Richard Morales
Encyclopedia
Ríchard Javier Morales Aguirre (born 21 February 1975 in Las Piedras
, Canelones Department
) is a retired Uruguay
an footballer who played as a centre forward.
Nickname
d Chengue, he was mostly known for his tremendous physical strength and volatile temperament. He played professionally in four different countries, his heyday coming at Nacional de Montevideo
.
Morales represented Uruguay
at the 2002 World Cup
, as well as in two Copa América
tournaments.
, Morales transferred to Club Nacional de Football
in 1999. There, he helped the capital
team to the 1998 national title.
In January 2003, Morales moved to Spain
, reuniting with Pablo García
at CA Osasuna
. After spending his first two 1/2 seasons as a rarely used offensive option (his first goals came in late April-early March 2004, in two consecutive 1–1 draws, against Real Valladolid
and Málaga CF
), he scored nine La Liga
goals in 2004–05
, being instrumental in the Navarre
se side's narrow escape from relegation, being a customary first-choice.
After that, he moved to Málaga, but would only net once in 2005–06
, with the Andalusia
side ranking last, adding just two in next season's second division
.
On 5 August 2008, Morales, after a brief return stint with Nacional, signed a contract with Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
for the rest of the season, with the option to renew the contract for another season. However, the following day, after Flamengo players were violently attacked by its fans, Morales decided not to join the Rio de Janeiro
team.
On 31 August 2008, Morales signed with Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense
. However, on 16 February 2009, he moved to Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito, but quickly retired from the squad on 2 April, due to his father's poor health. Before retiring the following year, he played a few matches for Centro Atlético Fénix
.
at 26, during the 2001 Copa América (where he scored in the 1–2 semifinal loss to Mexico
), Morales came to international prominence on 15 November 2001, when his two late goals against Australia in the qualification playoffs ensured his country a place at the 2002 FIFA World Cup
.
In the final stages in South Korea
and Japan
, Morales netted once, in the 3–3 draw with Senegal
. He received a total of 27 caps
, scoring six goals.
Las Piedras, Uruguay
Las Piedras is a city in the Canelones Department of Uruguay. It is located on the east side of Route 5, north of the border with Montevideo Department. Bordering La Paz to the south and Montevideo to the southeast, it belongs to the wider metropolitan area of Montevideo...
, Canelones Department
Canelones Department
The Canelones Department , with an area of and 485,240 inhabitants, is located to the south of Uruguay. Its capital is Canelones.-Geography and climate:...
) is a retired Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
an footballer who played as a centre forward.
Nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
d Chengue, he was mostly known for his tremendous physical strength and volatile temperament. He played professionally in four different countries, his heyday coming at Nacional de Montevideo
Club Nacional de Football
Club Nacional de Football is a Uruguayan sports club based in Montevideo. It is best known for its professional football team, which plays in the Uruguayan Primera División....
.
Morales represented Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
at the 2002 World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
, as well as in two 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...
tournaments.
Club career
After starting his professional career with C.A. Progreso and BasañezBasañez
Club Atlético Basáñez is a football and boxing club from Montevideo in Uruguay founded in 1920. They currently play in the Second Amateur Division,the third and last tier of the Uruguayan championship....
, Morales transferred to Club Nacional de Football
Club Nacional de Football
Club Nacional de Football is a Uruguayan sports club based in Montevideo. It is best known for its professional football team, which plays in the Uruguayan Primera División....
in 1999. There, he helped the capital
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
team to the 1998 national title.
In January 2003, Morales moved to 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...
, reuniting with Pablo García
Pablo Gabriel García
Pablo Gabriel García Pérez is an Uruguayan footballer who plays for PAOK F.C. in Greece, as a defensive midfielder....
at CA Osasuna
CA Osasuna
Club Atlético Osasuna, known as Osasuna, is a Spanish football team based in Iruñea-Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre.Founded in 1920, it currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at the 19,553-capacity Estadio Reyno de Navarra...
. After spending his first two 1/2 seasons as a rarely used offensive option (his first goals came in late April-early March 2004, in two consecutive 1–1 draws, against Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
and Málaga CF
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
), he scored nine La Liga
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...
goals in 2004–05
2004–05 La Liga
2004–05 season was composed of the following clubs:* Albacete Balompié* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Real Betis* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Levante UD* Málaga CF* Real Mallorca* CD Numancia* CA Osasuna...
, being instrumental in the Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
se side's narrow escape from relegation, being a customary first-choice.
After that, he moved to Málaga, but would only net once in 2005–06
2005–06 La Liga
* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC...
, with the Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
side ranking last, adding just two in next season's second division
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:...
.
On 5 August 2008, Morales, after a brief return stint with Nacional, signed a contract with Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo , also known as Flamengo and familiarly as Mengão, is a Brazilian sports club based in the Flamengo bairro, Zona Sul, Rio de Janeiro, best known for its professional football team...
for the rest of the season, with the option to renew the contract for another season. However, the following day, after Flamengo players were violently attacked by its fans, Morales decided not to join the Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
team.
On 31 August 2008, Morales signed with Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense
Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense
Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, commonly known as just Grêmio , is a Brazilian professional association football team based in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul founded by English and German immigrants on September 15, 1903. Major titles captured by Grêmio include one Intercontinental Cup, two Copa...
. However, on 16 February 2009, he moved to Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito, but quickly retired from the squad on 2 April, due to his father's poor health. Before retiring the following year, he played a few matches for Centro Atlético Fénix
Centro Atlético Fénix
Centro Atlético Fénix are a sports club from Montevideo in Uruguay. They currently play in the Uruguayan 1st Division. Fénix is one of the most popular and traditional teams of Uruguay's 2nd Division, along with Racing Club de Montevideo, who are their all-time rivals.-History:The club were founded...
.
International career
Having first appeared for UruguayUruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
at 26, during the 2001 Copa América (where he scored in the 1–2 semifinal loss to Mexico
Mexico 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...
), Morales came to international prominence on 15 November 2001, when his two late goals against Australia in the qualification playoffs ensured his country a place at the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
.
In the final stages in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Morales netted once, in the 3–3 draw with Senegal
Senegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
. He received a total of 27 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
, scoring six goals.