Emiliano Rigoni Biography: Early Life, Career, and Achievements
Emiliano Rigoni is an Argentine professional footballer who currently plays as a right winger for the Major League Soccer club Austin FC. Born on February 4, 1993, in Colonia Caroya, Argentina, Rigoni began his youth career with Club Atlético Belgrano in 2005. He played in the youth team for eight years before making his senior appearance in 2013, marking the beginning of his professional football career.
Throughout his career, Rigoni has played for several clubs, including Independiente, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Atalanta, and Sampdoria. He has also represented the Argentina national team, earning two caps in 2017. Rigoni is known for his attacking prowess, speed, and technical ability on the field.
This article provides a comprehensive biography of Emiliano Rigoni, including his early life, football career, international career, style of play, personal life, achievements, and awards. It highlights the key moments in his career and provides an in-depth look at his journey to becoming one of the most prominent footballers in the world.
Key Takeaways
- Emiliano Rigoni is an Argentine professional footballer who currently plays as a right winger for the Major League Soccer club Austin FC.
- Rigoni began his professional football career with Club Atlético Belgrano in 2013 and has since played for several clubs, including Independiente, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Atalanta, and Sampdoria.
- Rigoni is known for his attacking prowess, speed, and technical ability on the field. He has also represented the Argentina national team, earning two caps in 2017.
Early Life
Emiliano Rigoni was born on February 4, 1993, in Colonia Caroya, Argentina. He grew up in a middle-class family and started playing football at a young age. Rigoni’s father was a football fan and encouraged his son to pursue the sport.
Rigoni joined the youth academy of Club Atlético Belgrano, a local football club in Córdoba, Argentina. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented winger and was promoted to the first team when he was just 19 years old.
During his time at Belgrano, Rigoni played a key role in helping the team gain promotion to the Argentine Primera División. He also caught the attention of scouts from other clubs, and in 2016, he signed with Independiente, one of the biggest clubs in Argentina.
Rigoni’s time at Independiente was short-lived, however, as he was soon sold to Zenit Saint Petersburg, a Russian football club. Despite initial struggles to adapt to the new environment and language, Rigoni quickly became a fan favorite and helped Zenit win the Russian Premier League in his first season.
Overall, Rigoni’s early life was characterized by his passion for football and his determination to succeed at the highest level.
Football Career
Club Independiente
Emiliano Rigoni started his professional football career with Club Atlético Belgrano in 2013. He played for the club until 2017, scoring 21 goals in 87 appearances. In 2016, he helped the team reach the Copa Sudamericana final, where they lost to Brazilian side Chapecoense.
In 2017, Rigoni moved to Club Atlético Independiente, where he won the Copa Sudamericana in his first season with the club. He scored three goals in the competition, including one in the final against Brazilian side Flamengo.
Zenit Saint Petersburg
In August 2017, Rigoni signed with Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg for a reported fee of €8.5 million. He made 25 appearances and scored five goals in his first season with the club, helping them win the Russian Premier League title.
Atalanta
Rigoni joined Italian club Atalanta on loan for the 2018-19 season. He made 17 appearances for the club, scoring one goal.
Elche CF
In August 2021, Rigoni signed with Spanish club Elche CF on a free transfer. He made 18 appearances for the club, scoring two goals, before leaving in July 2022 to join Major League Soccer club Austin FC.
International Career
Emiliano Rigoni made his debut for the Argentina national football team on 5 October 2017 in a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Peru. He was called up to the national team by coach Jorge Sampaoli after his impressive performances for Zenit Saint Petersburg.
Although he only has a few caps for the national team, Rigoni has shown his potential as a versatile attacking player. He has played as a winger, attacking midfielder, and striker for the national team.
Rigoni was also part of the Argentina squad that won the Copa America in 2021. He played a crucial role in the team’s success, scoring two goals in the tournament.
Despite his Italian heritage and possession of an Italian passport, Rigoni has chosen to represent Argentina at the international level. He has expressed his pride in representing his country and playing alongside some of the best players in the world.
Overall, Rigoni’s international career has been promising, and he has shown that he can perform at the highest level. With his skills and versatility, he will undoubtedly continue to be an important player for Argentina in the coming years.
Style of Play
Emiliano Rigoni is a versatile winger who can play on either flank. He is known for his pace, dribbling ability, and his powerful shots from distance. Rigoni is also an excellent crosser of the ball and can provide quality service into the box for his teammates.
Rigoni is not just an attacking threat, he is also a hard worker who is willing to track back and help out defensively. He is a tireless runner who can cover a lot of ground and is not afraid to put in a challenge.
One of Rigoni’s strengths is his ability to create space for himself and others. He is adept at using his quick feet and body feints to get past defenders and create scoring opportunities. He is also comfortable playing in tight spaces and can make quick, incisive passes to unlock defenses.
In terms of his weaknesses, Rigoni can sometimes be guilty of holding onto the ball for too long and can be prone to losing possession in dangerous areas. However, this is a minor issue and does not detract from his overall quality as a player.
Overall, Rigoni is an exciting attacking player who has the ability to change games with his pace, skill, and eye for goal. His work ethic and defensive contribution also make him a valuable asset to any team.
Personal Life
Emiliano Rigoni was born on February 4, 1993, in Colonia Caroya, Argentina. He grew up in a family that was passionate about football, which is why he started playing the sport at a young age. Rigoni is known for being a private person and has not shared much about his personal life with the public.
However, it is known that Rigoni is married and has a daughter. The footballer is also a devout Christian and has been seen making the sign of the cross before matches. In an interview, Rigoni mentioned that his faith is an essential part of his life and has helped him stay grounded and focused on his goals.
When he is not playing football, Rigoni enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also likes to travel and has shared pictures of his trips on social media. In his free time, Rigoni likes to watch football matches and follow other sports such as basketball and tennis.
Overall, Rigoni’s personal life is relatively low-key, and he prefers to keep it that way. Despite being a public figure, he values his privacy and focuses on his family, faith, and career as a professional footballer.
Achievements and Awards
Emiliano Rigoni has had a successful career so far, both at the club and international level. Here are some of his notable achievements and awards:
- Copa Sudamericana: Rigoni won the Copa Sudamericana with Independiente in 2017, playing a key role in their triumph. He scored four goals in the competition, including one in the final against Flamengo.
- Argentine Primera Division: Rigoni was part of the Independiente team that won the Argentine Primera Division in 2017. He scored six goals and provided three assists in 25 league appearances that season.
- Russian Premier League: In his first season with Zenit Saint Petersburg, Rigoni helped his team win the Russian Premier League title in 2019-20. He contributed five goals and six assists in 21 league appearances.
- Individual Awards: Rigoni has been recognized for his performances on several occasions. In 2016, he was named the Best Newcomer of the Argentine Primera Division. He was also included in the Copa Sudamericana Team of the Tournament in 2017.
Despite his achievements, Rigoni remains focused on improving his game and helping his team succeed. He has expressed his desire to win more titles and play at the highest level possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What teams has Emiliano Rigoni played for?
Emiliano Rigoni has played for several football clubs throughout his career. He started his professional career at the Argentine club Club Atlético Belgrano in 2013. He then moved to Independiente in 2016, and later to Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2017. In 2018, he was loaned to Atalanta and then to Sampdoria in 2019. In 2020, he returned to Zenit Saint Petersburg and then transferred to Elche in 2021. Currently, he plays as a right winger for Austin FC in Major League Soccer.
What are Emiliano Rigoni’s career stats?
Emiliano Rigoni has played in over 200 professional matches in his career. He has scored over 40 goals and provided over 30 assists. His career stats also include over 100 successful dribbles, over 200 shots on target, and over 300 tackles.
How many goals has Emiliano Rigoni scored in his career?
Emiliano Rigoni has scored over 40 goals in his professional career. His highest goal-scoring season was in 2016-2017 when he scored 13 goals for Independiente in the Argentine Primera División.
What is the current status of Emiliano Rigoni’s contract?
As of October 2023, Emiliano Rigoni is under contract with Austin FC in Major League Soccer. The details of his contract, including its length and salary, are not publicly available.
Has Emiliano Rigoni won any awards or honors?
Emiliano Rigoni has won several awards and honors throughout his career. In 2017, he was named the Argentine Primera División Player of the Year. He was also named in the Team of the Year for the 2016-2017 season. Additionally, he won the Russian Premier League with Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2019-2020.
What is Emiliano Rigoni’s playing style and strengths?
Emiliano Rigoni is known for his pace, dribbling ability, and accurate shooting. He is also a hard-working player who contributes defensively to his team. His playing style is often described as direct and attacking, with a focus on creating and scoring goals.