Igor Lichnovsky

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Igor Lichnovsky

| image = Igor Lichnovski.png

| image_size = 200

| caption = Lichnovsky in 2012

| fullname = Igor Lichnovsky Osorio{{cite web|url=http://www.fifadata.com/document/FWYC/2013/pdf/FWYC_2013_SquadLists.pdf|title=FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013 List of Players: Chile|publisher=FIFA|page=2|date=23 June 2013|access-date=20 December 2022|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627043508/http://www.fifadata.com/document/FWYC/2013/pdf/FWYC_2013_SquadLists.pdf|archive-date=27 June 2013|format=PDF}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|3|7|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/igor-lichnovsky_prs302227/person.shtml|title=Igor Lichnovsky|publisher=Eurosport|access-date=16 October 2020}}

| birth_place = Peñaflor, Chile

| height = {{Height|m=1.86|precision=0}}

| position = Centre-back

| currentclub = América

| clubnumber = 31

| youthyears1 = 2002–2011 | youthclubs1 = Universidad de Chile

| years1 = 2011–2014 | clubs1 = Universidad de Chile | caps1 = 41 | goals1 = 4

| years2 = 2014–2015 | clubs2 = Porto B | caps2 = 41 | goals2 = 3

| years3 = 2015–2017 | clubs3 = Porto | caps3 = 0 | goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2016 | clubs4 = → Sporting Gijón (loan) | caps4 = 2 | goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2016–2017 | clubs5 = → Valladolid (loan) | caps5 = 18 | goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2017–2018 | clubs6 = Necaxa | caps6 = 34 | goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2018–2020 | clubs7 = Cruz Azul | caps7 = 62 | goals7 = 2

| years8 = 2020–2022 | clubs8 = Al Shabab | caps8 = 41 | goals8 = 3

| years9 = 2022–2024 | clubs9 = Tigres UANL | caps9 = 46 | goals9 = 1

| years10 = 2023–2024 | clubs10 = → América (loan)| caps10 = 34 | goals10 = 2

| years11 = 2024– | clubs11 = América | caps11 = 1 | goals11 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2011 | nationalteam1 = Chile U17 | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2013 | nationalteam2 = Chile U20 | nationalcaps2 = 11 | nationalgoals2 = 1

| nationalyears3 = 2014– | nationalteam3 = Chile | nationalcaps3 = 14 | nationalgoals3 = 0

| club-update = 23:06, 3 September 2024 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update = 23:26, 10 June 2025 (UTC)

}}

Igor Lichnovsky Osorio (born 7 March 1994) is a Chilean professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Liga MX club América and the Chile national team.

Club career

=Universidad de Chile=

Born in Peñaflor near Santiago to an Austrian father of German and Slovak descent,{{cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/chlg/news/943118|title=Sporting de Gijon signs Igor Lichnovsky on loan from Porto|publisher=The Score|first=Carlo|last=Campo|date=23 January 2016|access-date=29 October 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2016/04/23/571b9d56ca474100498b45f4.html|title=Igor Lichnovsky: the refugee footballer|newspaper=Marca|first1=Pablo|last1=García Cuervo|first2=Jeffrey|last2=Boxer|date=23 April 2016|access-date=29 October 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mercafutbol.com/promesa-de-la-semana-igor-lichnovsky/|title=Promesa de la semana: Igor Lichnovsky|trans-title=Prospect of the week: Igor Lichnovsky|publisher=Merca Fútbol|language=es|date=3 May 2013|access-date=15 December 2015}} Lichnovsky joined Club Universidad de Chile at the age of 8. On 20 November 2011 he first appeared in the Primera División, playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–0 home draw against Club Deportivo Universidad Católica for the Clausura in which he was also voted as Player of the match.{{cite web|url=http://anfp.cl/detalle_noticia.php?noticia=13012|title=La "U" y Católica no se hicieron daño|trans-title="U" and Católica were gentle to each other|publisher=Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional|language=es|date=20 November 2011|access-date=20 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121225329/http://www.anfp.cl/detalle_noticia.php?noticia=13012|archive-date=21 November 2011}}

Lichnovsky scored his first goal as a professional on 29 April 2012, contributing to a 5–0 derby home win over Colo-Colo.{{cite web|url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/cronica?id=338486|title=U de Chile liquida por 5–0 a Colo Colo en el clásico chileno|trans-title=U de Chile finish Colo Colo 5–0 in Chilean classic|publisher=ESPN Deportes|language=es|date=29 April 2012|access-date=15 December 2015}}

=Porto=

Lichnovsky's good performances for both Universidad and the Chilean national youth teams attracted interest from English club Chelsea.{{cite news|url=http://diario.latercera.com/2011/10/05/01/contenido/deportes/4-85899-9-chelsea-va-por-promesa-de-la-u.shtml|title=Chelsea va por promesa de la "U"|trans-title=Chelsea go after "U" prospect|newspaper=La Tercera|first=Ramiro|last=Fuenzalida|language=es|date=5 October 2011|access-date=15 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007110512/http://diario.latercera.com/2011/10/05/01/contenido/deportes/4-85899-9-chelsea-va-por-promesa-de-la-u.shtml|archive-date=7 October 2011}} However, nothing came of it, and in late June 2014 he signed a four-year contract with FC Porto from Portugal, being initially assigned to the B team.{{cite web|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/fc-porto-mercado-transferencias-ii-liga-fc-porto-b-topnews/53aead460cf26735dc6f7a69.html|title=FC Porto: Igor Lichnovsky é dragão por quatro épocas|trans-title=FC Porto: Igor Lichnovsky is a dragon for four seasons|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|date=28 June 2014|access-date=30 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630063421/http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/fc-porto-mercado-transferencias-ii-liga-fc-porto-b-topnews/53aead460cf26735dc6f7a69.html|archive-date=30 June 2014}}

Lichnovsky played his first competitive match on 17 October 2015, in a 2–0 win at Varzim S.C. in the third round of the Taça de Portugal.{{cite web|url=http://www.fcporto.pt/pt/futebol/fichas-de-jogo/Pages/Varzim-FCPorto-Taca-de-Portugal.aspx|title=Tello e André André mostraram o caminho|trans-title=Tello and André André showed the way|publisher=FC Porto|language=pt|date=17 October 2015|access-date=15 December 2015}} On 22 January of the following year he was loaned to Sporting de Gijón until June,{{cite web|url=http://www.24horas.cl/deportes/futbol-internacional/sporting-de-gijon-oficializa-el-fichaje-de-igor-lichnovsky-1909876|title=Sporting de Gijón oficializa el fichaje de Igor Lichnovsky|trans-title=Sporting de Gijón make signing of Igor Lichnovsky official|publisher=24 horas|language=es|date=22 January 2016|access-date=30 January 2016}} making his La Liga debut on 17 February by featuring the entire 1–3 home loss against FC Barcelona.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35597627|title=Sporting de Gijón 1–3 Barcelona|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 February 2016|access-date=17 February 2016}}

On 2 August 2016, Lichnovsky returned to Spain, joining Segunda División team Real Valladolid on another loan.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/valladolid/2016/08/02/57a0e83d46163fb52a8b45ec.html|title=El central Igor Lichnovsky llega cedido al Valladolid|trans-title=Stopper Igor Lichnovsky arrives on loan at Valladolid|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=2 August 2016|access-date=21 September 2016}} He scored his only goal in the country on 3 September when he opened a 2–1 home victory over Girona FC in the third minute.{{cite news|url=http://www.elgraficochile.cl/igor-lichnovsky-anoto-su-primer-gol-en-espana-en-triunfo-de-valladolid/prontus_elgrafico/2016-09-03/143953.html|title=Igor Lichnovsky anotó su primer gol en España en triunfo de Valladolid|trans-title=Igor Lichnovsky scored his first goal in Spain in Valladolid's triumph|newspaper=El Gráfico Chile|language=es|date=3 September 2016|access-date=21 September 2016}}

=Mexico=

On 21 June 2017, Lichnovsky moved to the third continent of his career by joining Club Necaxa.{{cite web|url=http://clubnecaxa.mx/v2/igor-lichnovsky-llega-para-reforzar-a-necaxa/|title=Igor Lichnovsky llega para reforzar a Necaxa|trans-title=Igor Lichnovsky arrives to bolster Necaxa|publisher=Club Necaxa|language=es|date=21 June 2017|access-date=1 June 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629014008/http://clubnecaxa.mx/v2/igor-lichnovsky-llega-para-reforzar-a-necaxa/|archive-date=29 June 2017}} He made his Liga MX debut on 24 July in a 2–0 win at C.D. Veracruz,{{cite web|url=https://www.24horas.cl/deportes/futbol-internacional/chilenos-en-mexico-necaxa-con-gallegos-y-lichnovsky-derroto-a-domicilio-al-veracruz-2456075|title=Chilenos en México: Necaxa con Gallegos y Lichnovsky derrotó a domicilio al Veracruz|trans-title=Chileans in Mexico: Necaxa with Gallegos and Lichnovsky defeated Veracruz away|publisher=24 horas|language=es|date=24 July 2017|access-date=1 June 2019}} and was ever-present over the season for the team from Aguascalientes City.

Lichnovsky transferred to Cruz Azul of the same league in May 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.milenio.com/futbol/club-cruz-azul/lichnovsky-y-alvarado-son-nuevos-jugadores-de-cruz-azul|title=Lichnovsky y Alvarado son nuevos jugadores de Cruz Azul|trans-title=Lichnovsky and Alvarado are new Cruz Azul players|newspaper=Milenio|language=es|date=21 May 2018|access-date=1 June 2019}} He scored his first goal in Mexican football the following 31 March, to secure a 2–2 draw away to C.F. Monterrey.{{cite news|url=https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/universal-deportes/futbol/lichnovsky-no-se-dio-cuenta-si-fue-el-quien-anoto|title=Lichnovsky no se dio cuenta si fue él quien anotó|trans-title=Lichnovsky did not realise that he had scored|newspaper=El Universal|language=es|date=31 March 2019|access-date=1 June 2019}}

=Al Shabab=

On 10 October 2020, Lichnovsky signed with Al Shabab FC of the Saudi Professional League.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AlShababSaudiFC/status/1314930026790363141|title=أهلا بالليث التشيلي|trans-title=Welcome Lichnovsky|publisher=Twitter|language=ar|date=10 October 2020|access-date=10 October 2020}}

International career

Lichnovsky was capped by Chile at under-17 and under-20 levels. He participated with the latter in the 2013 South American Youth Championship, helping his team qualify to the 2013 FIFA World Cup in Turkey whilst acting as captain in both tournaments.{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.cl/noticias/deportes/la-roja/selecciones-menores/la-sub-20-recupero-a-igor-lichnovsky-ante-paraguay/2013-01-19/120013.html|title=La Sub 20 recuperó a Igor Lichnovsky ante Paraguay|trans-title=The Under 20 recovered Igor Lichnovsky against Paraguay|newspaper=La Nación|language=es|date=19 January 2013|access-date=15 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222230511/http://www.lanacion.cl/noticias/deportes/la-roja/selecciones-menores/la-sub-20-recupero-a-igor-lichnovsky-ante-paraguay/2013-01-19/120013.html|archive-date=22 December 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.24horas.cl/deportes/mundialsub20/lichnovsky-demostramos-solidez-en-todas-nuestras-lineas-726565|title=Lichnovsky: "Demostramos solidez en todas nuestras líneas"|trans-title=Lichnovsky: "We displayed strength in every sector"|publisher=24 horas|first=Alonso|last=Sánchez|language=es|date=3 July 2013|access-date=15 December 2015}}

Lichnovsky made his debut with the full side on 14 November 2014, playing the entire 5–0 friendly win with Venezuela at the Estadio CAP in Talcahuano.{{cite web|url=http://atodomomento.com/chile-barre-el-suelo-con-venezuela-en-amistoso-5-0/|title=Chile barre el suelo con Venezuela en amistoso 5–0|trans-title=Chile sweep floor with Venezuela in friendly 5–0|publisher=A Todo Momento|language=es|date=14 November 2014|access-date=15 December 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-sg/match/chile-vs-venezuela/1958275/lineups|title=Chile 5–0 Venezuela|publisher=Goal|language=es|date=15 November 2014|access-date=29 March 2015}} He did not make his second appearance until 27 March 2018, in a goalless exhibition away to Denmark.{{cite web|url=https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/deportes/futbol/la-roja/2018/03/20/gary-medel-volveria-al-mediocampo-en-la-roja-de-reinaldo-rueda.shtml|title=Gary Medel volvería al mediocampo en la 'Roja' de Reinaldo Rueda|trans-title=Gary Medel would return to the 'Roja' midfield under Reinaldo Rueda|publisher=Bio Bio Chile|first=Raúl|last=Galdames|language=es|date=20 March 2018|access-date=27 June 2020}}

Manager Reinaldo Rueda called Lichnovsky up for the 2019 Copa América in Brazil.{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/vidal-sanchez-head-chile-copa-america-squad-119052700343_1.html|title=Vidal, Sanchez head Chile Copa America squad|newspaper=Business Standard|date=27 May 2019|access-date=27 June 2020}} He played one match as a substitute for his competitive debut for the fourth-place finishers, as a 55th-minute replacement for Gary Medel in a 1–0 group loss against Uruguay in the Maracanã Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://chiletoday.cl/site/chile-loses-first-place-in-group-to-uruguay/|title=Chile loses first place in group to Uruguay|publisher=Chile Today|first=Boris|last=Van der Spek|date=25 June 2019|access-date=27 June 2020}}

Career statistics

=International=

National team	Year	Apps
class=wikitable style=text-align:center \|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
rowspan="5"\|Chile \|2014	1	0
2018	4	0
2019	2	0
2024	6	0
2025	1	0
colspan="2"\|Total	14	0

Honours

Universidad de Chile

Necaxa

Copa MX: Clausura 2018

Cruz Azul

UANL

Liga MX: Clausura 2023

América

Liga MX: Apertura 2023,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report/_/gameId/690858|title=Club América extends Liga MX record to 14 titles after defeating Tigres|publisher=ESPN|first=Cesar|last=Hernandez|date=18 December 2023|access-date=19 December 2023}} Clausura 2024,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=702650|title=América secure back-to-back Liga MX titles with win over Cruz Azul|publisher=ESPN|date=27 May 2024|access-date=28 May 2024}} Apertura 2024
Campeón de Campeones: 2024
Supercopa de la Liga MX: 2024
Campeones Cup: 2024