Alfredo Morelos facts for kids
Morelos with Rangers in 2018
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Alfredo José Morelos Aviléz | ||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 21 June 1996 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Cereté, Colombia | ||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||||
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Current team
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Atlético Nacional (on loan from Santos) |
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| Number | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2014 | Independiente Medellín | ||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2016 | Independiente Medellín | 12 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | → HJK (loan) | 30 | (16) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | HJK | 12 | (11) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2023 | Rangers | 178 | (78) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023– | Santos | 20 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2024– | → Atlético Nacional (loan) | 49 | (17) | ||||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Colombia U17 | 4 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Colombia U20 | 6 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2018–2021 | Colombia | 11 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:01, 26 July 2025 (GMT) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:00, 07 March 2025 (GMT) |
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Alfredo José Morelos Aviléz (born on June 21, 1996) is a Colombian professional footballer. He plays as a striker for Categoría Primera A club Atlético Nacional. He is currently on loan from Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Santos.
Morelos started his career in Colombia with Independiente Medellín. Later, he moved to Finland to play for HJK. In June 2017, he joined Rangers in Scotland for about £1 million. Morelos holds the club record for most goals in European competitions, with 29 goals.
He played for Colombia's national youth teams, including the under-17 and under-20 squads. He was part of the under-20 team that finished second in the 2015 South American U-20 Championship. Morelos first played for the senior Colombia team in 2018. He helped his country finish third at the 2021 Copa América.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Alfredo Morelos was born in Cereté, Colombia. He lived with his sisters, parents, and grandmother. When he joined Independiente Medellín, he had to live away from his family. Morelos is married, and his father encouraged him to play football and score goals.
Club Career Highlights
Starting with Independiente Medellín
Morelos began his football journey at Independiente Medellín in 2011 when he was 15. He moved up through the youth teams. At 18, he made his first team debut on July 13, 2014. This was in a Copa Colombia group stage match.
Just 11 days later, Morelos scored his first senior goal for the club. He scored two goals in another Copa Colombia match soon after. He continued to score, helping his team reach the knockout stages. Independiente Medellín finished second in their group.
Morelos also played his first Categoría Primera A league game in August 2014. He scored his first league goal on September 6, 2014. He ended the 2014 season with 14 appearances and 6 goals. His team finished as runners-up in the 2014 Finalización league.
In the 2015 season, Morelos played 11 games but did not score. Independiente Medellín reached another final, the 2015 Apertura, but lost. Morelos played a total of 25 games for the club, scoring 6 goals.
Moving to HJK in Finland
On February 5, 2016, Morelos joined HJK in Finland on a loan deal. He quickly made an impact, scoring in his debut game. A week later, he scored two goals in another League Cup match.
Morelos started the league season strongly, scoring six goals in his first five games. He scored his first career hat-trick in the Finnish Cup in June 2016. He also scored four goals in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers.
He continued to score regularly throughout the 2016 season. Morelos was named Player of the Month in September. He finished as HJK's top scorer in the league with 16 goals. He was also the top scorer in all competitions with 30 goals. He received the league's best striker award.
In 2017, HJK signed Morelos permanently. He continued his excellent form, scoring in cup and league games. He scored 10 goals in 11 matches, earning him Player of the Month awards for April and May 2017. Morelos scored his last goal for HJK on June 4, 2017.
He left HJK halfway through the 2017 season. Despite this, he was the club's second-highest scorer with 11 league goals. HJK went on to win the 2017 Veikkausliiga and the 2016–17 Finnish Cup. Morelos received two winner's medals for his contributions. He played 62 games for HJK, scoring 46 goals.
Time with Rangers in Scotland
Morelos joined Rangers on June 19, 2017. He signed a three-year deal. He made his debut ten days later in a UEFA Europa League match. In August, he scored his first two goals for Rangers in a cup win. Soon after, he scored his first goal in the Scottish Premiership. Fans quickly nicknamed him El Bufalo (The Buffalo).
He finished the 2017–18 season as Rangers' top scorer with 18 goals.
2018–19 Season at Rangers
Morelos helped Rangers reach the Europa League group stages with his goals. He scored a hat trick in a League Cup game against Kilmarnock. In September 2018, he signed a new contract with Rangers. He continued his strong goal-scoring form.
In February 2019, Morelos scored twice against Aberdeen. He also received a red card in that game. He scored four goals in a Scottish Cup match against Kilmarnock, bringing his total to 27 goals for the season. In March 2019, he signed another new contract. He finished as the top scorer in the 2018–19 Scottish Premiership with 18 league goals. His goal against Kilmarnock was his 100th club goal.
2019–20 Season at Rangers
Morelos started the 2019–20 season well, scoring a hat-trick in a Europa League qualifier. He scored two goals in a league game against Hibernian. In October 2019, he scored twice in a Europa League match against Feyenoord. This made him the first Rangers player to score in four European games in a row.
By the end of December, Morelos had scored 28 goals in 35 games. He also set a UEFA record for most goals in a European campaign before Christmas, with 14.
2020–21 Season at Rangers
Morelos stayed with Rangers for the 2020–21 season despite transfer rumors. He scored five goals in his first seven games. He continued to score in the Europa League group stage. By scoring against Benfica, Morelos passed Ally McCoist to become Rangers' top European goalscorer with 22 goals.
In January 2021, he scored two goals against Aberdeen. In March 2021, he was named Scottish Premiership Player of the Month. On May 2, he scored against Celtic in a 4–1 win. This helped Rangers complete the Scottish Premiership season unbeaten. Rangers won the league title for the first time in 10 years. Morelos won his first trophy with the club. He ended the season with 17 goals in 44 games.
2021–22 Season at Rangers
Morelos missed the first two games of the season due to international duty. On August 10, 2021, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal. He became the first Rangers player to score a Champions League goal in ten years. He also scored the winning goal in a Europa League Play-off match.
On October 24, 2021, Morelos scored his 100th goal for Rangers. He was the first player to reach 100 goals for the club in over five years. Three days later, he played his 200th game for the club. In December 2021, he broke another record, becoming Rangers' all-time overseas top goalscorer with 107 goals. He won the Player of the Month award for December.
Morelos continued his strong form into 2022, scoring multiple goals. He scored in a historic 4–2 European away win over Borussia Dortmund. His season ended early in March due to a thigh injury. Despite the injury, Morelos finished as Rangers' joint-top scorer with 18 goals. He received the Rangers Player Of The Year award. Rangers reached the 2022 UEFA Europa League Final but lost. Morelos received a runner-up medal for his contributions.
2022–23 Season at Rangers
Morelos returned to action on August 6, 2022, after five months out. He scored his first goal of the season in a 2–0 win. In August 2022, he received a red card during a game against Hibs. The manager decided to drop him from the squad for a Champions League match due to concerns about his attitude.
Morelos made his first Champions League group stage appearance in September 2022. He scored his second goal of the season in October. In May 2023, Rangers announced that Morelos would leave the club when his contract ended.
Playing for Santos in Brazil
On September 4, 2023, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Santos signed Morelos. He made his debut eleven days later. He suffered a calf injury in October 2023, which kept him out for almost two months.
In February 2024, he scored his first goal for Santos from a penalty kick. He played regularly in the 2024 Campeonato Paulista. However, in April, he was temporarily removed from the first team squad. He returned after improving his fitness. He scored two goals in May 2024.
Loan to Atlético Nacional
2024 Season at Atlético Nacional
On July 18, 2024, Santos loaned Morelos to Atlético Nacional in his home country. He made his debut on July 25, 2024. He won a penalty for his team, which led to a goal. His celebration caused some disagreement with the opposing team.
He scored his first league goal for Atlético Nacional on August 10, 2024. He also scored his first Copa Colombia goal in September. Morelos became a key player for the team. He scored four goals in two games in October. In December 2024, he scored in the final two league games, helping Atlético Nacional reach the final.
On December 13, 2024, Morelos scored in the Copa Colombia final first leg. Atlético Nacional won the Copa Colombia, giving Morelos his first trophy in Colombia. On December 22, 2024, he scored in the Categoría Primera A Finalización final, helping Atlético Nacional win their second trophy of the season.
2025 Season at Atlético Nacional
On January 29, 2025, Morelos rejoined Atlético Nacional on another loan. He made his first start of the season in February. On February 7, 2025, he helped his team win the 2025 Superliga Colombiana. He scored his first goal of the season from a penalty on February 10. He scored again in March. On April 4, 2025, Morelos made his Copa Libertadores debut and scored his first goal in the competition.
International Career
Youth Teams
Morelos first played for the Colombia under-17 team in July 2012. He made his debut in April 2013. He played four games for the under-17 side. In September 2014, he was called up to the Colombia under-20 team. He debuted in January 2015. Morelos was part of the Colombia squad that finished second in the 2015 South American Youth Football Championship. He played six games for the under-20 team.
Senior National Team
On August 28, 2018, Morelos received his first call-up to the senior Colombian national team. He made his international debut on September 8, 2018, against Venezuela. He provided an assist for the winning goal in that match. He played two more friendly games in March 2019.
Morelos returned to the national team in October 2019. He scored his first international goal on November 16, 2019, in a friendly against Peru. On October 10, 2020, Morelos played his first FIFA World Cup qualification game.
He was selected for the 2021 Copa América squad in June 2021. Morelos made his Copa América debut on June 21, 2021. Colombia reached the semi-finals and finished third in the tournament. Morelos received a bronze medal for his team's achievement.
Personal Life
Alfredo Morelos has been with his childhood sweetheart, Yesenia Herrera, since 2014. They married in January 2016. They have a daughter named Leonela Morelos, who was born in May 2020.
Career Statistics
Club Appearances and Goals
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | State league | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Independiente Medellín | 2014 | Categoría Primera A | 6 | 1 | 8 | 5 | — | — | — | 14 | 6 | |||
| 2015 | Categoría Primera A | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 11 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 12 | 1 | 13 | 5 | — | — | — | 25 | 6 | |||||
| HJK (loan) | 2016 | Veikkausliiga | 30 | 16 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | — | 43 | 30 | |
| HJK | 2017 | Veikkausliiga | 12 | 11 | 7 | 5 | — | — | — | 19 | 16 | |||
| Rangers | 2017–18 | Scottish Premiership | 35 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 43 | 18 | |
| 2018–19 | Scottish Premiership | 30 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 4 | — | 48 | 30 | ||
| 2019–20 | Scottish Premiership | 26 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 14 | — | 47 | 29 | ||
| 2020–21 | Scottish Premiership | 29 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 5 | — | 44 | 17 | ||
| 2021–22 | Scottish Premiership | 26 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 6 | — | 42 | 18 | ||
| 2022–23 | Scottish Premiership | 32 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0 | — | 45 | 12 | ||
| Total | 178 | 78 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 10 | 63 | 29 | — | 269 | 124 | |||
| Santos | 2023 | Série A | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||||
| 2024 | Série B | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | 11 | 2 | 17 | 4 | ||||
| Total | 9 | 2 | — | — | — | 11 | 2 | 20 | 4 | |||||
| Atlético Nacional (loan) | 2024 | Categoría Primera A | 22 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 28 | 11 | |
| 2025 | Categoría Primera A | 27 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | — | 34 | 11 | ||
| Total | 49 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | — | 61 | 22 | |||
| Career total | 289 | 125 | 44 | 28 | 18 | 13 | 74 | 34 | 11 | 2 | 437 | 202 | ||
International Appearances and Goals
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 2018 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 11 | 1 | |
- Scores and results list Colombia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Morelos goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 November 2019 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, United States | 6 |  Peru |
1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly |
Awards and Achievements
Independiente Medellin
- Categoría Primera A runner-up: 2014 Finalización, 2015 Apertura
HJK
- Veikkausliiga: 2017
- Finnish Cup: 2016–17
Rangers
- Scottish Premiership: 2020–21
- Scottish Cup: 2021–22
- Scottish League Cup runner-up: 2019–20, 2022–23
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2021–22
Santos
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2024
- Campeonato Paulista runner-up: 2024
Atlético Nacional
- Categoría Primera A: 2024 Finalización
- Copa Colombia: 2024
- Superliga Colombiana: 2025
Colombia U20
- U-20 South American Championship runner-up: 2015
Colombia
- Copa América third place: 2021
Individual Awards
- Veikkausliiga Striker of the Year: 2016
- Veikkausliiga Team of the Year: 2016
- Veikkausliiga Player of the Month: September 2016, April 2017, May 2017
- Rangers Player of the Year: 2018–19, 2021–22
- Rangers Players' Player of the Year: 2018–19
- Rangers Top scorer: 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2021–22
- Scottish Premiership Top scorer: 2018–19
- PFA Scotland Team of the Year: 2018–19 Scottish Premiership, 2020–21 Scottish Premiership, 2021–22 Scottish Premiership
- Scottish Premiership Player of the Month: September 2019, March 2021, December 2021
Records Held
- UEFA Most goals scored in a European season before Christmas: 14 (during 2019–20 season)
- UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League 3rd All-time top goalscorer: 32
- Scottish Premiership Most consecutive games scored in: 7 (during 2018–19 season, tied with David Clarkson)
- Rangers All-time European top goalscorer: 29
- Rangers All-time Overseas top goalscorer: 124
- Rangers Most consecutive European games scored in: 5 (during 2019–20 season)
- Rangers Most consecutive games scored in: 7 (during the 2018–19 season)
See also
In Spanish: Alfredo Morelos para niños
