Nolito

Manuel Agudo Durán (Spanish pronunciation: [maˈnwel aˈɣuðo ðuˈɾan];[upper-alpha 1] born 15 October 1986), known as Nolito ([noˈlito]), is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a winger or a forward.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Agudo and the second or maternal family name is Durán.
Nolito
Nolito in 2013
Personal information
Full name Manuel Agudo Durán[1]
Date of birth (1986-10-15) 15 October 1986[2]
Place of birth Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain[2]
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Position(s) Winger, forward
Youth career
1990–2000 Algaida
2000–2002 Sanluqueño
2003–2005 Valencia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2003 Sanluqueño
2005–2006 Sanluqueño 32 (24)
2006–2008 Écija 71 (15)
2008–2011 Barcelona B 106 (29)
2010–2011 Barcelona 2 (0)
2011–2013 Benfica 35 (12)
2013 → Granada (loan) 17 (3)
2013–2016 Celta 100 (39)
2016–2017 Manchester City 19 (4)
2017–2020 Sevilla 49 (7)
2020–2022 Celta 75 (11)
2022–2023 Ibiza 27 (1)
Total 533 (145)
International career
2014–2016 Spain 16 (6)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Having begun his career at lower league clubs he signed for Barcelona in 2008, playing predominantly with its reserves. He totalled 243 games and 60 goals in La Liga, where he also represented Granada, Celta and Sevilla. Abroad, he played two seasons for Benfica in Portugal, and one in the English Premier League with Manchester City.

Nolito made his debut for Spain in November 2014, representing the nation at Euro 2016.

Club career

Early career

Born in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Cádiz, Andalusia, Nolito began his career with UD Algaida in his hometown before joining Atlético Sanluqueño in 2000. He made his first-team debut in Tercera División with the latter club at the age of just 15, scoring on his debut,[3] and moved to Valencia in 2003, where he wrapped up his formative years.[4][5]

Nolito returned to Sanluqueño in 2005,[6] and was their top scorer in the 2005–06 season with 27 goals (24 in the regular season).[7] He then signed with Écija of the Segunda División B, where he scored in a 1–1 home draw against Real Madrid in the 2006–07 Copa del Rey.[8]

Barcelona

Nolito arrived at Barcelona's youth academy at nearly 22 years of age, after scoring 13 times for Écija the previous campaign. With the Catalans' B team, also in the third tier, he scored 16 league goals over two seasons – 12 in the second[9]– as the side returned to the Segunda División after an 11-year absence.[10]

On 3 October 2010, Nolito made his La Liga debut for Barcelona, coming on as a substitute for Pedro in a 1–1 home draw against Mallorca.[11] On 10 November, he opened the 5–1 home win over Ceuta in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey (7–1 on aggregate).[12]

Benfica
Nolito with Benfica in 2011

In late May 2011, Nolito rejected Barcelona's offer of a professional contract and instead signed a five-year deal with Portuguese club Benfica, effective as of 1 July.[13] He scored on his official debut on the 27th, a 2–0 home win against Trabzonspor in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.[14] He also netted in the second leg, a 1–1 draw.[15]

On 20 August 2011, Nolito scored once in a 3–1 home victory over Feirense, making him alongside Eusébio the only player to score in his first five official matches.[16] He managed 15 goals in 48 competitive appearances in his first season,[9] helping his team to win the Taça da Liga.[17]

Nolito returned to his country and his native region on 29 January 2013, being loaned to Granada for six months and a fee of €600,000, without the possibility of making the move permanent in June.[18][19] In his first match, four days after signing, he took the corner which resulted in Cristiano Ronaldo's own goal for the game's only, giving Granada their first win over Real Madrid in 40 years.[20][21]

Celta
Nolito talking to an assistant referee in 2015

Nolito signed with Celta de Vigo on 1 July 2013, penning a four-year deal and reuniting with former Barcelona B boss Luis Enrique.[22] He finished his debut campaign as team top scorer with 14.[23]

Nolito was named La Liga Player of the Month for September 2014, with four goals during a month which ended with the side in sixth position.[24] He created 96 goalscoring opportunities over the campaign, the most in the Spanish league and fourth most in Europe's five leading leagues.[25]

On 23 September 2015, Nolito took his league tally to five after scoring once and providing two assists for Iago Aspas in a 4–1 home defeat of former club Barcelona.[26] He totalled three goals and an assist that month to help them remain unbeaten, earning him a second Player of the Month accolade.[27] In mid-December, however, he suffered a hamstring injury against Espanyol which sidelined him for two months.[28][29]

Nolito returned to action on 20 February 2016, featuring roughly 20 minutes in a 3–2 home win over Eibar.[30] In the following round, he scored the game's only goal at Getafe,[31] and Celta eventually finished in sixth place.

Manchester City
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On 1 July 2016, Nolito signed with Premier League side Manchester City on a four-year deal for a fee of £13.8 million.[32][33] He made his debut on 13 August, playing 59 minutes in a 2–1 home victory against Sunderland.[34] Three days later he scored his first goal, and also provided an assist to Sergio Agüero in a 5–0 away rout of Steaua București in the Champions League play-off round.[35]

Nolito made a few appearances during his time in Manchester, but he and his family were unsettled by life in England.[36]

Sevilla

In July 2017, Sevilla signed Nolito on a three-year contract.[37] He spent the better part of 2018–19 on the sidelines, nursing a fibula injury.[38]

Return to Celta

On 18 June 2020, Nolito rejoined Celta on a reported one-year deal. His Sevilla contract was set to expire at the end of the month, and the former were granted an emergency exception to acquire him outside of the transfer window because of a long-term injury to goalkeeper Sergio Álvarez.[39][40] Three days later, in his first game back, he came off the bench to assist Santi Mina and score a penalty in a 6–0 home thrashing of Alavés.[41]

Ibiza

On 5 September 2022, Nolito joined second-tier Ibiza on a free transfer, on a two-year deal.[42] He played 28 times in his only season as the Balearic side were relegated,[43][44] scoring just once in a 3–2 home win over Lugo on 2 October.[45]

Nolito's contract was terminated in June 2023, and he announced his retirement at 36 on 13 September.[46]

International career

Nolito did not earn a single cap for Spain at youth level. On 7 November 2014, he was called up by full side manager Vicente del Bosque for a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier against Belarus and a friendly with Germany.[47] He made his debut against the latter on the 18th, starting at his club ground of Balaídos in a 0–1 loss.[48]

On 17 May 2016, Nolito was named in the preliminary squad for the final tournament in France.[49] Twelve days later, in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, he scored his first goals, striking twice in the first half of a 3–1 win in Switzerland.[50] he repeated the feat the following match, a 6–1 rout of South Korea in Austria.[51]

Selected for the squad of 23,[52] Nolito acted often as starter, scoring from close range in a 3–0 group stage victory over Turkey at the Stade de Nice and also assisting Álvaro Morata for the opener.[53]

Career statistics

Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[54]
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Écija 2006–07 Segunda División B 31253—365
2007–08 401300—4013
Total 711553—7618
Barcelona B 2008–09 Segunda División B 284—284
2009–10 4012—4012
2010–11 Segunda División 3813—3813
Total 10629—10629
Barcelona 2010–11 La Liga 20310051
Benfica 2011–12 Primeira Liga 29117[lower-alpha 1]112[lower-alpha 2]34815
2012–13 616[lower-alpha 3]03[lower-alpha 2]0151
Total 35121311536316
Granada 2012–13 La Liga 173—173
Celta 2013–14 La Liga 351420—3714
2014–15 361310—3713
2015–16 291200—2912
Total 1003930—10339
Manchester City 2016–17 Premier League 1945[lower-alpha 4]06[lower-alpha 2]2306
Sevilla 2017–18 La Liga 304517[lower-alpha 2]0425
2018–19 403110[lower-alpha 5]4175
2019–20 153322[lower-alpha 5]0205
Total 4971141947915
Celta 2019–20 La Liga 72—72
2020–21 36712—379
2021–22 32230—352
Total 751142—7913
Ibiza 2022–23 Segunda División 27110—281
Career total 5011214511409586141
  1. Two appearances in Taça de Portugal, four appearances and one goal in Taça da Liga
  2. Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  3. Two appearances in Taça de Portugal, three appearances in Taça da Liga
  4. Four appearances in FA Cup, one appearance in EFL Cup
  5. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League

International
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Spain[55]
201410
201540
2016116
Total166
Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nolito goal.
List of international goals scored by Nolito[55]
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 29 May 2016AFG Arena, St. Gallen, Switzerland7 Bosnia and Herzegovina1–03–1Friendly
2 2–0
3 1 June 2016Red Bull Arena, Salzburg, Austria8 South Korea3–06–1Friendly
4 5–0
5 17 June 2016Stade de Nice, Nice, France11 Turkey2–03–0UEFA Euro 2016
6 9 October 2016Loro Boriçi Stadium, Shkodër, Albania15 Albania2–02–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Barcelona

Benfica

Sevilla

Individual

Notes
  1. In isolation, Durán is pronounced [duˈɾan].

References
  1. "Squads for 2016/17 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  2. "Nolito". Eurosport. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  3. Pintinho, Pablo (16 October 2018). "Descubre las cinco curiosidades de Nolito" [Find out the five curiosities about Nolito]. ABC (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  4. Galván, Álvaro (9 March 2018). "El pasado valencianista de Nolito" [The Valencian past of Nolito]. ABC (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  5. Yunta, Enrique (13 November 2014). "Nolito, el gol callejero de España" [Nolito, Spain's street goal]. ABC (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  6. "Nolito sigue en cabeza" [Nolito still in front]. Diario Córdoba (in Spanish). 22 November 2005. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  7. Carbonell, Alfonso (17 April 2021). "Nolito vuelve al estadio de un club que no lo quiso hace quince años" [Nolito returns to stadium of a club that did not want him fifteen years ago] (in Spanish). La Voz Digital. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  8. "Nolito le marcó un gol al Real Madrid militando en el Écija" [Nolito scored against Real Madrid when at Écija]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 26 April 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  9. Queiroz da Costa, Pedro (1 July 2016). "Nolito: da origem humilde ao milionário City" [Nolito: from humble origins to millionaire City]. Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  10. "El filial del Barcelona vuelve a Segunda doce años después" [Barcelona reserves return to Segunda twelve years later]. Marca (in Spanish). 20 June 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  11. "Nsue shocks Barca". ESPN Soccernet. 3 October 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  12. "Barcelona 5–1 Ceuta". ESPN Soccernet. 10 November 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  13. "Nolito confirma su fichaje por el Benfica" [Nolito confirms deal with Benfica]. Marca (in Spanish). 21 May 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  14. "Benfica leave Trabzonspor up against it". UEFA. 27 July 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  15. Tozar, Türker (3 August 2011). "Benfica ease past ten-man Trabzonspor". UEFA. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  16. "Nolito iguala Eusébio" [Nolito equals Eusébio]. Record (in Portuguese). 20 August 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  17. "Nolito: "Sabíamos que era difícil"" [Nolito: "We knew it was hard"]. Record (in Portuguese). 29 April 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  18. "Nolito será rojiblanco hasta junio de 2013" [Nolito will be rojiblanco until June 2013] (in Spanish). Granada CF. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  19. "Jesus confirma saída de Nolito" [Jesus confirms Nolito exit] (in Portuguese). Sábado. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  20. "Granada 1–0 Real Madrid: Ronaldo own goal gifts Andalusians three precious points". Goal. 2 February 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  21. Gorst, Paul (2 February 2013). "Result: Cristiano Ronaldo own goal gives Granada the win". Sportsmole. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  22. "Nolito refuerza la delantera del Real Club Celta" [Nolito strengthens Real Club Celta's offense] (in Spanish). Celta Vigo. 1 July 2013. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  23. García Calvo, Lorena (26 May 2014). "La temporada de oro de Nolito" [Nolito's golden season]. La Voz de Galicia (in Spanish). Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  24. "Premios BBVA a los mejores de septiembre" [BBVA awards for the best in September] (in Spanish). Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional. 6 October 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  25. "Kevin de Bruyne: Manchester City sign Wolfsburg midfielder". BBC Sport. 30 August 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  26. "Iago Aspas scores twice as Celta Vigo give Barcelona shock thrashing". The Guardian. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  27. "Nolito named Liga BBVA Player of the Month for September". La Liga. 1 October 2015. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  28. "Preocupa la lesión de Nolito" [Nolito's injury is a concern]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 13 December 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  29. Jones, Matt (15 December 2015). "Nolito injury: Updates on Celta Vigo Star's hamstring and return". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  30. Planas, Pablo (21 February 2016). "El Celta gana y se gusta en el regreso de Nolito" [Celta win and enjoy themselves in return of Nolito]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  31. Cudeiro, Juan Luis (27 February 2016). "El Getafe no puede con Nolito" [Getafe cannot handle Nolito]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  32. "Nolito signs for Manchester City". Manchester City F.C. 1 July 2016. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  33. "Nolito: Manchester City sign Spain forward on four-year deal". BBC Sport. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  34. Osborne, Chris (13 August 2016). "Manchester City 2–1 Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  35. Zaharia, Paul-Daniel (16 August 2016). "City set fair to progress after Steaua stroll". UEFA. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  36. "Nolito: Man City striker claims English weather has 'changed colour' of daughter's face". BBC Sport. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  37. "Nolito: Sevilla sign Spain forward from Man City on three-year deal". BBC Sport. 16 July 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  38. "La mala suerte de Nolito" [Nolito's bad luck] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  39. "Nolito returns to RC Celta". Celta Vigo. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  40. "Celta Vigo sign winger Nolito after being granted emergency transfer to replace a goalkeeper". Yahoo! Sports. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  41. Garrido, Clemente (21 June 2020). "Nolito empieza a lo grande" [Nolito starts off great]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  42. García, Sergio (5 September 2022). "Oficial: Nolito firma por la UD Ibiza" [Official: Nolito signs for UD Ibiza]. Periódico de Ibiza (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  43. Palomo, Rubén J. (28 April 2023). "La UD Ibiza certifica el descenso a Primera RFEF tras caer en Santander" [UD Ibiza confirm relegation to Primera RFEF after falling in Santander]. Diario de Ibiza (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  44. "Nolito terminou a carreira de futebolista e o Benfica não deixou escapar" [Nolito ended footballing career and Benfica noted that]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 13 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  45. García, Sergio (27 February 2023). "La fugaz aparición de un Nolito que no acaba de convencer" [The fleeting appearance of a Nolito who does not quite convince]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  46. Pérez, Guillermo (13 September 2023). "Nolito se retira" [Nolito retires]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  47. "Chelsea's Diego Costa left out of Spain squad to play Belarus and Germany". The Guardian. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  48. Melero, Delfín (18 November 2014). "Experimento pasado por agua" [Soggy experiment]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  49. "Euro 2016: Diego Costa, Juan Mata & Fernando Torres not in Spain squad". BBC Sport. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  50. "Spain 3–1 Bosnia: Nolito fires La Roja to success". Goal. 29 May 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  51. Le Miere, Jason (1 June 2016). "VIDEO Spain 6–1 South Korea: Highlights from Salzburg friendly ahead of Euro 2016". International Business Times. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  52. Martín, Luis (31 May 2016). "Isco y Saúl fuera de la lista de Del Bosque para la Eurocopa 2016" [Isco and Saúl out of Del Bosque's list for 2016 European Championship]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  53. "Spain cruise past Turkey to advance to knockout stage". ESPN FC. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  54. "Nolito". Soccerway. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  55. "Nolito". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
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