Pablo Armero

Pablo Armero
Pablo Estífer Armero (born 2 November 1986) is a Colombian former footballer who played as a left back. He is known in Colombia by the nickname "Miñía", reportedly after a phrase commonly used to call infants in his hometown.
Club career
Palmeiras
After his performance with Colombia, and having helped América de Cali win their 13th championship, Armero was loaned to Palmeiras, his agent Turbo Sports holding the registration rights through Poços de Caldas. He was signed in early 2009, and was the first choice for Palmeiras left-back position. He helped Palmeiras reach the São Paulo State Championship semi-finals before losing to Santos FC. He was noticed for his speed and crossing abilities and played many matches helping Palmeiras lead in the Brazilian Série A. His only goal for Palmeiras came in a 4–1 win against Náutico in July 2009.
Having signed a pre-contract, Armero almost joined the Serie A side Parma in July 2010, but the deal collapsed on 3 July. Parma's lack of non-EU registration quota, reflected in the new ruling announced on 2 July, forced the contract to be terminated and obligated the club to pay a sum to the player. Instead, Parma signed Zé Eduardo. It was reported that Palmeiras bought 20% economic rights, (date unknown) and the non-dividable registration rights in June 2010. made Palmeiras would receive 20% transfer fee.
Udinese
On 28 August 2010, Udinese signed Armero. He became a left wingback ahead Giovanni Pasquale in Udinese's 3–5–2 formation (or a 5–3–2 formation). That season Udinese finished fourth and returned to the UEFA Champions League.
Due to Udinese's UEFA coefficient, Udinese paired with seeded team Arsenal of the English Premier League. The team changed tactics, and Armero played as a left-sided wingback in its 4–4–1–1 formation, with new-signing Neuton playing new left-back. After his successful Serie A debut and following his appearances in European football, Armero was selected into the Serie A Team of the Year for the 2010–11 season.
Armero was rested for the first round of 2011–12 Serie A and started in his first UEFA Europa League match on 15 September. With the team changing its tactics back to 3–5–2, Armero remained left wing-back, also scoring the winning goal.
Napoli
On 9 January 2013, Armero joined Napoli on loan until the end of the season, with the option to make a permanent switch in the summer. He mostly made his appearances coming off the bench for the remainder of the 2012–13 season. During the 2013 summer transfer window, Napoli made the permanent move for a reported €4 million.
West Ham United (loan)
On 31 January 2014, Armero completed his loan move to West Ham United until the end of the season. He made his West Ham debut on 15 March in a 3–1 away defeat to Stoke City. With West Ham already losing 3–1, he was an 83rd-minute substitute for Andy Carroll. He played five league games for West Ham before his loan ended. His final game came on 19 April 2014 in a 1–0 home defeat by Crystal Palace. The only goal of the game was a penalty conceded by Armero whose performance was criticised by manager Sam Allardyce.
Return to Udinese and loan to Milan
On 20 June 2014, Udinese announced they had signed back Armero, a season after he left to Napoli.
On 11 August 2014, the club announced his loan move to Milan for the 2014–15 season.
Back to Brazil and loan to Flamengo
On 9 April 2015, he was loaned again, this time to Flamengo, until the end of the year. He debuted in a match against Avaí for the third round of the Brasileirão 2015.
Return to Udinese
Armero rejoined Italian club Udinese for the 2015–16 season, where he has mostly appeared as a substitute
CSA
Armero joined Brazilian club CSA on 17 March 2019, but was released only two months later after being spotted on a nightclub in the eve of a league match.
International career
Armero played for the Colombian under-17 team in the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship and was promoted to the senior team in 2008 for his form with América de Cali. He received his first cap in Colombia's 5–2 win over Venezuela and has won the spot of starting left-back for the national team. In March 2013, he scored his first goal for Colombia in a 5–0 victory over Bolivia.
In June 2014, he was named in Colombia's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals. Armero scored Colombia's first goal in a 3–0 win against Greece in the team's opening group game.
International goals
Scores and results lists Colombia's goal tally first.
Style of play
Described as a "box-to-box player" ("tuttocampista," in Italian) in the media, Armero is known for his versatility, team–play, and work-rate, and is capable of playing in several midfield positions; he has been used as a left–sided midfielder, as an attacking midfielder, or as an offensive–minded central midfielder, known as the mezzala role, in Italian football jargon, and has even been used as a left-back.
Honours
Club
América de Cali
Categoría Primera A: 2008–II
Bahia
Copa do Nordeste: 2017
Individual
Serie A Team of the Year: 2010–11
References
External links
CBF Contract Record
1986 births
Living people
Men's association football wingers
Men's association football fullbacks
Colombian men's footballers
Colombia men's international footballers
América de Cali footballers
Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras players
Udinese Calcio players
AC Milan players
SSC Napoli players
West Ham United F.C. players
CR Flamengo footballers
Esporte Clube Bahia players
Centro Sportivo Alagoano players
Guarani FC players
Categoría Primera A players
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A players
Campeonato Brasileiro Série B players
Serie A players
Premier League players
Colombian expatriate men's footballers
Expatriate men's footballers in Brazil
Expatriate men's footballers in Italy
2011 Copa América players
2014 FIFA World Cup players
2015 Copa América players
Expatriate men's footballers in England
Colombian expatriate sportspeople in England
Footballers from Tumaco
Colombian people of African descent