Óscar Alcides Mena
Encyclopedia
Oscar Alcides Mena Fernández, nicknamed El Mencho (born November 30, 1970 in Luján, Buenos Aires
), is a retired Argentine
footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
, and then Club Defensores de Cambaceres, both in the third division
. In 1994, he made his debuts in the top flight with Club Atlético Platense
, moving to Club Atlético Lanús
for a further season.
In 1997–98, both Mena and goalkeeper Carlos Roa
were bought by Spain
's RCD Mallorca
. Eminently a defensive-minded player, the former scored seven La Liga
goals during the campaign, helping the Balearic Islands
outfit finish fifth straight from the second division
, as well as to a runner-up finish in the domestic cup
.
Subsequently, Mena signed with Atlético de Madrid, where he faced stiff competition for a starting job, also suffering from injuries. He would resume his career in Spain in its second, third
and fourth divisions
, with a quick return to Argentina, with Olimpo de Bahía Blanca
, in between.
Mena retired from the game in February 2005, making a return to Atlético Madrid later on, appearing for its indoor soccer
side. Subsequently, he began his coaching career, first with the Colchoneros youth sides, then acting as assistant to the C team
.
Luján, Buenos Aires
Luján is a city in the Buenos Aires province of Argentina, located 68 kilometres north west of the city of Buenos Aires. The city was founded in 1755 and has a population of 94,000 ....
), is a retired 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...
footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
Football career
Mena started his career playing for Club LujánClub Luján
Club Luján is a football club from Luján in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The team currently plays in Primera C Metropolitana, which is the regionalised fourth tier of the Argentine Football Association league system.-History:...
, and then Club Defensores de Cambaceres, both in the third division
Primera B Metropolitana
Primera B Metropolitana is one of two leagues that form the regionalized third level of the Argentine football league system. The other league at level three is the Torneo Argentino A....
. In 1994, he made his debuts in the top flight with Club Atlético Platense
Club Atlético Platense
Club Atlético Platense is an Argentine sports club based in Vicente López, in the north side of Greater Buenos Aires. The club nickname is Calamar after the journalist Palacio Zino said that the team moved "like a squid in its ink"....
, moving to Club Atlético Lanús
Club Atlético Lanús
Club Atlético Lanús is a sports club from Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Founded on 3 January 1915, the club's main sports are football and basketball. In both sports, Lanús plays in Argentina's top divisions: Primera División and Liga Nacional de Básquet...
for a further season.
In 1997–98, both Mena and goalkeeper Carlos Roa
Carlos Roa
Carlos Ángel Roa is a retired Argentine footballer who played as a goalkeeper.Most of his professional career - which was interrupted due to his Seventh-day Adventist Church beliefs - was spent with Racing Avellaneda and in Spain with Mallorca, winning one major trophy with the latter.Roa was...
were bought by Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
's RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
. Eminently a defensive-minded player, the former scored seven La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
goals during the campaign, helping the Balearic Islands
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands are an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.The four largest islands are: Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The archipelago forms an autonomous community and a province of Spain with Palma as the capital...
outfit finish fifth straight from the second division
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
, as well as to a runner-up finish in the domestic cup
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
.
Subsequently, Mena signed with Atlético de Madrid, where he faced stiff competition for a starting job, also suffering from injuries. He would resume his career in Spain in its second, third
Segunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
and fourth divisions
Tercera División
Tercera División is the fourth level of the Spanish football league system. The top three are the Primera División, often referred to as "La Liga" in English, the Segunda División, and Segunda División B.-Current Format:...
, with a quick return to Argentina, with Olimpo de Bahía Blanca
Olimpo de Bahía Blanca
Club Olimpo, usually referred to as Olimpo de Bahía Blanca, is a sports club based in the city of Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The club was founded on October 15, 1910, and their main activities are basketball and association football. The football team currently plays in the...
, in between.
Mena retired from the game in February 2005, making a return to Atlético Madrid later on, appearing for its indoor soccer
Indoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
side. Subsequently, he began his coaching career, first with the Colchoneros youth sides, then acting as assistant to the C team
Atlético Madrid C
Atletico Madrid C is a Spanish football club that currently plays in the Tercera División. They are the second reserve team of Atlético Madrid. They play their home games at the Nuevo Cerro del Espino.-Club Names:- Season to season:-Current Squad:...
.