Lucas Zelarayán

Lucas Manuel Zelarayán (Armenian: Լուկաս Մանուել Զելարայան; born 20 June 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Saudi Pro League club Al-Fateh. Born in Argentina, he represents the Armenia national team.

Lucas Zelarayán
Zelarayán with Columbus Crew in 2023
Personal information
Full name Lucas Manuel Zelarayán
Date of birth (1992-06-20) 20 June 1992
Place of birth Córdoba, Argentina
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Al-Fateh
Number 10
Youth career
2001–2005 Universitario
2005–2008 Club Deportivo Atalaya
2008–2012 Belgrano
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2015 Belgrano 75 (10)
2016–2020 Tigres UANL 113 (21)
2020–2023 Columbus Crew 97 (38)
2023– Al-Fateh 10 (3)
International career‡
2021– Armenia 12 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:49, 20 October 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12 October 2023

Club career

Youth career and Belgrano

Born in Córdoba, Argentina, Zelarayán played his youth football at Las Estrellas, Universitario, and Atalaya, and is a Belgrano youth graduate. He made his senior debut on 25 April 2012, coming on as a second-half substitute for Lucas Parodi in a 2–1 away loss against Rosario Central, for the season's Copa Argentina.[2]

Zelarayán made his Primera División debut on 1 March 2013, replacing Jorge Velázquez in a 2–0 away loss against Newell's Old Boys.[3] His first professional goal came on 7 April of the following year, as he scored the winner in a 2–1 home defeat of River Plate.[2][4]

On 5 December 2014, after becoming a regular starter, Zelarayán extended his contract until 2018.[5]

On 5 December 2015, amid transfer speculation, Zelarayán played his last game for Belgrano, a game versus Colón in the Liguilla Pre Sudamericana, where he was given the captain's armband and an emotional farewell by the fans. Over 55,000 spectators chanted his name in unison to bid him farewell.[6][7]

Tigres UANL

On 21 December 2015, Zelarayán agreed to a contract with Liga MX side Tigres UANL.[8] He debuted for the club the following 10 January, replacing Rafael Sóbis in a 1–0 loss at Toluca. Zelarayán scored his first goal abroad on 5 February 2016, netting the last in a 3–1 win at Chiapas. On 22 January 2017, he scored a brace in a 4–2 home win against América. On 6 March 2019, After a long absence of almost five months due to injury, Lucas Zelarayán made his return to the pitch with Tigres, coming on in the 83rd minute to seal a 3–0 aggregate victory against the Houston Dynamo in the CONCACAF Champions League.[9][10]

Columbus Crew

On 20 December 2019, Zelarayán moved to Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew for $8 million.[11][12][13] Zelarayán made his debut against New York City FC, scoring the match-winning goal in the 56th minute.[14] He was named the league's Newcomer of the Year at the end of the 2020 regular season. In the 2020 MLS Cup final, Zelarayán scored two goals and assisted on another in Columbus' 3–0 win over Seattle Sounders FC to help them win their second ever MLS Cup title. Zelarayán was named the MLS Cup Most Valuable Player after his performance.[15]

During the 2021 MLS season, Zelarayán scored a total of five free kick goals, with two of them coming in one game vs New York City FC. Both free kick goals turned out to be crucial for the Crew, as they ended up winning 2–1, with the game winning free kick coming in the 5th minute of second half stoppage time, which earned Zelarayán recognition as MLS Player of the Week.[16] Zelarayán was named MLS Player of the Week a second time in the 2021 season after scoring 2 goals in a 3–1 victory against DC United.[17] Zelarayán finished the year leading the club in both goals and assists with twelve and seven respectively.[18] At the end of the season, it was announced that Zelarayán had signed a contract extension with the Crew, keeping him with Columbus through the 2024 Major League Soccer season with an option for 2025.[19]

The 2022 season began promisingly for Zelarayán as he scored four goals in the first three games of the season, including a brace in a 3–3 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes. After a fast start in the month of March, which included being named MLS Player of the Month, recurring injury issues[20][21][22] were a potential factor in his goalless streak, which lasted for 12 consecutive matches before he scored in the Hell Is Real derby against FC Cincinnati on 17 July.[23][24] On 5 October, Zelarayán scored a 56-yard free kick, which gave him the record for the longest free-kick goal in Major League Soccer history.[25] It also marked his 17th goal from outside of the penalty area since joining the league in 2020, a feat that more than doubled the next closest player.

During week two of the 2023 season, Zelarayán scored both of Columbus' goals in a 2–0 victory over D.C. United,[26] earning the league's Player of the Week award in the process.[27]

Al Fateh SC

On 31 July 2023, Zelarayán was transferred to Al Fateh SC of the Saudi Professional League for an undisclosed transfer fee.[28]

International career

Born in Argentina, Zelarayán is of Armenian descent through his father. He received an invitation to represent the Armenia national team in June 2018.[29] After accepting the invitation in October 2021,[30] he made his debut for the team in a 1–1 draw against Iceland during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.[31]

On 16 June 2023, he registered his first goals for Armenia in Euro 2024 qualifying, scoring twice in a 4–2 win against Wales.

Style of play

Lucas Zelarayán is a versatile attacking midfielder who has proven himself in a variety of positions, including on the wings and in the central midfield. With a reputation as a creative playmaker possessing exceptional technical ability and decision making, he is an expert at dismantling opposing defenses. Zelarayán's great sense of positioning on the field allows him to shoot from outside the box, dribble past defenders, and deliver final passes that unlock even the tightest of defenses. His ability to not only set up teammates, but set himself up to score as well makes him a vital component of his team's offense. In addition to his attacking prowess, Zelarayán is also a set-piece specialist, known for his superb free-kick taking ability. His talent for both keeping possession and slaloming through defenders make him an exceptionally dangerous player.[32][33][34][35][36][37]

Personal life

Zelarayán is a fan of Belgrano, and grew up supporting them.[7]

He lists his idols as Juan Román Riquelme and Paolo Frangipane.[2][7]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 23 July 2023[38]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Belgrano 2011–12 Argentine Primera División —10——10
2012–13 8010——90
2013–14 18110——191
2014 194———194
2015 305102[lower-alpha 1]0—335
Total 75104020—8110
Tigres UANL 2015–16 Liga MX 151—4[lower-alpha 2]01[lower-alpha 3]0201
2016–17 408—7[lower-alpha 2]01[lower-alpha 3]0488
2017–18 213204[lower-alpha 2]12[lower-alpha 4]1295
2018–19 225202[lower-alpha 2]02[lower-alpha 5]0285
2019–20 154———154
Total 11321401716114023
Columbus Crew 2020 Major League Soccer 16[lower-alpha 6]6——5[lower-alpha 7]2218
2021 3212—3[lower-alpha 2]11[lower-alpha 8]03613
2022 291000——2910
2023 201000—1[lower-alpha 9]12111
Total 973800317310742
Career total 283688022213432674
  1. Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana
  2. Appearance(s) in CONCACAF Champions League
  3. Appearance in Campeón de Campeones
  4. One appearance and one goal in Campeón de Campeones, one appearance in Campeones Cup
  5. One appearance in Campeón de Campeones, one appearance in Leagues Cup
  6. Includes three appearances and two goals in MLS is Back Tournament group stage
  7. One appearance in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage, four appearances and two goals in MLS Cup Playoffs
  8. Appearance in Campeones Cup
  9. Appearance in Leagues Cup

International
As of match played 12 October 2023[39]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Armenia 202140
202220
202362
Total122
Scores and results list Armenia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zelarayán goal.[39]
List of international goals scored by Lucas Zelarayán
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
116 June 2023Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales8 Wales1–14–2UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
24–2

Honours

UANL

Columbus Crew

Individual

References
  1. mlssoccer. "Lucas Zelarayán | MLSsoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  2. Villalobo, Marcos (8 September 2015). "Lucas Zelarayán, un Chino de sangre celeste". El Gráfico (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  3. "Scocco abrió el camino para el triunfo de Newells ante Belgrano" [Scocco cleared the path to Newells' triumph against Belgrano] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  4. "Belgrano venció a River y lo dejó sin la punta" [Belgrano defeated River and left them without the leadership] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  5. "El ¨Chino¨ es de Belgrano | Club Atlético Belgrano - Sitio Oficial". www.belgranocordoba.com. 12 April 2014. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  6. "¨Olé, olé, olé, olé, Chino, Chino...¨ | Club Atlético Belgrano - Sitio Oficial". www.belgranocordoba.com. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  7. Lee, Jimmy (5 June 2020). "Lucas Zelarayán: The Kid From Humble Beginnings Who Became an Idol for his Beloved Club (Interview)". golazo argentino. Archived from the original on 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  8. "Zelarayán se suma a los Tigres" [Zelarayán joins Tigres] (in Spanish). Tigres UANL. 21 December 2015. Archived from the original on 4 January 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  9. "Lucas Zelarayán niega su salida de Tigres". Futbol Total: Un juego auténtico lleno de nobleza y emoción. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  10. "Tigres UANL vs. Houston Dynamo FC - Football Match Summary - March 12, 2019 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  11. "Columbus Crew SC acquires attacking midfielder Lucas Zelarayan as a Designated Player". columbuscrew.com. Columbus Crew. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  12. "Cucho Hernandez transfer: Columbus Crew sign Watford's Colombian striker, paying club-record $10 million fee". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  13. "FIFA falló a favor de Belgrano en la causa Zelarayán | Club Atlético Belgrano - Sitio Oficial". belgranocordoba.com. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  14. Myers, Jacob. "Crew 1, NYC FC 0 | Lucas Zelarayan's goal in debut gives Crew season-opening win". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  15. "Columbus' Zelarayan named MLS Cup MVP". ESPN.com. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  16. mlssoccer. "Recap: New York City FC 1, Columbus Crew 2 | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  17. "Columbus Crew's Lucas Zelarayan named Week 34 MLS Player of the Week". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  18. Murphy, Pat (19 November 2021). "The Crew announce 2021 individual end of season awards". Massive Report. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  19. ColumbusCrew.com. "Columbus Crew signs midfielder Lucas Zelarayan to new multi-year contract | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  20. Lister, Joe (3 July 2022). "Talking Columbus Crew with Massive Report". Brotherly Game. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  21. Holbrock, Justin (1 June 2022). "Lucas Zelarayan to miss 3-5 weeks with injury". NBC4 WCMH-TV. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  22. Myers, Jacob (23 April 2022). "'Got to stick together': Possibly without Zelarayan, Columbus Crew hoping to end losing streak". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  23. "Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew Box Score - July 17, 2022". The Athletic. 14 May 2023. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  24. "Lucas Zelarayán 2022 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  25. "Charlotte FC vs. Columbus Crew - Football Match Report - October 5, 2022 - ESPN". ESPN.com. 14 May 2023. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  26. Johnson, Bailey (4 March 2023). "Lucas Zelarayan's brace leads Crew to 2-0 win over D.C. United in home opener". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  27. "Columbus Crew's Lucas Zelarayán named Player of the Matchday". Major League Soccer. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  28. "Columbus Crew transfer Lucas Zelarayán to Saudi Pro League | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  29. "L'arméno-argentin Lucas Zelarayan invité en sélection nationale (...) - Nouvelles d'Arménie en Ligne". www.armenews.com.
  30. "Lucas Zelarayán to play for Armenian national team". www.armradio.am.
  31. "Iceland-Armenia | European Qualifiers". UEFA.com.
  32. Quaile, Kieran (7 October 2022). "Zelarayán scores the longest free-kick in MLS history: Who had the previous record?". Diario AS. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  33. DeVille, Chris (26 February 2020). "High expectations greet Lucas Zelarayán, the new face of the Columbus Crew". Columbus Monthly. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  34. "Zelarayán fala sobre negociação com Grêmio: "Uma grande vitrina"". GZH (in Brazilian Portuguese). 4 December 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  35. Brino, Gabriela (31 January 2018). "Conheça Zelarayán, reforço que pode resolver dois problemas do Santos". Lance! (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  36. "Lucas Zelarayan: Con Belgrano estoy cumpliendo un sueño | Fútbol". La Voz del Interior (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  37. Peralta, Omar (3 April 2023). "Lucas Zelarayán, el jugador que Tigres no supo aprovechar y brilla en el Columbus Crew de la MLS". Yahoo Sports (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  38. Lucas Zelarayán at Soccerway. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  39. "Lucas Zelarayán". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  40. "Columbus Crew SC's Lucas Zelarayan named 2020 MLS Newcomer of the Year". Major League Soccer. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  41. "Columbus Crew SC playmaker Lucas Zelarayan named MLS Cup MVP pres. by Audi". Major League Soccer. 12 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  42. "2021 MLS All-Star Team Roster". Major League Soccer.
  43. "2023 MLS All-Star Team Roster". Major League Soccer. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  44. Wright, Johnathan (1 April 2021). "Columbus Crew star Lucas Zelarayan voted MLS Player of the Month". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
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