Perón.[4] This performance was considered the youngster's breakthrough game for La Academia, and he went on to establish himself as the squad's first-choice left midfielder in a 4–4–2 formation.[5]

Racing president Gastón Cogorno confirmed on 24 January 2013 that Centurión was on the verge of agreeing a deal to join Russian top division outfit Anzhi Makhachkala in the summer of 2013.[6] During negotiations, the deal fell through after contract disagreements between the two clubs.

On 2 September 2013, the final day of the summer transfer window, Italian club Genoa confirmed the signing of Centurión on a season long loan with an option to buy at the end of the 2013–14 season.[7] He endured a difficult season in Italy, however, totaling only 12 appearances for club in Serie A, who ultimately decided not to trigger the purchase clause at the end of the season, resulting in his return to Racing the following summer.[8]

São Paulo and loan with Boca Juniors

On 30 January 2015, it was confirmed that Centurión signed for Brazilian club São Paulo FC, who gained 70% of the player's rights for €4.2 million.[9]

In 2016, Centurión returned to Argentina, in a season-long loan deal with Boca Juniors, with the option to be fully signed by the club.[10][11] He was awarded the number 10 shirt, which had previously also been worn by Carlos Tevez and Diego Maradona.[12] Despite some initial disciplinary issues off the pitch, he later played a decisive role in helping his club to win the 2016–17 Argentine Primera División title.[13]

Second spells at Genoa and Racing and further loan spells

In the summer of 2017, Centurión signed with Italian club Genoa for the second time.[14] He once again had a difficult experience with the team, making only three league appearances for the club, and two in the Coppa Italia, before being sold to Racing Club once again in January 2018, for €6 million.[15]

After arguing with Racing's manager during a match, and being left out of the squad as a result,[16] in June 2019, Centurión was loaned out to Mexican side Atlético San Luis;[17] however, after a difficult first part of the season and a lack of playing time, he asked to leave the club and return to Argentina in November.[18]

In January 2020, he was sent on loan to Vélez Sarsfield for the remainder of the 2019–20 season, who inserted a clause into his contract stating that it would be terminated if he were to be accused of gender violence.[16]

International career

At international youth level, Centurión was a member of the Argentina U20 squad that took part at the 2013 South American Youth Football Championship; he made three appearances throughout the tournament, as the nation suffered a first–round elimination.[19][20]

In May 2018, he was named in Argentina's preliminary 35 man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia by manager Jorge Sampaoli.[21][22]

Style of play

In 2013, Centurión was described by the BBC as a "whippy, quick, skilful support striker whose elusive dribbling made a big impact in the recent Argentine championship".[1] His dribbling ability often leads him to undertake individual runs, or pull off elaborate feints and moves in one on one situations, in order to challenge or beat opponents, such as the step over.[16][23] His style of play drew early comparisons to compatriot Ángel Di María in the media.[2][23][24] In 2012, Viva Formica described the playmaker with the following words: "Quick footed and quick witted, the ambidextrous winger is confident standing up to a marker. His tricky style and technical nous allows him to beat a man repeatedly whilst [he] can still deliver a decent ball."[2] That same year, Christopher Atkins of ESPN FC described him as: "Comfortable with the ball on either side, fleet of foot and able to change direction at a moment's notice, there have been few defenders in the Primera Division able to live with his abilities this year. The one frustration is that the youngster can attempt to overplay, when the easier option may suffice." He also cited the youngster's decision–making as another aspect of his game in need of improvement.[23] In addition to highlighting Centurión's pace, technical skills, and excellent right foot, Matteo Macor of La Repubblica also noted in 2017 that the Argentine possesses good vision.[25]

Centurión's favoured role is either as a wide midfielder, or as a winger or outside forward on the left flank, a position which allows him to cut inside and strike on goal with his stronger right foot.[26] Regarded by pundits as a highly promising yet undisciplined player, due to his turbulent and controversial lifestyle off the pitch, in a 2017 interview with La Repubblica, Italian former playmaker Roberto Baggio described Centurión as his potential "heir" and as the player whose characteristics currently most resembled his own playing style, with the Italian commenting: "...I really like Centurión, but he has to improve his behaviour off the pitch."[25][27][28] Despite his talent, and the praise that he earned in the Italian media for his creativity, as well as his explosive and unpredictable dribbling,[29][30] he also drew criticism over his disappointing performances and poor positional sense on the pitch during his time in Serie A.[31] Italian journalist Gianluca Sartori highlighted the contrast, noting that while Centurión was a highly talented young player, gifted with an incredible change of pace, technique, the ability to get past his opponents, and the capacity to attack from either side of the pitch, he also had an immature character, a poor mentality, and a low work-rate, which is why he believed that the Argentine winger struggled to adapt to the more physical and tactical brand of football played in Italy.[32]

After scoring a goal, Centurión has been known to incorporate dance moves into his goal celebrations, which has led him to be compared to compatriot Carlos Tevez in the media.[24]

Controversy

Centurión has drawn widespread criticism in the media for his behaviour and lack of discipline, and has been involved in a number of highly controversial and publicised incidents off the pitch. In a 2017 article for Goal.com, Daniel Edwards noted that "in the last 12 months alone Centurion [sic] has been accused of walking away from a traffic incident caused driving while drunk, and fighting in hotels and in the dark streets of an Avellaneda shanty town in the early hours of the morning. More seriously, the 24-year-old faces domestic violence charges laid down by an ex-girlfriend, who alleges she was physically and emotionally abused during their time together."[27]

Moreover, in 2017, during Centurión's negotiations with Boca to make his loan deal permanent, the winger gained further notoriety after he was involved in an altercation in a nightclub in Buenos Aires, which led one of the victims to file a police report against him; in an interview with Argentine sports newspaper Olé the following week, Fabián Comande, one of the members of the group that was assaulted by Centurión and his entourage, after the latter had asked the player for a photo, commented: "Centu [Centurión] threatened me with death, but on the pitch he is a star and very important for the team. [...] I hope he stays, and that this does not affect the negotiations."[26][27][33]

Following Centurión's loan to Vélez Sarsfield in 2020, Francisco Navas of The Guardian summarised and commented on the midfielder's history of scandalous behaviour off the pitch, stating: "Since turning professional with Racing Club in 2012, the 27-year-old has had three of his professional contracts rescinded for his behavior. Among other things, he has fallen out of favor for partying too much; been photographed in his swimming trunks while holding a shotgun;[34] insulted the president of Boca Juniors [Daniel Angelici];[35] tried to bribe a police officer to avoid a drink-driving test;[36] crashed his car while trying to evade police;[37] fought his own teammates;[38] and argued with his manager mid-game."[16]

Navas also noted that the club introduced a clause into his contract, giving them permission to cancel the contract if he were to be accused of gender violence, given the past accusations he had faced; the journalist further expanded on the latter incident, stating: "In 2013, his then-girlfriend, Melisa Tozzi, accused him of beating her, breaking three of her teeth and giving her two black eyes in the process.[39] During a TV interview, she shared messages from Centuriòn in which he appeared to check up on her injuries. 'Let’s not let this happen again,' he wrote to her on Facebook."[16]

Personal life

In a 2018 interview on an Argentine television show PH, podemos hablar, Centurión spoke of his personal life, including his love of weapons and firearms, as well as the fact that he used to consume cannabis when he first started out playing professional football. He also spoke of his difficult childhood, commenting that his father had died in an explosion while working in an illegal firework factory, when Ricardo was only five, and that he no longer has any memories of him as a result; he also revealed that he is currently unable to return to his hometown, which has led to personal strains within his family.[40]

Centurión's nickname is "El Wachiturro," due to his fashion style, "gaucho" heritage, and love of cumbia music, specifically the Argentine cumbia teen boyband "Los Wachiturros," of whom he is a fan, and whose members he is thought to resemble in terms of his physical appearance.[24][40][41][42][43] He has also often been referred to in the media by the nickname "Ricky."[23][24]

Centurión's girlfriend, Melody Pasini, died in a road accident on 29 March 2020; according to news reports in Argentina, she suffered a heart attack while she was driving and lost control of her vehicle.[44] Centurión addressed the news on social media later that day, with an Instagram post that included a photo of himself with his girlfriend, and the underlying caption: "I will always love you my love."[45]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 14 March 2020[19]
Club Season League Regional League National Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Racing Club 2011–12 Argentine Primera División 20—10000030
2012–13 264—002[lower-alpha 1]000284
2013–14 20—202[lower-alpha 1]00060
2014 173—000000173
Racing Club total 477—304000547
Genoa (loan) 2013–14 Serie A 120—000000120
São Paulo 2015 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 25212[lower-alpha 2]1316[lower-alpha 3]100465
2016 15010[lower-alpha 2]0009[lower-alpha 3]200342
São Paulo total 4022213115300807
Boca Juniors (loan) 2016–17 Argentine Primera División 228—20002[lower-alpha 4]0268
Genoa 2017–18 Serie A 30—20000050
Racing Club 2017–18 Argentine Primera División 137—108[lower-alpha 3]200229
2018–19 163—000[lower-alpha 1]000163
2019–20 00—00002[lower-alpha 4]020
Racing Club total 2910—1082204012
Atlético San Luis (loan) 2019–20 Liga MX 90—310000121
Vélez Sarsfield (loan) 2019–20 Argentine Primera División 51—002[lower-alpha 1]11[lower-alpha 5]082
Vélez Sarsfield total 51—00211082
Career total 167282211422965023737
  1. Appearances in the Copa Sudamericana
  2. Appearances in the Campeonato Paulista
  3. Appearances in the Copa Libertadores
  4. Appearances in the Torneos de Verano
  5. Appearances in the Copa de la Superliga

Honours
Racing Club[19]
Boca Juniors[19]

References
  1. "January 2013 transfer window: Top 50 players who could move". BBC Sport, 7 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  2. "Barcelona eye Racing starlet Centurion". Viva Formica, 13 November 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  3. "Racing 2-0 Independiente (highlights)". YouTube, 19 August 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  4. "Racing beat Independiente 2-0 (match report)". Buenos Aires Herald, 20 August 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  5. "Adrián Ricardo Centurión appearance stats, Argentine Primera División 2012/13". Football-Lineups.com. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  6. "Ricardo Centurion set for summer Anzhi switch". Goal.com, 22 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  7. Nadia Carminati (2 September 2013). "Transfer Deadline Day: Genoa sign Argentinian winger Ricardo Centurion on loan". SkySports.com. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  8. Minuti, Daniele (3 November 2011). "Serie A, al Genoa c'è il caso Centurion: l'argentino non va in ritiro" [Serie A, at Genoa there is the Centurión case: the Argentine is not going to the team's training camp] (in Italian). Fox Sports. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  9. "São Paulo achète Centurion" [São Paulo buys Centurión]. L'Équipe (in French). 30 January 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  10. "São Paulo acerta empréstimo de Centurión para o Boca Juniors" [São Paulo confirms Centurión's loan to Boca Juniors] (in Portuguese). GloboEsporte.Globo.com. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  11. "Boca Juniors target summer Shanghai Shenhua buy-back for Carlos Tevez". ESPN FC. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  12. "La 10 de Boca Juniors ya tiene nombre y apellido: Ricardo Centurión" [The 10 of Boca Juniors already has a name and surname: Ricardo Centurión] (in Spanish). ElDiario24.com. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  13. Sam Kelly (29 June 2017). "Five reasons why Boca Juniors are champions of Argentina again". ESPN FC. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  14. Da Ronch, Alessio (29 July 217). "Genoa, torna Centurion: talento e follia per l'ex Boca Juniors che piace a Baggio" [Genoa, Centurión returns: talent and folly for the former Boca Juniors player whom Baggio likes]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  15. "Calciomercato Genoa, secondo addio a Centurion: va al Racing Avellaneda per 6M" [Genoa transfer news, Centurión's second goodbye: he is going to Racing Avellaneda for €6 million] (in Italian). Goal.com. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  16. Navas, Francisco (24 January 2020). "Will a clause against gender-based violence change Argentinian football?". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  17. "Centurión ya es jugador del Atlético San Luis" [Centurión is already a player of Atlético San Luis] (in Spanish). Fox Sports. 8 June 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  18. Sena, Guadalupe (14 November 2019). "Ricardo Centurión no continuará en el Atlético de San Luis" [Ricardo Centurión will not continue with Atlérico de San Luis] (in Spanish). mexico.as.com. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  19. "R. Centurión". Soccerway. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  20. "Un fracaso: el Sub 20, eliminado en primera rueda y afuera del Mundial" [A failure: the under-20, eliminated in the first round and out of the World Cup]. La Nacion (in Spanish). 17 January 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  21. Crawford, Stephen (4 June 2018). "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - Final 23-man lists". Goal.com. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  22. "Icardi cut from Argentina's 23-man World Cup squad". Goal.com. Perform Group. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  23. Atkins, Christopher (20 December 2012). "Portuguese giants fight over 'new Di Maria'". ESPN FC. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  24. Edwards, Dan (4 September 2012). "He plays like Di María and dances like Tevez: introducing Ricky Centurión". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  25. Macor, Matteo (29 July 2017). "Genoa, benedetto da Baggio come possibile erede: Centurion firma e ora può far sognare" [Genoa, blessed by Baggio as his possible heir: Centurión signs and now he can make others dream]. La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  26. Zanichelli, Matteo (27 July 2017). "Calciomercato Genoa: arriva Centurion, l'erede di Roberto Baggio" [Genoa transfer–news: Centurión is arriving, the heir of Roberto Baggio] (in Italian). it.blastingnews.com. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  27. Edwards, Daniel (25 July 2017). "Who is Ricardo Centurion? The nightclub fighting star Roberto Baggio labelled as his heir". Goal.com. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  28. "Baggio: My heir & penalty hell..." Football Italia. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  29. Madera, Andrea (3 August 2017). "RICARDO CENTURIÓN, IL RITORNO DEL WACHITURRO" [Ricardo Centurión, the Return of the Wachiturro] (in Italian). Zona Cesarini. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  30. Bacci, Alessandro (28 July 2017). "Genoa, finalmente Centurion. Paletta e Ranocchia nel mirino" [Genoa, finally Centurión. Paletta and Ranocchia in their sight] (in Italian). Tele Genova. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  31. Conterio, Marco (18 September 2017). "Centurion e l'eredità di Roberto Baggio. Totalmente fuori contesto" [Centurion and the heredity of Roberto Baggio. Completely out of context.] (in Italian). www.tuttomercatoweb.com. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  32. Sartori, Gianluca (10 April 2014). "Genoa, con Centurion ti è andata male?" [Genoa, did things go badly for you with Centurión?] (in Italian). Toro News. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  33. ""Me amenazó de muerte, pero quiero que se quede"" ["He threatened me with death, but I hope he stays]. Olé (in Spanish). 25 July 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  34. "Otro escándalo para Centurión: apareció una nueva foto suya con un arma" [Another scandal for Centurión: a new photo of his with a firearm has appeared]. infobae (in Spanish). 10 July 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  35. Avellaneda, Daniel (26 July 2017). "Angelici dijo que Centurión lo cansó y que no tiene apuro por reemplazarlo" [Angelici said that Centurión tired him and that he is in no hurry to replace him] (in Spanish). Clarín. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  36. "Otro escándalo de Ricardo Centurión: intentó sobornar a un policía tras negarse a un control de alcoholemia" [Another Ricardo Centurión scandal: he tried to bribe a police officer after refusing to undergo a brethalyser test]. La Nacion (in Spanish). 19 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  37. "Centurión admitió ser el conductor del BMW en el choque y fue imputado" [Centurión admitted to being the driver of the BMW in the collision and was arrested]. El Clarín (in Spanish). 5 September 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  38. "Nuevo escándalo en Boca: difunden un polémico video de Centurión" [New scandal at Boca: they shared a controversial video of Centurión]. infobae (in Spanish). 15 February 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  39. ""Me astilló tres dientes y me ahorcó": el relato de la ex novia de Centurión" ["He shattered three of my teeth and hanged me": the story of the former girlfriend of Centurión]. infobae (in Spanish). 24 May 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  40. Saetta, Giulio (29 July 2018). "Centurion, ex Genoa, si confessa: "Amo le armi e ho fatto uso di droghe"" [Centurión, a former Genoa player, confesses: "I love firearms and I have used drugs"]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  41. Colasimone, Dan (27 July 2013). "Why Juventus Target Ricardo Centurion Is Argentina's New Di Maria". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  42. Scher, Ezequiel (13 September 2016). "Centurión: de la televisión a la cancha" [Centurión: from television to the pitch] (in Spanish). Goal.com. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  43. Doria, Vito (3 July 2013). "Roma and Napoli Target Argentine Midfielder". forzaitalianfootball.com. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  44. "Ex-Genoa man suffers tragedy". Football Italia. 29 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  45. "La dolorosa despedida de Centurión a su novia" [Centurión's painful farewell to his girlfriend]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 30 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
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