Amani Aguinaldo

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Amani Aguinaldo

| image = Amani Aguinaldo.jpg

| image_size = 100px

| caption = Aguinaldo with the Philippines in 2015

| fullname = Amani Manuel Santos Aguinaldo

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|4|24}}

| birth_place = Las Piñas, Philippines

| height = {{convert|1.83|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

| position = Center-back

| currentclub = Melaka

| clubnumber = 12

| collegeyears1 =

| college1 = Far Eastern University

| youthyears1 = 2012–2013

| youthclubs1 = Loyola

| years1 = 2012–2013

| clubs1 = Loyola

| caps1 = 0

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2013–2017

| clubs2 = Global

| caps2 = 42

| goals2 = 3

| years3 = 2018–2019

| clubs3 = Ceres-Negros

| caps3 = 19

| goals3 = 1

| clubs4 = → PKNP (loan)

| years4 = 2019

| caps4 = 16

| goals4 = 1

| clubs5 = Trat

| years5 = 2020–2021

| caps5 = 17

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2021–2022

| clubs6 = Nongbua Pitchaya

| caps6 = 19

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2022–2023

| clubs7 = Nakhon Ratchasima

| caps7 = 26

| goals7 = 2

| years8 = 2023–2024

| clubs8 = Trat

| caps8 = 14

| goals8 = 1

| years9 = 2024–2025

| clubs9 = Rayong

| caps9 = 8

| goals9 = 1

| years10 = 2025–

| clubs10 = Melaka

| caps10 = 0

| goals10 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2013

| nationalteam1 = Philippines U19

| nationalcaps1 = 6

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2012–2014

| nationalteam2 = Philippines U21

| nationalcaps2 =

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2012

| nationalteam3 = Philippines U22

| nationalcaps3 = 2

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 = 2013

| nationalteam4 = Philippines U23

| nationalcaps4 = 2

| nationalgoals4 = 0

| nationalyears5 = 2019

| nationalteam5 = Philippines Olympic

| nationalcaps5 = 4

| nationalgoals5 = 3

| nationalyears6 = 2013–

| nationalteam6 = Philippines

| nationalcaps6 = 67

| nationalgoals6 = 0

| pcupdate = 12:30 29 September 2024 (UTC)

| ntupdate = 18:20; 21 December 2024 (UTC)

}}

Amani Manuel Santos Aguinaldo (born April 24, 1995) is a Filipino professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Malaysia Super League club Melaka and the Philippines national team.{{cite web|last=Guerrero|first=Bob|title=Indonesia 2, Azkals 0 Postgame Thoughts: A Learning Experience|url=http://ph.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/thepassionatefan/indonesia-2-azkals-0-postgame-thoughts-learning-experience-183204439.html|work=Yahoo Philippines|publisher=ph.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/thepassionatefan|date=August 15, 2013|accessdate=August 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817034559/http://ph.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/thepassionatefan/indonesia-2-azkals-0-postgame-thoughts-learning-experience-183204439.html|archive-date=August 17, 2013|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.siamsport.co.th/football-thailand/thaileague-1/25203/|title=ตราดใช้กุนซือคู่คุมทัพพร้อมซิว"อกีนัลโด้"ร่วมทีมอีกครั้ง|date=2 July 2023|access-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923134657/https://www.siamsport.co.th/football-thailand/thaileague-1/25203/|archive-date=23 September 2023}}

Education

Aguinaldo attended Ateneo de Davao Grade School until grade 6 and transferred to the High School Department Far Eastern University's FERN College in Quezon City where he attended high school.

Aguinaldo is taking Sports Science at the University of the Philippines Diliman. {{as of|December 2014|post=,}} he is on his second year.{{cite news|last1=Tupas|first1=Cedelf|title=Tough juggling act for young Azkals defender Aguinaldo|url=http://sports.inquirer.net/169429/tough-juggling-act-for-young-azkals-defender-aguinaldo|access-date=December 7, 2014|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=December 7, 2014}}

Club career

After Aguinaldo was scouted by Coach Kim Chul-soo and program director Vince Santos both from Far Eastern University, which prompted him to transfer to Far Eastern University – FERN College where he attended high school. He played a year with the Far Eastern University at the college level before moving to the University of the Philippines.

He was later signed with the Loyola Meralco Sparks where he debuted as a substitute player at Loyala's stint at the 2012 Singapore Cup. He later transferred to Global. in 2013. In 2018, he moved to another Filipino club Ceres-Negros. Ceres-Negros placed him on loan to Malaysian club PKNP where he played in the 2019 Malaysia Super League. In January 2020, he was signed for Thai club Trat ahead of the 2020 Thai League 1 season.{{cite news |title=Philippines defender Amani Aguinaldo joins Thai League 1 club Trat FC |url=https://www.foxsports.com.my/football/thai-league/133835/philippines-defender-amani-aguinaldo-joins-thai-league-1-club-trat-fc/ |accessdate=3 January 2020 |work=Fox Sport Asia |date=3 January 2020}}

After Trat FC's relegation to 2021–22 Thai League 2, he was acquired by Nongbua Pitchaya as their ASEAN quota for 2021–22 Thai League 1.{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/th/%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7/official--%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%99-%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%AF-%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B2-%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%94-%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%99/1d1bypfvu4reh160xnaqnji7tc|title=OFFICIAL : ของดีทีมตกชั้น! หนองบัวฯ คว้า อกีนัลโด แข้งอาเซียน|date=31 May 2021|access-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923133432/https://www.goal.com/th/%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7/official--%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%99-%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%AF-%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B2-%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%94-%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%99/1d1bypfvu4reh160xnaqnji7tc|archive-date=23 September 2023}} In August 2022, he was signed by Thai Club Nakhon Ratchasima ahead of the 2022–23 Thai League 1.{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/th/%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%8C/goal-transfers--%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B0-%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%A7%E0%B9%88-%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%81-2022-23-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%81/blt53074ac9ebf1b9b0#cs26753d09496d365d|title=GOAL Transfers : ตลาดซื้อขายนักเตะ รีโว่ ไทยลีก 2022-23 เลกแรก|date=13 August 2022|access-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923134255/https://www.goal.com/th/%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%8C/goal-transfers--%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B0-%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%A7%E0%B9%88-%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%81-2022-23-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%81/blt53074ac9ebf1b9b0|archive-date=23 September 2023}} He would later return at Trat at the start of the 2023–24 Thai League 1.

International career

=Philippines U-22 Olympic=

Aguinaldo was part of the Philippines U-22 Olympic squad that competed in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games held in Philippines.{{cite news|url=http://huddleph.com/2019/11/20/young-azkals-take-shape-for-sea-games-as-23-man-squad-finalized/|title=Young Azkals take shape for SEA Games as 23-man squad finalized|publisher=Huddle PH|date=20 November 2019|accessdate=20 November 2019}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was one of two senior players of the squad along with Stephan Schröck.{{cite news |title=Stephan Schrock, Amani Aguinaldo proving vital for U-22 Azkals' SEA Games medal aspirations |url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/seagames/news/2019/11/26/schrock-aguinaldo-proving-vital-u22-azkals-medal-hopes-63730 |accessdate=3 January 2020 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=26 November 2019}}

=Philippines=

In August 2013, he was named in the 21-man squad for the international friendly match against Indonesia{{cite news |url=http://sports.inquirer.net/17327/new-azkals-team-join-long-teng-cup-tilt |title=New Azkals team join Long Teng Cup tilt |author=Tupas, Cedelf P. |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=September 21, 2011 |accessdate=October 1, 2011 }} on August 14, 2013. He earned his first senior international cap on the said match by replacing James Younghusband in 63rd minute.{{cite web |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/322032/sports/football/azkals-still-can-t-solve-indonesia-problem-fall-2-0 |title=Azkals still can't solve Indonesia problem, fall 2–0 |author=Roy Moore |publisher=GMA News Online |date=August 14, 2013 |accessdate=August 15, 2013}}

He made his first appearance for the under-23 national team in the 1–0 friendly match loss against Singapore on June 13, 2013.{{cite news |url=http://www.goal.com/en-sg/match/108586/singapore-under-23-vs-philippines-under-23/report |title=Singapore Under-23 vs Philippines Under 23 Report |author=Teng Kiat |work=goal.com Singapore |date=June 13, 2013 |accessdate=August 15, 2013 }}

Aguinaldo was a member of the Philippines' squad at both the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup and the 2014 AFF Championship, reaching the finals and semi-finals respectively in each competition.{{soccerway|amani-manuel-aguinaldo/247389}} During the latter tournament Aguinaldo was involved in a fair bit of controversy in the first leg of the semi-final as Thai striker Adisak Kraisorn was sent off for an off the ball altercation with the Filipino defender.{{cite web |title=Philippines 0 Thailand 0 |url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/philippines-0-thailand-0#.VKQVmO85DIU |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211122709/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/philippines-0-thailand-0#.VKQVmO85DIU |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 11, 2014 |work=AFF official website |date=December 6, 2014 |accessdate=December 31, 2014 }} It appeared that Aguinaldo might have provoked the confrontation and afterwards he and other Filipino footballers received threats from Thai fans.{{cite web |url=http://www.philstar.com/sports/2014/12/10/1401063/phl-xi-receiving-threats-fans |title=Phl XI receiving 'threats' from fans |author=Olmin Leyba |publisher=The Philippine Star |date=December 10, 2014 |accessdate=December 12, 2014}}

International goals

=U23=

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
class="wikitable"
1.	rowspan=3\| 4 December 2019	rowspan=3\| Biñan Football Stadium, Biñan, Philippines	rowspan=3\| {{fbu\|23\|TLS}}	align=center\|2–0	rowspan=3 align=center\| 6–1	rowspan=3\| 2019 Southeast Asian Games
2.	align=center\|5–0
3.	align=center\|6–0

Personal life

Aguinaldo is an only child of Ariel and Maida Aguinaldo who both had roots to Davao. His name Amani is derived from an African title meaning both "warrior" and "peace". He was born in Las Piñas, but due to his parents' professions his family moved to Cebu and then Davao City where Aguinaldo spent most of his childhood, before moving back to the Manila area where he attended high school. Aguinaldo took up football from his father at the age of five, and nine years later he was called up to the Philippines U-14 by future Loyola coach Kim Chul-soo. At the age of 16 Aguinaldo was selected to play for the u-21 side at the 2012 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy. During the tournament Aguinaldo was roomed with twins Marwin and Marvin and became good friends with both. His favorite teams are Manchester City, Bayern Munich, A.C. Milan, and Real Madrid, although his favorite footballer is Lionel Messi.{{cite journal|last1=Guerrero|first1=Bob|title=Amani Aguinaldo and his Challenge Cup baptism of fire|journal=Futbol Balita|volume=8|issue=June 2014|url=http://www.futbolbalita.ph/publ/jun14/FLASH/index.html|accessdate=October 12, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://azkalsfootballteam.com/news.php?id=85|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705151025/http://azkalsfootballteam.com/news.php?id%3D85 |url-status=dead|archive-date=July 5, 2015|title=Mani Matters: Passing the ball to Amani Aguinaldo|author=J.Anne Gonzales and Miji Gonzales|publisher=azkalsfootballteam.com|date=March 16, 2012|accessdate=July 3, 2015}}