Richard Morales

Ríchard Morales

Personal information
Full name	Ríchard Javier Morales Aguirre
Date of birth	February 21, 1975 (1975-02-21)
Place of birth	Las Piedras, Uruguay
Height	1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
Playing position	Centre forward
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1996	Progreso
1997–1998	Basañez
1999–2002	Nacional	98	(44)
2003–2005	Osasuna	50	(11)
2005–2007	Málaga	41	(3)
2007–2008	Nacional	25	(8)
2008–2009	Grêmio	6	(1)
2009	LDU Quito	3	(0)
2009–2010	Fénix	5	(0)
National team
2001–2005	Uruguay	27	(6)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Morales and the second or maternal family name is Aguirre.

Ríchard Javier Morales Aguirre (born 21 February 1975 in Las Piedras, Canelones Department) is a retired Uruguayan footballer who played as a centre forward.

Nicknamed Chengue, he was mostly known for his tremendous physical strength and volatile temperament. He played professionally in four different countries, his heyday coming at Nacional de Montevideo.

Morales represented Uruguay at the 2002 World Cup, as well as in two Copa América tournaments.

Club career

After starting his professional career with C.A. Progreso and Basañez, Morales transferred to Club Nacional de Football in 1999. There, he helped the capital team to the 1998 national title.

In January 2003, Morales moved to Spain, reuniting with Pablo García at CA Osasuna. After spending his first two 1/2 seasons as a rarely used offensive option (his first goals came in late April-early March 2004, in two consecutive 1–1 draws, against Real Valladolid and Málaga CF), he scored nine La Liga goals in 2004–05, being instrumental in the Navarrese side's narrow escape from relegation, being a customary first-choice.

After that, he moved to Málaga, but would only net once in 2005–06, with the Andalusia side ranking last, adding just two in next season's second division.

On 5 August 2008, Morales, after a brief return stint with Nacional, signed a contract with Clube de Regatas do Flamengo for the rest of the season, with the option to renew the contract for another season. However, the following day, after Flamengo players were violently attacked by its fans, Morales decided not to join the Rio de Janeiro team.

On 31 August 2008, Morales signed with Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense. However, on 16 February 2009, he moved to Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito, but quickly retired from the squad on 2 April, due to his father's poor health. Before retiring the following year, he played a few matches for Centro Atlético Fénix.

International career

Having first appeared for Uruguay at 26, during the 2001 Copa América (where he scored in the 1–2 semifinal loss to Mexico), Morales came to international prominence on 15 November 2001, when his two late goals against Australia in the qualification playoffs ensured his country a place at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

In the final stages in South Korea and Japan, Morales netted once, in the 3–3 draw with Senegal. He received a total of 27 caps, scoring six goals.

External links

• Stats at Liga de Fútbol Profesional (Spanish)
• BDFutbol profile
• National team data (Spanish)
• Richard Morales at National-Football-Teams.com
• Richard Morales at ESPN Soccernet