Robert Lopez Mendy
![]() Lopez Mendy in 2020 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Robert Waly Lopez Mendy | ||
Date of birth | 23 February 1987 | ||
Place of birth | Dakar, Senegal | ||
Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
Position(s) | Striker | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng | ||
Number | 71 | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2013–2015 | Green Archers United | (26) | |
2016–2018 | Kaya–Iloilo | 51 | (36) |
2019 | UiTM | 11 | (7) |
2019–2020 | Ceres–Negros / United City | 23 | (27) |
2021–2022 | Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng | 19 | (7) |
2022– | Kaya–Iloilo | 7 | (3) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Robert Waly Lopez Mendy (born 23 February 1987[1]) is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a striker for Philippine club Kaya F.C.–Iloilo.
Career
Green Archers United
Lopez Mendy moved to the Philippines in August 2013 to play in the United Football League (UFL).[2] He joined Green Archers United and scored the last goal in the team's 5–0 victory over Philippine Navy in the 2013 UFL Cup group stage.[3] Green Archers finished third in the tournament.[4]
In the 2014 league season, Lopez Mendy played as a midfielder.[5] On 23 January, on an assist provided by Chieffy Caligdong, he scored the second goal in a 2–2 draw with Philippine Army.[6] He then scored on the fourth minute in an eventual 4–1 loss to Stallion on 25 February.[7] On 22 March, he scored the Archers' first goal in a 2–1 comeback win against Loyola Meralco Sparks.[8] In the next match, on 27 March, he scored a brace in the 2–1 victory over Team Socceroo, with the second goal scored in the 89th minute.[5] He then scored a consolation goal in another 4–1 loss to Stallion on 10 April.[9] He then scored a brace and registered an assist in the following match, a 4–2 win over Philippine Army.[10] On 29 April, he scored a brace in a 2–1 win over Pasargad, with the first goal scored on the 8th minute.[11] On 3 May, he converted the penalty to equalize 1–1 with Loyola Meralco Sparks.[12] A month later, on 3 June, he scored a brace in the 2–0 win over Kaya.[13] He netted another brace in the first half of their 3–0 win over Philippine Army on 19 June, their second to the last match of the season.[14] Lopez Mendy ended the season with 15 goals.
During the first UFL All-Star Weekend held on 25 April 2015, Lopez Mendy played in the Philippines vs the Rest of the World exhibition game. He was named man of the match for scoring a hat-trick in the second half as the foreigners won 5–4.[15][16][17]
In the 2015 UFL Cup group stage, Lopez Mendy scored a brace within 6 minutes of game time as the Archers defeated Pasargad 6–0 on 10 May.[18] In their last group match against Ceres, he scored in the 3rd minute of an eventual 4–1 defeat.[19] GAU were later eliminated in the quarter-finals.[20]
Kaya
Lopez Mendy was signed by Kaya for their 2016 season.[21] He scored a total of 11 goals in the 2016 UFL Cup, making him the tournament's top scorer as Kaya finished third.[22] He found the net a lot that season, including a brace to help Kaya beat his former club Green Archers United 5-1.[23] However, the Senegalese striker was sent off despite scoring Kaya's only goal to help beat Loyola Meralco 1-0, his only red card that season.[24] Lopez Mendy was still part of Kaya for the maiden season of the incipient Philippines Football League (PFL) in 2017. For the 2018 season, Lopez Mendy was named Player of the Season by Kaya's fan club.[25]
UiTM
In January 2019 it was reported that Lopez Mendy has joined UiTM F.C. of the second-tier league Malaysia Premier League.[26]
Ceres–Negros / United City
Lopez Mendy returned to the Philippines to sign up to play for Ceres Negros of the PFL in August 2019.[27] At the 2019 Copa Paulino Alcantara, in which his club Ceres Negros won the title, Lopez Mendy won the Golden Boot individual award for scoring five goals in the whole tournament.[28]
When Ceres Negros had a management overhaul in July 2020 and was renamed as United City, the new management re-signed Lopez Mendy to play for the club.[29] After the conclusion of the 2020 season, United City in February 2021 announced the departure of Lopez Mendy from the club to play for a Cambodian club.[30]
Personal life
Robert Waly Lopez Mendy was born on 23 February 1987 in Dakar, Senegal. He earned a college degree in French language and literature from College Sacre Coeur in Dakar.[2]
In 2016, he married his Filipina wife, Maebel "Ameera" Ybera Lacastesantos; the couple have a son.[2]
On 3 March 2020, a Senate bill was passed by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri to grant Filipino citizenship to Lopez Mendy through naturalization. It can make him eligible to play for the Philippines national team.[31]
Honours
Club
Green Archers United
- United Football League Cup third place: 2013[4]
Kaya–Iloilo
- Copa Paulino Alcantara: 2018
- United Football League Cup third place: 2016[22]
Ceres–Negros / United City
Individual
- Copa Paulino Alcantara Golden Boot: 2019
- United Football League Cup top scorer: 2016[22]
References
- ^ "Robert Lopez Mendy". Kaya FC–Iloilo. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
- ^ a b c Galunan, Jerome, Jr. (17 March 2020). "Zubiri files bill naturalizing Ceres FC players". SunStar Bacolod. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Loyola demolishes Blue Guards in UFL, 33-0". ABS-CBN News. 31 October 2013. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- ^ a b Miravite, Myke (6 December 2013). "Caligdong bounces back to salvage 3rd for GAU". Rappler. Archived from the original on 24 November 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- ^ a b Miravite, Myke (27 March 2014). "UFL: Lopez Mendy scores brace in GAU's 2-1 win over Socceroo". Rappler. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- ^ Miravite, Myke (23 January 2014). "UFL: Late goals propel Army to 2-2 draw with GAU". Rappler. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- ^ Sacamos, Karlo (25 February 2014). "Doctora justifies Azkals call-up with inspirational performance for Stallion". Sports Interactive Network Philippines (SPIN). Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- ^ Villar, Joey (23 March 2014). "Archers stun fancied Sparks". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- ^ Decena, Karl (11 April 2014). "UFL on AksyonTV: Stallion turns back Green Archers, Pachanga rallies to beat Army-GTI". Hello Philippines newspaper (UK & Europe edition). p. 39.
- ^ Sacamos, Karlo (16 April 2014). "Reborn Green Archers welcome back Caligdong with four-goal show against Army". Sports Interactive Network Philippines (SPIN). Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- ^ Sacamos, Karlo (29 April 2014). "Archers solidify chances of qualifying for UFL Super Cup with win over Pasargad". Sports Interactive Network Philippines (SPIN). Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- ^ Sacamos, Karlo (3 May 2014). "Green Archers add to woes of reeling Loyola Sparks with UFL stalemate". Sports Interactive Network Philippines (SPIN). Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- ^ Lina, Ceres (4 June 2014). "UFL: Stallion wins over Socceroo, Archers strike down Kaya FC". Rappler. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ "Pachanga snaps Stallion's 11-game winning streak". DZRH News. 23 June 2014. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ Tupas, Cedelf (19 April 2015). "UFL All-Star weekend set April 25". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ Sacamos, Karlo (26 April 2015). "Robert Mendy shines as World Team turns back Azkals-loaded PH selection in UFL All-Star game". Sports Interactive Network Philippines (SPIN). Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ Tamayao, Brian (25 April 2015). "Lopez Mendy inspires Team Rest of the World in defeating Team Philippines". Tiebreaker Times. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ Tamayao, Brian (10 May 2015). "Green Archers United on target in lopsided victory against Pasargad". Tiebreaker Times. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- ^ Tamayao, Brian (23 May 2015). "Super subs steer Ceres to Group A pole; GAU settle for second". Tiebreaker Times. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- ^ Co, RJ (22 August 2015). "Ceres-La Salle outguns Green Archers United in highly physical match, secures semifinals spot". Tiebreaker Times. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- ^ "Kaya signs nine players for 2016 season". The Manila Times. 23 December 2015. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ^ a b c "Global blasts Ceres to pocket UFL crown". The Manila Times. 17 April 2016. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ^ "Robert Lopez Mendy strikes back at former team - FOX Sports Asia". 20 June 2016.
- ^ "Robert Mendy emerges hero, but nearly turns into goat for 10-man Kaya in win over Loyola Meralco".
- ^ "Robert Lopez Mendy's Hat-trick Sends Kaya FC–Iloilo Through to Copa Paulino Alcantara Final". ABS-CBN Sports. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
- ^ Lajim, Faliq (28 January 2019). "4 Import Perkuat UiTM F.C." My Metro. New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ^ "Ceres-Negros Football Club loads up with Lopez Mendy signing". Panay News. 4 August 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
- ^ Saldajeno, Ivan (16 November 2019). "Ceres Negros sweeps 'Copa' individual awards". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
- ^ Co, Adrian Stewart (4 August 2020). "Marañón, Lopez Mendy". Panay News. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- ^ Del Carmen, Lorenzo (15 February 2021). "Senegalese forward Lopez Mendy departs United City". Tiebreaker Times. Archived from the original on 15 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ "Senate bill seeks naturalization of 2 Ceres-Negros booters".