Diego Lainez facts for kids
Lainez in 2017
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Diego Lainez Leyva | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 9 June 2000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Winger | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Current team
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Tigres UANL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2017 | América | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2019 | América | 39 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2023 | Betis | 55 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | → Braga (loan) | 6 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | → Tigres UANL (loan) | 19 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023– | Tigres UANL | 57 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Mexico U17 | 6 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018–2019 | Mexico U20 | 10 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018–2019 | Mexico U21 | 8 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | Mexico U23 | 6 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018– | Mexico | 29 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 April 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 September 2024 |
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Diego Lainez Leyva (born on June 9, 2000) is a talented Mexican footballer. He plays as a winger, which means he plays on the sides of the field. Diego currently plays for the Liga MX club Tigres UANL and is also a key player for the Mexican national team.
Contents
Diego Lainez's Club Career
Diego Lainez started his football journey at a young age. He has played for several important clubs, both in Mexico and in Europe.
Starting at Club América
Diego Lainez joined Club América, a famous Mexican team, after being scouted. His brother, Mauro, joined a different academy.
Diego made his first professional appearance for América on March 1, 2017. This was in a Copa MX match. Just three days later, he played his first league game. He was only 16 years old, making him one of the youngest players to debut for the club's main team.
In August 2018, Diego scored his first two goals for América. This happened in a 3–1 win against Pachuca. He became the youngest player to score two goals in one game for the club. He was also the fifth youngest to score any goal in the club's history. Later that year, he scored in the playoffs against Pumas UNAM. This made him the youngest player to score in the playoff stage for América.
Playing in Europe with Betis
On January 10, 2019, Diego Lainez moved to Europe. He joined La Liga club Real Betis in Spain. This was a big step for him. He signed a five-year contract. This move made him the youngest Mexican player to transfer from Liga MX to a European club.
He made his debut in La Liga on January 20, 2019. He came into the game as a substitute. A few weeks later, on February 14, he scored his first goal in the UEFA Europa League. This made him the youngest Mexican player to score in that competition. His goal was an equalizer in a thrilling 3–3 draw against Rennes.
In December 2019, Diego scored his second goal for Betis. It was a free kick in a Copa del Rey match.
Loan to Braga
In July 2022, Diego Lainez went on loan to Primeira Liga club Braga in Portugal. He made his debut in August 2022. He scored his only goal for Braga in a big 6–0 win against Arouca. His loan ended early as he looked for more playing time.
Returning to Mexico with Tigres UANL
On January 30, 2023, Diego Lainez returned to Mexico. He joined Tigres UANL on a loan deal. Six months later, Tigres made his move permanent. He has been playing for Tigres UANL since then.
Diego Lainez's International Career
Diego Lainez has represented Mexico at various levels, from youth teams to the senior national team.
Youth National Teams
Diego was part of Mexico's team for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He scored two goals in a match against England.
In 2018, he played in the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Mexico finished as runner-up, and Diego was named in the Best XI players of the tournament. He also played in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland.
Diego also participated in the 2018 Toulon Tournament. He scored a goal against Qatar. He won the Best Player Award for the tournament, and Mexico finished second.
He was part of the team that won a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. This was a major achievement for him and the team.
Senior National Team
Diego Lainez received his first call-up to the senior national team in August 2018. He made his first appearance for Mexico on September 7, 2018, in a match against Uruguay.
On October 13, 2020, he scored his first goal for the national team. It was a late goal that tied the match against Algeria at 2–2.
In June 2021, Diego scored against the United States in the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Final. He came on as a substitute and scored quickly. Mexico finished as runner-up in that tournament, and Diego was included in the Best XI.
He was part of Mexico's preliminary squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He was also included in Mexico's team for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which Mexico won.
Diego Lainez's Playing Style
Diego Lainez is known for his exciting playing style. He is often described as a "diminutive, left-footed forward with a sharp burst of pace." This means he is not very tall, uses his left foot well, and can run very fast with the ball.
Many experts have called him one of the best young players in the world. He was featured in The Guardians list of the 60 best young talents in world football in 2017. He also appeared on Goal.com's lists of the world's best teenage players.
Diego is known for being very mature in his game, even at a young age. He is creative and good at setting up attacks. He makes smart decisions on the field. He is also good at passing and crossing the ball. He helps out with defense too. Experts have noted his excellent balance, tricky moves, and quick changes of pace when he runs with the ball. He has said that Lionel Messi is his idol and has influenced his playing style.
Career Statistics
Club Appearances and Goals
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| América | 2016–17 | Liga MX | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 10 | 0 | |||
| 2017–18 | 15 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 0 | |||
| 2018–19 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 18 | 5 | |||||
| Total | 39 | 5 | 10 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 51 | 5 | |||
| Betis | 2018–19 | La Liga | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 16 | 1 | ||
| 2019–20 | 15 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 18 | 1 | |||||
| 2020–21 | 21 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 25 | 0 | |||||
| 2021–22 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | 4 | 0 | — | 13 | 2 | ||||
| Total | 55 | 0 | 11 | 3 | — | 6 | 1 | — | 72 | 4 | ||||
| Braga (loan) | 2022–23 | Primeira Liga | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 13 | 2 | |
| Tigres UANL (loan) | 2022–23 | Liga MX | 19 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 | — | 23 | 0 | |||
| Tigres UANL | 2023–24 | Liga MX | 31 | 4 | — | — | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 4 | ||
| 2024–25 | 26 | 2 | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | 30 | 3 | |||||
| Total | 57 | 6 | — | — | 9 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 70 | 7 | ||||
| Career total | 176 | 12 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 229 | 18 | ||
International Appearances and Goals
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 2018 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 29 | 3 | |
- Scores and results list Mexico's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Lainez goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 October 2020 | Cars Jeans Stadion, The Hague, Netherlands |  Algeria |
2–2 | 2–2 | Friendly |
| 2 | 6 June 2021 | Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, United States |  United States |
2–1 | 2–3 (aet) | 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Final |
| 3 | 30 June 2021 | Nissan Stadium, Nashville, United States |  Panama |
1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
Honours and Awards
Diego Lainez has won several important titles and awards throughout his career:
América
Betis
- Copa del Rey: 2021–22
Tigres UANL
- Liga MX: Clausura 2023
- Campeones Cup: 2023
Mexico U23
- Olympic Bronze Medal: 2020
Mexico
- CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2023
- CONCACAF Nations League: 2024–25
Individual Awards
- Toulon Tournament Golden Ball: 2018 (Award for the best player)
- Toulon Tournament Best XI: 2018 (Named one of the best 11 players)
- CONCACAF Under-20 Championship Best XI: 2018
- CONCACAF Nations League Finals Best XI: 2021
- IFFHS CONCACAF Youth (U20) Best XI: 2021
See also
In Spanish: Diego Lainez Leyva para niños
