Francisco Fonseca

José Francisco Fonseca Guzmán (born October 2, 1979 in León, Guanajuato, Guanajuato) is a Mexico football (soccer) striker, who currently plays for UANL Tigres in the Primera División de México.

Biography

Career

Fonseca made his first division debut with La Piedad in the 2001 Invierno season. After two seasons with Piedad, in which he played mostly as a substitute, Fonseca moved to UNAM Pumas, where he emerged as a star. After impressive showing in the 2003 Apertura and Clausura, he cemented his place in the Pumas starting lineup in the 2004 Clausura, during which he helped lead UNAM to a championship. After helping Pumas to a second title in the 2004 Apertura season, he was transferred to Cruz Azul, having registered 25 goals in 81 appearances for Pumas. At the beginning of 2005, Fonseca moved to Cruz Azul in one of the biggest transfers in Mexican league history. In Cruz Azul, he also was an important player playing 48 games and registering 25 goals, help Cruz Azul reach the quarterfinals.

Fonseca is one of the most charismatic, popular and beloved players of Mexican football. His popularity has helped him to become the spokesman of multiple companies and NGOs. He's been an idol ever since he became a regular starter in Mexican football.There has been rumors that Fonseca will be transferred to Chivas de Guadalajara after his contract is over with Tigres.

International career

Fonseca is an emerging force at forward for the Mexico national football team. On April 2, 2006, coach Ricardo Lavolpe selected him in the 23 man Mexican squad for the 2006 World Cup, in Germany. He scored his first goal in the 2006 FIFA World Cup against Portugal national football team and won the Man Of The Match Award given by FIFA in the defeat of Mexico versus Portugal. After being selected by Hugo Sanchez for the 2007 Gold Cup, Fonseca was dropped from the squad for the 2007 Copa America due to his low performances and being shown the yellow card two games in a row for un-called for fouls and complaints against refs. Despite an injury to star striker Jared Borgetti, Fonseca declined invitation to the 2007 Copa America. Even though he was Hugo's first choice, he took Luis Angel Landin instead, since this incident, he has not been called up to the national team since. On August 7th, 2008, Fonseca was called up to join Ericksson's second list of players, after an almost 1 and a half drought of not playing with the natonal team.

SL Benfica

On July 27, 2006, Fonseca signed a four year contract with Portuguese giants, SL Benfica. Although playing in only 8 league games and scoring 1 goal (he also played in 3 cup games scoring 2 goals) in Portugal, Benfica's fans liked Kikin's attitude and his charismatic personality. His first goal at SL Benfica was on December 21, 2006 when he headed in a pass from Nuno Gomes against Belenenses.
Kikin scored another two goals in a match of the 4th round of the Cup of Portugal between Oliveira do Bairro SC and Benfica that ended 5-0.

After a half season with Benfica, he was transferred to Mexico's UANL Tigres for the start of the Clausura 2007. Kikin hasn't regained the form that saw him reach the 2006 FIFA World Cup since it ended. Right now he isn't even in the starting eleven for the Tigres. For the 2007-2008 season he has appeared in 29 matches and has scored only 1 goal.

Trivia

- For the 2006 EA Sports lineup, Fonseca was placed on the front cover for the FIFA 07 North American release, sharing the cover with American footballer Landon Donovan and Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho.
- Fonseca has become very popular with his dances after every goal, once imitating Michael Jackson's "Thriller", Mexican commentators call it "The Kiki-Baile".
- Once dated actress Jacqueline Bracamontes.