Luciano Figueroa
This article uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Figueroa and the second or maternal family name is Herrera.
Luciano Gabriel Figueroa Herrera
(1981-05-19) 19 May 1981 (age 38)
Santa Fe, Argentina
1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Johor Darul Ta'zim (manager)
Senior career*
Team Apps (Gls)
Rosario Central 57 (35)
Birmingham City 1 (0)
Cruz Azul 33 (21)
Villarreal 26 (5)
River Plate 7 (3)
Genoa 23 (3)
→ Boca Juniors (loan) 17 (7)
Emelec 34 (14)
Johor Darul Ta'zim 36 (23)
Johor Darul Ta'zim 4 (2)
National team‡
Argentina 15 (9)
Johor Darul Ta'zim
Representing Argentina
2004 Athens Team Competition
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 December 2015
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 October 2014
Luciano Gabriel "Lucho" Figueroa Herrera (Spanish pronunciation: [luˈsjano fiɣeˈɾoa]; born 19 May 1981) is an Argentine former professional footballer who last played as a forward for Johor Darul Ta'zim of the Malaysia Super League. He is currently working as team manager and head coach for Johor Darul Ta'zim.
1 Club career
1.1 Villarreal
1.2 Genoa
1.3 Rosario Central
1.4 Panathinaikos
1.5 Johor Darul Ta'zim
2 International career
3 Honours
3.1 Player
3.1.1 Club
3.1.2 International
3.1.3 Individual
3.2 Manager
Figueroa was born in Santa Fe. He began his professional career with Primera División club Rosario Central, where he formed a partnership with César Delgado. In the 2003 Clausura, Figueroa finished as Argentina's leading goalscorer with 17 goals,[2] including scoring five in the last match of the season against an under-strength Boca Juniors.[3] This was his last season at Rosario Central. Both he and Delgado transferred overseas in the summer of 2003, with Figueroa joining English Premier League club Birmingham City for a fee of £2.5 million.[4]
Controversy arose when Spanish club Osasuna claimed that Figueroa had signed a contract with them before his move to Birmingham, thereby invalidating the transfer.[5] At the end of August 2003 FIFA ruled provisionally in Birmingham's favour,[6] but it was not until October that this ruling was finally confirmed.[7] Figueroa had been close to joining Rangers earlier that summer but the Glasgow club pulled out of the deal.[8]
Though Figueroa was scoring freely for Birmingham's reserve team, manager Steve Bruce believed he would struggle in the Premiership due to his physique.[9] After only one League appearance, as a late substitute in a 2–0 defeat of Portsmouth,[10] and one outing in the League Cup,[11] his contract was annulled,[12] and he signed for Cruz Azul of the Primera División de México, where he was reunited with former teammate Delgado.
After a slow start, Figueroa returned to his old form with Cruz Azul, scoring 9 goals in the last 7 games of the 2004 Clausura. He maintained his form in the 2004 Apertura, scoring 10 goals in 14 games for the club.[citation needed]
His exceptional performances for Cruz Azul led to a transfer to Spain, where he signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with Villarreal in November 2004.[13] The transfer fee was officially undisclosed, but was estimated in the media as €3 million.[14]
Figueroa made less of an impact at Villarreal. Even so, he helped the club to a third-place finish in La Liga in the 2004–05 season and contributed in the early rounds of Villarreal's progression to the semi-final of the 2005–06 Champions League – including scoring the club's first ever Champions League goal, against Everton in the third qualifying round.[citation needed]
In January 2006, apparently concerned that his lack of playing time would adversely affect his chances of selection for Argentina at the 2006 World Cup,[15] Figueroa returned to his home country. He joined River Plate, who bought 50% of the rights to the player.[16] He started well there, scoring three goals in his first seven games of the 2006 Clausura, but on 5 March 2006 he suffered a cruciate ligament injury which effectively put an end to his career with River.[citation needed]
On 1 August 2006, Villarreal sold Figueroa to Genoa of Serie B for a reported $13-million fee. He signed a four-year contract with the club.[17] Though still not fully recovered from his injury, medical opinion was that Figueroa should have been able to play again by mid-October. However it became clear that the knee reconstruction had not been completely successful and that another operation would be needed. It was predicted that this further surgery would keep him from playing that season.[18]
Figueroa eventually made his debut for Genoa, by this time in Serie A, on 28 October 2007 as a second-half substitute against Fiorentina,[19] and scored his first goal for the club some six weeks later, a stoppage time consolation in a 3–1 defeat at home to Siena.[20]
Figueroa was loaned from Genoa to Boca Juniors in October 2008. He played an important role during the Torneo Apertura by scoring important goals as the title race was between Boca Juniors, Tigre and San Lorenzo, who were level on points at the top of the table. Eventually, Figueroa's performances helped Boca to win the Torneo Apertura.[citation needed]
After Genoa released the player, he returned to his first club, Rosario Central. After passing a medical examination on his knee, he signed a two-and-a-half-year contract on 20 January 2010.[21][22][23]
On 6 February 2013, he was released on a free transfer by Emelec and joined Greek club Panathinaikos until the end of the season. He made his debut in a crucial game against AEK Athens that Panathinaikos won 2–0. On 9 March 2013 he scored his first goal for the Greens, with a successful penalty kick against AO Kerkyra. He scored a goal in an away match against Olympiacos in a match that ended 1–1.
It was reported in June 2013 that Figueroa was to sign for Brazilian Série A side Náutico, but the deal fell through.[24]
On 12 September 2013, Figueroa signed once again with the Greens for one year.[25]
Figueroa signed a three-year contract, reportedly worth $1.5 million annually, with Malaysia Super League team Johor Darul Ta'zim in December 2013. The transfer fee was $1 million.[26] Figueroa scored his first goal in the 88th minute after a through pass from Safiq Rahim to give Johor Darul Ta'zim their first win, 2–0 against Perak FA in the season opener. His previous experiences with clubs in Europe and South America helped Johor Darul Ta'zim to win their first league title in the 2014 season with 11 league goals (22 goals overall).
On 22 August 2015, he won his second league title with Johor. On 31 October 2015, Figueroa won the club's first-ever AFC Cup title after defeating Istiklol 1–0 in the final.
After his playing contract with Johor Darul Ta'zim ended in 2015, Figueroa then decided to retire as a football player. In 2017, he returned to become the new Johor Darul Ta'zim football club ambassador. On 20 November 2017, Figueroa comes out of retirement to play for Johor Darul Ta'zim in the 2018 Malaysia Super League.[27] In May 2018, he returned to his ambassadorial role and retire again as a professional football player.[28] In August 2018, Figueroa was appointed as the team manager of Johor Darul Ta'zim.[29] Club owner Tunku Ismail Ibrahim later also announced Figueroa as head coach of JDT, with JDT II head coach Benjamin Mora as his assistant.[30]
2005 FIFA Confederations Cup Final
Figueroa has appeared for the Argentina national football team while playing for Cruz Azul and Villarreal, performing impressively in the Copa América 2004 and the 2005 Confederations Cup – where only the Brazilian Adriano outscored him – and was part of the gold medal-winning Argentina team at the 2004 Summer Olympics. At international level, he boasts a strike-rate of 60%, with 9 goals from 15 appearances, the same stats as Martín Palermo. The cruciate injury deprived him of the chance to represent his country at the 2006 World Cup.[15]
Primera División: 2008 Apertura
Malaysia Super League: 2014, 2015, 2018
Malaysia Cup: Runner-up 2014
Piala Sumbangsih: 2015, 2018
AFC Cup: 2015
Olympic Gold Medal: 2004
CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament: 2004
Copa América: Runner-up 2004
FIFA Confederations Cup: Runner-up 2005
Primera División Top Scorer: 2003 Clausura
PFAM Player of the Month: July 2015
FAM Football Awards Best Foreign Player: 2015
Piala Sumbangsih: 2019
Malaysia Super League: 2019
Malaysia Cup: 2019
^ "FIFA Confederations Cup: Argentina". FIFA. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
^ Castro Serna, Emmanuel (2 July 2005). "Argentina – List of Topscorers". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Retrieved 19 July 2007.
^ "Boca celebrate in one stadium, routed 7–2 in another". Sports Illustrated. 6 July 2003. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
^ "Figueroa joins Blues". BBC Sport. 23 July 2003. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
^ Esteva, Robert (18 August 2003). "Confusion over Figueroa deal". 365 Media Group. Press Association. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
^ Nursey, James (20 August 2003). "Blues win first round in Fig fight". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 19 July 2007.
^ Nursey, James (29 October 2003). "Figueroa cleared to flourish at Blues". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 19 July 2007.
^ "Agent disgusted by Rangers". BBC Sport. 10 July 2003. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
^ Scott, Ged (24 December 2003). "Figueroa flops back across the Atlantic". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 19 July 2007.
^ "Blues inflict Pompey defeat". BBC Sport. 27 September 2003. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
^ "Blackpool 1–0 Birmingham". BBC Sport. 23 September 2003. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
^ Tattum, Colin (24 December 2006). "Blues write off £2.5m Lucho". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 19 July 2007.
^ "El internacional argentino Luciano Figueroa, nuevo jugador del Villarreal C.F." [The Argentina international Luciano Figueroa, Villarreal's new player] (in Spanish). Villarreal CF. 24 November 2004. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
^ "El Villarreal ficha al internacional argentino Luciano Figueroa" [Villarreal sign Argentina international Luciano Figueroa]. Terra Deportes (in Spanish). EFE. 24 November 2004. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
^ a b "Figueroa upbeat despite tough break". FIFA World Cup 2006 Official Site. FIFA. 18 April 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2007.
^ "Villarreal sign Franco, Figueroa moves to River Plate". ESPNsoccernet. Reuters. 18 January 2006. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
^ "Luciano Figueroa se incorpora al Génova" [Luciano Figueroa joins Genoa] (in Spanish). Esmas. Associated Press. 1 August 2006. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
^ "La mala racha continúa" [The bad luck goes on] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 22 November 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2007.
^ "Genoa 0–0 Fiorentina". Football Italia. Channel 4. 28 October 2007. Archived from the original on 27 November 2007.
^ "Genoa 1–3 Siena". Football Italia. Channel 4. 9 December 2007. Archived from the original on 10 December 2007.
^ "Rosario Central afronta su segundo amistoso" [Rosario Central face their second friendly] (in Spanish). CA Rosario Central. 19 January 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
^ "Luciano Figueroa firmó el contrato que lo vincula a Rosario Central" [Luciano Figueroa signs the contract that ties him to Rosario Central] (in Spanish). CA Rosario Central. 20 January 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
^ "Figueroa leaves Genoa for home". UEFA. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
^ Freitas, Paulo (13 June 2013). "Luciano Figueroa transfer to Náutico falls through". Sambafoot. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
"Lucho Figueroa alega problemas pessoais e não assina com o Náutico" [Lucho Figueroa cites personal problems and isn't signing for Náutico] (in Portuguese). UOL. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
^ Wood, Graham (13 September 2013). "Former Argentina striker Figueroa re-signs for Panathinaikos". Yahoo! News. Reuters. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
^ "Panathinaikos's Figueroa moves to Malaysia". FIFA. AFP. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
^ "Figueroa comes out of retirement to play for Southern Tigers". The Star. 20 November 2017.
^ http://www.goal.com/en/news/johor-darul-tazim-eyeing-new-striker-place-luciano-figueroa/1xlftqd12nyn11baa36dsw0utt
^ https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/figueroa-built-succeed-new-jdt-manager
^ https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/tmj-figueroa-will-be-given-time-prove-himself-jdt
Luciano Figueroa – Argentine Primera statistics at Fútbol XXI (in Spanish)
Luciano Figueroa at Soccerbase
Statistics at Guardian Stats Centre
Player profile and stats at FootballDatabase
Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C. – current squad
1 Farizal
3 Adam
4 Afiq
5 Elizari
6 António
7 Aidil
8 Diogo
9 Hazwan
10 Safawi
11 Cabrera
12 Kunalan
13 Gary
14 Hariss (c)
16 Syamer Kutty
17 Aarón Ñíguez
18 Márquez
20 Azrif
21 Nazmi
22 Corbin-Ong
23 K. Insa
24 Izham
26 Haziq
27 Fadhli
28 Syafiq
30 N. Insa
33 Maurício
Manager: Figueroa
Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C. – Head coaches
Smith (1998–99)
Stowell (1999–2001)
Carizzo (2002–2005)
Ramlan (2005–2010)
Azuan (2011)
Devan (2012)
Sazali (interim) (2012)
Fandi (2012–13)
Azmi (interim) (2013)
Ferrando (2013–14)
Magić (interim) (2014)
Hodak (2014–15)
Gómez (2015–17)
Mora (2017)
Morais (2017–18)
Longhi (interim) (2018)
Figueroa (2018–)
Argentina squads
Argentina squad – 2004 Copa América runners-up
1 Abbondanzieri
2 Ayala (c)
3 Sorín
4 Quiroga
5 Mascherano
6 Heinze
7 Saviola
8 Zanetti
9 Figueroa
10 D'Alessandro
11 Tevez
12 Cavallero
13 Placente
14 Rodriguez
15 Fernández
16 L. González
17 M. González
18 K. González
19 Delgado
20 Medina
21 Rosales
22 Coloccini
Coach: Bielsa
Argentina men's football squad – 2004 Summer Olympics – Gold medal
1 Caballero
3 Fernández
4 Coloccini
8 Delgado
11 K. Gonzalez
14 Rodríguez
16 L. González
17 M. González
18 Lux
Argentina squad – 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup runners-up
1 Franco
3 Sorín (c)
5 Cambiasso
7 Tevez
8 Riquelme
10 Aimar
13 G. Rodríguez
14 Milito
17 Bernardi
18 Santana
19 M. Rodríguez
20 Demichelis
21 Figueroa
22 Galletti
23 Caballero
Coach: Pékerman
Argentine Primera División top scorers
1891: Archer
1893: Leslie
1894: Gifford
1895: (No records)
1896: Allen / Anderson
1897: Stirling
1899: Hooton
1900: Leonard
1901: Dorning
1902: J. Brown
1904: A. Brown
1905: T. González / Lett
1906: E. Brown / Hooton / Lawrie / Whalley
1907: E. Brown
1910: A. W. Hutton
1911: Malbrán / E. Lett / Piaggio
1912: Ohaco
1912 FAF: Colla
1913 FAF: Dannaher
1914 FAF: Carabelli
1916: Hiller
1917: Marcovecchio
1918: Zabaleta
1919: Garasino / Martín
1919 AAm: Marcovecchio
1920: Lucarelli
1920 AAm: Carreras
1921: Dannaher
1921 AAm: Zabaleta
1922: Clarke / Tarasconi
1922 AAm: Seoane
1923: Tarasconi
1923 AAm: Barceló
1924 AAm: Lucarelli / Ravaschino
1925: Gaslini
1925 AAm: Bellomo
1926: Cherro
1929: Cortese / Seoane
1931: Zozaya
1932: B. Ferreyra
1933: Varallo
1934: Barrera
1935: Cosso
1937: Erico
1940: Benítez Cáceres / Lángara
1941: Canteli
1942: Martino
1943: Arrieta / Labruna / Frutos
1944: Mellone
1945: Labruna
1946: Boyé
1947: Di Stéfano
1948: Santos
1949: Simes / Pizzuti
1950: Papa
1951: Vernazza
1952: Ricagni
1953: Pizzuti / Benavídez
1954: Berni / Conde / Borello
1955: Massei
1956: Castro / Grillo
1957: Zárate
1958: Sanfilippo
1962: Artime
1964: Veira
1965: Carone
Met 1967: B. Acosta
Nac 1967: Artime
Met 1968: Obberti
Nac 1968: Wehbe
Met 1969: Machado
Nac 1969: Fischer / Bulla
Met 1970: Más
Nac 1970: Bianchi
Met 1971: Bianchi
Nac 1971: Obberti / Luñiz
Met 1972: Brindisi
Nac 1972: Morete
Met 1973: Más / Curioni / Peña
Nac 1973: Gómez Voglino
Met 1974: Morete
Nac 1974: Kempes
Met 1975: Scotta
Nac 1975: Scotta
Met 1976: Kempes
Nac 1976: Eresuma / L. Ludueña / Marchetti
Met 1977: C. Alvarez
Nac 1977: Letanú
Met 1978: Maradona / Andreucci
Nac 1978: Reinaldi
Met 1979: Maradona / Fortunato
Nac 1979: Maradona
Met 1980: Maradona
Met 1981: Chaparro
Nac 1982: M. Juárez
Nac 1983: Husillos
Met 1983: Ramos
Nac 1984: Pasculli
Met 1984: Francescoli
Nac 1985: Comas
1985–86: Francescoli
1986–87: Palma
1987–88: J. L. Rodríguez
1988–89: Dertycia / Gorosito
1989–90: Cozzoni
1990–91: González
Ap 1991: Díaz
Cl 1992: Scotto / Latorre
Ap 1992: A. Acosta
Cl 1993: da Silva
Ap 1993: Martínez
Cl 1994: Espina / Crespo
Ap 1994: Francescoli
Cl 1995: Flores
Ap 1995: Calderón
Cl 1996: A. López
Ap 1996: Reggi
Cl 1997: Martínez
Ap 1997: da Silva
Cl 1998: Sosa
Ap 1998: Palermo
Cl 1999: Calderón
Ap 1999: Saviola
Cl 2000: Fuertes
Ap 2000: Ángel
Cl 2001: Romeo
Ap 2001: Cardetti
Cl 2002: Cavenaghi
Ap 2002: Silvera
Cl 2003: Figueroa
Ap 2003: Farías
Cl 2004: Rolando Zárate
Ap 2004: L. López
Cl 2005: Pavone
Ap 2005: Cámpora
Cl 2006: Vargas
Ap 2006: M. Zárate / Palacio
Cl 2007: Palermo
Ap 2007: Denis
Cl 2008: Cvitanich
Ap 2008: Sand
Cl 2009: Sand
Ap 2009: Silva
Cl 2010: Boselli
Ap 2010: Stracqualursi / Silva
Cl 2011: Cámpora / Gutiérrez
Ap 2011: Ramírez
Cl 2012: Luna
In 2012: F. Ferreyra / Scocco
Fi 2013: Gigliotti / Scocco
In 2013: Pereyra
Fi 2014: M. Zárate
Tr 2014: Pratto / M. Rodríguez / Romero
2015: Ruben
2016: Sand
2016–17: Benedetto
2017–18: García
2018–19: L. López