Marcos Flores
Flores warming up with Adelaide United in 2010
Personal information
Full name Marcos Abel Flores Benard
Date of birth (1985-10-23) 23 October 1985 (age 38)
Place of birth Reconquista, Argentina
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Youth career
2001–2003 Unión de Santa Fe
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2006 Unión de Santa Fe 24 (9)
2006–2008 Newell's Old Boys 16 (0)
2007–2008 → Unión de Santa Fe (loan) 26 (2)
2009 Curicó Unido 25 (4)
2010–2011 Adelaide United 31 (8)
2011–2012 Henan Jianye 15 (0)
2012–2013 Melbourne Victory 24 (4)
2013–2014 Central Coast Mariners 12 (3)
2014–2015 Newcastle Jets 6 (1)
2015 Jacksonville Armada 22 (2)
2016 Curicó Unido 8 (1)
2016 Persib Bandung 13 (1)
2017 Bali United 26 (8)
2019–2020 Adelaide City 22 (4)
Total 270 (47)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 May 2020

Marcos Abel Flores Benard (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmaɾkos ˈfloɾes]; born 23 October 1985) is a retired Argentine professional footballer who last played for, and captained, Adelaide City.

Biography

Unión de Santa Fe

On 17 April 2004, Flores made his senior debut for Argentine club Unión de Santa Fe as a 67th-minute substitute for Miguel Sebastián Garcia and scored his first goal in the 89th minute of the same match.

Newell's Old Boys

In 2006, Flores was transferred to Newell's Old Boys but was loaned back to Unión de Santa Fe for a one-year period.

Curicó Unido

After returning to Newell's Old Boys, Flores was finally transferred to the Chilean Primera División club Curicó Unido.

Adelaide United

It was revealed in June 2009, that Australian A-League club Adelaide United had approached Flores for the 2009–10 A-League season, but the negotiations collapsed, citing Flores' desire to remain in South America.[1] On 8 December 2009, Flores signed with Adelaide United and was named as part of the club's squad for the 2010 AFC Champions League.[2] Flores was officially revealed by the club on 11 January 2010.[3]

Flores was then registered as an injury replacement player for fellow import Cristiano[4] and made his debut as a 60th-minute substitute for Adelaide United in their 2–0 win against Brisbane Roar on 6 February 2010.[5] Flores impressed at Adelaide and gained instant legendary status by the Adelaide United fans.[6] Flores provided the team with the playmaker position, and showcased skills and technique rarely seen in the A-League.[7] Flores added aggression and stamina to his game since coming to the A-League.[8]

Flores scored four A-League goal of the season contenders in the 2010–11 season.[9][10] Flores' form at Adelaide attracted overseas attention, with J-League club Urawa Red Diamonds and aspiring MLS club New York Cosmos.[11] On 21 January 2011, Flores scored his first A-league hat-trick for Adelaide in their record 8–1 win over North Queensland Fury. Flores won the Johnny Warren player of the year award for the 2010–11 season.[12] Adelaide offered Flores a three-year deal worth $320,000 a season, which would have made him the highest paid player in the club's history.[13]

Henan Jianye

Flores announced his transfer to Chinese Super League club Henan Jianye on 26 June 2011, where he was set to earn $2.4 million over a three-year period. The transfer fee was said to be worth $500,000.[14] Flores made his debut for Henan Jianye as a second-half substitute on 10 July 2011 in an away 0–0 draw against Changchun Yatai in the Chinese Super League. His contract was terminated by mutual consent at 21 June 2012.[15] Flores stated that he was interested in coming back to Australia, preferably Adelaide United, but a move was halted due to salary cap reasons.[16]

Melbourne Victory

On 4 July 2012, it was announced that Marcos Flores had signed with A-League club Melbourne Victory on a two-year deal worth around $1 million.[17]

He made his debut in round 1 of the A-League against cross town rivals Melbourne Heart on 5 October 2012.[18] Flores scored his first ever Melbourne Victory goal on 5 November 2012, in a game against Wellington Phoenix.[19] Flores was released by Melbourne Victory on 5 July 2013, becoming a free agent.

Central Coast Mariners

Shortly after his release, he was signed by the Central Coast Mariners on a one-year contract.[20] He was seriously injured, suffering an Anterior cruciate ligament tear, and was put out for the rest of the season. On 29 March 2014 the Mariners announced he would not be re-signed for the following season.[21]

Newcastle Jets

On 9 June 2014, it was announced that Flores will play for the Newcastle Jets in the upcoming Hyundai A-League season.[22] Marcos scored his first goal for the Newcastle Jets against the Western Sydney Wanderers in the 27th minute in a 1-1 draw.[23]

On 15 January 2015, Flores' contract with the Jets was mutually terminated, to allow Flores to move to an overseas football club.[24]

Jacksonville Armada

After being released by the Newcastle Jets, Flores signed with NASL team Jacksonville Armada FC.[25] The Armada's General Manager, Dario Sala, flew out to Australia to complete the signing of Flores on 22 January 2015.[26] Flores was released by Jacksonville in November 2015.[27]

Curico Unido

On January 30 Marcos joined Curico Unido unfortunately things didn't work out and he only made a few starts and a few off the bench. He also sat on the bench and wasn't in the squad for most of the season. On the 2nd of August Marcos got released.

Persib Bandung

On August 30, 2016 Marcos signed a 4-months deal with Indonesia Soccer Championship A side Persib Bandung. He eventually got his debut on September 18 in an away match against Bali United.[28]

Adelaide City

On 17 January 2019, Flores signed a 2 year deal with National Premier League side Adelaide City.[29]

On 15 May 2020, Flores announced his retirement from football.[30][31]

Career statistics

As of 23 January 2015
Club Season League Cup Continental Other1 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Curicó Unido 2009 25 4 0 0 – – 2 0 27 4
Total 25 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 27 4
Adelaide United 2009–10 2 0 – – 7 0 – – 9 0
2010–11 29 9 – – – – – – 29 9
Total 31 9 – – 7 0 – – 38 9
Henan Jianye 2011 11 0 0 0 – – – – 11 0
2012 4 0 0 0 – – – – 4 0
Total 15 0 0 0 0 0 – – 15 0
Melbourne Victory 2012–13 24 4 – – – – – – 24 4
Total 24 4 – – 0 0 – – 24 4
Central Coast Mariners 2013–14 12 3 – – 0 0 – – 12 3
Total 12 3 – – 0 0 – – 12 3
Newcastle Jets 2014–15 6 1 0 0 – – – – 6 1
Total 6 1 0 0 0 0 – – 6 1
Jacksonville Armada 2015 4 2 0 0 – – – – 4 2
Total 4 2 0 0 0 0 – – 4 2
Total 125 22 0 0 7 0 2 0 125 23

1 – includes Chilean Primera División play-offs

Honours

References

  1. ^ Migliaccio, Val (19 June 2009). "Ace defender Chris Coyne headlines Socceroos World Cup campaign". AdelaideNow. News Limited. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  2. ^ Migliaccio, Val (9 December 2009). "Flores seals his spot". AdelaideNow. News Limited. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  3. ^ "Flores keen to make an impression for Reds". Adelaide United FC. A-League. 11 January 2010. Archived from the original on 12 April 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  4. ^ Migliaccio, Val (5 February 2010). "Hitch for Griffiths". AdelaideNow. News Ltd. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  5. ^ "Reds finally display finals form to defeat Roar". Adelaide United FC. A-League. 6 February 2010. Archived from the original on 28 March 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  6. ^ "Flores a big hit in J-League".
  7. ^ "Why I'm breaking up with Adelaide".
  8. ^ "Reds likely to lose medal winner".
  9. ^ "Flores wonder strike propels United".
  10. ^ "Super goal a Diego re-run".
  11. ^ "Key Reds playmaker Flores in demand". Adelaide Now. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
  12. ^ "MVP Flores was in a league of his own".
  13. ^ "Watson: Flores Will Get Better". Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  14. ^ Migliaccio, Val (27 June 2011). "Reds star Flores to play in China". The Advertiser. News Limited. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  15. ^ "Adelaide rule out Flores return". Archived from the original on 30 December 2012.
  16. ^ "Flores: My A-League Vow". Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  17. ^ "Marcos Flores Signs For Melbourne Victory". Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  18. ^ "Hyundai A-League Home". Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  19. ^ "Melbourne Victory Home". Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  20. ^ "Central Coast Mariners Home". Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  21. ^ "Central Coast Mariners Home". Archived from the original on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  22. ^ "Jets sign Marcos Flores". Football Federation Australia. 9 June 2014. Archived from the original on 9 June 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  23. ^ "Western Sydney Wanderers v Newcastle Jets - Newcastle Jets Match Centre". Archived from the original on 30 November 2014.
  24. ^ "Marcos Flores leaves Newcastle Jets to move overseas".
  25. ^ "Armada FC signs experienced midfielder Marcos Flores from Australian A-League". Jacksonville Armada FC. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  26. ^ "Flores Completes Move To Jacksonville Armada". SBS The World Game. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  27. ^ "Armada FC Releases Eight From Roster".
  28. ^ Bola.com. "Persib Kalah, Laga Debut Marcos Flores Berakhir Mengecewakan".
  29. ^ "Welcome Marcos Flores! | Adelaide City Football Club". adelaidecityfc.com.au. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  30. ^ "Marcos Flores documentary preview". The Advertiser. 14 May 2020. Adelaide City playmaker Marcos Flores has announced his retirement after spreading joy throughout his glittering football career to six continents.
  31. ^ Davidson, John (15 May 2020). "Flores hangs up his boots". FTBL.

External links

A-League Foreign Player of the Year
Johnny Warren Medal
2010–11 A-League PFA Team of the Season
Categories