Lionel Scaloni

Lionel Scaloni
Personal information
Full name Lionel Sebastián Scaloni
Date of birth May 16, 1978 (1978-05-16) (age 33)
Place of birth Rosario, Argentina
Height 1.82 m (5 ft 11 12 in)
Playing position Wingback
Club information
Current club Lazio
Number 5
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1996 Newell's Old Boys 16 (0)
1996–1998 Estudiantes 37 (7)
1998–2006 Deportivo La Coruña 202 (14)
2006 West Ham (loan) 13 (0)
2006–2007 Racing Santander 30 (1)
2007– Lazio 29 (0)
2008–2009 Mallorca (loan) 28 (0)
National team
1997 Argentina U20 6 (2)
2003–2006 Argentina 7 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 June 2011.
† Appearances (Goals).

Lionel Sebastián Scaloni (born 16 May 1978) is an Argentine footballer who plays for S.S. Lazio in the Italian first division. A player of wide range, he can appear as both a right defender or midfielder.

He spent most of his professional career with Deportivo de La Coruña in Spain, amassing La Liga totals of 258 games and 15 goals over the course of 12 seasons (three teams represented). He also spent several years in Italy with Lazio.

Scaloni appeared with Argentina at the 2006 World Cup.

Contents

Club career

Deportivo

Born in Rosario, Santa Fe, Scaloni began his career in the Argentine league with local Newell's Old Boys and then Estudiantes de La Plata, before joining Spain's Deportivo de La Coruña in March 1998, for 405 million pesetas.

Regularly used with the Galicians over a eight 1/2-years stint, he competed with Manuel Pablo and Víctor for both starting spots on the right flank. However, due to injury, he could only appear in 14 La Liga contests as Depor managed its first league title.

After falling out with then manager Joaquín Caparrós, Scaloni joined Premier League team West Ham United on loan, on 31 January 2006, the final day of the transfer window, in an attempt to heighten his options to attend the upcoming FIFA World Cup. He took the #2 shirt from the departed Tomáš Řepka, and made his league debut for the East Londoners against Sunderland, on 4 February, while also helping the side reach the season's FA Cup final, a penalty shootout loss to Liverpool.[1]

Scaloni left West Ham after a permanent move could not be agreed. Deportivo released him on 1 September 2006, alongside striker Diego Tristán,[2] one day after the close of the Summer transfer window. However, due to the fact there were no limitations for free agents, two weeks later he signed a one-year contract at Racing de Santander,[3] being essential as the Cantabrians achieved a final midtable position.

In July 2007, Scaloni moved to Italy with S.S. Lazio, on a five-year deal. However, in January of the following year, he returned to Spain, signing a one 1/2 loan link with RCD Mallorca,[4] thus returning to the Romans in July 2009, and being irregularly used in the following three Serie A seasons.

International career

After making his debuts in 2003, Scaloni was named in the Argentine squad for a friendly match against Croatia on 1 2006, and was a surprise selection for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, taking the place of veteran Javier Zanetti, whom also appeared as a right-wingback.

His only appearance of the tournament would be the extra time round of 16 2–1 win against Mexico on 24 June 2006, at the Zentralstadion (playing the full 120 minutes).[5]

Honours

Club

Deportivo

West Ham

Country

Personal

Scaloni's older brother, Mauro, also belonged to Deportivo, but never made it past its B squad.

References

External links