Sebastián Coates facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Sebastián Coates

Coates with Uruguay in 2015
Personal information
Date of birth	(1990-10-07) 7 October 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth	Montevideo, Uruguay
Height	1.96 m
Playing position	Centre-back
Club information
Current club	Nacional
Number	4
Youth career
2001–2009	Nacional
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2009–2011	Nacional	59	(3)
2011–2015	Liverpool	13	(1)
2014	→ Nacional (loan)	6	(0)
2014–2015	→ Sunderland (loan)	10	(0)
2015–2017	Sunderland	16	(0)
2016–2017	→ Sporting CP (loan)	46	(3)
2017–2024	Sporting CP	216	(19)
2024–	Nacional	10	(3)
National team‡
2007	Uruguay U17	4	(0)
2008–2009	Uruguay U20	17	(2)
2012	Uruguay U23	5	(0)
2011–2023	Uruguay	51	(2)
Honours Representing  Uruguay Association football Copa América Winner 2011 Argentina
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10:34, 13 November 2024 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 28 March 2023

Sebastián Coates Nion is a professional footballer from Uruguay. He was born on October 7, 1990. He plays as a centre-back, which is a defensive player, for the Uruguayan club Nacional.

Sebastián started his career at Nacional in 2009. Later, in 2011, he joined Liverpool. He also played on loan for Nacional again and for Sunderland. He then joined Sunderland permanently in 2015. In 2016, he moved to Sporting CP in Portugal, first on loan, then permanently in 2017. At Sporting, he became a very important player and even captained the team. He helped them win many trophies, including their first league title in 19 years during the 2020–21 season.

He first played for his country, Uruguay, in the 2011 Copa América. He was named the Best Young Player of the tournament, and Uruguay won the competition. He also played for Uruguay in the 2012 Olympics and in the FIFA World Cup in 2014, 2018, and 2022. He also represented his country in the Copa América in 2015 and 2019.

Early Life and Football Start

Sebastián Coates was born in Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay. His family has some Scottish roots from his father's side.

Starting at Nacional

Coates joined the football club Nacional when he was just 11 years old. He played his way up through all the different age groups. He was even the captain at every level.

In 2009, when he was 18, he signed his first professional contract. He started playing for Nacional's main team. His very first game was against Bella Vista. After that game, a newspaper in Uruguay called El País named him the "man of the match." From then on, he played in almost every game for Nacional.

Moving to Liverpool

Coates playing alongside Martin Kelly against Fulham in 2012.

In August 2011, a big English club, Liverpool, became very interested in Coates. He was allowed to have a medical check-up before joining them. On August 30, Liverpool announced they had signed Coates. He joined them on a long-term contract. The fee was reported to be around £7 million.

On September 18, he made his first appearance for Liverpool. It was against Tottenham Hotspur. He came on as a substitute after 27 minutes. His first start for the club was on September 21. This was in a League Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion. Liverpool won that game 2–1. Coates continued to play in the League Cup. Liverpool went on to win the tournament. This was Coates's first trophy with Liverpool. On March 21, 2012, he scored his first goal for Liverpool. It was an amazing scissor kick goal.

In August 2013, Coates got a knee injury while playing for Uruguay. This injury kept him from playing for most of the 2013–14 season. He returned to Nacional on loan for the second half of that season. This helped him get ready for the World Cup with Uruguay.

Time at Sunderland

Coates playing for Sunderland against Chelsea in May 2015

On September 1, 2014, Coates joined another English team, Sunderland, on loan for the season. He played his first game for them on September 23. This was in a League Cup match against Stoke City.

He became a more regular player after a new manager, Dick Advocaat, took over. Coates played in every game during Sunderland's important five-game unbeaten run. This helped the team avoid being relegated from the Premier League.

On July 1, 2015, Sunderland signed Coates permanently. He joined them on a four-year deal.

Playing for Sporting CP

On January 28, 2016, Coates moved to Sporting CP in Portugal on loan. He made his first appearance for them on February 8. On May 10, his loan was extended for another season.

On the first day of the 2016–17 season, Coates scored his first goal for Sporting. He headed in a corner kick to help his team win 2–0. He officially joined Sporting permanently on February 2, 2017.

In the Taça da Liga (League Cup) final in January 2019, Sporting won against FC Porto in a penalty shoot-out. Coates missed his penalty, but his team still won their second straight league cup. Four months later, in the Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup) final, Sporting again beat Porto in a penalty shoot-out. Coates scored his penalty this time.

On August 31, 2019, Coates had a difficult game. He gave away three penalties and was sent off the field.

Coates was the captain and a key player for Sporting when they won the 2020–21 Primeira Liga title. This was the club's first league title in 19 years. He was praised for leading a strong defense. He was even named the best player in the Primeira Liga for the 2020-21 season.

On November 30, 2023, Coates played his 343rd game for Sporting CP. This made him the foreign player with the most appearances for the club.

International Career with Uruguay

Coates playing for Uruguay at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

After playing for Uruguay's under-20 team, Coates was called up to the senior national team. He made his full international debut against Chile in the 2011 Copa América. He played the whole game, which ended in a 1–1 draw. He played in most of the tournament. Uruguay won the competition, and Coates was named the Best Young Player.

He was chosen to play for the Uruguay Olympic football team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He played every minute of their games, but Uruguay did not make it past the group stage.

Coates was chosen for Uruguay's team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He played for two minutes as a substitute in a 2–1 win against England. The next year, at the 2015 Copa América, Coates played in one group match. Uruguay was later knocked out in the quarter-finals.

In May 2018, he was part of Uruguay's team for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Coates scored his second goal for Uruguay in a friendly match against South Korea on March 28, 2023.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

International Appearances and Goals

Scores and results list Uruguay's goal tally first.

List of international goals scored by Sebastián Coates

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	10 November 2016	Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay	Ecuador	1–0	2–1	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
2.	28 March 2023	Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea	South Korea	1–0	2–1	Friendly

Awards and Trophies

Coates with the Best Young Player of the Copa América award in 2011.

With Nacional

• Uruguayan League Title: 2009, 2011

With Liverpool

• Football League Cup: 2011–12

With Sporting CP

• Primeira Liga (Portuguese League Title): 2020–21, 2023–24
• Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup): 2018–19
• Taça da Liga (Portuguese League Cup): 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22
• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira (Portuguese Super Cup): 2021

With Uruguay National Team

• Copa América: 2011

Individual Awards

• Copa América Best Young Player: 2011
• SJPF Primeira Liga Team of the Year: 2016, 2017
• LPFP Primeira Liga Player of the Year: 2020–21
• Sporting CP Player of the Year: 2020
• Primeira Liga Team of the Year: 2020–21, 2023–24
• Primeira Liga Player of the Month: April 2021
• Primeira Liga Defender of the Month: February 2021, March 2021, April 2021, October/November 2021

See also

In Spanish: Sebastián Coates para niños