Matías Emanuel Lequi
Encyclopedia
Matías Emanuel Lequi is an Argentine
footballer who plays for Rosario Central
in Argentina
, as a central defender.
, then moved to Club Atlético River Plate
, where he won two consecutive Clausura
titles. In 2003, he moved abroad, joining Atlético Madrid in Spain
, making his La Liga
debut on 31 August, in a 0–1 loss at Sevilla FC
, and only missing four matches in the season, as the Colchoneros eventually finished seventh and qualified for the UEFA Cup.
Subsequently, Lequi signed with Italy
's S.S. Lazio
, going pretty much unnoticed during his one season-spell. For 2005–06
, he returned to Spain
, being loaned to Celta de Vigo
: as the Galicians eventually finished in sixth position and reached the UEFA Cup straight from Segunda División
, he was heavily featured, scoring against Real Madrid
(1–2 home loss) and former side Atlético (opening the scoresheet in a 3–0 away victory).
After extensive negotiations, the deal with Celta was made permanent in late May 2006, for four years. Lequi would however suffer relegation in the first season after his purchase and, with the club already in division two, was sent off
a total of four times in the league, as Celta languished in 16th position; he was released in August 2008.
Lequi spent the following months training on his own. In the 2009 summer transfer window, he signed for Greek
side Iraklis Thessaloniki FC. On 19 January 2011, the free agent returned to Spain and signed a five-month with UD Las Palmas
, in the second division
.
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...
footballer who plays for Rosario Central
Rosario Central
Club Atlético Rosario Central is a sports club based in Rosario, Argentina. Its football team currently plays in the Primera B Nacional, the second tier of the Argentine football league system, after being relegated in the 2009-10 season....
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...
, as a central defender.
Football career
Lequi started his career with hometown side Rosario CentralRosario Central
Club Atlético Rosario Central is a sports club based in Rosario, Argentina. Its football team currently plays in the Primera B Nacional, the second tier of the Argentine football league system, after being relegated in the 2009-10 season....
, then moved to Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
, where he won two consecutive Clausura
Apertura and Clausura
The 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...
titles. In 2003, he moved abroad, joining Atlético Madrid in 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...
, making his La Liga
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...
debut on 31 August, in a 0–1 loss at Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
, and only missing four matches in the season, as the Colchoneros eventually finished seventh and qualified for the UEFA Cup.
Subsequently, Lequi signed with Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
's S.S. Lazio
S.S. Lazio
Società Sportiva Lazio, commonly referred to as Lazio, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. The team, founded in 1900, play in the Serie A and have spent most of their history in the top tier of Italian football...
, going pretty much unnoticed during his one season-spell. For 2005–06
2005–06 La Liga
* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC...
, he returned 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...
, being loaned to Celta de Vigo
Celta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
: as the Galicians eventually finished in sixth position and reached the UEFA Cup straight from Segunda División
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:...
, he was heavily featured, scoring against Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
(1–2 home loss) and former side Atlético (opening the scoresheet in a 3–0 away victory).
After extensive negotiations, the deal with Celta was made permanent in late May 2006, for four years. Lequi would however suffer relegation in the first season after his purchase and, with the club already in division two, was sent off
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
a total of four times in the league, as Celta languished in 16th position; he was released in August 2008.
Lequi spent the following months training on his own. In the 2009 summer transfer window, he signed for Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
side Iraklis Thessaloniki FC. On 19 January 2011, the free agent returned to Spain and signed a five-month with UD Las Palmas
UD Las Palmas
Unión Deportiva Las Palmas, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in the autonomous community of Canary Islands...
, in the 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:...
.
Honours
- River Plate:
- Argentine League: ClausuraApertura 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...
2002, 2003
- Argentine League: Clausura