Diego Reyes Explained

Diego Reyes
Full Name:Diego Antonio Reyes Rosales[1]
Birth Date:19 September 1992
Birth Place:Mexico City, Mexico
Height:1.91 m
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Tigres UANL
Clubnumber:13
Youthyears1:2006–2009
Youthclubs1:América
Years1:2010–2013
Clubs1:América
Caps1:83
Goals1:3
Years2:2013–2015
Clubs2:Porto B
Caps2:25
Goals2:3
Years3:2013–2018
Clubs3:Porto
Caps3:20
Goals3:2
Years4:2015–2016
Clubs4:Real Sociedad (loan)
Caps4:27
Goals4:2
Years5:2016–2017
Clubs5:Espanyol (loan)
Caps5:34
Goals5:1
Years6:2018–2019
Clubs6:Fenerbahçe
Caps6:8
Goals6:0
Years7:2019
Clubs7:Leganés (loan)
Caps7:6
Goals7:0
Years8:2019–
Clubs8:Tigres UANL
Caps8:116
Goals8:6
Nationalyears1:2009
Nationalteam1:Mexico U17
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2011
Nationalteam2:Mexico U20
Nationalcaps2:13
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2011–2012
Nationalteam3:Mexico U23
Nationalcaps3:12
Nationalgoals3:1
Nationalyears4:2011–2019
Nationalteam4:Mexico
Nationalcaps4:65
Nationalgoals4:2
Pcupdate:11 May 2024
Ntupdate:6 September 2019
Medaltemplates-Expand:yes

Diego Antonio Reyes Rosales (pronounced as /es/; born 19 September 1992) is a Mexican professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Liga MX club Tigres UANL. He is an Olympic gold medalist.[2]

Reyes made his professional debut with Club América in April 2010,[3] and won his first league title in 2013. He joined FC Porto that same year, but spent a majority of his time loaned out to Spanish sides Real Sociedad and Espanyol.

At international level, Reyes has played for various national youth teams for Mexico, including the under-20 team which finished third at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[4] He was also a part of the under-23 squad that won the gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, playing in every match. He has represented Mexico at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 2013 and 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Club career

América

Reyes rose from América's youth academy and was considered one of their young prospects. He debuted for the club on 25 April 2010 at the age of 17 in a league match against Santos Laguna at the Estadio Azteca, appearing as a substitute in the 86th minute for Ángel Reyna who scored the game's only goal.[5] Reyes scored his first goal against Estudiantes Tecos during the Clausura 2011 tournament. He would score his second goal against Morelia in a 2–3 quarter-final loss that same tournament. He gradually cemented his spot in the team's starting eleven.

Reyes played his final match with América on 26 May 2013, playing in the final of the Clausura tournament against Cruz Azul, though only playing in 26 minutes of the match. Due to the expulsion of Jesús Molina, Reyes was moved into the midfield, but was subsequently substituted off for Miguel Layún.[6]

Porto

On 17 December 2012, it was announced Reyes would be transferring to Portuguese club FC Porto on 1 July 2013 for a €7 million transfer fee,[7] [8] [9] [10] with half of the €3.5 million transfer fee backed by Gol Football Luxembourg as part of James Rodríguez's repurchase from Gol Football.[10]

Reyes made his debut for Porto on 13 July in the final of the Valais Cup against French club Marseille, coming on as a substitute in the 80th minute of the match. Fellow Mexican teammate Héctor Herrera also made his debut with Porto in the same match which ended in a 3–0 victory.[11]

Loan to Real Sociedad

On 14 July 2015, Spanish La Liga club Real Sociedad announced they had reached an agreement with Porto over a season-long loan deal for Reyes, with no option to purchase outright.[12] [13] Reyes made his debut on 22 August in a 0–0 draw against Deportivo de La Coruña.[14] On 18 October, he received his first red card with Real Sociedad in the 0–2 defeat to Atlético Madrid, receiving two yellow cards in the span of two minutes for dissent.[15]

On 8 February 2016, Reyes scored his first goal for Real Sociedad in the 5–0 away win over RCD Espanyol.[16]

Loan to Espanyol

On 31 August 2016, Reyes joined Spanish side Espanyol on a season-long loan deal, with the club having the option to purchase the player at the end of the loan.[17] On 30 October, Reyes scored his first goal for Espanyol in the 0–1 away win over Real Betis.[18]

Fenerbahçe

On 25 August 2018, Reyes joined Turkish club Fenerbahçe on a three-year deal.[19] On 1 September 2018, he would make his debut with the team in 2–3 loss against Kayserispor.

On 25 August 2019, Fenerbahçe terminated his contract.

Loan to Leganés

On 31 January 2019, Reyes returned to Spain by joining CD Leganés on loan for the rest of the season.[20]

Tigres UANL

On 26 August 2019, Reyes returned to Mexico and joined Tigres UANL on a four-year contract.

International career

Youth

Reyes was selected by coach José Luis González China to participate in the CONCACAF under-17 Championship in 2009. Mexico eventually qualified to the under-17 World Cup and reached the Round-of-16.

In 2010, Reyes played the Milk Cup with the under-20 team. The following year, Reyes was selected by coach Juan Carlos Chávez to participate in the CONCACAF under-20 Championship. Mexico qualified to the under-20 World Cup and finished in third place, defeating France 3–1. Prior to the World Cup, Reyes also participated in the Toulon Tournament.

Reyes was selected to participate in the 2011 Pan American Games with the under-23 national team. Mexico won the gold after defeating Argentina 1–0 in the Final.

In 2012, Reyes was a part of the under-23 team that won the gold medal at the 2012 Toulon Tournament, defeating Turkey 3–1 in the Final. He made the final cut for the squad participating in the 2012 Summer Olympics, where he played in every match, including in the 2–1 win over Brazil in the gold medal match at Wembley Stadium on 11 August.[21] At 19 years old, Reyes was the youngest squad member at the Olympics.

Senior

Reyes made his debut with the senior national team at the 2011 Copa América; however, Mexico used their under-22 squad in the tournament. He made his full debut on 25 March 2013 in a 2014 World Cup qualification match against the United States at the Estadio Azteca. Reyes also participated in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, playing his only match in a 2–1 victory against Japan.

Reyes captained Mexico for the first time during a friendly match against South Korea on 29 January 2014. He was given the captain's armband after Rafael Márquez was substituted off in the second half in the 4–0 victory.

Reyes played against the Netherlands in the 2014 FIFA World Cup round of 16 match. He entered the match as a substitute for Héctor Moreno, who suffered an injury in a slide-tackle with Arjen Robben.

In May 2018, Reyes was named in Mexico's squad for the World Cup, despite being at the time in recovery from a hamstring injury,[22] he was subsequently ruled out of the tournament after not having satisfactory progress.[23]

Style of play

Reyes has been described as "intelligent in his positioning, comfortable in possession and strong in the air",[24] as well as being praised for "his ability to time challenges play crisp passes and keep possession when under pressure".[25] Though mainly a defender, Reyes has also been deployed as a defensive midfielder throughout his career.[26]

Career statistics

Club

[27]

ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
América2009–101010
2010–1119250242
2011–12280280
2012–1335160411
Total8336050943
Porto B2013–14183183
2014–157070
Total253253
Porto2013–14505040140
2014–1530402090
2017–181226160243
Total202151120473
Real Sociedad (loan)2015–1627210282
Espanyol (loan)2016–1734110351
Fenerbahçe2018–19802140141
Leganés (loan)2018–196060
Tigres UANL2019–208020110
2020–2123340273
2021–22291291
2022–2332120341
2023–2424130271
2024–25000000
Total11661101276
Career total3191725232037619

International

[28]

Mexico
YearAppsGoals
2011 30
2013 70
2014 70
2015 140
2016 90
2017 131
2018 40
2019 81
Total 652

International goals

Scores and results list Mexico's goal tally first.[29]

No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 28 March 2017 Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago align=center 1–0 align=center 1–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
2. 15 June 2019 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, United States align=center 3–0 align=center 7–0 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Honours

América

Clausura 2013

Porto

2017–18

Tigres UANL

Clausura 2023

2023

2020

2023

Mexico

2015

2015, 2019[30]

Mexico U23

2011

2012[31]

2012

2012

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of players . FIFA.com . 24 . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190404045541/http://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2014/pdf/fwc_2014_squadlists.pdf . 4 April 2019.
  2. Web site: Olympics football: Mexico shock Brazil to win gold . bbc.com . 11 August 2012 . 7 September 2014.
  3. Web site: Gúzman . Sergio . Las nuevas joyas del Pumas-América . MedioTiempo . es . 21 April 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110430191715/http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/mexico/noticias/2011/04/28/las-nuevas-joyas-del-pumas-america . 30 April 2011 . dead . dmy-all .
  4. Web site: Silva . Pablo . México Sub-20: Campeón 19 años después . MedioTiempo . 13 April 2011 . es . 13 April 2011.
  5. Web site: Pérez . Diana . América 1–0 Santos... El Águila lo logró, se metió a la Liguilla . 25 April 2010 . Medio Tiempo . es . 25 April 2010.
  6. Web site: ¡América es Campeón de la Liga MX! . Club América official website . es . 27 May 2013 . 29 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129013035/http://www.clubamerica.com.mx/america-es-campeon-de-la-liga-mx . dead .
  7. Web site: Diego Reyes se convierte en jugador del F.C. Porto . Club América official website . es . 19 November 2012.
  8. Web site: Confirmado, Diego Reyes fue vendido al Porto. Confirmed, Diego Reyes was sold to Porto. es. mediotiempo.com. Medio Tiempo. 17 December 2012. 5 April 2020.
  9. Web site: Diego Reyes assina por cinco temporadas . Diego Reyes signs for five seasons . . 19 December 2012 . 17 December 2012 . pt.
  10. Web site: Relatório e Contas Consolidado 2012/2013 (1º Semestre) . 2 June 2013 . FC Porto . pt . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130320020445/http://www.fcporto.pt/IncFCP/PDF/Investor_Relations/RelatoriosContas/RelatorioContas1S12CONSOLIDADO.pdf . 20 March 2013 . dmy.
  11. Web site: Ya debutaron Herrera y Reyes con el Porto. Herrera and Reyes already debuted with Porto. es. futbolsapiens.com. Futbol Sapiens. 13 July 2013. 5 April 2020.
  12. Web site: Un defensa con gran proyección para la zaga txuri urdin . Real Sociedad . es . 14 July 2015.
  13. Web site: Sociedad agree Reyes loan deal . . 14 July 2015.
  14. Web site: Deportivo La Coruña – Real Sociedad Boxscore . Fox Sports . 22 August 2015.
  15. Web site: Hawkey . Ian . 18 October 2015 . Pressure mounts on David Moyes in La Liga as Real Sociedad experience meltdown . The Daily Telegraph . 18 October 2015.
  16. Web site: Vela and Reyes score in Real Sociedad win . Goal.com . 8 February 2016.
  17. Web site: FC Porto: Diego Reyes anuncia saída para o Espanhol . FC Porto: Diego Reyes announces his departure for Espanyol . Mais Futbol . pt . 31 August 2016.
  18. Web site: Diego Reyes se estrena como goleador periquito . 30 October 2016 . Marca . es . 30 October 2016.
  19. Web site: Mexico international Reyes snapped up by Fenerbahce . Goal.com . 25 August 2018.
  20. Web site: La cesión de Diego Reyes al Leganés, 'en la recta final' . La Vanguardia . 31 January 2019.
  21. Web site: Borden . Sam . 11 August 2012 . Mexico Wins Olympic Gold in Men's Soccer, Beating Brazi . . 11 August 2012.
  22. Web site: Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - Final 23-man lists. goal.com. Goal. 4 June 2018. 5 April 2020.
  23. Web site: Mexico's Diego Reyes ruled out of World Cup with hamstring injury. espn.com. ESPN. 13 June 2018. 5 April 2020.
  24. Web site: Atkins . Christopher . World Cup 2014: Ten potential breakout stars . ESPN FC . 14 June 2013 . 14 June 2013.
  25. Web site: Why Diego Reyes Is The One To Watch This Summer in Brazil . COMPLEX . 2014 . 3 March 2016.
  26. Web site: 10 curiosidades de: Diego Reyes . 7 August 2012 . Futbol Sapiens . 7 April 2016.
  27. Web site: Mexico - D. Reyes - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway . int.soccerway.com . en . 20 April 2017.
  28. Web site: Diego Reyes's Senior International Caps . 1 February 2014 . 16 July 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716055941/http://www.femexfut.org.mx/portalv2/secciones.aspx?s=999&ep=171 . dead .
  29. Web site: Reyes, Diego . National Football Teams . 1 April 2017.
  30. Web site: Mexico Turns Tide, Wins Gold Cup Title Again vs. Wasteful USMNT. Sports Illustrated. Brian. Straus. 7 July 2019.
  31. Web site: Mexico wins Olympic qualifying tournament. trireport.com. Tri Report. 3 April 2012. 5 April 2020.