Diego Rossi
Rossi with Fenerbahçe in 2021
Personal information
Full name Diego Martín Rossi Marachlian[1]
Date of birth (1998-03-05) 5 March 1998 (age 25)
Place of birth Montevideo, Uruguay
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s) Winger, forward
Team information
Current team
 Columbus Crew
Number 10
Youth career
2003–2008 Uruguay Solymar
2008–2016 Peñarol
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 Peñarol 46 (13)
2018–2022 Los Angeles FC 104 (48)
2021–2022 → Fenerbahçe (loan) 31 (6)
2022–2023 Fenerbahçe 33 (4)
2023– Columbus Crew 10 (3)
International career‡
2013 Uruguay U15 26 (15)
2014–2015 Uruguay U17 23 (8)
2015 Uruguay U18 6 (0)
2015–2017 Uruguay U20 18 (3)
2020 Uruguay U23 9 (2)
2022– Uruguay 7 (1)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Uruguay
South American U-20 Championship
Winner 2017 Ecuador
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 October 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20 June 2023

Diego Martín Rossi Marachlian (born 5 March 1998) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a winger or forward for Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew and the Uruguay national team.

Club career

Youth

Rossi began playing football as a child at the El Queso school in Solymar. At the age of six, Rossi moved to the Solymar Uruguay Sports Center, with which he competed in the Interbalnearian League of Youth Football. He demonstrated his ability in the club and caught the attention of Peñarol, where he joined their academy at the age of 12. Néstor Gonçalves discovered him and was invited to play a friendly tournament in Alegrete with the a team, where he eventually was offered a contract.

At the age of 14, Rossi was the top scorer for the team's under-14 team in the Uruguayan seventh tier, where he was a top scorer in 2012 with 42 goals in 27 matches.[3][4] The following year, Rossi joined the Peñarol youth team in the Uruguayan sixth division, where he scored 25 times in 17 appearances.[5] With Penarol's U-15 team, Rossi helped the team win the Apertura Tournament and the Uruguayan U-15 Championship as well as the Fabian Lomineto Cup.[6][7]

In 2014, he was the top scorer of the Uruguayan Premier Division Under-16 Tournament, scoring 17 goals in the first half of the year, where Peñarol came out champions of the U-16 Clausura Tournament.[8]

On 7 April 2015, he was invited to train with the first-team squad of Peñarol for the first time, along with his teammates from the under-17 team Santiago Bueno and Federico Valverde.[9]

He was promoted by Pablo Bengoechea to the first team for the 2015–16 season in August. Diego alternated the practices with their U-18 team and Peñarol's senior team, but he played with the U-17 club and in the Third or Fourth Division for the entirety of the season.

He finished 2015 helping the Peñarol's U-17 team win the Apertura U-17 Tournament, and after beating Danubio in a final in which he scored a goal.[10] For the fourth consecutive year he was the top scorer of the championship, with 22 goals plus one in the final, although he played ten games in the Fourth and Third Division.[11]

Peñarol

On 5 January 2016, Rossi began the preseason with the Peñarol first team. He debuted with the club on 16 January 2016, in the Bandes Cup final, where he came on in the 7th minute for Gabriel Leyes in a 1–0 victory against Cerro Porteño. Rossi made his debut with the club at the age of 17 years and 317 days old. At the end of the 2015–16, Rossi was demoted to the second team following a change in managerial leadership, where Bengoechea was sacked and Jorge Orosmán da Silva took over.

Following a series of poor results, da Silva called Rossi into the first team, where on 20 April 2016, he made his full debut with the club, playing against Sporting Cristal in the 2016 Copa Libertadores group stage match.[12] He scored his first professional goal five days later in a 3–1 win against Rentistas.[13]

Los Angeles FC

On 14 December 2017, Rossi was signed as a young designated player for Los Angeles FC of Major League Soccer, an expansion franchise that began play in 2018.[14] On 4 March 2018, Rossi made his MLS debut in Seattle against Seattle Sounders FC. Rossi's goal in the 11th minute was the first goal in Los Angeles FC history. The goal was also the fastest goal by an expansion team in MLS history.[15] On 8 August 2018, Rossi scored his first hat-trick in MLS during a U.S. Open Cup semifinal match against the Houston Dynamo, a game in which LAFC ultimately lost in penalty kicks.[16]

On 18 July 2020, Rossi became the 13th MLS player and first LAFC player to score four goals in a match, doing so in a 6–2 victory over rivals LA Galaxy in the MLS is Back Tournament group stage.

Fenerbahçe (loan)

On 1 September 2021, it was announced that Rossi would join Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe on loan for the remainder of the 2021 season with an option to buy, making him the second Armenian-heritage footballer to play in Turkish league after Aras Özbiliz.[17][18]

Fenerbahçe

On 15 April 2022, Fenerbahçe announced that they acquired Rossi on a permanent transfer.[19] He signed a three-year contract, beginning with the 2022–23 season.[20] He scored his first goal on 18 September 2022, in a 5–0 home win against Alanyaspor. [21]

He completed the season with a record of 4 goals and 9 assists in 51 competitive games, being the assist leader of the team.

Columbus Crew

On August 2, 2023, Rossi joined Columbus Crew on a three-year contract, returning to MLS after two years in Turkey.[22] The agreement included a base transfer fee of $5.63 million with a $1 million bonus fee and a 15% sell-on clause.[23]

International career

Youth

Rossi began his international career for Uruguay with under-15 team and went on to earn caps for Uruguay's different age level national teams. He was part of Uruguay squad at 2013 South American U-15 Championship, 2015 South American U-17 Championship, 2017 South American U-20 Championship, and 2020 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament.[24] In total, he scored 28 goals in 82 matches for Uruguay's youth national teams.[25]

Senior

On 18 September 2020, Rossi was included in Uruguay's 26-man preliminary squad for World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Ecuador.[25] On 5 October 2020, Rossi was included in the final squad as a replacement for injured Cristhian Stuani.[26]

Style of play

Capable of performing on either wing or as a centre-forward, Rossi's playing style is marked by speed, directness, and knack for consistently threatening the opposition's goal by making well-timed runs behind the defensive line. While he often transitions from the flanks to central areas, he will frequently drop back to receive the ball. From there, he can use his speed and agility to take on defenders, while also having the technical ability and decision-making to provide precise passes to his teammates.[27][28][29][30]

Personal life

Rossi is of Italian descent through his paternal side and Armenian descent through his maternal side. Since 2018, he has received invitations to play for Armenia national team, which he refused given his desire to represent Uruguay.[31] His younger brother Nicolás is also a professional footballer and has pledged for the Armenia national team.[32]

Rossi states his idol as Luis Suárez.[33]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 9 December 2023[34]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Peñarol 2015–16 UPD 6 1 — 2[b] 0 1[c] 1 9 2
2016 6 1 — — — 6 1
2017 31 10 — 3[d] 0 2[c] 0 36 10
Total 43 12 0 0 5 0 3 1 51 13
Los Angeles FC 2018 MLS 32 12 4 5 — 1[e] 0 37 17
2019 34 16 3 1 — 2[e] 1 39 18
2020 19[f] 14 — 5[g] 2 2[h] 2 26 18
2021 19 6 0 0 — 0 0 19 6
Total 104 48 7 6 5 2 5 3 121 59
Fenerbahçe (loan) 2021–22 Süper Lig 31 6 2 0 6[i] 0 — 39 6
Fenerbahçe 2022–23 33 4 6 0 12[j] 0 — 51 4
Columbus Crew 2023 MLS 10 3 0 0 — 6[e] 2 16 5
Career total 222 73 15 6 28 2 14 6 278 87
  1. ^ Includes U.S. Open Cup and Turkish Cup
  2. ^ One appearance each in Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana
  3. ^ a b Appearance(s) in league playoffs
  4. ^ Appearances in Copa Libertadores
  5. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in the MLS Cup Playoffs
  6. ^ Three appearances, five goals in MLS is Back Tournament group stage
  7. ^ Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League
  8. ^ Appearances in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage
  9. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  10. ^ Ten appearances in UEFA Europa League and two appearances in UEFA Champions League

International

As of match played 20 June 2023[35]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Uruguay 2022 4 1
2023 3 0
Total 7 1
Scores and results list Uruguay's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Rossi goal.
List of international goals scored by Diego Rossi
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 11 June 2022 Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay  Panama 5–0 5–0 Friendly

Honours

Peñarol

Los Angeles FC

Fenerbahçe

Columbus Crew

Uruguay Youth

Individual

References

  1. ^ "CONMEBOL PREOLÍMPICO COLOMBIA 2020 LISTA DE JUGADORES/LISTA DE JOGADORES" (PDF). Conmebol.com (in Spanish). Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol. 10 January 2020.
  2. ^ "Diego Rossi". Fenerbahçe S.K. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Promesas: Diego Rossi". CampeonDelSiglo.com (in Spanish). 12 June 2012. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  4. ^ "Campeones en Juveniles". auf.org.uy (in Spanish). Uruguayan Football Association. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  5. ^ "Peñarol, galardonado en la Premiación de Juveniles". www.xn--pearol-xwa.org (in Spanish). Peñarol. 22 February 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  6. ^ "Juveniles: Los campeones del 2013". auf.org.uy (in Spanish). Uruguayan Football Association. 10 December 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  7. ^ "Premiación de Juveniles 2013". auf.org.uy. Uruguayan Football Association. 29 January 2014. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  8. ^ "Premiación Juveniles 2014". auf.org.uy (in Spanish). Uruguayan Football Association. 12 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  9. ^ "Los "pibes" crecen: Valverde, Rossi y Bueno entrenan en primera". republica.com.uy (in Spanish). La República. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  10. ^ Olascuaga, Joselo (5 December 2015). "Peñarol Campeón Sub-17". Tenfield (in Spanish). GOL TV. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  11. ^ "El gol tatuado en el alma". ovaciondigital.com.uy (in Spanish). Ovación. 12 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  12. ^ "Peñarol vs. Sporting Cristal - 20 April 2016". Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  13. ^ "Rentistas vs. Peñarol - 25 April 2016". Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  14. ^ "LAFC signs rising Uruguayan star Diego Rossi". Los Angeles Times. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  15. ^ "Timeline: Seattle Sounders FC vs. Los Angeles Football Club 03/04/2018". MLSSoccer.com. Major League Soccer. 4 March 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  16. ^ "Houston Dynamo 3 (7), LAFC 3 (6) - US Open Cup 2018 Match Recap". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  17. ^ "Diego Rossi To Move To Turkish Club Fenerbahçe". Los Angeles FC. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  18. ^ Tenorio, Paul. "In sending Diego Rossi to Fenerbahçe, LAFC holds tight to its long-term plan". The Athletic.
  19. ^ "LAFC transfer Diego Rossi to Fenerbahce, deal among most expensive in MLS history". Major League Soccer. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  20. ^ "Fenerbahçemiz, Diego Rossi'yi kalıcı olarak kadrosuna kattı" (in Turkish). Fenerbahçe S.K. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  21. ^ "Fenerbahce 5-0 Alanyaspor (Sep 18, 2022) Final Score". ESPN. 18 September 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Columbus Crew acquire forward Diego Rossi as Designated Player". Columbus Crew. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  23. ^ "Futbolcumuz Diego Martin Rossi Marachlian'ın Transferi Hk" (in Turkish). KAP. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  24. ^ "9 - Diego Rossi - AUF". Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  25. ^ a b "26 futbolistas reservados del exterior para el debut en las Eliminatorias". Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  26. ^ "Diego Rossi convocado". Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  27. ^ mlssoccer. "Official: LAFC loan Diego Rossi to Turkey's Fenerbahce | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  28. ^ mlssoccer. "Diego Rossi brings "own quality" to Columbus Crew after Zelarayán transfer | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  29. ^ Lane, Barnaby. "Meet Diego Rossi: The unheralded 21-year-old 'quarterback' who has steered Los Angeles FC's march toward the MLS Cup". Business Insider. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  30. ^ Santangelo, Matthew (5 February 2018). "Diego Rossi, LAFC's sparkling South American talent to set MLS alight". Medium. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  31. ^ "Armenia coach: We need to determine the state of our football". mediamax.am. Mediamax. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  32. ^ "Nicolás, el otro Rossi, nunca fue citado por la Celeste y ahora jugará por Armenia". 22 August 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  33. ^ "Diego Rossi, el pibe que no se quiere marear". 26 April 2016. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  34. ^ "Diego Rossi » Club matches". World Football. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  35. ^ a b c "Diego Rossi Summary". Soccerway. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  36. ^ "Cumhuriyetimizin 100. Yılında Türkiye Kupası Fenerbahçemiz'in". fenerbahce.org. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  37. ^ "2019 MLS All-Star Roster". MLSSoccer.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  38. ^ "2021 MLS All-Star Team Roster". MLSsoccer.
  39. ^ "LAFC forward Diego Rossi wins MLS is Back Tournament Golden Boot presented by Audi". MLSSoccer.com. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  40. ^ "LAFC's Diego Rossi named MLS is Back Young Player of the Tournament presented by AT&T 5G". MLSSoccer.com. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  41. ^ "MLS is Back Tournament Best XI presented by BODYARMOR". MLSSoccer.com. 13 August 2020. Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  42. ^ "LAFC's Diego Rossi wins the 2020 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi". MLSSoccer.com. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  43. ^ "LAFC's Diego Rossi named AT&T MLS Young Player of the Year for 2020 season". MLSSoccer.com. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  44. ^ "2020 MLS Best XI presented by The Home Depot". MLSSoccer.com. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  45. ^ Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League [@TheChampions] (23 December 2020). "¡Qué lujo de equipo! Aquí están los mejores jugadores de #SCCL2020" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2021 – via Twitter.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Diego Rossi.
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