Marcos Zambrano

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Marcos Zambrano

| image =

| fullname = Marcos Alberto Zambrano Delgado

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2005|1|20}}

| birth_place = Guayaquil, Ecuador

| height = 1.80m

| position = Forward

| currentclub = Vitória Guimarães B

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2021

| youthclubs1 = C.S. Norte América

| youthyears2 = 2021–2023

| youthclubs2 = Philadelphia Union

| youthyears3 = 2023

| youthclubs3 = Benfica

| years1 = 2023–2024

| clubs1 = Benfica B

| caps1 = 0

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2024–

| clubs2 = Vitória Guimarães B

| caps2 = 6

| goals2 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2019

| nationalteam1 = Ecuador U16

| nationalcaps1 = 2

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2022

| nationalteam2 = United States U17

| nationalcaps2 = 1

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2022

| nationalteam3 = United States U19

| nationalcaps3 = 2

| nationalgoals3 = 1

| nationalyears4 = 2024–

| nationalteam4 = United States U20

| nationalcaps4 = 6

| nationalgoals4 = 4

| club-update = 00:15, December 19, 2024 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update = October 12, 2024

| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}}

{{Medal|Country|{{fb|USA}}}}

}}

Marcos Alberto Zambrano Delgado (born January 20, 2005) is a professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Vitória Guimarães B. Born in Ecuador, he represents the United States at youth level.

Early life

Zambrano was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wfmz.com/espanol/deportes/union-el-delantero-ecuatoriano-que-deja-filadelfia-rumbo-a-europa/article_c8f00990-86c8-11ed-ab92-fb6d4e35e9c1.html|title= Union: The Ecuadorian striker who leaves Philadelphia for Europe|website=wfmz.com|date= 27 December 2022}} He joined the Philadelphia Union's academy with his brother Mateo at the start of 2021 having been waiting since Autumn 2020 for clearance from the US Federation. The brothers possessed US passports through their father who was born in New York.{{Cite web|url=https://www.brotherlygame.com/2021/3/2/22309470/marcos-zambrano-mateo-zambrano-ecuador-philadelphia-union-academy|title=Zambrano brothers officially join the Philadelphia Union Academy|website=Brotherlygame.com|date=2 March 2021 }}

Career

Zambrano played as the Philadelphia Union U-17s won the MLS Next Cup in 2021–2022. In August 2022 Zambrano scored for the Eastern Conference in the inaugural MLS Next All-Star Game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/sports/union-philadelphia-mls-chicago-fire-jim-curtin-20220812.html?outputType=amp|title= The Union have forged an identity through success on multiple levels|website=Philadelphia Inquirer|date= 12 August 2022}} In January 2023 he joined Portuguese side S.L. Benfica.{{Cite web|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-bwin/benfica/amp/benfica-vai-aos-estados-unidos-e-pesca-avancado-de-18-anos-estar-aqui-e-um-sonho|title= Benfica goes to the United States and 'fishes' 18-year-old striker|website=Record.pt}}{{Cite web|url=https://bolanarede.pt/especial-bola-na-rede/ultima-hora/sl-benfica-anuncia-contratacao-de-marcos-zambrano-para-o-ataque/|title= SL Benfica announce signing of Marcos Zambrano for the attack|website=Bolanarede.pt|date= 20 January 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/amp/benfica/transferencias/oficial-benfica-contrata-avancado-ao-philadelphia-union|title= OFFICIAL: Benfica signs striker from Philadelphia Union|website=maisfutebol.pt}}

On January 21, 2024, Zambrano left Benfica and signed a contract until 2027 with Vitória de Guimarães, initially joining the club's B team, competing in the Campeonato de Portugal.{{Cite web |date=21 January 2024 |title=Marcos Zambrano é reforço |trans-title=Marcos Zambrano is reinforcement |url=https://vitoriasc.pt/2024/01/21/marcos-zambrano-e-reforco/ |access-date=21 January 2024 |publisher=Vitória S.C. |language=pt-PT}}

International career

Marcos played for Ecuador's under-15 and under-17 teams, but switched nationality to the United States and was called up to the United States national under-19 team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/philadelphia-union-paxten-aaronson-jose-andres-martinez-20221107.html?outputType=amp|title= Five big questions facing the Union this offseason|website=Philadelphia Inquirer|date= 7 November 2022}} In October 2022 Zambrano was called into the United States under-20 squad.{{Cite web|url=https://phlsportsnation.com/2022/12/16/union-lose-big-academy-piece/|title=Union Lose Big Academy Piece|website=Philadelphia Sports Nation|date=16 December 2022 }}