Antonio de Nigris facts for kids

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Antonio de Nigris

de Nigris training with Mexico
Personal information
Full name	Antonio de Nigris Guajardo
Date of birth	(1978-04-01)1 April 1978
Place of birth	Monterrey, Mexico
Date of death	15 November 2009(2009-11-15) (aged 31)
Place of death	Larissa, Greece
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position	Striker
Youth career
1995–1999	Monterrey
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1999–2002	Monterrey	65	(37)
2002	América	3	(0)
2003	→ Villarreal (loan)	15	(2)
2003–2004	Poli Ejido	31	(2)
2004	Once Caldas	19	(1)
2004–2005	Puebla	13	(1)
2005	UNAM	15	(2)
2006	Monterrey	1	(0)
2006	Santos	2	(1)
2006–2007	Gaziantepspor	39	(15)
2008	Ankaraspor	25	(7)
2009	Ankaragücü	14	(2)
2009	AEL	7	(0)
Total		248	(70)
National team
2001–2008	Mexico	17	(4)
Honours Representing Mexico Runner-up Copa America 2001
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Antonio de Nigris Guajardo (born April 1, 1978 – died November 15, 2009) was a professional football player from Mexico. He was known for playing as a striker, which is a player who tries to score goals.

Antonio's football career ended when he was 31 years old due to a heart attack. During his time as a player, he played in six different countries. He also played for twelve different clubs over nine years.

Antonio de Nigris's Club Career

Antonio de Nigris was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. He became interested in sports when he was young. He started his football journey with the club C.F. Monterrey.

Playing in Spain

In February 2003, Antonio was loaned to Villarreal CF in Spain. This team played in La Liga, which is Spain's top football league. He made his first appearance for Villarreal on March 2. He came into the game as a substitute and scored the winning goal. This helped his team win 2–1 against Rayo Vallecano.

Because Antonio had an Italian passport, he could play freely in the European Union. In July 2003, he moved permanently to Polideportivo Ejido. This team played in the Segunda División, which is Spain's second-highest league. He played there for one season.

Playing in the Americas

Antonio de Nigris then returned to play in the Americas. He joined Once Caldas in Colombia. In the 2004 Intercontinental Cup, he scored a goal during a penalty shootout. However, his team lost the shootout against F.C. Porto.

After playing for Club Puebla and Club Universidad Nacional back in Mexico, he returned to C.F. Monterrey. On March 20, 2006, he signed with Santos FC in Brazil. He played his first game for Santos in a Copa do Brasil match.

Playing in Turkey and Greece

Later in 2006, Antonio moved to Turkey. He played for three different teams there in a short time. These teams were Gaziantepspor, Ankaraspor, and Ankaragücü. He had to leave Ankaragücü because of heart problems. The Turkish Football Federation also canceled his playing license.

In the 2009–10 season, he moved teams again. He signed a two-year contract with the Greek team AEL 1964.

Antonio de Nigris's International Career

Antonio de Nigris started playing for the Mexican national team in 2001. He represented his country in the Copa América that year. His first game for Mexico was on March 7, 2001. It was a friendly match against Brazil in Guadalajara. He scored a goal in that game, which ended in a 3–3 draw.

Eighteen days later, he scored two goals in a game against Jamaica. Mexico won that game 4–0. This match was part of the qualifying games for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

After not playing for the national team for seven years, Antonio was called back in 2008. The national coach, Hugo Sánchez, asked him to play in a friendly match against the United States. He also played against Ghana in London. Antonio played a total of 17 games for Mexico and scored four goals before he passed away at age 31.

Antonio de Nigris's Personal Life

Antonio de Nigris had two brothers. His younger brother, Aldo, was also a professional football player. Aldo played as a striker for Monterrey and the national team, just like Antonio. His older brother, "Poncho", is a well-known TV personality and influencer.

Antonio had Italian family roots. His Italian grandfather gave him the nickname Tano. On November 16, 2009, Jorge Urdiales, the president of Antonio's former club Monterrey, confirmed that Antonio de Nigris had died. It appeared he passed away from a heart attack.

Career statistics

International

International goals

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref.
1.	7 March 2001	Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico	Brazil	2–0	3–3	Friendly
2.	25 March 2001	Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico	Jamaica	1–0	4–0	2002 World Cup qualification
3.	25 March 2001	Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico	Jamaica	2–0	4–0	2002 World Cup qualification
4.	23 August 2001	Estadio Luis de la Fuente, Veracruz, Mexico	Liberia	5–4	5–4	Friendly

See also

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In Spanish: Antonio de Nigris para niños