Diego Alfredo Lugano Morena is a Uruguayan former professional footballer who played as a central defender.
36 Facts About Diego Lugano
2.
Diego Lugano made 95 appearances for the Uruguay national team, captaining his country at two FIFA World Cups.
3.
Diego Lugano was named best captain at the 2010 tournament.
4.
From Libertad, in 1999, Diego Lugano transferred to Club Nacional de Football in Montevideo.
5.
Three years later, Diego Lugano was loaned out to Plaza Colonia for the duration of the playing season.
6.
Diego Lugano was contracted by club President Marcelo Portugal Gouveia without consulting the head coach Oswaldo de Oliveira.
7.
That same year, Diego Lugano was recognized as South America's best defender.
8.
Diego Lugano has mentioned that he still maintains a good relationship with the club.
9.
Diego Lugano is notorious for his presence in attack, as was shown with his scored goals from headers from dead ball situations and support of the forward line.
10.
Diego Lugano became a fan favourite with his defensive tenacity and his spectacular play from free kick situations.
11.
Diego Lugano signed a new four-year contract in 2009 with Fenerbahce.
12.
On 21 January 2013, Diego Lugano signed with Spanish side Malaga CF until 30 June on loan.
13.
Diego Lugano returned to PSG on 1 July 2013, with Malaga failing to make the loan move permanent.
14.
On 2 August 2013, Diego Lugano joined Premier League club West Bromwich Albion on a two-year contract.
15.
On 26 March 2015, Diego Lugano signed for Swedish side BK Hacken on a short-term contract until the summer.
16.
Diego Lugano became one of the most merited players ever to play in the Swedish top league.
17.
Diego Lugano was then received by his teammates and began training with the first roster.
18.
Diego Lugano revealed that since arriving at Cerro Porteno, he received better offers, but decided to stay.
19.
Diego Lugano's goals occurred in the 69th, from a header.
20.
In December 2015, Diego Lugano was awarded by Diario Popular as the most popular player in Paraguayan football.
21.
In January 2016, the club president informed that Diego Lugano was still a Cerro Porteno player and that would speak with him personally if he wanted to leave.
22.
Diego Lugano had discarded his trip with the team to Encarnacion for the pre-season preparation for the Torneo Apertura.
23.
On 5 January 2016, Diego Lugano reached an agreement with Cerro Porteno to leave the club and was available to negotiate a return to Brazilian team Sao Paulo, who were interested in his services.
24.
Diego Lugano totalled 5 goals, 10 yellow cards and 1 expulsion in 16 games for Cerro Porteno, amassing 1,438 minutes.
25.
In January 2016, after almost 10 years, Diego Lugano returned to Sao Paulo FC, in Brazil, where he won 2005 Copa Libertadores and 2005 FIFA Club World Championship, he instantly became Sao Paulo's idol.
26.
In January 2018, Diego Lugano accepted the role of director of institutional relations at Sao Paulo, confirming his retirement as a player.
27.
Diego Lugano made 95 appearances for the Uruguay national football team after making his debut in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Paraguay.
28.
Diego Lugano has represented the country at two FIFA World Cups, two Copa America tournaments and one FIFA Confederations Cup.
29.
Diego Lugano was a first choice player for Uruguay at the 2007 Copa America, captaining the team in each of its six matches.
30.
At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Diego Lugano led Uruguay to an impressive fourth-placed finish.
31.
Diego Lugano captained Uruguay to victory at the 2011 Copa America, playing in all six games for the eventual champions.
32.
Diego Lugano was omitted from Oscar Tabarez's first post-World Cup squad for friendly matches against Japan and South Korea in September 2014.
33.
Diego Lugano is married to Karina Roncio and has three children: Nicolas, Thiago, and Bianca.
34.
Diego Lugano has cited the defenders Hugo de Leon and Paolo Montero as his personal football heroes.
35.
In 2015, Diego Lugano gained international wide media attention when his wife and he travelled on a bus in Asuncion after having a problem with his vehicle.
36.
Diego Lugano is of Piedmontese descent and holds the Italian passport.