Marcelo Estigarribia


Marcelo Alejandro Estigarribia Balmori is a Paraguayan footballer who plays as a left winger for Club Atlético Colón on loan from Deportivo Maldonado.
Estigarribia has been known since youth as Chelo, as a diminutive of his name Marcelo. He also has an Italian passport by way of his mother. At club level, Estigarribia has played for teams in Paraguay, France, Uruguay, Argentina, Italy, and Mexico. At international level, he has represented the Paraguay national football team, and was member of the squad that finished second at the 2011 Copa América.

Biography

Estigarribia was born and raised in Fernando de la Mora, one kilometer away from the Paraguayan capital Asunción. He comes from a strongly Catholic family.

Club career

Club Unión Pacífico

Estigarribia started his career in the youth divisions of Club Unión Pacífico before moving to Sport Colombia where he made his professional debut at the age of 17.

Le Mans

In 2006, Estigarribia moved to Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño, and in August 2008 he was transferred to Le Mans of the Ligue 1.

Newell's Old Boys

On 27 December 2009, Estigarribia signed for Newell's Old Boys on loan from Le Mans for 18 months. In June 2011, it was reported by the Daily Record that Scottish Premier League club Rangers were chasing Estigarribia when their boss Ally McCoist spent a week scouting in Argentina.

Juventus

On 28 August 2011, Estigarribia moved to Juventus F.C. on a season loan for a €500,000 fee, with an option of making the transfer permanent for €5 million at the end of the season, from a proxy club Deportivo Maldonado. He made his debut as a substitute against Chievo and got his first start against Genoa. He scored his first goal for Juventus against Napoli where the match ended in a 3–3 tie.

Sampdoria

On 4 August 2012, Estigarribia moved to U.C. Sampdoria on a season-long loan for a €700,000 fee, with the option of making his stay with Sampdoria permanent for €5 million at the end of the season. He made his debut with Blucerchiati against A.C. Milan, winning 0–1.

Chiapas

On 25 January 2017, Estigarribia joined Liga MX side Chiapas

Colón

On 22 August 2017, Estigarribia joined Argentine club Club Atlético Colón.

International career

Estigarribia received his first senior international cap for Paraguay in a friendly match against Ivory Coast on 22 May 2008. He scored his first international goal in a friendly match against South Africa on 31 March 2010. His performances in the 2011 Copa América, where Paraguay went on to reach the final of the tournament, only to lose out 3–0 to Uruguay, prompted Italian giants Juventus to make a move for him.

Career statistics

Club

International goals

Honours

Juventus