The Talented Mr. De Nigris

Scoring against Brazil can take you a long way. That is depending on what type of player you are. For a novice it can definitely put you on the map, and in Antonio De Nigris case all over the map.

Despite three glorious seasons with Monterrey, scoring a total of 36 goals, De Nigris shot to fame when he debuted with the Mexican National team in a 3-3 draw against Brazil at Jalisco stadium. De Nigris blazing volley past Rogerio Ceni turned him into one of Mexico’s most promising upstarts.

However, that goal would be more of a curse and De Nigris would soon find himself trotting the globe playing with a series of different clubs and always with mediocre results. Usually scoring on his debut and then going on scoreless draughts.

De Nigris first move was close to home, from the northern state of Monterrey to the nation’s capital Mexico City where he joined the leagues wealthiest club America. De Nigris scored in his debut and midway through the season abandoned America to join Villareal of the Spanish first division.

Villareal at the time was coached by Benito Floro, who had coached Monterrey and given De Nigris his debut at the club. De Nigris would not disappoint, as far as debuts go, and score in his first appearance at the club, just seconds after coming off the bench.

De Nigris then spent the rest of the season riding the pine, with mediocre displays in the few minutes he was given. Hence, the following season De Nigris was demoted to Spain’s second division where he played for the modest Polideportivo Ejido.

At this point Mexico’s once prominent striker slipped into oblivion until he surprised everyone with a move to Colombian side Once Caldas. Somehow, De Nigris managed to land a starting spot in the reigning Copa Libertadores championship team that would go on to play FC Porto in the last edition of the Intercontinental Cup, which was eliminated by FIFA to make way for the Clubs World Cup.

Once Caldas lost the match (8-7) in a penalty shoot out, De Nigris scored his spot kick and then went on to score only one more goal in league play, this time in his last match with the Colombian outfit.

With little luck abroad De Nigris decided to head back home and suit up for relegation bound Puebla F.C. De Nigris who was brought in with the hopes of reliving his glory days at Monterrey would go on to score a total of one goal. And despite his more than mediocre season he still managed to avoid sinking with the ailing Puebla and join Pumas UNAM, which at the time where the Mexican league champions!

Surely this move would be ideal for De Nigris, UNAM’s coach was none other than Mexico’s all time greatest striker Hugo Sanchez who could, much like he did with Francisco ‘Kikin’ Fonseca, ignite the strikers goal scoring flame. Sadly De Nigris would disappoint, scoring a total of two goals, and becoming a favorite target of insults by the clubs vociferous fans.


De Nigris return back home had done nothing but mark him as a washed out player. And with Mexican clubs no longer showing interest he decided to take his chances in Asia, where he had received a contract offer from Shandong of China.

This venture was short lived as the Chinese club didn’t come through with their offer, leaving De Nigris club less. Until, De Nigris pulled one of the most interesting coups in footy history and usurped his younger brother’s identity to get signed by the famed Santos of Brazil.

The younger Aldo De Nigris, playing at Tigres UNAL, ironically club Monterrey’s bitter rival, had impressed Santos scouts in Copa Libertadores play. It wasn’t until Antonio arrived at the club that Coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo realized the mistaken identity. Antonio De Nigris, true to himself, went on to play five games and score, his now customary, one goal.

This could have been seen as the striker’s last stand but De Nigris never ceases to surprise and has found yet again another opportunity to play top flight football. The Turkish league is De Nigris latest obstacle and ‘Tano’, as he is known, already scored in his debut and even outdid himself and went on to score a double salvo to guide his new club Gaziantepspor to a 4-2 victory over Cup rivals Keçiörengücü.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Tano somehow manages to make it to South Africa!