Antonio de Nigris
Encyclopedia
Antonio de Nigris Guajardo (1 April 1978 – 16 November 2009) was a Mexican
footballer who played as a striker.
During his career, which was cut short at 31 by a fatal heart attack
, he played in six different countries, also representing twelve clubs in nine years.
, Nuevo León
, de Nigris became interested in sports at a young age, and began his football career with C.F. Monterrey. He then played for two seasons in Spain
(first
and second divisions
), with little impact at Villarreal CF
and modest Polideportivo Ejido
, returning to Americas with Once Caldas
, with whom, in the 2004 Intercontinental Cup
, he scored in the penalty shootout defeat against F.C. Porto.
After another stint in Mexico
, de Nigris was signed by Santos Futebol Clube of Brazil
on 20 March 2006, making his debut against Brasiliense Futebol Clube
in a Brazilian Cup
match. However, in late 2006, he 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
.
outfit Larissa FC for two years. On 16 November 2009, Jorge Urdiales, president of former club Monterrey, confirmed de Nigris had died, apparently from a heart attack
.
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
, scoring the 2–0 in an eventual 3–3 draw.
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 16 appearances with four goals until his death, at 31.
| 1. || 7 March 2001 || Estadio Jalisco
, Guadalajara
, Mexico
|| || align=center|2–0 || align=center| 3–3 || Friendly
|-
| 2. || 25 March 2001 || Estadio Azteca
, Mexico City
, Mexico || || align=center|1–0 || align=center| 4–0 || 2002 World Cup qualification
|-
| 3. || 25 March 2001 || Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico || || align=center|2–0 || align=center| 4–0 || 2002 World Cup qualification
|-
| 4. || 23 August 2001 || Estadio Luis de la Fuente, Veracruz
, Mexico || || align=center|5–4 || align=center| 5–4 || Friendly
|}
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 was given the nickname Tano by his Italian
grandfather. He was survived by his wife and a five year-old daughter, named Miranda.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
footballer who played as a striker.
During his career, which was cut short at 31 by a fatal heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
, he played in six different countries, also representing twelve clubs in nine years.
Club career
Born in MonterreyMonterrey
Monterrey , is the capital city of the northeastern state of Nuevo León in the country of Mexico. The city is anchor to the third-largest metropolitan area in Mexico and is ranked as the ninth-largest city in the nation. Monterrey serves as a commercial center in the north of the country and is the...
, Nuevo León
Nuevo León
Nuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S...
, de Nigris became interested in sports at a young age, and began his football career with C.F. Monterrey. He then played for two seasons in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
(first
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
and second divisions
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
), with little impact at Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
and modest Polideportivo Ejido
Polideportivo Ejido
Club Polideportivo Ejido, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in El Ejido, Province of Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1969, it currently plays in Segunda División B – Group 4....
, returning to Americas with Once Caldas
Once Caldas
Corporación Deportiva Once Caldas is a Colombian association football team, based in Manizales. They were the surprise winners of Copa Libertadores de América in 2004, mainly due to the performances of Juan Carlos Henao and Jhon Viáfara...
, with whom, in the 2004 Intercontinental Cup
Intercontinental Cup (football)
The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
, he scored in the penalty shootout defeat against F.C. Porto.
After another stint in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, de Nigris was signed by Santos Futebol Clube of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
on 20 March 2006, making his debut against Brasiliense Futebol Clube
Brasiliense Futebol Clube
The Brasiliense Futebol Clube is a Brazilian football club, based in Taguatinga, Distrito Federal.Brasiliense wears yellow uniforms, hence one of its supporters' associations is named Febre Amarela...
in a Brazilian Cup
Copa do Brasil
The Copa Kia do Brasil, commonly known as Copa do Brasil , is a knockout competition played by 64 association football teams, representing all 26 Brazilian states plus the Federal District...
match. However, in late 2006, he switched to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, playing in quick succession for three teams in the country: Gaziantepspor
Gaziantepspor
Gaziantepspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Gaziantep. Formed in 1969, Gaziantepspor are nicknamed the Şahinler . The club colours are black and red, and they play their home matches at Kamil Ocak Stadyumu....
, Ankaraspor and Ankaragücü
Ankaragücü
MKE Ankaragücü is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Ankara. The club wears a yellow and navy kit and play their home matches at Ankara 19 Mayis....
. He was released from the latter due to heart problems, and his license was cancelled by the Turkish Football Federation
Turkish Football Federation
The Turkish Football Federation , also called the Turkish Football Association, is the governing body of football in Turkey. It was formed on 23 April 1923. It organizes the Turkish national teams and the Turkish football league. By 2004, there were 4,956 football clubs organized in Turkey, and a...
.
Death
In 2009–10, de Nigris moved teams again, signing with GreekGreece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
outfit Larissa FC for two years. On 16 November 2009, Jorge Urdiales, president of former club Monterrey, confirmed de Nigris had died, apparently from a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
.
International career
A MexicanMexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
international since 2001, de Nigris represented his nation at that year's Copa América
Copa América
The Copa América —previously known as South American Championship—is an international football competition contested between the men's national teams of CONMEBOL, the sport's continental governing body...
. His debut came on 7 March in a friendly against Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
, scoring the 2–0 in an eventual 3–3 draw.
After a seven-year absence in the national squad, de Nigris was called by national coach Hugo Sánchez
Hugo Sánchez
Hugo Sánchez Márquez , popularly nicknamed Pentapichichi, or Hugol, is a Mexican football coach and former striker. He played for four European clubs, including Real Madrid. Sanchez is considered the first highly talented Mexican player. He was also a member of the Mexico national team, and...
for a friendly match against the United States
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
, on 6 February 2008. He underperformed in that match and was substituted, but would also appear against Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
; he totalled 16 appearances with four goals until his death, at 31.
International goals
|-| 1. || 7 March 2001 || Estadio Jalisco
Estadio Jalisco
The Estadio Jalisco is a football stadium located in Guadalajara, Mexico. It is the third largest Mexican football stadium behind Estadio Azteca and Estadio Olimpico Universitario...
, Guadalajara
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of Jalisco in the western-pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,564,514 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
|| || align=center|2–0 || align=center| 3–3 || Friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
|-
| 2. || 25 March 2001 || Estadio Azteca
Estadio Azteca
Estadio Azteca is a stadium in Santa Ursula, Mexico City, Mexico. It is the official home stadium of the Mexico national football team and the Mexican team Club América.The stadium was the venue for football soccer in the 1968 Summer Olympics....
, Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, Mexico || || align=center|1–0 || align=center| 4–0 || 2002 World Cup qualification
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
The 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification, CONCACAF Zone ran from March 2000 to November 2001 in order to determine the three CONCACAF representatives at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. For an overview of the qualification rounds, see 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification....
|-
| 3. || 25 March 2001 || Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico || || align=center|2–0 || align=center| 4–0 || 2002 World Cup qualification
|-
| 4. || 23 August 2001 || Estadio Luis de la Fuente, Veracruz
Veracruz, Veracruz
Veracruz, officially known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located in the central part of the state. It is located along Federal Highway 140 from the state capital Xalapa, and is the state's most...
, Mexico || || align=center|5–4 || align=center| 5–4 || Friendly
|}
Personal life
De Nigris' younger brother AldoAldo de Nigris
Jesús Aldo de Nigris Guajardo is a Mexican footballer of Italian descent who currently plays for Monterrey in the Primera Division and the Mexico national football team.-Early career:...
is also a footballer (also a striker, he too represented Monterrey and the national team), while older sibling Alfonso is an actor and model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
. He was given the nickname Tano by his Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
grandfather. He was survived by his wife and a five year-old daughter, named Miranda.