Emiliano Velázquez

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Velázquez and the second or maternal family name is Maldonado.

Emiliano Daniel Velázquez Maldonado (born 30 April 1994) is an Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Nacional.

Emiliano Velázquez

Velázquez with Rayo Vallecano in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Emiliano Daniel Velázquez Maldonado[1]
Date of birth	(1994-04-30) 30 April 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth	Montevideo, Uruguay
Height	1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Centre back
Team information
Current team	Nacional
Number	2
Youth career
	Danubio
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2012–2014	Danubio	58	(2)
2014–2018	Atlético Madrid	0	(0)
2014–2016	→ Getafe (loan)	38	(4)
2016–2017	→ Braga (loan)	6	(0)
2017–2018	→ Rayo Vallecano (loan)	25	(2)
2018–2021	Rayo Vallecano	42	(0)
2021–2022	Santos	23	(0)
2022–2023	Juárez	9	(0)
2023–	Nacional	9	(0)
International career‡
2008–2009	Uruguay U15	20	(1)
2010–2011	Uruguay U17	39	(3)
2012–2013	Uruguay U20	24	(1)
2014	Uruguay	1	(0)
Medal record Representing  Uruguay Men's Football FIFA U-20 World Cup Runner-up 2013 Turkey South American U-20 Championship 2013 Argentina FIFA U-17 World Cup Runner-up 2011 Mexico South American U-17 Championship Runner-up 2011 Ecuador
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 September 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 October 2014

Club career

Danubio

Born in Montevideo, Velázquez graduated from local Danubio F.C.'s youth system, and made his first-team debut on 3 June 2012, starting and being sent off in a 2–1 away loss against C.A. Bella Vista.^[2] It was his maiden appearance of the campaign.

Velázquez appeared regularly in the 2012–13 season, appearing in 24 matches (all starts, 2106 minutes of action), as his side finished dead last in Apertura but was fifth in Clausura. On 31 August 2013, he scored his first professional goal, netting the last of a 2–1 away win against Liverpool F.C. Montevideo;^[3] he was an ever-present figure during the club's winning campaign.

Atlético Madrid

On 27 August 2014, Velázquez signed a five-year deal with Atlético Madrid,^[4] and the following day he was loaned to Getafe CF for the 2014–15 season.^[5] He made his La Liga debut on 28 September, starting in a 1–0 home win against Málaga CF.^[6]

Velázquez scored his first goal in the main category of Spanish football on 21 December, netting the last in a 1–1 draw at Granada CF.^[7] After contributing with 27 appearances and avoiding relegation, his loan was extended for another year on 2 July 2015.^[8]

After an unassuming loan spell at Primeira Liga side S.C. Braga, Velázquez returned to Getafe on 26 July 2017, also in a one-year loan deal.^[9] On 24 August, however, he joined Segunda División club Rayo Vallecano on a season-long loan from the latter.^[10]

Rayo Vallecano

After contributing with two goals in 25 appearances as Rayo achieved promotion to the top tier as champions, Velázquez signed a three-year contract with the club on 23 July 2018.^[11] He would be mainly used as a backup to Jordi Amat and Abdoulaye Ba during the 2018–19 season, as the Franjirrojos were immediately relegated back.

In July 2019, Velázquez suffered a serious knee injury^[12] which sidelined him for most of the campaign. He returned to action nearly a year later,^[13] and subsequently became a regular starter under Andoni Iraola as the club achieved another promotion in 2021.^[14]

Santos

Velázquez playing for Santos in 2022

On 30 August 2021, Velázquez signed a contract with Brazilian club Santos until the end of 2022.^[15] He made his club debut on 18 September, starting in a 0–0 away draw against Ceará.

On 5 July 2022, Velázquez terminated his contract with Santos.^[16]

Juárez

On 12 July 2022, Velázquez switched teams and countries again, after signing for Liga MX side Juárez.^[17]

Nacional

On 8 September 2023, Velázquez moved to his home country after 9 years to play for Nacional.^[18]

International career

Velázquez appeared with Uruguay under-17's in the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, being also his side's captain. He also played for the under-20's in 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup hosted in Turkey.

On 8 September 2013, Velázquez was called up to the main squad by manager Óscar Tabárez for a friendly against Colombia.^[19] He only made his full international debut on 10 October of the following year, starting in a 1–1 draw against Saudi Arabia at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah.^[20]

Personal life

Velázquez's older brother Matías is also a footballer. A right back, he also represented Danubio.^[21]

In September 2020, Velázquez acquired the Spanish nationality after six years living in the country.^[22]

Career statistics

Club

As of 16 October 2023^[23]

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		State League		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Danubio	2011–12	Primera División	1	0	—		—		—		—		1	0
	2012–13		24	0	—		0	0	—		—		24	0
	2013–14		32	2	—		—		—		—		32	2
	2014–15		1	0	—		1[a]	0	—		—		2	0
	Total		58	2	—		1	0	—		—		59	2
Atlético Madrid	2014–15	La Liga	0	0	0	0	—		—		—		0	0
Getafe (loan)	2014–15	La Liga	27	1	5	0	—		—		—		32	1
	2015–16		11	3	0	0	—		—		—		11	3
	Total		38	4	5	0	—		—		—		43	4
Braga (loan)	2016–17	Primeira Liga	6	0	1	0	2[b]	1	—		2[c]	1	11	2
Rayo Vallecano	2017–18	Segunda División	25	2	1	0	—		—		—		26	2
	2018–19	La Liga	18	0	2	0	—		—		—		20	0
	2019–20	Segunda División	2	0	0	0	—		—		—		2	0
	2020–21		22	0	3	0	—		—		3[d]	0	28	0
	Total		67	2	6	0	—		—		3	0	76	2
Santos	2021	Série A	10	0	—		—		—		—		10	0
	2022		9	0	1	0	3[a]	0	4[e]	0	—		17	0
	Total		19	0	1	0	3	0	4	0	—		27	0
Juárez	2022–23	Liga MX	9	0	—		—		—		—		9	0
Nacional	2023	Primera División	0	0	—		—		—		—		0	0
Career total			197	8	13	0	6	1	4	0	5	1	225	10

1. Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana
2. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
3. Appearance(s) in Taça da Liga
4. Appearance(s) in Segunda División play-offs
5. Appearance(s) in Campeonato Paulista

International

As of 22 August 2021^[23][24]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Uruguay	2014	1	0
Total		1	0

Honours

Rayo Vallecano

• Segunda División: 2017–18

References

1. "FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013 List of Players: Uruguay" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 23 June 2013. p. 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 June 2013.
2. "Bella Vista 2 – Danubio 1" (in Spanish). Futbol.com.uy. 3 June 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
3. "Danubio le dio vuelta" [Danubio gave it back] (in Spanish). Ovación Digital. 31 August 2013. Archived from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
4. "Agreement with Danubio for the transfer of Emiliano Velázquez". Atlético Madrid. 27 August 2014. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
5. "Velázquez azulón" [Velázquez azulón] (in Spanish). Getafe's official website. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
6. "El Getafe espanta fantasmas con la fuerza de Yoda" [Getafe scares off ghosts with Yoda's force] (in Spanish). Marca. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
7. "Pedro León y Velázquez rescatan un punto en Granada" [Pedro León and Velázquez rescue a point in Granada] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 21 December 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
8. "El Getafe cierra las cesiones de Medrán y Velázquez" [Getafe completes the loans of Medrán and Velázquez] (in Spanish). Marca. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
9. "Velázquez vuelve al Getafe" [Velázquez returns to Getafe] (in Spanish). Getafe CF. 26 July 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
10. "Emiliano Velázquez nuevo jugador del Rayo Vallecano" [Emiliano Velázquez new player of Rayo Vallecano] (in Spanish). Rayo Vallecano. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
11. "Velázquez nuevo jugador del Rayo Vallecano" [Velázquez new Rayo Vallecano player] (in Spanish). Rayo Vallecano. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
12. "La grave lesión de Velázquez trastoca la defensa del Rayo" [The serious injury of Velázquez disrupt the defense of Rayo] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
13. "Velázquez vuelve tras un año lesionado y Jémez tiene un refuerzo para el final liguero" [Velázquez returns after a year injured and Jémez has an addition for the league ending] (in Spanish). Marca. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
14. "Rayo Vallecano - Velázquez: Interés mutuo en renovar" [Rayo Vallecano - Velázquez: Mutual interest on renewing] (in Spanish). Marca. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
15. "Zagueiro Emiliano Velázquez é mais um reforço anunciado pelo Santos FC" [Stopper Emiliano Velázquez is another addition announced by Santos FC] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 30 August 2021. Archived from the original on 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
16. "Santos FC assina rescisão contratual amigável com zagueiro Emiliano Velázquez" [Santos FC agree on friendly contractual rescision with stopper Emiliano Velázquez] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
17. "OFICIAL: ¡Emiliano Velázquez es nuevo jugador de Bravos de Juárez!" [OFFICIAL: Emiliano Velázquez is the new player of Bravos de Juárez!] (in Spanish). Fox Sports. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
18. "Zaguero confirmado" [Centre-back confirmed] (in Spanish). Decano. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
19. Tabárez convoca a juveniles Gastón Silva y Emiliano Velázquez ante Colombia (Tabárez calls up young players Gastón Silva and Emiliano Velázquez against Colombia); ABC, 8 September 2013 (in Spanish)
20. "Uruguay empató 1–1 con Arabia Saudita en el retorno de Luis Suárez" [Uruguay drew 1–1 with Saudi Arabia in the return of Luis Suárez] (in Spanish). Goal.com. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
21. "Danubio con Renzo Pozzi y Matías Velázquez como caras nuevas" [Danubio with Renzo Pozzi and Matías Velázquez as new faces] (in Spanish). Tenfield. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
22. "Velázquez consigue la nacionalidad española y deja de ocupar plaza de extracomunitario" [Velázquez gets the Spanish nationality and is no longer on a foreign player registration] (in Spanish). Unión Rayo. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
23. Emiliano Velázquez at Soccerway. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
24. "Emiliano Velázquez". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 22 August 2021.

External links

• Profile at the Uruguayan Football Association website (in Spanish)