Lucas Zelarayán

Lucas Zelarayán
Lucas Manuel Zelarayán (born 20 June 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Saudi Pro League club Al-Fateh. Born in Argentina, he represents the Armenia national team.
Club career
Youth career and Belgrano
Born in Córdoba, Argentina, Zelarayán played his youth football at Las Estrellas, Universitario, and Atalaya, and is a Belgrano youth graduate. He made his senior debut on 25 April 2012, coming on as a second-half substitute for Lucas Parodi in a 2–1 away loss against Rosario Central, for the season's Copa Argentina.
Zelarayán made his Primera División debut on 1 March 2013, replacing Jorge Velázquez in a 2–0 away loss against Newell's Old Boys. His first professional goal came on 7 April of the following year, as he scored the winner in a 2–1 home defeat of River Plate.
On 5 December 2014, after becoming a regular starter, Zelarayán extended his contract until 2018.
On 5 December 2015, amid transfer speculation, Zelarayán played his last game for Belgrano, a game versus Colón in the Liguilla Pre Sudamericana, where he was given the captain's armband and an emotional farewell by the fans. Over 55,000 spectators chanted his name in unison to bid him farewell.
Tigres UANL
On 21 December 2015, Zelarayán agreed to a contract with Liga MX side Tigres UANL. He debuted for the club the following 10 January, replacing Rafael Sóbis in a 1–0 loss at Toluca.
Zelarayán scored his first goal abroad on 5 February 2016, netting the last in a 3–1 win at Chiapas. On 22 January 2017, he scored a brace in a 4–2 home win against América. On 6 March 2019, After a long absence of almost five months due to injury, Lucas Zelarayán made his return to the pitch with Tigres, coming on in the 83rd minute to seal a 3–0 aggregate victory against the Houston Dynamo in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Columbus Crew
On 20 December 2019, Zelarayán moved to Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew for $8 million. Zelarayán made his debut against New York City FC, scoring the match-winning goal in the 56th minute. He was named the league's Newcomer of the Year at the end of the 2020 regular season. In the 2020 MLS Cup final, Zelarayán scored two goals and assisted on another in Columbus' 3–0 win over Seattle Sounders FC to help them win their second ever MLS Cup title. Zelarayán was named the MLS Cup Most Valuable Player after his performance.
During the 2021 MLS season, Zelarayán scored a total of five free kick goals, with two of them coming in one game vs New York City FC. Both free kick goals turned out to be crucial for the Crew, as they ended up winning 2–1, with the game winning free kick coming in the 5th minute of second half stoppage time, which earned Zelarayán recognition as MLS Player of the Week. Zelarayán was named MLS Player of the Week a second time in the 2021 season after scoring 2 goals in a 3–1 victory against DC United. Zelarayán finished the year leading the club in both goals and assists with twelve and seven respectively. At the end of the season, it was announced that Zelarayán had signed a contract extension with the Crew, keeping him with Columbus through the 2024 Major League Soccer season with an option for 2025.
The 2022 season began promisingly for Zelarayán as he scored four goals in the first three games of the season, including a brace in a 3–3 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes. After a fast start in the month of March, which included being named MLS Player of the Month, recurring injury issues were a potential factor in his goalless streak, which lasted for 12 consecutive matches before he scored in the Hell Is Real derby against FC Cincinnati on 17 July. On 5 October, Zelarayán scored a 56-yard free kick, which gave him the record for the longest free-kick goal in Major League Soccer history. It also marked his 17th goal from outside of the penalty area since joining the league in 2020, a feat that more than doubled the next closest player.
During week two of the 2023 season, Zelarayán scored both of Columbus' goals in a 2–0 victory over D.C. United, earning the league's Player of the Week award in the process.
Al Fateh SC
On 31 July 2023, Zelarayán was transferred to Al Fateh SC of the Saudi Professional League for an undisclosed transfer fee.
International career
Born in Argentina, Zelarayán is of Armenian descent through his father. He received an invitation to represent the Armenia national team in June 2018. After accepting the invitation in October 2021, he made his debut for the team in a 1–1 draw against Iceland during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.
On 16 June 2023, he registered his first goals for Armenia in Euro 2024 qualifying, scoring twice in a 4–2 win against Wales.
Style of play
Lucas Zelarayán is a versatile attacking midfielder who has proven himself in a variety of positions, including on the wings and in the central midfield. With a reputation as a creative playmaker possessing exceptional technical ability and decision making, he is an expert at dismantling opposing defenses. Zelarayán's great sense of positioning on the field allows him to shoot from outside the box, dribble past defenders, and deliver final passes that unlock even the tightest of defenses. His ability to not only set up teammates, but set himself up to score as well makes him a vital component of his team's offense. In addition to his attacking prowess, Zelarayán is also a set-piece specialist, known for his superb free-kick taking ability. His talent for both keeping possession and slaloming through defenders make him an exceptionally dangerous player.
Personal life
Zelarayán is a fan of Belgrano, and grew up supporting them.
He lists his idols as Juan Román Riquelme and Paolo Frangipane.
Career statistics
Club
International
Scores and results list Armenia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zelarayán goal.
Honours
UANL
Liga MX: Apertura 2016, Apertura 2017, Clausura 2019
Campeón de Campeones: 2016, 2017, 2018
Campeones Cup: 2018
Columbus Crew
MLS Cup: 2020
Campeones Cup: 2021
Individual
MLS Newcomer of the Year: 2020
MLS Cup MVP: 2020
MLS All-Star: 2021, 2023
MLS Player of the Month: February/March 2022
References
External links
1992 births
Living people
Footballers from Córdoba, Argentina
Armenian men's footballers
Armenia men's international footballers
Argentine men's footballers
Armenian people of Argentine descent
Sportspeople of Argentine descent
Argentine people of Armenian descent
Men's association football midfielders
Argentine Primera División players
Club Atlético Belgrano footballers
Liga MX players
Major League Soccer players
Tigres UANL footballers
Columbus Crew players
Designated Players (MLS)
Saudi Pro League players
Al Fateh SC players
Armenian expatriate men's footballers
Argentine expatriate men's footballers
Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Mexico
Expatriate men's footballers in Mexico
Armenian expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Argentine expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia
Expatriate men's footballers in Saudi Arabia