Nahuel Molina

Nahuel Molina Lucero (born 6 April 1998), also known as just Molina, is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a full-back or winger for La Liga club Atlético Madrid and the Argentina national team. He is known for speed, crosses and versatility.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Molina and the second or maternal family name is Lucero.
Nahuel Molina
Molina with Argentina in 2019
Personal information
Full name Nahuel Molina Lucero[1]
Date of birth (1998-04-06) 6 April 1998[2]
Place of birth Embalse, Argentina
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position(s) Full-back / Winger
Team information
Current team
 Atlético Madrid
Number 16
Youth career
Boca Juniors
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2020 Boca Juniors 8 (0)
2018 → Defensa y Justicia (loan) 17 (1)
2019 → Rosario Central (loan) 22 (1)
2020–2022 Udinese 64 (9)
2022– Atlético Madrid 33 (4)
International career‡
2017 Argentina U20 6 (0)
2021– Argentina 30 (1)
Medal record
Representing  Argentina
FIFA World Cup
Winner2022 Qatar
Copa América
Winner2021 Brazil
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Winner2022 England
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:59, 4 June 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19 June 2023

Club career

Molina is a youth export from Boca Juniors. On 18 February 2016, he made his first team debut in a league game against San Martín de San Juan. He played the full game.[3]

Defensa y Justicia

In January 2018, Molina was loaned out to Defensa y Justicia for the rest of 2018.[4] The next season he was loaned to Rosario Central where he found the continuity he needed to stand out and ended up returning to Boca Juniors at the start of 2019.

Udinese Calcio

On 15 September 2020, Molina joined Udinese Calcio on a free transfer until 2025.[5]

Atlético Madrid

On 28 July 2022, Molina joined Atlético Madrid on a five-year deal,[6] for a reported fee of €10 million and €5 million in variables.[7]

International career

Molina made his debut for the Argentina national team on 3 June 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against Chile. He substituted Juan Foyth in the 81st minute.[8]

Molina scored his first goal for Argentina on 9 December 2022, in their 2022 World Cup quarter-final match against the Netherlands. He previously assisted to Alexis Mac Allister during their group stage match vs Poland. He started six matches for Argentina as first choice right back scoring one goal and providing one assist throughout the tournament en route to become champions.[9]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 25 September 2023[10]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Boca Juniors 2016–17 APD 80—1090
Defensa y Justicia (loan) 2017–18 1412070231
2018–19 30——30
Total 1712070261
Rosario Central (loan) 2018–19 APD 601060130
2019–20 16120—181
Total 2213060311
Udinese 2020–21 Serie A 29220—312
2021–22 35721—378
Total 64941006810
Atlético Madrid 2022–23 La Liga 3344060434
2023–24 30001040
Total 3644070474
Career total 1471513121018116

International
As of match played 19 June 2023[11]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Argentina 2021130
2022141
202330
Total301
As of match played 9 December 2022. Scores and results list Argentina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Molina goal.
List of international goals scored by Nahuel Molina
No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1 9 December 2022Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail, Qatar25 Netherlands1–02–2 (4–3 p)2022 FIFA World Cup

Honours

Argentina

Individual

  • Equipe da Temporada da La Liga: 2022-23

References
  1. "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Argentina (ARG)" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 1. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  2. "Nahuel Molina". Atlético Madrid. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  3. "San Martín San Juan vs. Boca Juniors - 18 February 2016 - Soccerway". soccerway.com. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  4. Molina deja Boca por Defensa y Justicia, besoccer.com, 11 January 2018
  5. "OFFICIAL: Molina joins Udinese". Football Italia. 15 September 2020.
  6. "Club Atlético de Madrid - Welcome, Nahuel Molina!". Club Atlético de Madrid. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  7. Egea, Pablo (28 July 2022). "Nahuel Molina es nuevo jugador del Atlético" [Nahuel Molina is a new Atletico player]. MARCA (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  8. "Argentina v Chile game report". ESPN. 3 June 2021.
  9. McNulty, Phil (9 December 2022). "World Cup 2022: Argentina beat the Netherlands in penalty shootout to reach semi-finals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  10. "N. Molina". Soccerway.
  11. "Nahuel Molina". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  12. Murray, Scott (18 December 2022). "Argentina beat France on penalties after thrilling World Cup final – live reaction". the Guardian. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  13. Graham, Bryan Armen (11 July 2021). "Argentina 1-0 Brazil: Copa América final – live!". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  14. "Italy 0–3 Argentina: Messi and Di Maria shine in impressive Finalissima win". BBC Sport. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nahuel Molina.
  • Profile at the Atlético Madrid website
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