Antonio Luna (footballer)

{{About|the Spanish footballer|the Filipino pharmacist and general|Antonio Luna}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Antonio Luna

| image = Antonio Luna Rodriguez 2011.jpg

| caption = Luna playing for Almería in 2011

| fullname = Antonio Manuel Luna Rodríguez{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/aug/premier-league-squad-numbers-seasons-2013-14.html|title=Barclays Premier League squad numbers 2013/14|publisher=Premier League|date=16 August 2013|access-date=16 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821225359/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/aug/premier-league-squad-numbers-seasons-2013-14.html|archive-date=21 August 2013}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|3|17|df=y}}

| birth_place = Son Servera, Spain

| height = 1.77 m

| position = Left-back

| currentclub = Dinamo București

| clubnumber = 80

| youthyears1 = 1998–2009 | youthclubs1 = Sevilla

| years1 = 2009–2011 | clubs1 = Sevilla B | caps1 = 32 | goals1 = 1

| years2 = 2010–2013 | clubs2 = Sevilla | caps2 = 21 | goals2 = 1

| years3 = 2011 | clubs3 = → Almería (loan) | caps3 = 13 | goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2013 | clubs4 = → Mallorca (loan) | caps4 = 11 | goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2013–2015 | clubs5 = Aston Villa | caps5 = 17 | goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2014–2015 | clubs6 = → Hellas Verona (loan) | caps6 = 0 | goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2015 | clubs7 = → Spezia (loan) | caps7 = 4 | goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2015–2017 | clubs8 = Eibar | caps8 = 41 | goals8 = 1

| years9 = 2017–2020 | clubs9 = Levante | caps9 = 39 | goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2019–2020 | clubs10 = → Rayo Vallecano (loan) | caps10 = 21 | goals10 = 0

| years11 = 2020–2021 | clubs11 = Girona | caps11 = 19 | goals11 = 0

| years12 = 2021–2022 | clubs12 = Cartagena | caps12 = 12 | goals12 = 1

| years13 = 2022–2024 | clubs13 = Volos | caps13 = 59 | goals13 = 2

| years14 = 2024– | clubs14 = Dinamo București | caps14 = 11 | goals14 = 0

| totalcaps = | totalgoals =

| nationalyears1 = 2007 | nationalteam1 = Spain U16 | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2009 | nationalteam2 = Spain U18 | nationalcaps2 = 1 | nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2009 | nationalteam3 = Spain U19 | nationalcaps3 = 3 | nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 = 2011 | nationalteam4 = Spain U20 | nationalcaps4 = 5 | nationalgoals4 = 0

| club-update = 21 April 2025

| nationalteam-update =

}}

Antonio Manuel Luna Rodríguez (born 17 March 1991) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Liga I club Dinamo București.

Formed at Sevilla, where he won the Copa del Rey in his second professional game in 2010, he also represented Almería, Mallorca, Eibar and Levante in La Liga, totalling 125 games. He had one season at Aston Villa in the Premier League, as well as playing in Italy and Greece.

Club career

=Sevilla=

Born in Son Servera, Mallorca, Luna finished his youth career in Andalusia with Sevilla FC, making his senior debut with the reserves in the Segunda División B. On 15 and 19 May 2010, he appeared in his first two official games with the first team in the absence of the injured Fernando Navarro,{{cite news|url=https://www.diariodesevilla.es/deportes/Antonio-Alvarez-canterano-Luna-izquierdo_0_368363772.html|title=Antonio Álvarez ensaya con el canterano Luna como titular en el lateral izquierdo|trans-title=Antonio Álvarez tries with academy player Luna as starting left-back|newspaper=Diario de Sevilla|language=es|date=13 May 2010|access-date=1 March 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.estadiodeportivo.com/sevilla/2020/05/19/capel-recuerda-decada-despues-titulo/279111.html|title=Diez años del título más canterano del Sevilla|trans-title=Ten years since Sevilla's most academy-made title|newspaper=Estadio Deportivo|language=es|date=19 May 2020|access-date=1 March 2023}} and both were decisive ones: in the first, he featured the full 90 minutes as his team won 3–2 away against UD Almería in the last round, finally edging RCD Mallorca for the last qualification position for the UEFA Champions League.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/275757?cc=5739|title=Rodri fires {{sic|nolink=y|Seviila}} into raptures|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=15 May 2010|access-date=14 June 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714053746/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/275757?cc=5739|archive-date=14 July 2011}} The second was a 2–0 victory over Atlético Madrid in the final of the Copa del Rey, again playing the full match.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=292636&cc=5739&campaign=rss&source=soccer|title=Cup glory for Sevilla|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=19 May 2010|access-date=13 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622105217/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=292636&cc=5739&campaign=rss&source=soccer|archive-date=22 June 2011}}

Luna was loaned to neighbouring Almería on 19 January 2011, until the end of the campaign.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2011/01/19/futbol/equipos/almeria/1295471422.html|title=Luna jugará en el Almería hasta final de temporada|trans-title=Luna will play with Almería until end of season|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=19 January 2011|access-date=13 December 2012}} He was regularly utilised, as the club suffered top-flight relegation after a four-year stay.{{cite web|url=https://www.futbolypasionespoliticas.org/2013/10/el-lenguaraz-antonio-luna.html|title=El lenguaraz Antonio Luna|trans-title=Loudmouth Antonio Luna|publisher=Fútbol y Pasiones Políticas|language=es|date=30 October 2013|access-date=20 May 2024}}

After returning to Sevilla, Luna took part in 14 league matches in 2011–12, his first full season. He scored his first goal as a professional in a 2–1 away defeat to Málaga CF on 29 January 2012, playing as a left midfielder.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2012/01/29/mas_futbol/1327791657_850215.html|title=El Málaga gana y el Sevilla se queja en un derbi espeso|trans-title=Málaga win and Sevilla complain in thick derby|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=29 January 2012|access-date=6 April 2023}}

On 25 November 2012, Luna was sent off despite being an unused substitute in a 4–0 loss at Atlético Madrid, in which his teammates Federico Fazio and Ivan Rakitić were also dismissed.{{cite web|url=https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/spanish-liga-atletico-put-four-past-sevilla-200205004.html|title=Spanish Liga – Atletico put four past Sevilla|publisher=Eurosport|date=25 November 2012|access-date=26 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526191908/https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/spanish-liga-atletico-put-four-past-sevilla-200205004.html|archive-date=26 May 2015}} He spent the second half of the 2012–13 season on loan to Mallorca in his native Balearic Islands,{{cite news|url=http://www.diariodemallorca.es/rcd-mallorca/2013/01/09/luna-llega-cedido/819145.html|title=Luna llega cedido|trans-title=Luna arrives on loan|newspaper=Diario de Mallorca|last=Cabot|first=Ricard|language=es|date=9 January 2013|access-date=20 June 2013}} eventually meeting the same fate as with Almería.

=Aston Villa=

On 20 June 2013, Aston Villa announced the signing of Luna on a three-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3215194,00.html|title=Full-back Luna excited to sign for "historic and huge" Villa|publisher=Aston Villa F.C.|date=20 June 2013|access-date=20 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622034119/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~3215194%2C00.html|archive-date=22 June 2013}} He started and scored on his Premier League debut with the club, a 3–1 win at Arsenal on 17 August.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23644714|title=Arsenal 1–3 Aston Villa|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Ornstein|first=David|date=17 August 2013|access-date=17 August 2013}}

On 5 August 2014, Luna was loaned to Serie A side Hellas Verona FC in a season-long loan.{{cite web|url=http://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28660623|title=Aston Villa: Antonio Luna moves to Verona on a season-long loan|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 August 2014|access-date=8 August 2014}} In February of the following year, having not made a single appearance, he was loaned to Spezia Calcio in Serie B for the second half of the campaign.{{cite web|url=http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/02/aston-villa-left-back-luna-joins-spezia-on-loan/|title=Aston Villa left back Luna joins Spezia on loan|publisher=Forza Italian Football|date=2 February 2015|access-date=26 May 2015}} In only his second match for his new team, he was sent off in a 3–2 home defeat of Modena FC.{{cite web|url=http://www.modenafc.net/news/dal-campo/item/2027-spezia-modena-3-2|title=Spezia-Modena: 3–2|publisher=Modena FC|language=it|date=22 February 2015|access-date=26 May 2015}}

=Eibar=

Luna signed a two-year deal with SD Eibar on 9 July 2015, after terminating his contract with Aston Villa.{{cite web|url=http://www.sdeibar.com/-/el-lateral-izquierdo-antonio-luna-jugara-en-el-eibar-las-dos-proximas-temporadas|title=El lateral izquierdo Antonio Luna jugará en el Eibar las dos próximas temporadas|trans-title=Left-back Antonio Luna will play at Eibar for the next two seasons|publisher=SD Eibar|language=es|date=9 July 2015|access-date=9 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710164144/http://www.sdeibar.com/-/el-lateral-izquierdo-antonio-luna-jugara-en-el-eibar-las-dos-proximas-temporadas|archive-date=10 July 2015}} He made his debut for the Basques on 24 August, assisting goals by Adrián and Gonzalo Escalante as they began the new top-tier season with a 3–1 away victory against Granada CF.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2015_16/la-liga/jornada_1/gda_eib/|title=De 'Segunda' al liderato|trans-title=From 'Segunda' to the top of the table|newspaper=Marca|last=Egea|first=Pablo|language=es|date=24 August 2015|access-date=5 December 2015}}

He totalled 46 appearances in his two seasons at the club, scoring in a 3–2 win at Sporting de Gijón on 15 January 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2016_17/la-liga/jornada_18/spo_eib/|title=El Eibar hunde al Sporting de Abelardo|trans-title=Eibar sink Abelardo's Sporting|newspaper=Marca|last=Pérez|first=José I.|language=es|date=15 January 2017|access-date=29 December 2017}}

=Levante=

On 11 June 2017, Luna joined newly promoted side Levante UD for four years.{{cite web|url=http://www.levanteud.com/es/info/antonio-luna-se-compromete-con-el-levante-por-las-proximas-cuatro-temporadas|title=Antonio Luna se compromete con el Levante por las próximas cuatro temporadas|trans-title=Antonio Luna commits to Levante for the following four seasons|publisher=Levante UD|language=es|date=11 June 2017|access-date=17 June 2017}} On 29 August 2019, he was loaned to Segunda División's Rayo Vallecano for one year.{{cite web|url=http://www.levanteud.com/es/info/el-levante-ud-y-el-rayo-vallecano-acuerdan-la-cesion-de-antonio-luna|title=El Levante UD y el Rayo Vallecano acuerdan la cesión de Antonio Luna|trans-title=Levante UD and Rayo Vallecano agree the loan of Antonio Luna|publisher=Levante UD|language=es|date=29 August 2019|access-date=29 August 2019}}

Luna terminated his contract on 29 September 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.levanteud.com/en/info/luna-leaves-levante-ud|title=Luna leaves Levante UD|publisher=Levante UD|date=29 September 2020|access-date=1 October 2020}}

=Girona=

On 30 September 2020, Luna agreed to a one-year deal with Girona FC in the second division.{{cite web|url=https://www.gironafc.cat/noticia/el-girona-fitxa-el-defensa-antonio-luna|title=El Girona fitxa el defensa Antonio Luna|trans-title=Girona sign defender Antonio Luna|publisher=Girona FC|language=ca|date=30 September 2020|access-date=1 October 2020}} A backup to Enric Franquesa,{{cite news|url=https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/girona/franquesa-girona-11453668|title=Franquesa, de menos a más en el Girona|trans-title=Franquesa, from less to more at Girona|newspaper=Sport|last=Rosell|first=Carles|language=es|date=13 January 2021|access-date=26 October 2021}} he featured in 21 competitive matches as they missed out promotion in the play-offs.{{cite news|url=https://www.diaridegirona.cat/girona-fc/2021/07/05/cartagena-fixa-antonio-luna-54670264.html|title=El Cartagena es fixa en Antonio Luna|trans-title=Cartagena take notice of Antonio Luna|newspaper=Diari de Girona|language=ca|date=5 July 2021|access-date=26 October 2021}}

=Cartagena=

On 7 July 2021, Luna signed a two-year contract with FC Cartagena also in the second tier.{{cite web|url=https://www.fccartagena.es/noticia/antonio-luna-un-lateral-izquierdo-de-primera-para-el-fc-cartagena|title=Antonio Luna, un lateral izquierdo de Primera para el FC Cartagena|trans-title=Antonio Luna, a Primera left-back for FC Cartagena|publisher=FC Cartagena|language=es|date=7 July 2021|access-date=8 August 2021}} He scored on his debut on 16 August, albeit in a 3–1 home loss to his former club Almería.{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/segunda-division/cartagena-vs-almeria/cronica/2021/08/16/611ad4f1e2704e606a8b45b7.html|title=El Almería presenta desde el primer minuto sus credenciales|trans-title=Almería present their credentials from the first minute|newspaper=Marca|last=Prian|first=Álvaro|language=es|date=16 August 2021|access-date=1 March 2023}}

With four muscular injuries, Luna played only 13 times for Efesé – four as a starter – while receiving negative attention for his high salary and poor conduct.{{cite web|url=https://cadenaser.com/2022/03/29/antonio-luna-sufre-una-rotura-fibrilar-y-estara-en-torno-a-un-mes-de-baja/|title=Antonio Luna sufre otra rotura fibrilar y estará en torno a un mes de baja|trans-title=Antonio Luna suffers another fibrillar fracture and will be out for around a month|publisher=Cadena SER|last=Maya|first=Alejandro|language=es|date=29 March 2022|access-date=1 March 2023}}

=Volos=

On 16 July 2022, Luna terminated his deal at Cartagena and moved to the third foreign country of his career, signing for Volos F.C. of Super League Greece. His former employers did not make any statement on his exit.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportcartagena.es/articulo/fc-cartagena/luna-marcha-equipo-griego-volos-cartagena-pronuncia/20220716192338106663.html|title=Luna se marcha al equipo griego del Volos y el Cartagena no se pronuncia|trans-title=Luna leaves for Greek team Volos and Cartagena say nothing about it|publisher=Sport Cartagena|language=es|date=16 July 2022|access-date=1 March 2023}}

Personal life

In October 2016, Luna and teammate Sergi Enrich apologised when a sex tape involving them and a woman went viral on the Internet.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37581026|title=Antonio Luna and Sergi Enrich apologise after sex video appears|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 October 2016|access-date=7 October 2016}} Due to the woman's lack of consent to filming, they were given two-year prison sentences in January 2021, suspended due to their lack of prior criminal records.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.es/deportes/futbol/abci-enrich-luna-condena-pionera-contra-exhibicionismo-elite-202101200053_noticia.html|title=Enrich-Luna, condena pionera contra el exhibicionismo en la élite|trans-title=Enrich-Luna, landmark sentence against elite exhibitionism|newspaper=ABC|last=Carabias|first=José Carlos|language=es|date=20 January 2021|access-date=26 October 2021}}

In popular culture

Aston Villa fans nicknamed Luna 'Tony Moon', a direct translation of his name from Spanish into English. Manager Paul Lambert admitted that he did not understand the nickname.{{cite news|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/paul-lambert-aston-villa-fans-5747640|title=Lambert: Villa fans can nickname 'Tony Moon' what they want if he maintains form|newspaper=Birmingham Mail|last=Kendrick|first=Mat|date=18 August 2013|access-date=3 September 2013}}

Luna was referenced in the 19th Jack Reacher novel Personal by Lee Child, an Aston Villa fan.{{cite web|url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2451491,00.html|title=Exclusive interview with ace author Child in matchday programme|publisher=Aston Villa F.C.|date=15 September 2011|access-date=24 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923191656/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2451491,00.html|archive-date=23 September 2015}} There, character Casey Nice described him as a friend of hers, adding "I call him Tony Moon".{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CfrrBwAAQBAJ&q=jack+reacher+antonio+luna&pg=PT89|title=Personal (Jack Reacher 19)|last=Child|first=Lee|isbn=978-0-5930-7382-7|date=27 August 2014|access-date=15 August 2017}}

Honours

Sevilla

Copa del Rey: 2009–10{{cite news|url=http://deportes.elpais.com/deportes/2010/05/19/actualidad/1274253740_850215.html|title=Ganó el serio, cayó el alegre|trans-title=Serious won, playful lost|newspaper=El País|last=Besa|first=Ramón|language=es|date=19 May 2010|access-date=11 September 2015}}