| Lenny Lobato | |
| Fullname: | Lenny Ivo Lobato Romanelli |
| Birth Date: | 3 February 2001 |
| Birth Place: | Búzios, Brazil |
| Height: | 1.74m |
| Position: | Winger[1] |
| Currentclub: | Vélez Sarsfield |
| Clubnumber: | 14 |
| Youthyears1: | 2017–2021 |
| Youthclubs1: | Vélez Sarsfield |
| Years1: | 2021– 2024 |
| Clubs1: | Vélez Sarsfield |
| Caps1: | 38 |
| Goals1: | 2 |
| Club-Update: | 12:13, 8 May 2024 (UTC) |
Lenny Ivo Lobato Romanelli (born 3 February 2001) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Sport Club do Recife.
Lobato spent six months with Brazilian side Madureira before heading to Argentina.[2] He initially spent time with All Boys of Primera B Nacional, though was unable to remain due to contractual issues.[3] At the age of sixteen, Lobato joined Vélez Sarsfield; via a trial that his El Fortín-supporting uncle had set up, with the help of the latter's brother-in-law Alejandro Chiossi who worked for them.[2] [4] It was Lobato's second trial with Vélez, following one he had aged ten.[3] [4] The winger soon trained with the first-team squad on numerous occasions; under both Gabriel Heinze and Mauricio Pellegrino.[5] In November 2020, Lobato signed his first professional contract.[6] [7]
Lobato was moved into Mauricio Pellegrino's senior squad for the first time on 17 February 2021, as the winger made the bench for a Copa Argentina round of sixty-four encounter with Deportivo Camioneros of Torneo Federal A.[8] With the scoreline at 3–1 to Vélez, Lobato was substituted on in place of Cristian Tarragona for the final seven minutes of the victory at the Estadio Julio Humberto Grondona; he picked up a late yellow card.[8]
Lobato is eligible to represent Argentina or Brazil at international level.[3] He has yet to announce his allegiances for either nation, stating he would treat any call-up equally.[3] [9] [10] He previously stated that he feels more Brazilian than Argentine when in Argentina, but more Argentine than Brazilian when in Brazil.[3] In regards to club football, he said that he hopes to play in Brazilian football at some point in his career.[9]
Lobato is the grandson of 20th century Argentine dancer and actress Nelida Lobato.[3] [4] His family, including parents Gabriela and Adrián, were born in Argentina, though Lobato was born in Búzios, Brazil and remained in that country until joining Vélez Sarsfield in 2017.[3] [5]
.[8]