Mario Méndez

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Personal information
Mario Méndez
Full name	Mario Méndez Olague
Date of birth	June 1, 1979 (age 27)
Place of birth	Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Height	175 cm (5'9")
Nickname	none
Playing position	Right Back
Club information
Current club	Velez
Number	29
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1998-2004 2004-05 2005-06 2006 2007-	CF Atlas Toluca CF Monterrey UANL Tigres Vélez Sársfield	195 (11) 49 (1) 10 (0) 15 (0) 7 (0)
National team²
2000- 1999	Mexico Mexico U-20	36 (1) 5 (0)
¹ Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23 June, 2006. ² National team caps and goals correct as of 27 March, 2007. * Appearances (Goals)

Mario Méndez (born 1 June 1979 in Guadalajara, Jalisco) is a Mexican football player, specializing as both a defender and midfielder, who plays for Velez Sarsfield of the Primera División Argentina.

[edit] Biography

Mario Mendez started his career with CF Atlas in the year 1998, in the golden age that included many players like Rafael Marquez, Daniel Osorno, Juan Pablo Rodriguez. With Atlas he got a sub-championship in the year of 1999 having been a vital part in the defense. He stayed with this club until 2004. In 2004 Mario Mendéz was bought by Club Toluca, where he was an important player in the squad playing 49 games and scoring one goal.

Later on Méndez was sent to Monterrey to play for the Rayados of Monterrey. Unfortunately he did not have many participation due to the compromises with Mexico in the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup. Later that year he was transferred to Tigres on May 29, 2006. He previously played for Tigres arch-rival Rayados, but was playing there only on loan, and was signed with Club Toluca who negotiated the transference with Tigres.

He was recently called up to the Mexico national team to participate in the 2006 World Cup. He started for Mexico's first two games against Iran, Angola and later, in the Elimination Round of 16 against Argentina. In the game against Iran he made an assist in the goal of Zihna. Although he has been criticized for his occasional careless plays and team work abilities on the national team, he continues to be one of Mexico's great prospects.

During the Winter Transfer period, Ricardo Lavolpe, new headcoach of Vélez Sársfield, called for the talents of Mario Mendez for the Argentinen club, Velez Sarsfield.

[edit] External links

Mario Méndez Article (In Spanish)
Football Database.com provides Mario Méndez's profile and stats

	Mexico squad - 2006 FIFA World Cup
1 Sánchez \| 2 Suárez \| 3 Salcido \| 4 Márquez \| 5 Osorio \| 6 Torrado \| 7 Naelson \| 8 Pardo \| 9 Borgetti \| 10 Franco \| 11 Morales \| 12 Corona \| 13 Ochoa \| 14 Pineda \| 15 Castro \| 16 Méndez \| 17 Fonseca \| 18 Guardado \| 19 Bravo \| 20 García \| 21 Arellano \| 22 Rodríguez \| 23 Pérez \| Coach: Lavolpe