Maximiliano Nicolás "Maxi" Moralez (born 27 February 1987) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Major League Soccer club New York City FC. He is nicknamed frasquito (English: little flask).
Club career
Moralez started playing professionally for Racing Club in the Argentine Primera División during the 2005 Clausura tournament, entering the field on a 2–2 draw with Colón. In 2007, Moralez was bought by FC Moscow. However, after only half a season in the Russian club, he was loaned back to Racing Club.Maximiliano Moralez: «Hablamos con Sergio Romero de la posibilidad de volver a Racing» racingmaniacos.com.ar Moralez helped his club avoid relegation during the 2007–08 season, scoring the winning goal against Belgrano in the relegation playoff.
For the 2009 Clausura tournament, Moralez was bought by Vélez Sársfield. During his first season in the club, he helped the team become Argentine champion, playing 14 (out of 19) games and scoring 5 goals. He scored the winning goal against Huracán on the 83rd minute of the final game, giving Vélez the 1–0 victory necessary to win the championship. During the following tournament, the 2009 Apertura, Moralez was Vélez' top goalscorer (along Jonathan Cristaldo) with 5 goals each.
On 5 March 2011, Moralez renewed his contract with Vélez until June 2013. During that semester, he won his second league title with the club (the 2011 Clausura) playing 15 of the 19 games, and scoring 4 goals. He also played 11 of the 12 games of his team's Copa Libertadores semi-finalist campaign, scoring 5 goals.
On 27 July 2011, Atalanta B.C., recently promoted to the Serie A, paid Moralez's buyout clause to Vélez Sársfield (€8 million for the 50% transfer rights owned by Vélez). The Argentine midfielder was introduced by his new club three days later.
On 24 December 2015, Jesús Martínez Murguía (León's President), confirmed that Moralez would be playing the 2016 tournament with Club León.
On 15 February 2017, New York City FC announced that he had been signed as a Designated Player.
International career
In 2007, Moralez was called for the Argentina under-20 squad for the South American Youth Championship held in Paraguay. Later that year, he was part of Argentina FIFA U-20 World Cup title winning team. He played along Sergio Agüero and Mauro Zárate in the attack. Moralez was third-highest scorer in the tournament (bronze shoe) and was named second-best player (silver ball), behind his teammate Agüero.
In November 2010, Moralez was selected as part of an Argentine league squad to train twice-weekly with the Argentina national team. He made his senior international debut in a 4–1 friendly victory over Venezuela on 16 March 2011.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsRacing Club2004–05Argentine Primera División4000——402005–0615100——1512006–0733700——337Total528000000528FC Moscow2007Russian Premier League6010——70Racing Club (loan)2007–08Argentine Primera División18300——1832008–0918500——185Total368000000368Vélez Sársfield2008–09Argentine Primera División1450000—1452009–1026700150—4172010–1132800115—4313Total722000265009825Atalanta2011–12Serie A34611——3572012–1329120——3112013–1432510——3352014–1530510——3152015–1617111——182Total1421862000014820León2015–16Liga MX18421——2052016–1716250——212Total346710000417New York City FC2017Major League Soccer29510—20325201832800—31359201929731—103382020131—40312022021303——513542022292204144397Total16226618118719435Racing Club2023Argentine Primera División171203010231New York City FC2023Major League Soccer40———402024171——91262202534200—71413202614110—00151Total6941000162866Career total59091234376359685110
Honours Vélez Sársfield Argentine Primera División: 2009 Clausura, 2011 Clausura
New York City FC MLS Cup: 2021 Campeones Cup: 2022
Racing Club Supercopa Internacional: 2022
Argentina U20 FIFA U-20 World Cup: 2007
Individual FIFA U-20 World Cup Silver Ball: 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup Bronze Shoe: 2007 MLS All-Star: 2019 MLS Best XI: 2019 MLS top assist provider: 2019
References
External links
Profile at Vélez Sársfield official website
Maximiliano Moralez Interview