Diego Lugano

Diego Alfredo Lugano Moreno (born November 2, 1980 in Canelones) is a Uruguay national football team footballer, who is nicknamed Tota. A tough-tackling Defender (football) with powerful aerial ability, he currently plays for Fenerbahçe, having previously played for Plaza Colonia, Club Nacional de Football and São Paulo Futebol Clube where he was very popular with the fans.

In 2005, playing for São Paulo, he led his team to win Campeonato Paulista, Copa Libertadores de América and FIFA Club World Championship. In 2005, Lugano was awarded South America's Best Defender. In 2006, he carried his squad to runner-up in the Copa Libertadores de América.

In the 2005 winter transfer window, after heavy rumours, it was almost a certain Lugano would leave for a European squad. Livorno, Bolton, Reading F.C., Newcastle United and Espanyol were among the bidding suitors. Surprisingly Diego chose to stay with São Paulo for another season.

In August 2006, after 2 months of rumours, he signed a four-year contract with Turkish giant Fenerbahçe and he become a fanfavourite with the club. He won Turkish Super League with Fenerbahçe in clubs centenary year.

Lugano missed a crucial penalty kick in the 2007 Copa America semi final against Brazil which eliminated Uruguay. This came despite playing a great game.

Trivia

- He is currently married and has two sons, Nicolas and new-born Taigo (who was also born on Diego's birthday).
- He played for Uruguay_national_football_team in Copa América 2007, in which Uruguay finished 4th behind Mexico.
- He is also the national team's captain.
- He also has Italian citizenship.

Achievements

- 1999 Uruguayan Liguilla Champion with Nacional Montevideo
- 1999 Uruguayan Torneo Apertura Champion with Nacional Montevideo
- 2000 Uruguayan Torneo Apertura Champion with Nacional Montevideo
- 2001 Uruguayan Torneo Clasura Champion with Nacional Montevideo
- 1999-00 Primera División Uruguaya Champion with Nacional Montevideo
- 2000-01 Primera División Uruguaya Champion with Nacional Montevideo
- 2003 3rd place of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A with São Paulo
- 2005 São Paulo State Championship Champion with São Paulo
- 2005 Copa Libertadores de América Champion with São Paulo
- 2005 FIFA Club World Championship Champion with São Paulo
- 2006 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Champion with São Paulo
- 2007 Turkish Super League Champion with Fenerbahçe
- 2007 Turkish Super Cup Champion with Fenerbahçe