# Javier Méndez (footballer, born 1982)

Heber Javier Méndez Leiva (born 6 November 1982) is a Uruguayan professional football coach and a former player who played as a defender or midfielder. He is the current manager of Progreso.

## Career

Méndez started his career with Progreso, featuring for the club for five years from 2003 in both the Segunda División and Primera División; with the team winning promotion in 2005–06. Moves to top-flight Central Español and second tier El Tanque Sisley followed, along with twenty-five appearances and two goals. On 18 September 2010, Méndez signed for Campeonato Brasileiro Série B side Paraná. After being an unused substitute for matches with Portuguesa and São Caetano, Méndez made his debut against ASA on 13 November. He played in four Serie B games in 2010 and 2011, as well as playing seven times in the Campeonato Paranaense.
In May 2011, Méndez signed with Campeonato Paranaense lower league team Agex/Iguaçu. Top tier J. Malucelli, then known as Corinthians Paranaense, signed him five months later, with Méndez making seventeen appearances in the state league as they finished ninth overall. Méndez completed a return to Uruguay with Cerrito on 3 October 2012. Méndez joined Cerro ahead of the 2013–14 Primera División season, prior to spending the following campaign in Cerro Largo's ranks. He was sent off three times across twenty matches with Cerro Largo, which matched his goal tally for them. A move to Rentistas was completed in mid-2015.
Having suffered relegation from the Primera División with Rentistas, Méndez left to rejoin Progreso of the Segunda División on 18 August 2016. One goal in twenty-seven fixtures occurred in 2017 as they were promoted to the 2018 Primera División. Despite making just two starts due to injury in 2018, Méndez signed a new contract with Progreso in December.

## Career statistics

    As of 11 January 2019.
Club statistics :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Cup | Cup | Continental | Continental | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Central Español | 2008–09 | Primera División | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| El Tanque Sisley | 2009–10 | Segunda División | 18 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 18 | 2 |
| Paraná | 2010 | Série B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Paraná | 2011 | Série B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Paraná | Total | Total | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| J. Malucelli | 2011 | Campeonato Paranaense | — | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 17 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Cerrito | 2012–13 | Segunda División | 17 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 17 | 2 |
| Cerro | 2013–14 | Primera División | 16 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| Cerro Largo | 2014–15 | Segunda División | 20 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 20 | 3 |
| Rentistas | 2015–16 | Primera División | 18 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| Progreso | 2016 | Segunda División | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Progreso | 2017 | Segunda División | 24 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| Progreso | 2018 | Primera División | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Progreso | 2019 | Primera División | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Progreso | Total | Total | 38 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | 41 | 1 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 138 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 27 | 0 | 166 | 6 |
* 1 2 Appearance(s) in the Campeonato Paranaense
* ↑ Appearance(s) in the Segunda División play-offs

## Honours
### Progreso

* Segunda División: 2005–06

### El Tanque Sisley

* Segunda División: 2009–10