Ezequiel Ponce
{{short description|Argentine footballer (1997)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ezequiel Ponce
| image = Ezequiel Ponce 2019 (1).jpg
| caption = Ponce with Spartak Moscow in 2019
| fullname = Ezequiel Ponce Martínez{{cite web |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j27077.html |title=PLayer profile}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|3|29|df=y}}
| birth_place = Rosario, Argentina
| height = 1.81 m{{Cite web|url=https://spartak.com/team/persons/esekel_ponse|title=Клуб}}
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Houston Dynamo
| clubnumber = 10
| youthyears1 = 2005–2013
| youthclubs1 = Newell's Old Boys
| years1 = 2013–2015
| clubs1 = Newell's Old Boys
| caps1 = 27
| goals1 = 5
| years2 = 2015–2019
| clubs2 = Roma
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2016–2017
| clubs3 = → Granada (loan)
| caps3 = 25
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2017–2018
| clubs4 = → Lille (loan)
| caps4 = 32
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2018–2019
| clubs5 = → AEK Athens (loan)
| caps5 = 27
| goals5 = 16
| years6 = 2019–2022
| clubs6 = Spartak Moscow
| caps6 = 59
| goals6 = 19
| years7 = 2022
| clubs7 = → Elche (loan)
| caps7 = 13
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2022–2023
| clubs8 = Elche
| caps8 = 34
| goals8 = 4
| years9 = 2023–2024
| clubs9 = AEK Athens
| caps9 = 29
| goals9 = 15
| years10 = 2024–
| clubs10 = Houston Dynamo
| caps10 = 17
| goals10 = 6
| nationalyears1 = 2017
| nationalteam1 = Argentina U20
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2019–2021
| nationalteam2 = Argentina U23
| nationalcaps2 = 8
| nationalgoals2 = 3
| club-update = 17:10, 8 April 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Ezequiel Ponce Martínez ({{IPA|es|eseˈkjel ˈponse}}; born 29 March 1997) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo.{{Soccerway|ezequiel-ponce/317832}}
Club career
=Newell's Old Boys=
Ponce is a youth exponent from his hometown club Newell's Old Boys. Predictably, Ponce was snapped up by local club Newell's Old Boys at the age of eight, progressing through the youth set-up to eventually break into the senior squad in 2013. He made his league debut on 5 October 2013 against Quilmes in a 0–2 away win.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/10/05/argentina/primera-division/quilmes-atletico-club/newell-s-old-boys/1505301/|title=Quilmes vs. Newell's Old Boys - 5 October 2013 - Soccerway|publisher=soccerway.com|access-date=20 August 2014}} At 16 March 2014, he scored his first league goal for the club against Racing Club in a 2–0 home win.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/03/16/argentina/primera-division/newell-s-old-boys/racing-club-de-avellaneda/1622760/|title=Newell's Old Boys vs. Racing Club - Soccerway|publisher=soccerway.com|access-date=20 August 2014}}
=Roma=
In August 2015, Italian club Roma announced the signing of Ponce from Newell's Old Boys for a fee of €4.2 million. Ponce started well with Roma by tallying three goals in the UEFA Youth League group stages, but disaster struck in December, as the striker received a torn ligament in his knee, which kept him on the sidelines for four months. He returned to action with a bang in the spring, playing in their reserve squad, winning the Campionato Nazionale Primavera and scoring nine goals in ten matches. He was also summoned to Roma's senior team without being given a chance on the pitch.[http://www.asroma.it/en/news/roma_complete_signing_of_ezequiel_ponce/ Roma complete signing of Ezequiel Ponce] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905084336/http://www.asroma.it/en/news/roma_complete_signing_of_ezequiel_ponce/ |date=5 September 2015 }}
==Loan to Granada==
On 5 August 2016, Ponce was loaned to La Liga club Granada CF for one year.[http://www.granadacf.es/noticia/ezequiel-ponce-llega-a-nuestra-entidad-cedido-por-un-ano Ezequiel Ponce llega a nuestra entidad cedido por un año (Ezequiel Ponce arrives at our club on loan for one year)]; Granada CF, 5 August 2016 {{in lang|es}} Fifteen days later he scored on his club debut, in a 1–1 home draw against Villarreal CF.{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/argentina/2016/08/20/57b8b6a822601d0e478b4652.html|title=Debut y gol para Ponce en el Granada|trans-title=Debut and a goal for Ponce with Granada|publisher=Marca|language=es|date=20 August 2016|access-date=13 September 2016}}
==Loan to Lille==
On 10 July 2017, after being identified by then Manager Marcelo Bielsa, Ponce was loaned to Ligue 1 club Lille.{{cite press release|url=http://www.losc.fr/actualites-foot-lille/officiel-ezequiel-ponce-est-lillois|title=Officiel : Ezequiel Ponce est Lillois !|date=10 July 2017|access-date=11 July 2017|publisher=Lille OSC|language=fr}} He made his debut in a 3–0 win against Nantes on 6 August 2017. He scored his first goal on 17 November in a 3–1 win against AS Saint-Étienne.{{cite press release|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=87860|title=Ezequiel Ponce|date=26 July 2018|publisher=Soccerbase|language=en}}
==Loan to AEK Athens==
On 19 July 2018, Ponce was loaned to Greek Super League club AEK Athens for one year with a €6 million buy-out. Roma would be entitled to 30% of any resale, although the loan notes that can be eliminated if AEK pays an extra €1 million. The striker is a hard worker, but looking at aspects that need to be improved, he certainly has to start scoring more goals. When joining AEK, Ponce pointed out his excitement at the opportunity to display his talents in the UEFA Champions League. "We all want to play in the Champions League; it’s our main goal. I am glad to be an AEK player, I’m impressed with the people I’ve met, and we must be a united team." he said.{{cite web|url=http://www.to10.gr/podosfero/superleague/326751/ke-episima-o-ponse-stin-aek/ |script-title=el:Και επίσημα ο Πόνσε στην ΑΕΚ! |publisher=www.to10.gr |language=el|date=19 July 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/124738/official-ponce-leaves-roma |title=Official: Ponce leaves Roma |publisher=www.football-italia.net |language=en|date=19 July 2018}}
On 25 August 2018, he scored his first goal for the 2018–19 season in a 2–0 home win game against PAS Giannina as he was in the right place at the right time to convert a superb cross from Marko Livaja.{{cite news|title=ΑΕΚ - ΠΑΣ Γιάννινα 2-0 |url=https://www.sdna.gr/podosfairo/superleague/article/505392/aek-pas-giannina-2-0 |publisher=www.sdna.gr|date=25 August 2018}} On 16 September 2018, he scored in a 4–0 home win game against Panionios from close range after Petros Mantalos sweet and precise cross.{{cite news|title=ΑΕΚ - Πανιώνιος 4-0 |url=http://www.gazzetta.gr/football/superleague/article/1270502/aek-panionios-4-0 | publisher=www.gazzetta.gr|date=16 September 2018}} On 29 September 2018, Ponce scored his third goal for the club in an away match against OFI, after the ball ricocheted of his body and ended up in the unguarded net to seal a 3–0 away win.{{cite news|title=ΟΦΗ - ΑΕΚ 0-3 |url=http://www.gazzetta.gr/football/superleague/article/1275563/ofi-aek-0-3 | publisher=www.gazzetta.gr|date=29 September 2018}}
On 28 October 2018, the on-loan Roma forward netted a double within six second-half minutes in a hammering 4–0 home win game against Aris Thessaloniki.{{cite web|url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/SuperLeague/aek-arhs-4-0-sooy-apo-ponse-kai-mpoge-sto-adeio-oaka.5348829.html |script-title=el:ΑΕΚ - Άρης 4-0: "Σόου" από Πόνσε και Μπογέ στο άδειο ΟΑΚΑ |language=el|website=www.sport24.gr |access-date=28 October 2018}} On 2 December 2018, he opened the score in a 2–0 home win against Xanthi.{{cite web |url=http://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/SuperLeague/aek-ksanthh-2-0-ponse-kai-livagia-edwsan-anasa.5377864.html |title=ΑΕΚ - Ξάνθη 2-0: Πόνσε και Λιβάγια έδωσαν ανάσα |publisher=www.sport24.gr |date=2 December 2018}} On 8 December 2018, he scored with a wonderful volley, after Petros Mantalos' excellent ball, in a 2–0 home win against Lamia.{{cite web |url=http://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/SuperLeague/aek-lamia-2-0-katharise-eukola-me-souper-ponse.5383730.html |title=ΑΕΚ - Λαμία 2-0: "Καθάρισε" εύκολα, με σούπερ Πόνσε |publisher=www.sport24.gr |date=8 December 2018}} On 14 January 2019, Ponce rose highest to head home powerfully from a pin-point Rodrigo Galo corner, and there was still time for one more goal before half-time as Ponce rose to head home again in the third minute of added time from a great Marko Livaja's cross.{{cite web |url=http://www.gazzetta.gr/football/superleague/article/1313476/pas-giannina-aek-0-4 |title=ΠΑΣ Γιάννινα - ΑΕΚ 0-4 |publisher=www.gazzetta.gr |date=14 January 2019}} On 20 January 2019, he netted with a penalty kick in a comfortable 3–0 home win game against Asteras Tripolis.{{cite web |url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/SuperLeague/aek-asteras-3-0-katharise-se-20-lepta-h-aek.5418546.html |script-title=el:ΑΕΚ - Αστέρας 3-0: "Καθάρισε" σε 20 λεπτά η ΑΕΚ |publisher=www.sport24.gr |date=20 January 2019}} On 26 January 2019, he scored in the second minute of added time sealing a 2–0 away win against Panionios.{{cite web |url=http://www.gazzetta.gr/football/superleague/article/1318056/panionios-aek-0-2 |title=Πανιώνιος - ΑΕΚ 0-2 |publisher=www.gazzetta.gr |date=29 January 2019}} On 3 February 2019, the Argentinian winger continued his rich vein of scoring form in style, rising to meet a superb cross from Marko Livaja and glance the ball into the bottom left corner past the dive of Alexandros Paschalakis in a 1–1 draw in an absorbing derby clash at the Olympic Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.gr/football/superleague/article/1320815/aek-paok-1-1 |title=ΑΕΚ - ΠΑΟΚ 1-1 |publisher=www.gazzetta.gr |language=el|date=3 February 2019}} On 17 February 2019, he opened the score as AEK got off to a dream start in the third minute when Viktor Klonaridis intercepted a pass from Olympiacos defender Jagoš Vuković and the lightning fast winger surged forward and sent over a low cross which Olympiacos goalkeeper José Sá could only parry into the path of Ponce, who gleefully tapped home from close range. Eventually, AEK lost 4–1 against rivals Olympiacos in a derby for UEFA Champions League next season.{{cite web |url=http://www.gazzetta.gr/football/superleague/article/1325686/olympiakos-aek-4-1 |title=Ολυμπιακός - ΑΕΚ 4-1 |publisher=www.gazzetta.gr |date=17 February 2019}} On 26 February 2019, the prolific Argentinian striker took aim from the edge of the penalty area, thumping a fierce half-volley into the left corner past the despairing dive of Christos Theodorakis and opened the score in a thriumphic 3–0 home Greek Cup game against rivals Atromitos.{{cite web |url=http://www.gazzetta.gr/football/kypello-elladas/article/1329115/aek-atromitos-3-0-vids |title=ΑΕΚ - Ατρόμητος 3-0 |publisher=www.gazzetta.gr |date=26 February 2019}}
On 3 April 2019, he opened the score by finding space between the Lamia's central defenders, as he met Petros Mantalos’ pinpoint cross, confidently heading the ball into the right corner in a 2–0 Greek Cup semifinal 1st leg against Lamia. Boasting 18 goals so far, he became the club's highest goalscorer in one specific season since fellow Argentinian player Ismael Blanco struck an incredible 24 goals for AEK in the 2008–09 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.gr/football/kypello-elladas/article/1341751/aek-lamia-2-0|website=|title=ΑΕΚ - Λαμία 2-0|date=3 April 2019}} On 7 April 2019, he scored when as he perfectly brought down Rodrigo Galo’s cross rifling a shot past Živko Živković in a final 3–1 away win game against Xanthi, a result which meant that the team had all but locked up third place in the Super League.{{cite web|url=https://www.protothema.gr/sports/article/880014/super-league-live-xanthi-aek-0-0-a-imihrono/|title=Ξάνθη-ΑΕΚ 1-3: Ανατροπή και.. πάρτι στο Β' ημίχρονο|website=protothema.gr | date=6 April 2019}}
On 25 April 2019, Ponce opened the score as Marko Livaja’s deflected effort struck the right post, but the prolific Argentinian striker was on hand to lash the ensuing rebound into the net in a hammering 4–0 Greek Cup away semi-final second-leg game against Lamia, and for the third consecutive season, AEK met PAOK in the Greek Cup final, whom they beat 3–0, in an ambiguous win.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.gr/football/kypello-elladas/article/1349526/lamia-aek-0-4|title=Λαμία - ΑΕΚ 0-4|website=gazzetta.gr|date=25 April 2019}} On 5 May 2019, in the last matchday of the season, scored in a 3–0 away win against Levadiakos.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.gr/football/superleague/article/1352312/levadeiakos-aek-0-3 | title=Λεβαδειακός - ΑΕΚ 0-3|website=gazzetta.gr | date=5 May 2019}}
=Spartak Moscow=
On 21 June 2019, he signed a long-term contract with the Russian Premier League club Spartak Moscow.{{cite web|publisher=Spartak Moscow|url=https://spartak.com/news/2019-06-21-bienvenido_esekel_ponse/|title=Bienvenido, Эсекель Понсе!|trans-title=Welcome, Ezequiel Ponce|date=21 June 2019|language=ru}}
In his fourth game for Spartak, he was sent off in the derby in the first half for striking the goalkeeper of Dynamo Moscow, Anton Shunin, with a straight leg during a cross from his teammate.{{cite web|url=https://eng.premierliga.ru/match/match_13145.html|title=Spartak v Dynamo game report|date=3 August 2019}}
=Elche=
On 31 January 2022, Ponce returned to Spain after agreeing to a loan deal with Elche CF in the top tier.{{cite web|url=https://www.elchecf.es/noticia/oficial-el-elche-c-f-se-refuerza-con-ezequiel-ponce|title=OFICIAL {{!}} El Elche C.F. se refuerza con Ezequiel Ponce|trans-title=OFFICIAL {{!}} Elche C.F. bolster with Ezequiel Ponce|publisher=Elche CF|language=es|date=31 January 2022|accessdate=31 January 2022}} On 1 June 2022, Elche exercised the purchase option in the loan contract and signed a four-year contract with Ponce.{{cite web|publisher=Elche CF|url=https://www.elchecf.es/noticia/oficial-eze-ponce-sigue-hasta-2026|title=OFICIAL - EZE PONCE SIGUE HASTA 2026|date=1 June 2022|accessdate=1 June 2022|language=es}}
=Return to AEK Athens=
On 5 August 2023, Ponce returned to AEK Athens on a permanent move, signing a four-year contract. He signed for €3,500,000.{{cite web|url=https://www.aekfc.gr/newsdetails/stin-mechri-to-2027-o-ezekiel-ponse-129361.htm?lang=el&path=1628688758|title=Στην ΑΕΚ μέχρι το 2027 ο Εζέκιελ Πόνσε!|website=aekfc.gr|date=5 August 2023|language=el|location=Online}}
=Houston Dynamo=
On 17 June 2024, Ponce joined Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo, becoming the most expensive signing in club history.{{cite news |title=Houston Dynamo FC sign forward Ezequiel Ponce from AEK Athens on club-record transfer fee |url=https://www.houstondynamofc.com/news/houston-dynamo-fc-sign-forward-ezequiel-ponce-from-aek-athens-on-club-record-transfer-fee |access-date=17 June 2024 |work=Houston Dynamo Football Club |date=17 June 2024}}
International career
He was called up to the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup for the summer of 2017.{{cite press release|url=http://mundoalbiceleste.com/2017/04/27/argentina-u20-world-cup-squad-ezequiel-ponce/|title=Argentina U20 World Cup squad announced, Ezequiel PONCE included !|date=27 April 2017|access-date=11 July 2017|publisher=Mundo Albeceleste|language=en}} He started for Argentina national under-20 football team in the first match in a 3–0 defeat against England national under-20 football team.{{cite press release|url=https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=275960/match=300367066/index.html#lineups|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515032345/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=275960/match=300367066/index.html#lineups|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 May 2017|title=Argentina 0 England 3|date=20 May 2017|access-date=26 June 2018|publisher=FIFA|language=en}}
Personal life
He holds Spanish citizenship.{{RPL player|Ponse-Martinez-Esekel}}
Career statistics
{{Updated|match played on 19 May 2024}}{{Soccerway|317832|accessdate=1 March 2018}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Copa Argentina, Copa del Rey, Coupe de France, Greek Football Cup, Russian Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Coupe de la Ligue}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Newell's Old Boys
|17 | 4 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|Appearances in Copa Libertadores}} | 0 | 22 | 4 | ||
| 2014
|Argentine Primera División |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2015
|Argentine Primera División |9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!27 | 5 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | 33 | 5 | ||
| Roma
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Granada (loan)
|25 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 2 | |||
| Lille (loan)
|25 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 3 | |
| AEK Athens (loan)
|27 | 16 | 7 | 5 | colspan="2"|— | 9{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 0 | 43 | 21 | ||
| rowspan="4"|Spartak Moscow
|27 | 6 | 3 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 2 | 34 | 11 | ||
| 2020–21
|Russian Premier League |25 | 9 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 28 | 10 | |||
| 2021–22
|Russian Premier League |7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 11 | 4 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!59 | 19 | 6 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 2 | 73 | 25 | ||
| Elche (loan)
|La Liga |13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 1 | |||
| rowspan="2"|Elche
|La Liga |34 | 4 | 3 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 5 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!47 | 5 | 3 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 6 | |||
| AEK Athens
|Super League Greece |29 | 15 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7{{efn|Five appearance and one goal in UEFA Europa League, two appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 1 | 38 | 16 | ||
| Houston Dynamo
|2024 |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!239 | 64 | 24 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 28 | 3 | 293 | 79 |
{{notelist}}
Honors
Individual
- 2024 MLS Team of the Matchday: Matchday 30
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{BDFutbol|27077}}
- {{UEFA player|250088137}}
- {{Soccerway|ezequiel-ponce/317832}}
{{Houston Dynamo FC squad}}
{{Argentina men's football squad 2020 Summer Olympics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ponce, Ezequiel}}
Category:Footballers from Rosario, Santa Fe
Category:Argentine men's footballers
Category:Argentina men's under-20 international footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Argentine Primera División players
Category:Super League Greece players
Category:Russian Premier League players
Category:Newell's Old Boys footballers
Category:Granada CF footballers
Category:AEK Athens F.C. players
Category:FC Spartak Moscow players
Category:Houston Dynamo FC players
Category:Argentine expatriate men's footballers
Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Italy
Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Russia
Category:Naturalised citizens of Spain
Category:Spanish people of Argentine descent
Category:Sportspeople of Argentine descent
Category:Olympic footballers for Argentina
Category:Footballers at the 2020 Summer Olympics
Category:Designated Players (MLS)