Nolito

Born in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Cádiz, Andalusia, Nolito began his career with UD Algaida in his hometown before joining Atlético Sanluqueño in 2000. He made his first-team debut in Tercera División with the latter club at the age of just 15, scoring on his debut,{{cite news|url=https://sevilla.abc.es/orgullodenervion/noticias-sevilla-fc/sevi-descubre-cinco-curiosidades-nolito-156829-1539698430-201810161702_noticia.html|title=Descubre las cinco curiosidades de Nolito|trans-title=Find out the five curiosities about Nolito|newspaper=ABC|first=Pablo|last=Pintinho|language=es|date=16 October 2018|access-date=21 June 2021}} and moved to Valencia in 2003, where he wrapped up his formative years.{{cite news|url=https://sevilla.abc.es/orgullodenervion/noticias-sevilla-fc/sevi-pasado-valencianista-nolito-141782-1520622821-201803092013_noticia.html|title=El pasado valencianista de Nolito|trans-title=The Valencian past of Nolito|newspaper=ABC|first=Álvaro|last=Galván|language=es|date=9 March 2018|access-date=21 June 2021}}{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.es/deportes/futbol/20141113/abci-nolito-seleccion-entrevista-201411122036.html|title=Nolito, el gol callejero de España|trans-title=Nolito, Spain's street goal|newspaper=ABC|first=Enrique|last=Yunta|language=es|date=13 November 2014|access-date=25 September 2015}}

Nolito returned to Sanluqueño in 2005,{{cite news|url=https://www.diariocordoba.com/deportes/2005/11/22/nolito-sigue-cabeza-38707232.html|title=Nolito sigue en cabeza|trans-title=Nolito still in front|newspaper=Diario Córdoba|language=es|date=22 November 2005|access-date=21 June 2021}} and was their top scorer in the 2005–06 season with 27 goals (24 in the regular season).{{cite web|url=https://www.lavozdigital.es/canal-amarillo/noticias-cadiz-cf/lvdi-nolito-vuelve-estadio-club-no-quiso-hace-quince-anos-202104171803_noticia.html|title=Nolito vuelve al estadio de un club que no lo quiso hace quince años|trans-title=Nolito returns to stadium of a club that did not want him fifteen years ago|publisher=La Voz Digital|first=Alfonso|last=Carbonell|language=es|date=17 April 2021|access-date=21 June 2021}} He then signed with Écija of the Segunda División B, where he scored in a 1–1 home draw against Real Madrid in the 2006–07 Copa del Rey.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2015/04/26/primera/1430017959_100475.html|title=Nolito le marcó un gol al Real Madrid militando en el Écija|trans-title=Nolito scored against Real Madrid when at Écija|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=26 April 2015|access-date=21 June 2021}}

Nolito arrived at Barcelona's youth academy at nearly 22 years of age, after scoring 13 times for Écija the previous campaign. With the Catalans' B team, also in the third tier, he scored 16 league goals over two seasons – 12 in the second{{cite news|url=https://www.publico.pt/2016/07/01/desporto/noticia/nolito-e-uma-carreira-de-avancos-e-recuos-da-origem-humilde-ao-milionario-city-1737009|title=Nolito: da origem humilde ao milionário City|trans-title=Nolito: from humble origins to millionaire City|newspaper=Público|first=Pedro|last=Queiroz da Costa|language=pt|date=1 July 2016|access-date=9 October 2018}}– as the side returned to the Segunda División after an 11-year absence.{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/2010/06/20/futbol/mas_futbol/1277060846.html|title=El filial del Barcelona vuelve a Segunda doce años después|trans-title=Barcelona reserves return to Segunda twelve years later|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=20 June 2010|access-date=7 March 2021}}

On 3 October 2010, Nolito made his La Liga debut for Barcelona, coming on as a substitute for Pedro in a 1–1 home draw against Mallorca.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/302013?cc=5739|title=Nsue shocks Barca|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=3 October 2010|access-date=27 February 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628233912/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/302013?cc=5739|archive-date=28 June 2011}} On 10 November, he opened the 5–1 home win over Ceuta in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey (7–1 on aggregate).{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match/_/id/309641?cc=5739|title=Barcelona 5–1 Ceuta|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=10 November 2010|access-date=27 February 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628233944/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match/_/id/309641?cc=5739|archive-date=28 June 2011}}

File:Nolito on Benfica (cropped).jpg in 2011]]

In late May 2011, Nolito rejected Barcelona's offer of a professional contract and instead signed a five-year deal with Portuguese club Benfica, effective as of 1 July.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2011/05/21/futbol/equipos/barcelona_b/1305974790.html|title=Nolito confirma su fichaje por el Benfica|trans-title=Nolito confirms deal with Benfica|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=21 May 2011|access-date=7 June 2011}} He scored on his official debut on the 27th, a 2–0 home win against Trabzonspor in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01f3-0e7907170079-e581ea06b1da-1000--benfica-leave-trabzonspor-up-against-it/|title=Benfica leave Trabzonspor up against it|publisher=UEFA|date=27 July 2011|access-date=28 July 2011}} He also netted in the second leg, a 1–1 draw.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01f4-0e79158cc147-adfa8c517081-1000--benfica-ease-past-ten-man-trabzonspor/|title=Benfica ease past ten-man Trabzonspor|publisher=UEFA|first=Türker|last=Tozar|date=3 August 2011|access-date=4 August 2011}}

On 20 August 2011, Nolito scored once in a 3–1 home victory over Feirense, making him alongside Eusébio the only player to score in his first five official matches.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/nolito-iguala-eusebio-713139|title=Nolito iguala Eusébio|trans-title=Nolito equals Eusébio|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=20 August 2011|access-date=10 October 2018}} He managed 15 goals in 48 competitive appearances in his first season, helping his team to win the Taça da Liga.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/nolito-sabiamos-que-era-dificil-754163|title=Nolito: "Sabíamos que era difícil"|trans-title=Nolito: "We knew it was hard"|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=29 April 2012|access-date=10 October 2018}}

Nolito returned to his country and his native region on 29 January 2013, being loaned to Granada for six months and a fee of €600,000, without the possibility of making the move permanent in June.{{cite web|url=http://www.granadacf.es/index.php?seccion=leer_mas&ref=noticias+&id_noticia=1399|title=Nolito será rojiblanco hasta junio de 2013|trans-title=Nolito will be rojiblanco until June 2013|publisher=Granada CF|language=es|date=29 January 2013|access-date=29 January 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sabado.pt/Ultima-hora/Desporto/Jesus-confirma-saida-de-Nolito-%281%29.aspx|title=Jesus confirma saída de Nolito|trans-title=Jesus confirms Nolito exit|publisher=Sábado|language=pt|date=29 January 2013|access-date=29 January 2013}} In his first match, four days after signing, he took the corner which resulted in Cristiano Ronaldo's own goal for the game's only, giving Granada their first win over Real Madrid in 40 years.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/85443/granada-vs-real-madrid/report|title=Granada 1–0 Real Madrid: Ronaldo own goal gifts Andalusians three precious points|publisher=Goal|date=2 February 2013|access-date=2 February 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/real-madrid/result/result-ronaldo-own-goal-gives-granada-the-win_67383.html|title=Result: Cristiano Ronaldo own goal gives Granada the win|publisher=Sportsmole|first=Paul|last=Gorst|date=2 February 2013|access-date=2 February 2013}}

File:Nolito Jugador.JPG

Nolito signed with Celta de Vigo on 1 July 2013, penning a four-year deal and reuniting with former Barcelona B boss Luis Enrique.{{cite web|url=http://www.celtavigo.net/es/primer-equipo/noticias/6586-nolito-refuerza-la-delantera-del-real-club-celta|title=Nolito refuerza la delantera del Real Club Celta|trans-title=Nolito strengthens Real Club Celta's offense|publisher=Celta Vigo|language=es|date=1 July 2013|access-date=1 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202035/http://www.celtavigo.net/es/primer-equipo/noticias/6586-nolito-refuerza-la-delantera-del-real-club-celta|archive-date=23 September 2015}} He finished his debut campaign as team top scorer with 14.{{cite news|url=http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/celta/2014/05/26/temporada-oro-nolito/0003_201405V26P42991.htm|title=La temporada de oro de Nolito|trans-title=Nolito's golden season|newspaper=La Voz de Galicia|first=Lorena|last=García Calvo|language=es|date=26 May 2014|access-date=3 June 2014}}

Nolito was named La Liga Player of the Month for September 2014, with four goals during a month which ended with the side in sixth position.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfp.es/noticias/premios-bbva-a-los-mejores-de-septiembre|title=Premios BBVA a los mejores de septiembre|trans-title=BBVA awards for the best in September|publisher=Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional|language=es|date=6 October 2014|access-date=8 November 2014}} He created 96 goalscoring opportunities over the campaign, the most in the Spanish league and fourth most in Europe's five leading leagues.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33686731|title=Kevin de Bruyne: Manchester City sign Wolfsburg midfielder|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 August 2015|access-date=30 August 2015}}

On 23 September 2015, Nolito took his league tally to five after scoring once and providing two assists for Iago Aspas in a 4–1 home defeat of former club Barcelona.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/sep/23/celta-vigo-barcelona-match-report|title=Iago Aspas scores twice as Celta Vigo give Barcelona shock thrashing|newspaper=The Guardian|date=23 September 2015|access-date=24 September 2015}} He totalled three goals and an assist that month to help them remain unbeaten, earning him a second Player of the Month accolade.{{cite web|url=http://www.laliga.es/en/news/nolito-named-liga-bbva-player-of-the-month-of-september|title=Nolito named Liga BBVA Player of the Month for September|publisher=La Liga|date=1 October 2015|access-date=10 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705150738/http://www.laliga.es/en/news/nolito-named-liga-bbva-player-of-the-month-of-september|archive-date=5 July 2018}} In mid-December, however, he suffered a hamstring injury against Espanyol which sidelined him for two months.{{cite news|url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/la-liga-bbva/20151213/30764686315/nolito-preocupa-lesion-ecografia-muslo-fichajes.html|title=Preocupa la lesión de Nolito|trans-title=Nolito's injury is a concern|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|language=es|date=13 December 2015|access-date=11 May 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2599251-nolito-injury-updates-on-celta-vigo-stars-hamstring-and-return|title=Nolito injury: Updates on Celta Vigo Star's hamstring and return|publisher=Bleacher Report|first=Matt|last=Jones|date=15 December 2015|access-date=10 May 2016}}

Nolito returned to action on 20 February 2016, featuring roughly 20 minutes in a 3–2 home win over Eibar.{{cite news|url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/celta-vigo/20160220/302311091079/el-celta-gana-y-se-gusta-en-el-regreso-de-nolito.html|title=El Celta gana y se gusta en el regreso de Nolito|trans-title=Celta win and enjoy themselves in return of Nolito|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Pablo|last=Planas|language=es|date=21 February 2016|access-date=11 May 2016}} In the following round, he scored the game's only goal at Getafe,{{cite news|url=http://deportes.elpais.com/deportes/2016/02/27/actualidad/1456600119_306570.html|title=El Getafe no puede con Nolito|trans-title=Getafe cannot handle Nolito|newspaper=El País|first=Juan Luis|last=Cudeiro|language=es|date=27 February 2016|access-date=11 May 2016}} and Celta eventually finished in sixth place.

{{wikinews|Footballers Neymar, Zlatan, Nolito sign contracts}}

On 1 July 2016, Nolito signed with Premier League side Manchester City on a four-year deal for a fee of £13.8 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/2016/07/01/nolito-signs-for-city/1467215591004|title=Nolito signs for Manchester City|publisher=Manchester City F.C|date=1 July 2016|access-date=1 July 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704031415/http://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/2016/07/01/nolito-signs-for-city/1467215591004|archive-date=4 July 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36670719|title=Nolito: Manchester City sign Spain forward on four-year deal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 July 2016|access-date=1 July 2016}} He made his debut on 13 August, playing 59 minutes in a 2–1 home victory against Sunderland.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36994521|title=Manchester City 2–1 Sunderland|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Chris|last=Osborne|date=13 August 2016|access-date=14 August 2016}} Three days later he scored his first goal, and also provided an assist to Sergio Agüero in a 5–0 away rout of Steaua București in the Champions League play-off round.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0230-0e94b08c6dd2-08e10b43d082-1000--city-set-fair-to-progress-after-steaua-stroll/|title=City set fair to progress after Steaua stroll|publisher=UEFA|first=Paul-Daniel|last=Zaharia|date=16 August 2016|access-date=16 August 2016}}

Nolito made a few appearances during his time in Manchester, but he and his family were unsettled by life in England.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40193329|title=Nolito: Man City striker claims English weather has 'changed colour' of daughter's face|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 June 2017|access-date=5 July 2018}}

In July 2017, Sevilla signed Nolito on a three-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40622173|title=Nolito: Sevilla sign Spain forward from Man City on three-year deal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 July 2017|access-date=16 July 2017}} He spent the better part of 2018–19 on the sidelines, nursing a fibula injury.{{cite web|url=https://eldesmarque.com/sevilla/sevilla-futbol-club/1134622-lesion-nolito-tres-meses-de-baja|title=La mala suerte de Nolito|trans-title=Nolito's bad luck|publisher=El Desmarque|language=es|date=12 January 2019|access-date=1 October 2019}}

On 18 June 2020, Nolito rejoined Celta on a reported one-year deal. His Sevilla contract was set to expire at the end of the month, and the former were granted an emergency exception to acquire him outside of the transfer window because of a long-term injury to goalkeeper Sergio Álvarez.{{cite web|url=https://www.rccelta.es/index.php/en/nolito-returns-to-rc-celta|title=Nolito returns to RC Celta|publisher=Celta Vigo|date=18 June 2020|access-date=18 June 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/celta-vigo-sign-winger-nolito-150003192.html|title=Celta Vigo sign winger Nolito after being granted emergency transfer to replace a goalkeeper|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|date=18 June 2020|access-date=18 June 2020}} Three days later, in his first game back, he came off the bench to assist Santi Mina and score a penalty in a 6–0 home thrashing of Alavés.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2020/06/21/primera/1592746989_042641.html|title=Nolito empieza a lo grande|trans-title=Nolito starts off great|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Clemente|last=Garrido|language=es|date=21 June 2020|access-date=21 June 2020}}

On 5 September 2022, Nolito joined second-tier Ibiza on a free transfer, on a two-year deal.{{cite news|url=https://www.periodicodeibiza.es/deportes/deporte-ibiza/2022/09/05/1786647/ibiza-ficha-nolito.html|title=Oficial: Nolito firma por la UD Ibiza|trans-title=Official: Nolito signs for UD Ibiza|newspaper=Periódico de Ibiza|first=Sergio|last=García|language=es|date=5 September 2022|access-date=7 June 2023}} He played 28 times in his only season as the Balearic side were relegated,{{cite news|url=https://www.diariodeibiza.es/ud-ibiza/2023/04/28/ud-ibiza-certifica-descenso-primera-86646786.html|title=La UD Ibiza certifica el descenso a Primera RFEF tras caer en Santander|trans-title=UD Ibiza confirm relegation to Primera RFEF after falling in Santander|newspaper=Diario de Ibiza|first=Rubén J.|last=Palomo|language=es|date=28 April 2023|access-date=14 September 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/benfica/noticias/nolito-terminou-a-carreira-e-o-benfica-nao-deixou-escapar-17018655.html|title=Nolito terminou a carreira de futebolista e o Benfica não deixou escapar|trans-title=Nolito ended footballing career and Benfica noted that|newspaper=O Jogo|language=pt|date=13 September 2023|access-date=14 September 2023}} scoring just once in a 3–2 home win over Lugo on 2 October.{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/ibiza/2023/02/27/63fce924e2704ef0168b459d.html|title=La fugaz aparición de un Nolito que no acaba de convencer|trans-title=The fleeting appearance of a Nolito who does not quite convince|newspaper=Marca|first=Sergio|last=García|language=es|date=27 February 2023|access-date=7 June 2023}}

Nolito's contract was terminated in June 2023, and he announced his retirement at 36 on 13 September.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/primera/nolito-se-retira-n/|title=Nolito se retira|trans-title=Nolito retires|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Guillermo|last=Pérez|language=es|date=13 September 2023|access-date=10 October 2023}}

Nolito did not earn a single cap for Spain at youth level. On 7 November 2014, he was called up by full side manager Vicente del Bosque for a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier against Belarus and a friendly with Germany.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/nov/07/diego-costa-spain-squad-chelsea-left-out|title=Chelsea's Diego Costa left out of Spain squad to play Belarus and Germany|newspaper=The Guardian|date=7 November 2014|access-date=7 November 2014}} He made his debut against the latter on the 18th, starting at his club ground of Balaídos in a 0–1 loss.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2014_15/amistosos_seleccion/5/spa_ale/|title=Experimento pasado por agua|trans-title=Soggy experiment|newspaper=Marca|first=Delfín|last=Melero|language=es|date=18 November 2014|access-date=19 November 2014}}

On 17 May 2016, Nolito was named in the preliminary squad for the final tournament in France.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36312769|title=Euro 2016: Diego Costa, Juan Mata & Fernando Torres not in Spain squad|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 May 2016|access-date=17 May 2016}} Twelve days later, in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, he scored his first goals, striking twice in the first half of a 3–1 win in Switzerland.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/spain-vs-bosnia-herzegovina/2209809/report|title=Spain 3–1 Bosnia: Nolito fires La Roja to success|publisher=Goal|date=29 May 2016|access-date=29 May 2016}} he repeated the feat the following match, a 6–1 rout of South Korea in Austria.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/video-spain-6-1-south-korea-highlights-salzburg-friendly-ahead-euro-2016-2376728|title=VIDEO Spain 6–1 South Korea: Highlights from Salzburg friendly ahead of Euro 2016|work=International Business Times|first=Jason|last=Le Miere|date=1 June 2016|access-date=1 June 2016}}

Selected for the squad of 23,{{cite news|url=http://deportes.elpais.com/deportes/2016/05/31/actualidad/1464710610_277737.html?rel=cx_articulo|title=Isco y Saúl fuera de la lista de Del Bosque para la Eurocopa 2016|trans-title=Isco and Saúl out of Del Bosque's list for 2016 European Championship|newspaper=El País|first=Luis|last=Martín|language=es|date=31 May 2016|access-date=17 June 2016}} Nolito acted often as starter, scoring from close range in a 3–0 group stage victory over Turkey at the Stade de Nice and also assisting Álvaro Morata for the opener.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.co.uk/report?gameId=438184|title=Spain cruise past Turkey to advance to knockout stage|publisher=ESPN FC|date=17 June 2016|access-date=17 June 2016}}

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

:Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nolito goal.

Barcelona

• La Liga: 2010–11

Benfica

• Taça da Liga: 2011–12

Sevilla

• UEFA Europa League: 2019–20

Individual

• La Liga Player of the Month: September 2014, September 2015

{{notelist-ua}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Manuel Agudo Durán}}

• {{BDFutbol|300046}}
• {{Futbolme profile|9751}}
• {{ForaDeJogo}}
• {{Soccerbase}}
• {{NFT player|pid=57726}}

{{Spain squad UEFA Euro 2016}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nolito}}

Category:1986 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Sanlúcar de Barrameda

Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen

Category:Spanish men's footballers

Category:Footballers from the Province of Cádiz

Category:Men's association football wingers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:La Liga players

Category:Segunda División players

Category:Segunda División B players

Category:Tercera División players

Category:Atlético Sanluqueño CF players

Category:Écija Balompié players

Category:FC Barcelona Atlètic players

Category:FC Barcelona players

Category:Granada CF footballers

Category:RC Celta de Vigo players

Category:Sevilla FC players

Category:UD Ibiza players

Category:Primeira Liga players

Category:S.L. Benfica footballers

Category:Premier League players

Category:Manchester City F.C. players

Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players

Category:Spain men's international footballers

Category:UEFA Euro 2016 players

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Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Portugal

Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in England