Óscar Cortés (footballer, born 2003) explained

Óscar Cortés
Full Name:Óscar Manuel Cortés Cortés[1]
Birth Date:3 December 2003
Birth Place:Tumaco, Colombia
Height:1.77 m
Currentclub:Rangers
(on loan from Lens)
Clubnumber:7
Position:Winger
Youthclubs1:Millonarios
Years1:2022–2023
Clubs1:Millonarios
Caps1:20
Goals1:5
Years2:2023–
Clubs2:Lens
Caps2:4
Goals2:1
Years3:2023–
Clubs3:Lens II
Caps3:6
Goals3:3
Years4:2024–
Clubs4:Rangers (loan)
Caps4:6
Goals4:1
Nationalyears1:2022–
Nationalteam1:Colombia U20
Nationalcaps1:13
Nationalgoals1:4
Nationalyears2:2023–
Nationalteam2:Colombia
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:22:03, 28 February 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:19:29, 30 August 2023 (UTC)

Óscar Manuel Cortés Cortés (born 3 December 2003) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a winger for side Rangers, on loan from club Lens.

Club career

Millonarios

Born in Tumaco, Cortés progressed through the academy of Millonarios, making his debut in the 2022 season.[2] He signed his first professional contract in May of the same year.[2]

On 12 January 2022, Cortés made his debut for Millonarios' first team in the opening match of the Apertura against Deportivo Pasto. He came on as a substitute in the 89th minute for Macalister Silva in a match that ended with Millonarios winning 1–0.[3] In February, Cortés formed part of Millonario's under-20 squad, which competed at the 2022 U-20 Copa Libertadores.[4] On 12 May, he scored his first professional goal in a second-leg Copa Colombia match against Jaguares de Córdoba, contributing to Millonarios' 1–1 tie in the game and aiding the team in advancing to the quarter-finals 4–1 on aggregate.[5]

After an impressive performance for Colombia at the 2023 South American U-20 Championship, Cortés drew the attention of Serie A club Torino, who have been linked with a potential move for the player.[6] Upon his return to Millonarios, Cortés scored his first brace for the club on 18 February during a league match against Jaguares. His performances contributed to Millonarios' 2–1 home victory, securing three important points for the team.[7] On 2 March, a remarkable display by Cortés played a pivotal role in Millonarios' victory over Ecuadorian side Universidad Católica in the second round of the 2023 Copa Libertadores. Cortés' contribution included assisting Millonario's equalizing goal and creating the game-winning play that ultimately secured a 2–1 aggregate victory for Millonarios, advancing them to the third round of the tournament to face Brazilian powerhouse Atlético Mineiro.[8]

Lens

On 14 July 2023, Cortés transferred to French Ligue 1 club RC Lens.[9] The fee reported for the transfer was $5 million (€4.4M).[9] He scored his first goal with Lens on 16 December 2023 in a 2–0 home victory against Reims.[10]

Loan to Rangers

On 1 February 2024, Cortés moved on loan to the Scottish club Rangers, with an option to buy.[11]

International career

Youth

Cortés has represented Colombia at under-20 level. He starred at the 2023 South American U-20 Championship as Colombia finished third, helping his team qualify to the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia and the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago.[12] [13] [14] With three goals to his name, he emerged as Colombia's leading scorer in the tournament, thanks to his brace against Peru in the group stage and a goal he scored during Colombia's impressive 3–0 victory over Paraguay in the final stage.[15]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Millonarios Fútbol Club2022Categoría Primera A901100101
2023Categoría Primera A1150081196
Total2051181297
Lens II2023–24National 36060
Lens2023–24Ligue 141000041
Rangers (loan)2023–24Scottish Premiership61100071
Career total3672181469

International

Honours

Millonarios

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023™ SQUAD LIST: Colombia (COL) . FIFA . 3 . 22 May 2023 . 30 May 2023.
  2. Web site: Quién es Óscar Cortés, el goleador de Colombia ante Perú. Who is Óscar Cortés, Colombia's top scorer against Peru. 21 January 2023. 13 February 2023. colombia.as.com. Spanish.
  3. Web site: ¿Óscar Cortés, la joya juvenil de Millonarios, se va del club? Entrevista . 19 February 2023 .
  4. Web site: "Óscar Cortés es un jugador diferente, con técnica, con condiciones y un potente remate" . 20 February 2023 .
  5. Web site: Jaguares de Córdoba vs. Millonarios - 12 mayo 2022 - Soccerway .
  6. Web site: Torino enviará emisarios para ver a Óscar Cortés y entablar acercamientos . 11 February 2023 .
  7. Web site: Millonarios vence a Jaguares con 2 goles de Óscar Cortés . 18 February 2023 .
  8. Web site: Cortés en modo Sub 20 para la clasificación de Millonarios a tercera fase de Libertadores . 3 March 2023 .
  9. Web site: description! . beIN SPORTS . Lens Confirms Óscar Cortés as New Player . 17 December 2023 . beIN SPORTS . en-us.
  10. Web site: RC Lens win at home, jump to fifth . 17 December 2023 . Ligue1 COM . en.
  11. Web site: Rangers. RANGERS SIGN OSCAR CORTES FROM RC LENS. 1 February 2024. 2 February 2024.
  12. Web site: Óscar Cortés: la nueva esperanza de Tumaco. Óscar Cortés: the new hope of Tumaco. Andrés. Osorio Guillott. 25 January 2023. 13 February 2023. elespectador.com. Spanish.
  13. Web site: Óscar Cortés y el alto precio que le habría puesto Millonarios. Óscar Cortés and the high price that Millionaires would have put on him. 7 February 2023. 13 February 2023. caracol.com.co. Spanish.
  14. Web site: Millonarios puso precio a Óscar Cortés. ¿Exagerado?. Millionaires put a price on Óscar Cortés. Exaggerated?. Leonardo. Alarcon. 8 February 2023. 13 February 2023. colombia.com. Spanish.
  15. Web site: Uruguay, Brazil among those standing out so far at South American U20 Championships . 5 February 2023 .
  16. Web site: Casadei claims a golden double. 11 June 2023. 12 June 2023.