Moisés Muñoz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Moisés Muñoz

Muñoz with América in 2016
Personal information
Full name	Moisés Alberto Muñoz Rodríguez
Date of birth	(1980-02-01) 1 February 1980 (age 45)
Place of birth	Aguililla, Michoacán, Mexico
Height	1.85 m
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1999–2010	Morelia	282	(0)
2006	Morelia Primera A	1	(0)
2010–2011	Atlante	53	(0)
2012–2016	América	175	(1)
2017	→ Chiapas (loan)	17	(0)
2017–2018	→ Puebla (loan)	28	(0)
Total		556	(1)
National team
2004–2017	Mexico	18	(0)
Honours Men's football Representing  Mexico CONCACAF Gold Cup Winner 2015 United States–Canada Team
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Moisés Alberto Muñoz Rodríguez (born 1 February 1980) is a Mexican former professional footballer. He played as a goalkeeper.

Muñoz started his career in 1999 with Monarcas Morelia. He played over 200 matches for them. Later, he moved to Atlante in 2010. In 2011, he joined Club América. With América, he won two league titles and two CONCACAF Champions League titles. He also played on loan for Chiapas and Puebla. He retired from playing in 2018.

He also played for the Mexico national team. He made his first appearance in 2004. He was part of the team that finished fourth at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Early Life and Education

Muñoz was born in Aguililla, Michoacán, Mexico, on February 1, 1980. He speaks English very well. He learned English because he went to elementary and junior high school in Redwood City, Northern California. He returned to Mexico before high school. By age 19, he was playing football for his hometown club in Morelia.

Club Career Highlights

Playing for Morelia

Muñoz with Monarcas Morelia.

Moisés Muñoz played his first league game for Monarcas Morelia on September 19, 1999. This match was against Pachuca. At first, Muñoz was a backup goalkeeper. Morelia won the Invierno 2000 league tournament. This was their first league title. Muñoz did not play in that final match.

He became a regular starter in the Apertura 2002 season. That season, Morelia reached the league final but lost to Toluca. The next season, he helped Morelia reach another final, but they lost to Monterrey. He played for Morelia for eleven years. This was one of the longest times for a goalkeeper at one club. He played in 282 matches before moving to Atlante in 2010.

Time with Atlante

For the Apertura 2010 tournament, Muñoz joined Atlante. He was traded for another goalkeeper, Federico Vilar. Muñoz was a regular player for Atlante until he left in 2011. He played in 53 league games for them.

Success with América

Muñoz in 2016

On November 25, 2011, Muñoz joined Club América. In his first tournament with América, the Clausura 2012, he started in 21 games.

In May 2013, Muñoz played in his first league final with América. This was against Cruz Azul. In the second game of the final, América was losing. In the 92nd minute, with almost no time left, Muñoz scored a goal! He headed the ball into the net from a corner kick. This goal tied the game and sent it into extra time. Then, the game went to a penalty shoot-out. Muñoz saved a penalty kick, and América won the shoot-out 4–2. They won their eleventh league title. Many people praised Muñoz for his amazing performance.

On October 1, 2016, Muñoz played his 500th league game. This match was a 1–1 draw against Monterrey.

International Career

Muñoz played his first international game for Mexico on October 27, 2004. It was a friendly match against Ecuador. He was the second-choice goalkeeper for the 2004 Copa América and the 2005 Confederations Cup. Muñoz was the main goalkeeper during the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

In 2013, Muñoz was chosen for Mexico's Gold Cup team. He started as goalkeeper for Mexico's last group stage match against Martinique. Mexico won the game 3–1.

Later that year, Muñoz was named the starting goalkeeper for the 2014 World Cup qualification playoff matches. These games were against New Zealand. He played in both matches, and Mexico won the playoff. However, he did not make the final team for the 2014 World Cup.

In June 2015, Muñoz was part of Mexico's team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He wore the number 1 jersey. In October 2015, he was also on Mexico's team for the 2015 CONCACAF Cup.

Life Outside Football

Family and Interests

Muñoz is the cousin of another goalkeeper, Carlos Felipe Rodríguez. He is also the brother of professional football player, José Roberto Muñoz.

Muñoz has said that if he had not become a professional footballer, he would have played basketball or American football.

Car Accident and Recovery

On June 3, 2012, Muñoz was in a car accident. He was driving on the highway with his wife and two children. The car flipped over. They were all taken to the hospital. Muñoz had a head wound and a broken finger. He never lost consciousness. He later said, "If God kept me alive, it’s because I will do something big." After this, he scored the tying goal in the Clausura 2013 Final, which was a very important moment for his team.

His manager at Club América, Miguel Herrera, shared what Muñoz told him:

I am very well. Fortunately, the doctors discarded any head fractures, and I am now boarding the helicopter and heading to Ángeles del Pedregal (the hospital). I will recover. Wait on me, Miguel.

Media Appearances

In 2015, Muñoz appeared on the Mexican TV show La vecina. He also worked as a football analyst for Fox Sports during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Career Statistics

International Matches

Honours and Achievements

Morelia

• Mexican Primera División: Invierno 2000

América

• Liga MX: Clausura 2013, Apertura 2014
• CONCACAF Champions League: 2014–15, 2015–16

Mexico

• CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2015
• CONCACAF Cup: 2015

See also

In Spanish: Moisés Muñoz para niños