Nicolas Lodeiro

Marcelo Nicolas Lodeiro Benitez (Spanish pronunciation: [nikoˈlaz loˈðejɾo]; born 21 March 1989), commonly known as Nicolas Lodeiro, is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for MLS club Seattle Sounders FC and the Uruguay national team.

Lodeiro has played professionally in Uruguay, the Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, and the United States, winning the Eredivisie in both of his seasons at Ajax, and winning the domestic double in 2015 with Boca Juniors. He also won titles with Nacional and Botafogo, as well as the 2016 and 2019 MLS Cup with Seattle.

A full international since 2009, Lodeiro has earned 60 caps for Uruguay. He has taken part in two FIFA World Cups with the national side, as well as four editions of the Copa America, the 2012 Summer Olympics, and the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, in which Uruguay finished fourth. He was also part of the teams which placed fourth in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and won the 2011 Copa America.

Club Career

Early career

Lodeiro was born in 1989 in Paysandu, which borders Argentina. It was here that he made his first steps as a footballer in the youth sides of local club Barrio Obrero. It wasn't too long before his talent was recognised by a local scout called Daniel Lopez who nurtured him to play for the youth team at Nacional Montevideo aged only 14 years old.

Nacional

Four years later, at the age of 18, Lodeiro made his debut for the Nacional first team against Fenix on 19 August 2007. Later on in the year he also scored his first senior goal and it was clear to see that in Lodeiro, there was a new star in the making.

A year later, Lodeiro continued to make progress, securing more playing time and even scored against River Plate in the Pre-Libertadores playoff.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Николас Лодейро (russian)