Diego Alonso
Encyclopedia
Diego Martín Alonso López (born 16 April 1975) is an Uruguay
an footballer who plays for C.A. Peñarol
in the Uruguayan first division, as a striker.
, the country's capital. He made his professional debuts with C.A. Bella Vista, where he remained four seasons, helping the club to the second division title in 1997.
After a brief spell in Argentina
for Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata
(he would also represent the side towards the end of his career, from 2007–09), Alonso moved to Spain
, where he represented five clubs in as many years: Valencia CF
, Atlético de Madrid (where he scored 22 goals in 2001–02's second division
, helping the Colchoneros return to the top flight
, and forming an efficient offensive partnership with countryman Fernando Correa
, who added 13), Racing de Santander
, Málaga CF
and Real Murcia
, where he did not have a good scoring record overall. In between his fourth and fifth club, he played one year in Mexico
, with UNAM Pumas
.
In 2006, 31-year old Alonso returned to his country, joining hometown giants Club Nacional de Football
; however, shortly after, he moved abroad again, signing with Chinese
outfit Shanghai Shenhua FC. After two slow seasons with Gimnasia, the veteran switched to Club Atlético Peñarol
.
, during five years. His debut came on 17 June 1999, in a 3–2 friendly
win over Paraguay
, in Ciudad del Este
.
He was chosen for the nation's squad for that year's Copa América
, and scored on his quarterfinal penalty shootout attempt (5–3 win) for the eventual runners-up, also against Paraguay, the hosts.
, whom also played several years in Spain, namely with Deportivo Alavés
.
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
an footballer who plays for C.A. Peñarol
C.A. Peñarol
Club Atlético Peñarol also known as Carboneros, Aurinegros and familiarly as Manya, is an Uruguayan sports club based in the Peñarol barrio, Montevideo, best known for its professional football team. The team plays their home matches in Estadio Centenario, the largest stadium in the country, but...
in the Uruguayan first division, as a striker.
Club career
Alonso was born in MontevideoMontevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
, the country's capital. He made his professional debuts with C.A. Bella Vista, where he remained four seasons, helping the club to the second division title in 1997.
After a brief spell in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
for Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata
Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata
Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata Gimnasia y Esgrima was promoted to the first division after becoming champions of the División Intermedia of Argentine football in 1915. Later, in 1929, the club would become champions of the Primera División...
(he would also represent the side towards the end of his career, from 2007–09), Alonso moved to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, where he represented five clubs in as many years: Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
, Atlético de Madrid (where he scored 22 goals in 2001–02's second division
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
, helping the Colchoneros return to the top flight
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
, and forming an efficient offensive partnership with countryman Fernando Correa
Fernando Correa
Fernando Edgardo Correa Ayala is an Uruguayan footballer who plays for Club Atlético River Plate .A striker, he played mostly for Spain's Atlético Madrid.-Club career:...
, who added 13), Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
, Málaga CF
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
and Real Murcia
Real Murcia
Real Murcia Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the region of Murcia. Founded in 1908, it currently plays in the second division, playing home matches at Estadio Nueva Condomina, which can hold 33,045 spectators....
, where he did not have a good scoring record overall. In between his fourth and fifth club, he played one year in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, with UNAM Pumas
Club Universidad Nacional
Club Universidad Nacional A.C., more commonly known as Pumas de la UNAM, or just Pumas, is a Mexican professional football club based in Mexico City...
.
In 2006, 31-year old Alonso returned to his country, joining hometown giants Club Nacional de Football
Club Nacional de Football
Club Nacional de Football is a Uruguayan sports club based in Montevideo. It is best known for its professional football team, which plays in the Uruguayan Primera División....
; however, shortly after, he moved abroad again, signing with Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
outfit Shanghai Shenhua FC. After two slow seasons with Gimnasia, the veteran switched to Club Atlético Peñarol
C.A. Peñarol
Club Atlético Peñarol also known as Carboneros, Aurinegros and familiarly as Manya, is an Uruguayan sports club based in the Peñarol barrio, Montevideo, best known for its professional football team. The team plays their home matches in Estadio Centenario, the largest stadium in the country, but...
.
International career
Alonso made eight appearances for the Uruguay national teamUruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
, during five years. His debut came on 17 June 1999, in a 3–2 friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
win over Paraguay
Paraguay national football team
The Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
, in Ciudad del Este
Ciudad del Este
Ciudad del Este is the second largest city in Paraguay and capital of Alto Paraná department, located at the Rio Paraná....
.
He was chosen for the nation's squad for that year's Copa América
Copa América
The Copa América —previously known as South American Championship—is an international football competition contested between the men's national teams of CONMEBOL, the sport's continental governing body...
, and scored on his quarterfinal penalty shootout attempt (5–3 win) for the eventual runners-up, also against Paraguay, the hosts.
Club
- Bella Vista:
- Second Division: 1997
- Atlético Madrid:
- Second DivisionSegunda DivisiónThe Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
: 2001–02
- Second Division
- UNAM PumasClub Universidad NacionalClub Universidad Nacional A.C., more commonly known as Pumas de la UNAM, or just Pumas, is a Mexican professional football club based in Mexico City...
:- Mexican LeaguePrimera División de MéxicoThe Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
: AperturaApertura and ClausuraThe Apertura and Clausura tournaments are a relatively recent innovation for many Latin American football leagues in which the traditional European football season from August to May is divided in two sections per season, each with its own champion. Apertura and Clausura are the Spanish words for...
2004
- Mexican League
- Shanghai:
- A3 Champions CupA3 Champions CupA3 Champions Cup was an annual football tournament sanctioned by the East Asian Football Federation. It began in 2003, involving the league champions of China, Japan and South Korea. The host nation also invited an additional team, making this a four team tournament. South Korea was the most...
: 2007A3 Champions Cup 2007The fifth edition of the A3 Champions Cup took place between June 7 and June 13, 2007 at the Shandong Stadium in Jinan.- Participants : Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma - 2006 K-League champions. Urawa Red Diamonds - 2006 J. League champions. Shandong Luneng Taishan - 2006 Chinese Super League champions...
- A3 Champions Cup
- PeñarolC.A. PeñarolClub Atlético Peñarol also known as Carboneros, Aurinegros and familiarly as Manya, is an Uruguayan sports club based in the Peñarol barrio, Montevideo, best known for its professional football team. The team plays their home matches in Estadio Centenario, the largest stadium in the country, but...
:- Uruguayan League: 2009–10
- Libertadores Cup: Runner-up 20112011 Copa LibertadoresThe 2011 Copa Libertadores de América was the 52nd edition of the Copa Libertadores, CONMEBOL's premier international club tournament. It was held from January 25 to June 22 of the same year...
Individual
- Zarra Trophy (Second DivisionSegunda DivisiónThe Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
): 2001–02
Personal
Alonso is cousin-brother to Iván AlonsoIván Alonso
Iván Daniel Alonso Vallejo is an Uruguayan footballer who plays for Deportivo Toluca F.C. in the Primera División Mexicana, as a striker....
, whom also played several years in Spain, namely with Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
.