Alejandro Díaz (footballer)
{{short description|Mexican footballer (born 1996)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{family name hatnote|Díaz|Liceága|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Alejandro Díaz
| fullname = Alejandro Díaz Liceága
| image = AlejandroDiaz.jpg
| image_size = 225px
| caption = Díaz in 2022
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1996|1|27}}
| birth_place = Mexico City, Mexico
| height = 1.77m
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Vancouver FC
(on loan from Sogndal)
| clubnumber = 9
| youthyears1 = 2005–2014
| youthclubs1 = América
| years1 = 2014–2020
| clubs1 = América
| caps1 = 22
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2016–2017
| clubs2 = → Necaxa (loan)
| caps2 = 12
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2018–2019
| clubs3 = → Atlas (loan)
| caps3 = 11
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2019
| clubs4 = → Zacatepec (loan)
| caps4 = 3
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2020–2022
| clubs5 = Pacific FC
| caps5 = 55
| goals5 = 26
| years6 = 2022–
| clubs6 = Sogndal
| caps6 = 18
| goals6 = 6
| years7 = 2023–
| clubs7 = → Vancouver FC (loan)
| caps7 = 42
| goals7 = 12
| club-update =October 19, 2024
| nationalyears1 = 2013
| nationalteam1 = Mexico U17
| nationalcaps1 = 12
| nationalgoals1 = 3
| nationalyears2 = 2015
| nationalteam2 = Mexico U20
| nationalcaps2 = 7
| nationalgoals2 = 4
| nationalyears3 = 2016
| nationalteam3 = Mexico U23
| nationalcaps3 = 3
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalteam-update = 6 February 2020
}}
Alejandro Díaz Liceága (born 27 January 1996), also known as Wero Díaz, is a Mexican professional footballer who plays as a forward for Canadian Premier League club Vancouver FC, on loan from Norwegian First Division club Sogndal.
Club career
=América=
Díaz was a fan of rivals Guadalajara. He played for an academy of Real Madrid based in Mexico and later moved to Club America's academy. A product of América's academy programme, Díaz made his debut for the club in Liga MX on 22 November 2014 as an 84th-minute substitute in a 2–1 loss to Atlas.{{cite web |title=A. Díaz |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/alejandro-diaz/289414/ |publisher=Soccerway |accessdate=6 February 2020}} On 8 April 2015, he scored his first goal for the club in CONCACAF Champions League in a 6–0 win over Costa Rican side Herediano. That season, he made a total of three league appearances, one appearance in the Copa MX and two appearances in Champions League. The following season, he made one league appearance and one appearance in Champions League.
==Loan to Necaxa==
On 8 June 2016, Díaz was loaned to Necaxa until the end of the season.{{cite web|title=Draft Apertura 2016|url=http://deportes.televisa.com/mxm/futbol/draft/liga-mx-apertura-2016/america.html|accessdate=9 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610042515/http://deportes.televisa.com/mxm/futbol/draft/liga-mx-apertura-2016/america.html|archive-date=10 June 2016|url-status=dead}} He made twelve league appearances that season, one in the Liguilla Apertura and five in the Copa MX. His only goal for Necaxa came in a 5–1 Copa MX victory over Potros UAEM.
==Return to América==
Diaz returned to America for the 2017–2018 campaign, where he was finally promoted to América's first team on a regular basis.{{Cite web|url=http://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/3381799/el-guero-diaz-despierta-y-acecha-la-formula-de-raul-jimenez|title=El 'Güero' Díaz acecha la fórmula de Jiménez|date=10 July 2017}} He made eighteen league appearances that season, four in the Liguilla Apertura, five in the Copa MX and two in Champions League, scoring a goal in the league and another in Champions League against Panamanian side Tauro.
==Loan to Atlas==
In the 2018–19 season, Díaz was loaned to Atlas, where he made eleven league appearances and two Copa MX appearances, but failed to score.
==Loan to Zacatepec==
On 5 August 2019, Díaz was loaned to Ascenso MX side Zacatepec.{{cite web |title=CLUB AMÉRICA: Alejandro Díaz pasa al Zacatepec |url=https://www.superlider.mx/5-agosto-2019-club-america-alejandro-diaz-pasa-al-zacatepec/ |publisher=Superlider |accessdate=6 February 2020 |language=Spanish |date=5 August 2019}} That season, he made three league appearances, three appearances in the Liguilla Apertura and three appearances in the Copa MX, but again failed to score.
=Pacific FC=
File:Alejandro Díaz Liceága, Pacific FC.jpg in 2021]]
On 6 February 2020, Díaz signed with Canadian Premier League club Pacific FC.{{cite web|url=https://pacificfc.canpl.ca/article/pacific-fc-sign-mexican-forward-alejandro-diaz|title=Pacific FC Sign Mexican Forward Alejandro Diaz|date=February 6, 2020|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206170502/https://pacificfc.canpl.ca/article/pacific-fc-sign-mexican-forward-alejandro-diaz|archive-date=6 February 2020|url-status=dead}} He made his debut on August 15 against the HFX Wanderers.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/7t269w4kohpnnx91dmg5bwis4/highlights|date=August 14, 2018|title=Canadian Premier League}} He scored his first goal for the club on August 25, in a 2–0 victory over Valour FC.{{Cite web|date=2020-08-26|title=Pacific FC shine on a night of many firsts at The Island Games|url=https://canpl.ca/video/pacific-fc-shine-on-a-night-of-many-firsts-at-the-island-games|access-date=2020-08-27|website=Canadian Premier League|language=en-CA}} On July 21, 2021, Díaz scored his first hat-trick with Pacific FC in a 4–2 win over Atlético Ottawa.{{Cite web|date=2020-07-21|title=HIGHLIGHTS: Diaz hat-trick lifts Pacific to comeback victory over 10-men Atlético Ottawa|url=https://canpl.ca/video/recap-diaz-hat-trick-lifts-pacific-to-comeback-victory-over-10-men-atletico-ottawa|access-date=2021-07-24|website=Canadian Premier League|language=en-CA}} That season, he scored 10 goals and helped lead the club to their first ever league championship.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-30 |title=Pacific FC: 2022 Canadian Premier League Season Preview |url=https://canpl.ca/article/pacific-fc-2022-canadian-premier-league-season-preview |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=Canadian Premier League}} After the title-winning 2021 season, it was rumoured that Díaz would depart the club, but he returned for 2022. His 2022 with Pacific was very successful, as he scored 13 goals in 18 league matches, factoring into the golden boot race. As league champions, Pacific also got to participate in the 2022 Concacaf League, and in the second leg their first ever continental matchup Díaz scored a hat trick against Waterhouse, helping to ensure Pacific advanced.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-10 |title=CPL Golden Boot Leader Diaz Linked With Move To Norway |url=https://northerntribune.ca/pacific-alejandro-diaz-transfer-rumour/ |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=Northern Tribune |language=en-US}} When Díaz departed the club midseason, he was the leading scorer in the league, with 13.{{Cite web |title=Canadian Premier League |url=https://canpl.ca/ |access-date=2022-08-21 |website=Canadian Premier League}}
=Sogndal=
On 10 August 2022, Díaz signed with Norwegian First Division side Sogndal for a club-record fee, the second-largest transfer fee in Canadian Premier League history.{{cite web |title=Diaz heads to Norway for club-record fee |url=https://pacificfc.canpl.ca/article/diaz-heads-to-norway-for-club-record-fee |publisher=Pacific FC |access-date=10 August 2022 |date=10 August 2022}} On 11 July 2023, he joined Vancouver FC in the Canadian Premier League on a one-year loan.{{cite web |title=Vancouver FC add 2022 Golden Boot winner Alejandro Díaz: 'I have a special bond with Canada' |url=https://canpl.ca/article/vancouver-fc-add-2022-golden-boot-winner-alejandro-diaz-i-have-a-special-bond-with-canada |website=Canadian Premier League |access-date=13 July 2023 |date=11 July 2023}} His loan was subsequently extended for another year until June 2025.{{Cite web|url=https://vancouverfc.canpl.ca/article/wero-diaz-is-staying-in-vancouver|title=Wero Díaz is staying in Vancouver|date=July 3, 2024|work=Vancouver FC}}
International career
In 2013, Díaz played for the under-17 squad at the 2013 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, making five appearances and scoring one goal against Cuba as Mexico went on to win the tournament. At the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup he again featured heavily for Mexico, making seven appearances and scoring goals against Iraq and Italy on route to a finals run in which Mexico lost 3–0 to Nigeria.
In 2015, Díaz represented the under-20 side at the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, making five appearances as Mexico went on to win the tournament. He scored four goals, the first two coming in a 9–1 victory over Cuba, the third in a 3–0 win over Honduras and the fourth in a 3–1 win over El Salvador. At the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Díaz made appearances against Mali and Serbia as Mexico were knocked out in the group stage.
In 2016, Díaz represented the under-23 team at the 2016 Toulon Tournament, making three appearances.
Career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Club statistics | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2" |Club
! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="3" |League ! colspan="2" |CupIncludes Copa MX and Canadian Championship ! colspan="2" |ContinentalIncludes CONCACAF Champions League and CONCACAF League ! colspan="2" |OtherIncludes Liga MX Liguilla, Ascenso MX Liguilla and Canadian Premier League playoffs ! colspan="2" |Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="5" |América
|3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2" |— | 6 | 1 | ||
| 2015–16
|Liga MX |1 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 1 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2017–18
|Liga MX |18 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 29 | 2 | |
| 2018–19
|Liga MX |colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!22 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 39 | 3 | |
| Necaxa (loan)
|Liga MX |12 | 0 | 5 | 1 | colspan="2" |— | 1 | 0 | 18 | 1 | ||
| Atlas (loan)
|Liga MX |11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 13 | 0 | |||
| Zacatepec (loan)
|3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="4" |Pacific FC
|2020 |10 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 3 | ||||
| 2021
|Canadian Premier League |27 | 10 | 3 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | 31 | 12 | ||
| 2022
|Canadian Premier League |18 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 16 | ||
| colspan="2" |Total
!55 | 26 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 62 | 31 | |
| rowspan="3" |Sogndal Fotball
|2022 |11 | 6 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 11 | 6 | ||||
| 2023
|6 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 6 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!17 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 6 | |
| rowspan=3|Vancouver FC (loan)
|2023 |14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 2 | |||
| 2024
|Canadian Premier League |28 | 10 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 10 | |||
| colspan="2" |Total
!42 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 12 | |
| colspan="3" |Career total
!162 | 45 | 23 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 223 | 53 |
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
América
Pacific FC
Mexico Youth
- CONCACAF U-17 Championship: 2013
- FIFA U-17 World Cup runner-up: 2013
- CONCACAF U-20 Championship: 2015
Individual
- CONCACAF U-20 Championship Best XI: 2015
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|alejandro-diaz/289414}}
{{Vancouver FC squad}}
{{Canadian Premier League Golden Boot}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Diaz, Alejandro}}
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Mexican men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Mexico City
Category:Mexican expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Canada
Category:Mexican expatriate sportspeople in Canada
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Norway
Category:Mexican expatriate sportspeople in Norway
Category:Club América footballers
Category:Club Necaxa footballers
Category:Atlas F.C. footballers
Category:Zacatepec F.C. players
Category:Sogndal Fotball players
Category:Canadian Premier League players
Category:Mexico men's youth international footballers