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Lucas Zelarayán

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Lucas Zelarayán
Zelarayán withColumbus Crewin 2023
Personal information
Full name Lucas Manuel Zelarayán
Date of birth (1992-06-20)20 June 1992(age 32)
Place of birth Córdoba,Argentina
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Al-Fateh
Number 10
Youth career
2001–2005 Universitario
2005–2008 Club Deportivo Atalaya
2008–2012 Belgrano
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2015 Belgrano 75 (10)
2016–2020 Tigres UANL 113 (21)
2020–2023 Columbus Crew 97 (38)
2023– Al-Fateh 39 (9)
International career‡
2021– Armenia 20 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:37, 2 November 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13 October 2024 (UTC)

Lucas Manuel Zelarayán(Armenian:Լուկաս Մանուել Զելարայան;born 20 June 1992) is a professionalfootballerwho plays as anattacking midfielderforSaudi Pro LeagueclubAl-Fateh.Born in Argentina, he plays for theArmenia national team.

He began his professional career withBelgranoin theArgentine Primera Divisiónin 2012, moving in 2016 toTigres UANLin theLiga MX.He won three league titles and as manyCampeón de Campeonestournaments, before an $8 million transfer to theColumbus Crewin 2020. In his first year inMajor League Soccer,he won theMLS Cup,scoring twice andassistingonce in a3–0 final winoverSeattle Sounders FCand being namedMLS Cup Most Valuable Player.In July 2023, he transferred toAl-Fatehfor an undisclosed fee.

Club career

[edit]

Youth career and Belgrano

[edit]

Born inCórdoba, Argentina,Zelarayán was nicknamed "El Chino"(The Chinese Man) from his childhood and kept the nickname during his career.[2][3][4]He played his youth football at Las Estrellas,Universitario,and Atalaya, and is aBelgranoyouth graduate. He made his senior debut on 25 April 2012, coming on as a second-halfsubstituteforLucas Parodiin a 2–1 away loss againstRosario Central,forthe season'sCopa Argentina.[2]

Zelarayán made hisPrimera Divisióndebut on 2 March 2013, replacingJorge Velázquezin a 2–0 away loss againstNewell's Old Boys.[5]His first professional goal came on 7 April of the following year, as he scored the winner in a 2–1 home defeat ofRiver Plate.[2][6]

On 5 December 2014, after becoming a regular starter, Zelarayán extended his contract until 2018.[7]

On 5 December 2015, amid transfer speculation, Zelarayán played his last game for Belgrano, versusColónin theLiguilla Pre Sudamericana,where he was given the captain's armband and an emotional farewell by the fans. Over 55,000 spectators chanted his name in unison to bid him farewell.[8][9]

Tigres UANL

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On 21 December 2015, Zelarayán agreed to a contract withLiga MXsideTigres UANL,signing for a reported 5.5 million.[10][11]He debuted for the club the following 10 January, replacingRafael Sóbisin a 1–0 loss atToluca. Zelarayán scored his first goal abroad on 5 February 2016, netting the last in a 3–1 win atChiapas.On 22 January 2017, he scored a brace in a 4–2 home win againstAmérica.On 6 March 2019, After a long absence of almost five months due to injury, Lucas Zelarayán made his return to the pitch with Tigres, coming on in the 83rd minute to seal a 3–0 aggregate victory against theHouston Dynamoin theCONCACAF Champions League.[12][13]

Columbus Crew

[edit]

On 20 December 2019, Zelarayán moved toMajor League SoccersideColumbus Crewfor $8 million.[14][15][11]Zelarayán made his debut againstNew York City FC,scoring the match-winning goal in the 56th minute.[16]He was named the league'sNewcomer of the Yearat the end of the 2020 regular season. In the2020 MLS Cup final,Zelarayán scored two goals and assisted on another in Columbus' 3–0 win overSeattle Sounders FCto help them win their second everMLS Cuptitle. Zelarayán was named theMLS Cup Most Valuable Playerafter his performance.[17]

During the 2021 MLS season, Zelarayán scored a total of five free-kick goals, with two of them coming in one game vsNew York City FC.Both free kick goals turned out to be crucial for the Crew, as they ended up winning 2–1, with the game winning free kick coming in the 5th minute of second half stoppage time, which earned Zelarayán recognition as MLS Player of the Week.[18]Zelarayán was named MLS Player of the Week a second time in the 2021 season after scoring 2 goals in a 3–1 victory againstD.C. United.[19]Zelarayán finished the year leading the club in both goals and assists with twelve and seven respectively.[20]At the end of the season, it was announced that Zelarayán had signed a contract extension with the Crew, keeping him with Columbus through the 2024 Major League Soccer season with an option for 2025.[21]

"In training, his quality on the ball is insane. His ability to hit a ball is like when I would talk about (former teammates)GiovincoorDavid Villa.When these guys hit a ball, it’s just different. They strike the ball cleanly so much more often than everyone else. It’s like their target on the ball is just bigger because their ability to hit a clean ball happens all the time. They hardly ever mis-hit a ball. Lucas has that quality. "

–Josh Williams,former Columbus Crew teammate.[22]

The 2022 season began promisingly for Zelarayán as he scored four goals in the first three games of the season, including a free kick goal as part of his brace in a 3–3 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes. After a fast start in the month of March, which included being named MLS Player of the Month, recurring injury issues[23][24][25]were a potential factor in his goalless streak, which lasted for 12 consecutive matches before he scored in theHell Is Real derbyagainstFC Cincinnation 17 July.[26][27]On 5 October, Zelarayán scored a 56-yard free kick, which gave him the record for the longest free-kick goal in Major League Soccer history.[28]

During week two of the2023 season,Zelarayán scored both of Columbus' goals in a 2–0 victory over D.C. United,[29]earning the league's Player of the Week award in the process.[30]Zelarayán scored the game-winning goal versusChicago Fire FC,a 61-yard strike in the 93rd minute, leading Columbus to a 2–1 victory.[31]In his final game for the Crew on July 23, Zelarayán scored his last goal for the club—a free-kick in the 2–1 win againstSt. Louis City SCinLeagues Cup—setting a club record with 9 free-kick goals across his time with the team.[32][33]

Al Fateh SC

[edit]

On 31 July 2023, Zelarayán was transferred toAl Fateh SCof theSaudi Professional Leaguefor an undisclosed transfer fee.[34]On 30 March 2024, Zelarayán assisted on all three of his team's goals in a 3–2 win versusAl-Wehda FC,[35][36]and would then go on score in his next four appearances, most notably the only goal in a 1–0 victory versusAl-Ettifaq FC.[36][37][38]

International career

[edit]

Born in Argentina, Zelarayán is ofArmeniandescent through his father. He received an invitation to represent theArmenia national teamin June 2020.[39]After accepting the invitation in October 2021,[40]he made his debut for the team in a 1–1 draw againstIcelandduring the2022 FIFA World Cupqualification matches.[41]

On 16 June 2023, Zelarayán scored his first international goals in a 4–2 win away toWalesinUEFA Euro 2024qualification.[42]In the reverse fixture on 18 November, he netted after five minutes in a 1–1 draw.[43]

Style of play

[edit]

Lucas Zelarayán is a versatile attacking midfielder who has proven himself in a variety of positions, including on the wings and in the central midfield. With a reputation as a creative playmaker possessing exceptional technical ability and decision making, he is an expert at dismantling opposing defenses. Zelarayán's great sense of positioning on the field allows him to shoot from outside the box, dribble past defenders, and deliver final passes that unlock even the tightest of defenses. His ability to not only set up teammates, but set himself up to score as well makes him a vital component of his team's offense. In addition to his attacking prowess, Zelarayán is also a set-piece specialist, known for his superb free-kick taking ability. His talent for both keeping possession and slaloming through defenders make him an exceptionally dangerous player.[44][45][46][47][48][49]

Personal life

[edit]

Zelarayán is a fan of Belgrano and grew up supporting them.[9]He lists his idols asJuan Román RiquelmeandPaolo Frangipane.[2][9]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 20 October 2024[50]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Belgrano 2011–12 Argentine Primera División — 1 0 — — 1 0
2012–13 8 0 1 0 — — 9 0
2013–14 18 1 1 0 — — 19 1
2014 19 4 — — — 19 4
2015 30 5 1 0 2[a] 0 — 33 5
Total 75 10 4 0 2 0 — 81 10
Tigres UANL 2015–16 Liga MX 15 1 — 4[b] 0 1[c] 0 20 1
2016–17 40 8 — 7[b] 0 1[c] 0 48 8
2017–18 21 3 2 0 4[b] 1 2[d] 1 29 5
2018–19 22 5 2 0 2[b] 0 2[e] 0 28 5
2019–20 15 4 — — — 15 4
Total 113 21 4 0 17 1 6 1 140 23
Columbus Crew 2020 MLS 16[f] 6 — — 5[g] 2 21 8
2021 32 12 — 3[b] 1 1[h] 0 36 13
2022 29 10 0 0 — — 29 10
2023 20 10 0 0 — 1[i] 1 21 11
Total 97 38 0 0 3 1 7 3 107 42
Al-Fateh 2023–24 Saudi Pro League 30 8 2 0 — — 32 8
2024–25 7 0 0 0 — — 7 0
Total 37 8 2 0 — — 39 8
Career total 320 76 10 0 22 2 13 4 365 82
  1. ^Appearance(s) inCopa Sudamericana
  2. ^abcdeAppearance(s) inCONCACAF Champions League
  3. ^abAppearance inCampeón de Campeones
  4. ^One appearance and one goal in Campeón de Campeones, one appearance inCampeones Cup
  5. ^One appearance in Campeón de Campeones, one appearance inLeagues Cup
  6. ^Includes three appearances and two goals inMLS is Back Tournamentgroup stage
  7. ^One appearance in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage, four appearances and two goals inMLS Cup Playoffs
  8. ^Appearance in Campeones Cup
  9. ^Appearance inLeagues Cup

International

[edit]
As of match played 13 October 2024[51]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Armenia 2021 4 0
2022 2 0
2023 8 3
2024 6 2
Total 20 5
Scores and results list Armenia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zelarayán goal.[51]
List of international goals scored by Lucas Zelarayán
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 16 June 2023 Cardiff City Stadium,Cardiff,Wales 8 Wales 1–1 4–2 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
2 4–2
3 18 November 2023 Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium,Yerevan,Armenia 13 Wales 1–0 1–1 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
4 7 September 2024 Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia 17 Latvia 3–1 4–1 2024–25 UEFA Nations League C
5 10 October 2024 Tórsvøllur,Tórshavn,Faroe Islands 19 Faroe Islands 1–1 2–2 2024–25 UEFA Nations League C

Honours

[edit]

UANL

Columbus Crew

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^mlssoccer."Lucas Zelarayán".mlssoccer.Retrieved8 April2022.
  2. ^abcdVillalobo, Marcos (8 September 2015)."Lucas Zelarayán, un Chino de sangre celeste".El Gráfico(in Spanish).Archivedfrom the original on 16 March 2022.Retrieved26 June2023.
  3. ^"MLS: el Chino Zelarayán llegó a los 30 goles en Columbus Crew".Olé(in Spanish). 10 September 2022.Retrieved18 November2023.
  4. ^"Video: doblete de golazos del" Chino "Zelarayán jugando para Armenia"(in Spanish). Cadena 3. 16 June 2023.Retrieved18 November2023.
  5. ^"Scocco abrió el camino para el triunfo de Newells ante Belgrano"[Scocco cleared the path to Newells' triumph against Belgrano] (in Spanish).ESPN Deportes.2 March 2013.Retrieved30 December2017.
  6. ^"Belgrano venció a River y lo dejó sin la punta"[Belgrano defeated River and left them without the leadership] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 7 April 2014.Retrieved30 December2017.
  7. ^"El ¨Chino¨ es de Belgrano".belgranocordoba.12 April 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 10 April 2023.Retrieved10 April2023.
  8. ^"¨Olé, olé, olé, olé, Chino, Chino...¨".belgranocordoba.Retrieved15 May2023.
  9. ^abcLee, Jimmy (5 June 2020)."Lucas Zelarayán: The Kid From Humble Beginnings Who Became an Idol for his Beloved Club (Interview)".golazo argentino.Archivedfrom the original on 26 June 2023.Retrieved26 June2023.
  10. ^"Zelarayán se suma a los Tigres"[Zelarayán joins Tigres] (in Spanish). Tigres UANL. 21 December 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 4 January 2016.Retrieved30 December2017.
  11. ^ab"FIFA falló a favor de Belgrano en la causa Zelarayán".belgranocordoba.Retrieved10 April2023.
  12. ^"Lucas Zelarayán niega su salida de Tigres".Futbol Total: Un juego auténtico lleno de nobleza y emoción.20 December 2018.Retrieved15 May2023.
  13. ^"Tigres UANL vs. Houston Dynamo FC - Football Match Summary - March 12, 2019 - ESPN".ESPN.Retrieved15 May2023.
  14. ^"Columbus Crew SC acquires attacking midfielder Lucas Zelarayan as a Designated Player".columbuscrew.Columbus Crew. 20 December 2019.Retrieved3 June2021.
  15. ^"Cucho Hernandez transfer: Columbus Crew sign Watford's Colombian striker, paying club-record $10 million fee".CBSSports.Retrieved9 October2022.
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  17. ^"Columbus' Zelarayan named MLS Cup MVP".ESPN.13 December 2020.Retrieved15 December2020.
  18. ^mlssoccer."Recap: New York City FC 1, Columbus Crew 2".mlssoccer.Retrieved9 December2021.
  19. ^"Columbus Crew's Lucas Zelarayan named Week 34 MLS Player of the Week".mlssoccer.Retrieved7 March2022.
  20. ^Murphy, Pat (19 November 2021)."The Crew announce 2021 individual end of season awards".Massive Report.Retrieved9 December2021.
  21. ^ColumbusCrew."Columbus Crew signs midfielder Lucas Zelarayan to new multi-year contract".ColumbusCrew.Retrieved9 December2021.
  22. ^"Through Josh's Eyes: Lucas Zelarayan".4 March 2021.
  23. ^Lister, Joe (3 July 2022)."Talking Columbus Crew with Massive Report".Brotherly Game.Archivedfrom the original on 15 May 2023.Retrieved15 May2023.
  24. ^Holbrock, Justin (1 June 2022)."Lucas Zelarayan to miss 3-5 weeks with injury".NBC4 WCMH-TV.Archivedfrom the original on 15 May 2023.Retrieved14 May2023.
  25. ^Myers, Jacob (23 April 2022)."'Got to stick together': Possibly without Zelarayan, Columbus Crew hoping to end losing streak ".The Columbus Dispatch.Archived fromthe originalon 15 May 2023.Retrieved14 May2023.
  26. ^"Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew Box Score - July 17, 2022".The Athletic.14 May 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 15 May 2023.Retrieved14 May2023.
  27. ^"Lucas Zelarayán 2022 Match Logs".FBref.Retrieved15 May2023.
  28. ^"Charlotte FC vs. Columbus Crew - Football Match Report - October 5, 2022 - ESPN".ESPN.14 May 2023. Archived fromthe originalon 15 May 2023.Retrieved14 May2023.
  29. ^Johnson, Bailey (4 March 2023)."Lucas Zelarayan's brace leads Crew to 2-0 win over D.C. United in home opener".The Columbus Dispatch.Retrieved6 March2023.
  30. ^"Columbus Crew's Lucas Zelarayán named Player of the Matchday".Major League Soccer.6 March 2023.Retrieved6 March2023.
  31. ^Sigal, Jonathan (10 June 2023)."Goal of the Year?! Lucas Zelarayán scores must-see winner from beyond midfield".mlssoccer.Archivedfrom the original on 13 April 2024.Retrieved13 April2024.
  32. ^"Match Report | St. Louis CITY SC Drops Opening Leagues Cup Match 2-1 to Columbus Crew".St. Louis CITY SC.24 July 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 27 July 2023.Retrieved13 April2024.
  33. ^Bend it like Lucas Zelarayán: 9 Sensational Free Kicks for Columbus Crew SC.Major League Soccer. 31 July 2023. Archived fromthe original(Video)on 24 April 2024.Retrieved24 April2024.
  34. ^"Columbus Crew transfer Lucas Zelarayán to Saudi Pro League".mlssoccer.Retrieved14 August2023.
  35. ^"رقم مميز لماكسيمان و زيلارايان بدوري روشن".alyaum(in Arabic). 31 March 2024.Archivedfrom the original on 6 April 2024.Retrieved13 April2024.
  36. ^ab"Lucas Zelarayán 2023-2024 Match Logs".FBref.Archivedfrom the original on 13 April 2024.Retrieved13 April2024.
  37. ^"Al Fateh edge past Al Ettifaq, Al Shabab eke out derby win".Saudi Professional League Association.12 April 2024.Archivedfrom the original on 13 April 2024.Retrieved13 April2024.
  38. ^"Al Fateh Results".ESPN.Retrieved7 August2024.
  39. ^Amirzayan, Krikor (18 June 2020)."L'arméno-argentin Lucas Zelarayan invité en sélection nationale d'Arménie"(in French). ArmNews.Retrieved18 November2023.
  40. ^Ghazanchyan, Siranush (28 September 2021)."Lucas Zelarayán to play for Armenian national team".Public Radio of Armenia.Retrieved18 November2023.
  41. ^"Iceland-Armenia | European Qualifiers".UEFA.
  42. ^"Wales 2–4 Armenia: Kieffer Moore sent off in chaotic Euro 2024 qualifier as Wales flounder".Sky Sports. 17 June 2023.Retrieved18 November2023.
  43. ^"Euro qualifying wrap: Wales now reliant on Croatia slip".RTÉ. 18 November 2023.Retrieved18 November2023.
  44. ^Quaile, Kieran (7 October 2022)."Zelarayán scores the longest free-kick in MLS history: Who had the previous record?".Diario AS.Retrieved30 November2022.
  45. ^DeVille, Chris (26 February 2020)."High expectations greet Lucas Zelarayán, the new face of the Columbus Crew".Columbus Monthly.Retrieved10 April2023.
  46. ^"Zelarayán fala sobre negociação com Grêmio:" Uma grande vitrina "".GZH(in Portuguese). 4 December 2015.Retrieved10 April2023.
  47. ^Brino, Gabriela (31 January 2018)."Conheça Zelarayán, reforço que pode resolver dois problemas do Santos".Lance!(in Portuguese).Retrieved10 April2023.
  48. ^"Lucas Zelarayan: Con Belgrano estoy cumpliendo un sueño".La Voz del Interior(in Spanish).Retrieved10 April2023.
  49. ^Peralta, Omar (3 April 2023)."Lucas Zelarayán, el jugador que Tigres no supo aprovechar y brilla en el Columbus Crew de la MLS".Yahoo Sports(in Spanish).Retrieved15 May2023.
  50. ^Lucas Zelarayánat Soccerway. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  51. ^ab"Lucas Zelarayán".EU-Football.info.Retrieved14 November2021.
  52. ^"Columbus Crew SC's Lucas Zelarayan named 2020 MLS Newcomer of the Year".Major League Soccer.13 November 2020.Retrieved13 November2020.
  53. ^"Columbus Crew SC playmaker Lucas Zelarayan named MLS Cup MVP pres. by Audi".Major League Soccer.12 December 2020.Retrieved13 December2020.
  54. ^"2021 MLS All-Star Team Roster".Major League Soccer.
  55. ^"2023 MLS All-Star Team Roster".Major League Soccer.7 July 2023.Retrieved18 July2023.
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