13 Facts About Marcelo Zalayeta

Marcelo Danubio Zalayeta is a Uruguayan former professional footballer who played as a striker.

At international level, Marcelo Zalayeta represented the Uruguay national team on 32 occasions between 1997 and 2005, scoring ten goals.

Marcelo Zalayeta started his career with Danubio and then moving to Penarol in Uruguay in 1997, where he made a name for himself, winning the Uruguayan Primera Division and the Uruguayan Liguilla Cup.

Marcelo Zalayeta moved to Juventus later that year, but although he was considered a promising young player at the time, he was not given much of a chance to prove himself due to heavy competition from several other prominent forwards at the club.

Marcelo Zalayeta then spent a season on loan with Empoli, and he starred in Uruguay's surge for the Copa America in 1999, who lost in the final to Brazil.

Marcelo Zalayeta scored two very important extra time winners against Spanish opposition upon his return to Juventus.

On 1 July 2010, Marcelo Zalayeta returned to Napoli but failed to enter first team.

Marcelo Zalayeta joined his former Uruguayan side Penarol as a free agent on 17 July 2011; he won the Uruguayan Primera Division for a second time in 2013 before retiring in 2016.

Marcelo Zalayeta was called up for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship in Malaysia with the Uruguay national under-20 team, scoring four goals throughout the tournament as his team reached the final, and was defeated by Argentina.

Marcelo Zalayeta was one of two penalty kick takers whose shots were saved by Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Marcelo Zalayeta had a strong personality, and was known for his exuberant goal celebrations with his arms lowered.

Marcelo Zalayeta was nicknamed il panterone in the media throughout his career, due to his movements and agility.

In December 1999, Zalayeta and compatriot Sevilla teammates Nicolas Olivera and Marcelo Otero were charged for assaulting a man.