Antonio de Nigris

Antonio de Nigris Guajardo (Spanish pronunciation: [anˈtonjo ðe ˈniɣɾis]; 1 April 1978 – 15 November 2009) was a Mexican professional footballer who played as a striker.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is De Nigris and the second or maternal family name is Guajardo.
Antonio de Nigris
de Nigris training with Mexico
Personal information
Full name Antonio de Nigris Guajardo
Date of birth (1978-04-01)1 April 1978
Place of birth Monterrey, Mexico
Date of death 15 November 2009(2009-11-15) (aged 31)
Place of death Larissa, Greece
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1995–1999 Monterrey
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2002 Monterrey 65 (37)
2002 América 3 (0)
2003 → Villarreal (loan) 15 (2)
2003–2004 Poli Ejido 31 (2)
2004 Once Caldas 19 (1)
2004–2005 Puebla 13 (1)
2005 UNAM 15 (2)
2006 Monterrey 1 (0)
2006 Santos 2 (1)
2006–2007 Gaziantepspor 39 (15)
2008 Ankaraspor 25 (7)
2009 Ankaragücü 14 (2)
2009 AEL 7 (0)
Total 248 (70)
International career
2001–2008 Mexico 17 (4)
Medal record
Representing  Mexico
Runner-upCopa America2001
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

During his career, which was cut short at 31 by a fatal heart attack,[1] he played in six countries, also representing twelve clubs in nine years.

Club career

Born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, de Nigris became interested in sports at a young age, and began his football career with C.F. Monterrey. In February 2003, he was loaned to Villarreal CF in Spain's La Liga, joining a team in 13th place but averaging under a goal a game.[2] He made his debut on 2 March, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute for Javier Farinós and scoring the last-minute winner for a 2–1 victory at home to Rayo Vallecano.[3]

De Nigris, who could play freely in the European Union due to his Italian passport, moved on a permanent deal to Polideportivo Ejido in the Segunda División in July 2003.[4] As with his time at Villarreal, he scored only twice in his one season in the province of Almería.[5]

De Nigris returned to the Americas with Once Caldas of Colombia, with whom, in the 2004 Intercontinental Cup, he scored in the penalty shootout defeat against F.C. Porto. After playing for Club Puebla, Club Universidad Nacional and Monterrey again back home, he was signed by Santos FC of Brazil on 20 March 2006,[6] making his debut against Brasiliense Futebol Clube in a Copa do Brasil match.

Later in 2006, de Nigris switched to Turkey, playing in quick succession for three teams in the country: Gaziantepspor, Ankaraspor and Ankaragücü. He was released from the latter due to heart problems, and his license was cancelled by the Turkish Football Federation. In 2009–10, he moved teams again, signing with Greek outfit AEL 1964 for two years.

International career

A Mexican international since 2001, de Nigris represented his nation at that year's Copa América. His debut came on 7 March in a friendly against Brazil in Guadalajara, scoring the 2–0 goal in an eventual 3–3 draw.[7] Eighteen days later he scored twice in a 4–0 home win over Jamaica in 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification.[8]

After a seven-year absence in the national squad, de Nigris was called by national coach Hugo Sánchez for a friendly match against the United States, on 6 February 2008. He underperformed in that match and was substituted, but would also appear against Ghana in London; he totalled 17 appearances with four goals until his death, at 31.[9]

Personal life

De Nigris' younger brother Aldo is also a footballer (also a striker, he too represented Monterrey and the national team), while older sibling Alfonso is an actor and model. He is also of Italian descent and was given the nickname Tano by his Italian grandfather.[10]

On 16 November 2009, Jorge Urdiales, president of former club Monterrey, confirmed de Nigris had died, apparently from a heart attack.[11]

Career statistics

International
As of match played 25 March 2008[12]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Mexico 2001144
200210
200820
Total174

International goals
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result CompetitionRef.
1.7 March 2001Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico Brazil2–03–3Friendly
2.25 March 2001Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico Jamaica1–04–02002 World Cup qualification
3.25 March 2001Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico Jamaica2–04–02002 World Cup qualification
4.23 August 2001Estadio Luis de la Fuente, Veracruz, Mexico Liberia5–45–4Friendly

References
  1. Larissa in mourning for de Nigris Archived 24 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Villarreal hope for striking change". UEFA. 25 February 2003. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  3. "De Nigris da el triunfo al Villarreal en el último minuto" [De Nigris gives Villarreal triumph in the last minute]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 2 March 2003. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  4. "Poli Ejido presenta a delantero mexicano De Nigris" [Poli Ejido present the Mexican forward De Nigris]. La Nación (in Spanish). 25 July 2003. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  5. "El Poli Ejido traslada su "más sentido pésame" por la muerte de su ex jugador" [Poli Ejido sends its "most sincere condolences" after the death of its former player]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 16 November 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  6. "De Nigris espera hacer goles y conseguir campeonatos con el Santos" [De Nigris hops to score goals and win championships with Santos] (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. 27 March 2003. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  7. "México revivió ante Brasil: 3-3" [Mexico revived against Brazil: 3-3] (in Spanish). Emol. 8 March 2003. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  8. Jones, Grahame L. (26 March 2001). "Mexico Recaptures Winning Feeling". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  9. Mexikos Nationalstürmer de Nigris gestorben (Mexican international striker de Nigris dead) (in German)
  10. De Nigris, otro golpe en el corazón (De Nigris, another blow to the heart) (in Spanish) Archived 20 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  11. El futbolista mexicano Antonio de Nigris falleció de un infarto (Mexican footballer Antonio de Nigris died from a heart attack) (in Spanish) Archived 4 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  12. Antonio de Nigris at National-Football-Teams.com
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