Ignacio Scocco
Encyclopedia
Ignacio "Nacho" Martín Scocco (born on 29 May 1985 in Santa Fe
, Argentina
) is an Argentine
International Football player currently playing as a winger for Al Ain of the Pro-League
. Scocco can play on both wings, but prefers to play on the left. He can also play as a attacking midfielder and often as striker
. Scocco also holds an Italian passport due to his Italian ancestry.
youth program quickly picked this young man up, and he was just nineteen when he made his debut in the Argentine top flight against San Lorenzo
. He scored 17 goals in 75 games and played alongside players such as Fernando Belluschi
and Ariel Ortega
in the championship winning team of Apertura 2004. He also scored a very important goal for Newell's Old Boys
against Boca Juniors scoring in the 82nd minute making his club 1–0 up. In the summer of 2006 Scocco signed for Pumas UNAM for a fee of $3.5m, but Scocco stated to the newspaper «Reforma» that one day he will return to Newell's Old Boys
.
"El Tucán
", was a regular fixture in the Newell's Old Boys
setup, and during the Clausura 2006 season he scored 9 goals in 18 games, but better was to come in the 2006 edition of the Libertadores where Newell's reached the knockout stage. Scocco’s 4 goals in just 5 starts were crucial to their campaign. Scocco wore the number 32 in the famous red and black shirts.
When Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti
took over Pumas UNAM, and his main strikers Joaquín Botero
and Bruno Marioni
left he was willing to sign Scocco for $3.5m.
, and during his second appearance against Veracruz he scored his first goal, from the goal kick. Scocco also scored a hat-trick for Pumas against Querétaro. Scocco scored his last goal for Pumas UNAM against Veracruz, gaining Pumas UNAM 4–2. Scocco was a mainstay in the Pumas starting team, he's strike partner was Esteban Solari
. Scocco ended his career at Pumas with 74 appearances and 28 goals.
Scocco reinforces the Deportivo Toluca borrowed from the Pumas UNAM order by Americo Gallego
in the quarter finals of the Copa Libertadores 2007.
was a dream for him. Scocco is the fourth Argentine AEK Athens player. The others are Sebastián Saja
, Ismael Blanco
and Cristian Nasuti
.
During his time at AEK, Scocco has been mostly used as a left winger and sometimes also as a second striker which is his preferred position.
Scocco has attracted varies teams from the Serie A
, Fiorentina, Udinese and Genoa
due to his impressive performances in the Greek Super League and the Europa League.
Scocco also scored 2 goals past Olympiakos on 6 January 2010 and won AEK the match 1–2 away in the Karaiskakis Stadium
. This performance earned him the Man Of The Match award and certainly his remarkable 40 yard free kick, his second goal, will be considered one of the best goals of the season, the following week he scored against Atromitos
and then Panathinaikos. Scocco also scored a phenomenal goal against Panthrakikos and an outstanding free kick against Panionios 1 minute before the end of the match making the score 1–1.
On the 16/09/10 Scocco scored the 3rd and final goal on AEK's first European match against Hajduk Split. This was the first goal of the season for Scocco. AEK won the match 3–1. Three days later Scocco scored an outstanding 30 yard shot against Asteras Tripolis.
On 17/10/10, Scocco scored an equally spectacular 40 yard strike against Aris Thessaloniki, and followed up with a second goal for a 4–0 victory.
On the 25/11/10, Scocco renewed his contract with AEK signing a new 3-year deal which will keep him at the club until 2013. Scocco's contract is worth €3.6m earning €1m per year and a buy-out clause worth €3m for foreign teams
On 18/5/11 Scocco scored a 38 yard shot against PAOK Thessaloniki in a 2-1 defeat
on 27 July 2004. On 3 November 2004, Scocco made his second appearance against Paraguay
and scored in the 77th minute making Argentina
2–0 up. Scocco was also called up to be part of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship
. Scocco played 2 matches in the tournament against Uzbekistan
on December 1, 2005 and against Mali
on December 4, 2005. Scocco also played alongside Lionel Messi
and Sergio Agüero
.
called up Scocco for a friendly against Chile
but didn't make an appearance. On June 3, 2005, Scocco was called up for another friendly for Argentina
against Puerto Rico
, but pulled a hamstring and was forced out for a couple of weeks and was not included in the match.
After impressing Argentine coach Alfio Basile
, Scocco was called up for an unofficial friendly match against Guatemala
on February 6, 2008, Scocco played 20 minutes in the match and came on for Ezequiel Lavezzi
. Scocco was also included in the 21 man squad against Venezuela
on August 20, 2008.
described Scocco's shots as unstoppable, after scoring three long range shots against him.
who is the God father of Eva. They both served as best man at each other's wedding.
Santa Fe, Argentina
Santa Fe is the capital city of province of Santa Fe, Argentina. It sits in northeastern Argentina, near the junction of the Paraná and Salado rivers. It lies opposite the city of Paraná, to which it is linked by the Hernandarias Subfluvial Tunnel. The city is also connected by canal with the...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
) is an Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
International Football player currently playing as a winger for Al Ain of the Pro-League
UAE Pro-League
The UAE Pro-League is the First Division of the UAE Football League, commonly known as Etisalat Pro-League for sponsorship reasons, since 2008, is the top professional association football league in United Arab Emirates...
. Scocco can play on both wings, but prefers to play on the left. He can also play as a attacking midfielder and often as striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
. Scocco also holds an Italian passport due to his Italian ancestry.
Newell's Old Boys
The Newell's Old BoysNewell's Old Boys
Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys is an Argentine sports club based in Rosario. The club was founded on November 3, 1903, and is named after Isaac Newell, one of the pioneers of Argentine football...
youth program quickly picked this young man up, and he was just nineteen when he made his debut in the Argentine top flight against San Lorenzo
Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro
Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro is an Argentine sports club based in Boedo neighbourhood, Buenos Aires, mostly known because of its football team....
. He scored 17 goals in 75 games and played alongside players such as Fernando Belluschi
Fernando Belluschi
Fernando Daniel Belluschi is an Argentine football midfielder who currently plays for FC Porto in the Portuguese first division.- Career :...
and Ariel Ortega
Ariel Ortega
Arnaldo Ariel Ortega is an Argentine football attacking midfielder. His nickname is "El Burrito" , thus he is called "Burrito Ortega"....
in the championship winning team of Apertura 2004. He also scored a very important goal for Newell's Old Boys
Newell's Old Boys
Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys is an Argentine sports club based in Rosario. The club was founded on November 3, 1903, and is named after Isaac Newell, one of the pioneers of Argentine football...
against Boca Juniors scoring in the 82nd minute making his club 1–0 up. In the summer of 2006 Scocco signed for Pumas UNAM for a fee of $3.5m, but Scocco stated to the newspaper «Reforma» that one day he will return to Newell's Old Boys
Newell's Old Boys
Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys is an Argentine sports club based in Rosario. The club was founded on November 3, 1903, and is named after Isaac Newell, one of the pioneers of Argentine football...
.
"El Tucán
Toucan
Toucans are members of the family Ramphastidae of near passerine birds from the Neotropics. The family is most closely related to the American barbets. They are brightly marked and have large, often colorful bills. The family includes five genera and about forty different species...
", was a regular fixture in the Newell's Old Boys
Newell's Old Boys
Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys is an Argentine sports club based in Rosario. The club was founded on November 3, 1903, and is named after Isaac Newell, one of the pioneers of Argentine football...
setup, and during the Clausura 2006 season he scored 9 goals in 18 games, but better was to come in the 2006 edition of the Libertadores where Newell's reached the knockout stage. Scocco’s 4 goals in just 5 starts were crucial to their campaign. Scocco wore the number 32 in the famous red and black shirts.
When Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti
Ricardo Ferretti
Ricardo Ferretti de Oliveira, commonly known as Tuca, is a football coach, who has coached Pumas UNAM, Chivas, UANL Tigres, Toluca, and Morelia He played with Atlas. He is nicknamed "El Tuca", and is known for his aggressive style on the bench.After retiring as a player, Ferretti started to work...
took over Pumas UNAM, and his main strikers Joaquín Botero
Joaquín Botero
Joaquín Botero Vaca is a Bolivian football striker. He was the top goalscorer in world football in the 2002 season, with 49 goals scored for Club Bolívar...
and Bruno Marioni
Bruno Marioni
Bruno Marioni is a retired Argentine striker.- Career :Marioni made his debut under the last name Giménez for Newell's Old Boys in 1995 before moving to Estudiantes in 1997. After 2 seasons in Argentina, Marioni went to Portugal joining Sporting in 1998...
left he was willing to sign Scocco for $3.5m.
Club Universidad Nacional
In 2006, Scocco joined Mexican side Pumas for $3.5 million. He made his debut against Jaguares de ChiapasJaguares de Chiapas
The Club de Fútbol Jaguares de Chiapas, is a Mexican football club now based in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, in the state of Chiapas. They currently play in Primera División de México...
, and during his second appearance against Veracruz he scored his first goal, from the goal kick. Scocco also scored a hat-trick for Pumas against Querétaro. Scocco scored his last goal for Pumas UNAM against Veracruz, gaining Pumas UNAM 4–2. Scocco was a mainstay in the Pumas starting team, he's strike partner was Esteban Solari
Esteban Solari
Esteban Andrés Solari, born June 2, 1980 in Rosario Santa Fe) is an Argentine football player who currently plays for APOEL in the Cypriot First Division.-Personal life:...
. Scocco ended his career at Pumas with 74 appearances and 28 goals.
Scocco reinforces the Deportivo Toluca borrowed from the Pumas UNAM order by Americo Gallego
Américo Gallego
Américo Rubén "El Tolo" Gallego is an Argentine football coach and former player, he played 73 times for the Argentina national team during his playing career.-Playing career:...
in the quarter finals of the Copa Libertadores 2007.
AEK Athens
Scocco signed a 3 year contract with AEK Athens on 18 June 2008. AEK Athens signed Scocco for a fee of €1.5 million and will be earning €400,000 per year. In his latest interviews Scocco also stated that this was a huge opportunity for his career and that playing in EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
was a dream for him. Scocco is the fourth Argentine AEK Athens player. The others are Sebastián Saja
Sebastián Saja
Diego Sebastián Saja is an Argentine football who plays for Racing Club de Avellaneda as a goalkeeper.-San Lorenzo:...
, Ismael Blanco
Ismael Blanco
Ismael Blanco is an Argentine professional football player who plays for the Mexican Primera División team, San Luis F.C.-Argentina:Blanco started his career with Colón in 2002...
and Cristian Nasuti
Cristian Nasuti
Cristian Nasuti is an Argentine football defender.Nasuti started his career with Club Atlético Platense in the Argentine 2nd division in 2001. He was spotted by River Plate and signed for the club in 2003...
.
During his time at AEK, Scocco has been mostly used as a left winger and sometimes also as a second striker which is his preferred position.
Scocco has attracted varies teams from the Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
, Fiorentina, Udinese and Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
due to his impressive performances in the Greek Super League and the Europa League.
Scocco also scored 2 goals past Olympiakos on 6 January 2010 and won AEK the match 1–2 away in the Karaiskakis Stadium
Karaiskakis Stadium
Karaiskakis Stadium is in the Neo Faliro area of Piraeus, Greece. It is the home ground of Olympiacos F.C. and is named after Georgios Karaiskakis , hero of the Greek War of Independence, who was mortally wounded near the area....
. This performance earned him the Man Of The Match award and certainly his remarkable 40 yard free kick, his second goal, will be considered one of the best goals of the season, the following week he scored against Atromitos
Atromitos
Atromitos FC is a football club based in Peristeri, Athens that plays in the Super League Greece.-History:Atromitos FC was officially founded in May 1923 when Kalomvounis, Petos, Glykofridis, Stathopoulos, Synodinos, Rigopoulos, Stamatopoulos, and other students living in Victoria Square decided...
and then Panathinaikos. Scocco also scored a phenomenal goal against Panthrakikos and an outstanding free kick against Panionios 1 minute before the end of the match making the score 1–1.
On the 16/09/10 Scocco scored the 3rd and final goal on AEK's first European match against Hajduk Split. This was the first goal of the season for Scocco. AEK won the match 3–1. Three days later Scocco scored an outstanding 30 yard shot against Asteras Tripolis.
On 17/10/10, Scocco scored an equally spectacular 40 yard strike against Aris Thessaloniki, and followed up with a second goal for a 4–0 victory.
On the 25/11/10, Scocco renewed his contract with AEK signing a new 3-year deal which will keep him at the club until 2013. Scocco's contract is worth €3.6m earning €1m per year and a buy-out clause worth €3m for foreign teams
On 18/5/11 Scocco scored a 38 yard shot against PAOK Thessaloniki in a 2-1 defeat
Argentina Under-20
Scocco started his Youth Interenational Career in 2004, Scocco has had 12 appearances and scored 3 Goals, he made his debut against ColombiaColombia national football team
The Colombian national football team represents Colombia in international football competitions and is controlled by the Colombian Football Federation. It is a member of the CONMEBOL...
on 27 July 2004. On 3 November 2004, Scocco made his second appearance against Paraguay
Paraguay national football team
The Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
and scored in the 77th minute making Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
2–0 up. Scocco was also called up to be part of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship
2005 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in The Netherlands between 10 June and 2 July 2005. The 2005 championship was the 15th contested.- Venues :- Qualification :The following 24 teams qualified for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship...
. Scocco played 2 matches in the tournament against Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan national football team
The Uzbekistan national football team represents Uzbekistan in association football and is controlled by the Uzbekistan Football Federation, the governing body for football in Uzbekistan...
on December 1, 2005 and against Mali
Mali national football team
The Mali national football team, nicknamed Les Aigles , is the national team of Mali and is controlled by the Fédération Malienne de Football. They have never qualified for the World Cup finals.-History:...
on December 4, 2005. Scocco also played alongside Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and captains the Argentina national team, mainly as a striker. Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21, and won in 2009 and 2010...
and Sergio Agüero
Sergio Agüero
Sergio Leonel "Kun" Agüero del Castillo is an Argentine footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester City in England's Premier League and the Argentine national team....
.
Argentina
On April 15, 2005, José PekermanJosé Pekerman
José Néstor Pékerman is an Argentine football coach and an ex-football player. He become famous as a youth level coach for Argentina, winning the FIFA World Youth Championship three times, and the U-20 South American Youth Championship twice...
called up Scocco for a friendly against Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
but didn't make an appearance. On June 3, 2005, Scocco was called up for another friendly for Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
against Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico national football team
The Puerto Rico national football team is the national team of Puerto Rico and is controlled by Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol. Puerto Rico's national football team is a member of the Caribbean Football Union, part of the CONCACAF....
, but pulled a hamstring and was forced out for a couple of weeks and was not included in the match.
After impressing Argentine coach Alfio Basile
Alfio Basile
Alfio Basile , known as Coco, is an Argentine football coach and former player.-Playing career:Basile started his playing career at the Bella Vista club in his home city. From 1964 to 1970 he played for Racing Club, and then for Huracán, where he was a mainstay of the 1973 Metropolitano champions...
, Scocco was called up for an unofficial friendly match against Guatemala
Guatemala national football team
The Guatemala national football team is the association football team representing the country of Guatemala and is controlled by the Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala. Founded in 1919, it affiliated to FIFA in 1946, and it is a member of CONCACAF....
on February 6, 2008, Scocco played 20 minutes in the match and came on for Ezequiel Lavezzi
Ezequiel Lavezzi
Ezequiel Iván Lavezzi , nicknamed "El Pocho", is an Argentine football striker of Italian descent, who currently plays for Italian Serie A club Napoli and the Argentine national team.-Atlético Estudiantes:...
. Scocco was also included in the 21 man squad against Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
on August 20, 2008.
Style of play
Scocco's most commonly known for his outstanding dribbling ability and pace, taking on defenders down the wing and play-making for his team mates. Scocco generally likes to cut in and shoot. Scocco is also known for his phenomenal powerful shots. Former Panionios keeper Dario KrešićDario Krešic
Dario Krešić is a Croatian footballer who currently plays in Greece for PAOK FC.-Panionios:The Croatian shot-stopper spent the last three seasons at Panionios, where he made fifty-six appearances for the Athenian side in all competitions...
described Scocco's shots as unstoppable, after scoring three long range shots against him.
Personal life
Scocco is married to Argentinian model Melissa Pochettino, the couple have a daughter named Eva. Scocco is best friends with professional footballer Fernando BelluschiFernando Belluschi
Fernando Daniel Belluschi is an Argentine football midfielder who currently plays for FC Porto in the Portuguese first division.- Career :...
who is the God father of Eva. They both served as best man at each other's wedding.
Statistics
Last updated 2 June 2008| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003/04 | Newell's Old Boys Newell's Old Boys Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys is an Argentine sports club based in Rosario. The club was founded on November 3, 1903, and is named after Isaac Newell, one of the pioneers of Argentine football... |
 Primera División ArgentinaPrimera División Argentina The Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs... |
5 | 0 | |
| 2004/05 | |Newell's Old Boys Newell's Old Boys Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys is an Argentine sports club based in Rosario. The club was founded on November 3, 1903, and is named after Isaac Newell, one of the pioneers of Argentine football... |
Primera División Argentina Primera División Argentina The Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs... |
34 | 3 | |
| 2005/06 | Newell's Old Boys Newell's Old Boys Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys is an Argentine sports club based in Rosario. The club was founded on November 3, 1903, and is named after Isaac Newell, one of the pioneers of Argentine football... |
Primera División Argentina Primera División Argentina The Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs... |
36 | 13 | |
| 2006/07 | Pumas UNAM |  Primera División de MéxicoPrimera División de México The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing... |
32 | 11 | |
| 2007/08 | Pumas UNAM | Primera División de México Primera División de México The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing... |
34 | 12 | |
| 2007 | Pumas UNAM | Primera División de México Primera División de México The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing... |
34 | 12 | |
| 2008/09 | AEK Athens |  Greek Super League |
32 | 7 | |
| 2009/10 | AEK Athens | Greek Super League |
30 | 11 | |
| 2010/11 | AEK Athens | Greek Super League |
20 | 9 | |
| | Total | 223 | 66 | |||
Club
Newell's Old BoysNewell's Old Boys
Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys is an Argentine sports club based in Rosario. The club was founded on November 3, 1903, and is named after Isaac Newell, one of the pioneers of Argentine football...
- Primera División: 1
-
- 2004 Apertura
Honours
AEK Athens- Greek CupGreek football CupThe Greek Football Cup , commonly known as the Greek Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Football Cup OPAP, is a Greek football competition, run by the Hellenic Football Federation....
: 2010–112010–11 Greek CupThe 2010–11 Greek Cup is the 69th season of the Greek Football Cup. A total of 67 clubs were accepted to enter, after the withdrawal of Egaleo, Kalamata and Pyrsos Grevena and their relegation to Delta Ethniki....