Diego Alberto Cervantes
Encyclopedia
Diego Alberto Cervantes Chávez (born August 30, 1984 in Mexico City
) is a Mexican
football
player who currently competes for Club America
in Mexico.
His debut in the professional Mexican league came October 30, 2005 - in a game against one of America's most bitter rivals - UNAM Pumas. Cervantes started the game along with many other reserves, due to the fatigue endured by the starters after playing that very same week against Velez Sarsfield
in the Copa Sudamericana
. After playing the full 90 minutes and holding his own against UNAM's talented strikers, Cervantes was praised by the media and fans alike after helping the team to a 2-1 win.
He would play once more during the regular season, coming on to the pitch as a substitute against Atlante, where his brother Horacio Cervantes
plays, also as a defender. Diego once again helped the club to victory, beating Atlante 4-3.
In the Apertura 2005 playoffs, to which America qualified in the first position with the best record in the league, Diego was called to play against UANL Tigres
in the second leg of the quarterfinals. Reprising his role as a substitute, Diego was part of a team that lost 4-1 at home and was eliminated in an embarrassing fashion. After the game, the press criticized the rookie for his role in allowing a crucial goal, as well as Club America's coach Mario Carrillo
, for inserting an inexperienced player in the biggest game of the season.
Following the elimination, Carrillo was fired and Cervantes was relegated to the bench by subsequent managers, Víctor Manuel Aguado and Manuel Lapuente
.
The Américanista defence suffered through a stagnant period forcing them to reconsider their roster; Diego was a casualty and returned to San Luis in 2008 for that year's Apertura.
His next stop was Necaxa for the 2009 Clausura season. A move to reinforce that team to fight against relegation – eventually they lost the battle, dragging them to Liga de Ascenso
. An interesting anomaly happened: Diego saw some action as a centre forward. He scored 3 goals against Indios (2) in round 3 and Tigres (1) in round 14.
Not in the plans of boss Jesús Ramírez made Cervantes wear his fourth jersey in a short time. For the 2009 Apertura season he will defend his brother's old team, Atlante.
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
) is a Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player who currently competes for Club America
Club América
Club América is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Primera División, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas ....
in Mexico.
Career
Before earning a spot on Club America's senior team, Cervantes worked his way up the inferior divisions, eventually earning a spot in San Luis F.C., America's minor league affiliate at the time. After helping San Luis earn a promotion to the first division after the Clausura 2005 season, Cervantes was transferred to Club America prior to the Apertura 2005 season.His debut in the professional Mexican league came October 30, 2005 - in a game against one of America's most bitter rivals - UNAM Pumas. Cervantes started the game along with many other reserves, due to the fatigue endured by the starters after playing that very same week against Velez Sarsfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield is a sports club based in the Liniers neighborhood of western Buenos Aires, Argentina. Vélez is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División, the top level of the Argentine league system...
in the Copa Sudamericana
Copa Sudamericana
The Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana de Clubes , known simply as the Copa Sudamericana , is an annual international club football competition organized by the CONMEBOL since 2002. It is the second most prestigious club competition in South American football. CONCACAF clubs were invited between 2004...
. After playing the full 90 minutes and holding his own against UNAM's talented strikers, Cervantes was praised by the media and fans alike after helping the team to a 2-1 win.
He would play once more during the regular season, coming on to the pitch as a substitute against Atlante, where his brother Horacio Cervantes
Horacio Cervantes
Horacio Javier Cervantes Chávez is a Mexican football player who plays as a defender for Pachuca. His brother Diego Alberto Cervantes plays for Puebla FC.-External links:...
plays, also as a defender. Diego once again helped the club to victory, beating Atlante 4-3.
In the Apertura 2005 playoffs, to which America qualified in the first position with the best record in the league, Diego was called to play against UANL Tigres
UANL Tigres
Tigres de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, often known only as Tigres or UANL, a Mexican football club that plays in the Primera División. It is one of the two professional football teams of the state of Nuevo León. The team plays home games at the Estadio Universitario, located in San...
in the second leg of the quarterfinals. Reprising his role as a substitute, Diego was part of a team that lost 4-1 at home and was eliminated in an embarrassing fashion. After the game, the press criticized the rookie for his role in allowing a crucial goal, as well as Club America's coach Mario Carrillo
Mario Carrillo
José Mario Carrillo Zamudio is a Mexican football coach, currently a news anchor for a well known sports channel ESPN Deportes and is known for serving as an assistant coach to Javier Aguirre with Mexico national football team.Carrillo has also coached Puebla F.C., Club América, and Cruz Azul.As a...
, for inserting an inexperienced player in the biggest game of the season.
Following the elimination, Carrillo was fired and Cervantes was relegated to the bench by subsequent managers, Víctor Manuel Aguado and Manuel Lapuente
Manuel Lapuente
Manuel Lapuente Díaz is a Mexican football coach and former player. He was recently working as head coach for Club América.-Playing career:He played 13 matches for the Mexico national team, scoring 5 goals.-Career as manager:...
.
The Américanista defence suffered through a stagnant period forcing them to reconsider their roster; Diego was a casualty and returned to San Luis in 2008 for that year's Apertura.
His next stop was Necaxa for the 2009 Clausura season. A move to reinforce that team to fight against relegation – eventually they lost the battle, dragging them to Liga de Ascenso
Liga de Ascenso
The Liga de Ascenso is the second professional level of the Mexican football league system. The champion of the competition is promoted to the Primera División de México ....
. An interesting anomaly happened: Diego saw some action as a centre forward. He scored 3 goals against Indios (2) in round 3 and Tigres (1) in round 14.
Not in the plans of boss Jesús Ramírez made Cervantes wear his fourth jersey in a short time. For the 2009 Apertura season he will defend his brother's old team, Atlante.
External links
- Diego Cervantes (6) esmas.com Official Club America profile. (In Spanish)