Nery Alberto Castillo Confalonieri Jr. (born 13 June 1984 in San Luis Potosí), nicknamed El Diablo^[1] is a Mexican international football player. He began his career at Uruguayan club Danubio, moving to Greece at the age of 16 to play for Olympiacos. is the 164th day of the year (165th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Nickname: Location of San Luis Potosí in central-north Mexico Country Mexico State San Luis Potosí Founded 3 November 1592 Government  - Mayor Jorge Lozano Armengol ( PAN) Area  - City 385 km²  (148. ... Danubio Fútbol Club is a Uruguayan football (soccer) club that plays in Montevideo. ... Olympiacos C.F.P. (Greek: ΟΣΦΠ - Ολυμπιακός Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων Πειραιώς - Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Peiraios), Olympiacos Club of Fans of Piraeus, is one of the largest, and the most popular Greek multisport club based in Piraeus, Athens. ...

Castillo spent seven years at Olympiacos, gradually developing into a regular starter over a three year period. Once established in the team Castillo helped Olympiacos to three consecutive league titles, prompting Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk to spend €20 million to secure his services in 2007. After only a handful of starts for Shakhtar Castillo was dropped for refusing to allow team-mate Cristiano Lucarelli to take a penalty. In December 2007 he moved on a year's loan to Manchester City of the English Premier League, paying a substantial amount of the loan fee himself. FC Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukrainian: Russian: ) is a Ukrainian professional football club, playing in the city of Donetsk, the capital of Donetsk region. ... Cristiano Lucarelli (born October 4, 1975 in Livorno) is an Italian football player. ... Bonaventure Kalou of the Ivory Coast takes a penalty against Dragoslav Jevrić of S&M during the 2006 World Cup. ... Manchester City Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Manchester. ... For other sports leagues which may be referred to by this name, see list of professional sports leagues. ...

He made his international debut for Mexico in June 2007, and represented his country in the 2007 Copa America. The Copa América 2007 is the 42nd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for the South America region. ...

Club career

Early career

Castillo was born in the Mexican city San Luis Potosí, where his father, a Uruguayan professional footballer, played for San Luis.^[2] The family moved to South America while Castillo was still a small child. He started playing for club Danubio in the youth team. While participating with Danubio's youth team in a Brazilian tournament, Castillo was spotted by scouts from European clubs. He went on trial with Manchester United^[1] of England's Premier League, but Castillo failed to obtain a work permit and the door to join the club was closed.^[3][4] Club San Luis known more commonly as San Luis, is a Mexican professional football (soccer) club from the city of San Luis Potosí. The teams nickname of Tuneros is a reference to the tuna fruit farmers who live and work in the surrounding area where the team is based. ... Danubio Fútbol Club is a Uruguayan football (soccer) club that plays in Montevideo. ... MUFC redirects here. ... For other sports leagues which may be referred to by this name, see list of professional sports leagues. ...

Olympiacos

At the age of 16 Castillo's father accepted an offer of the Greek club Olympiacos. Three years after he joined Olympiacos, Castillo became a regular starter in both the domestic and European competitions. He became a fan favourite with the Gate 7 Ultras^[5] and was even given the number seven shirt in deference to them^[6] Olympiacos C.F.P. (Greek: ΟΣΦΠ - Ολυμπιακός Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων Πειραιώς - Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Peiraios), Olympiacos Club of Fans of Piraeus, is one of the largest, and the most popular Greek multisport club based in Piraeus, Athens. ... For other uses, see Ultras (disambiguation). ...

After that point his career took a down slide. A rumoured transaction to the Italian side Inter Milan never happened, and changes in the management of his club combined with the arrival of former Brazil international Rivaldo relegated him from his starting role to the bench. Other off the field issues with the coach and teammates have contributed to increase the perception that Castillo is a problematic player. Football Club Internazionale Milano (commonly, but incorrectly, known as Inter Milan) is an Italian football club, playing in the Serie A (first division). ... Vítor Borba Ferreira (born April 19, 1972 in Paulista, Pernambuco), commonly known as Rivaldo, is regarded as one of the best Brazilian professional football players of all time, currently playing for AEK Athens in the Super League Greece. ...

In early 2006 his father and agent began negotiations with the Mexican club Chivas de Guadalajara, but talks were interrupted because Olympiacos weren't interested in negotiating for the player at the time. Club Deportivo Guadalajara, also known as Guadalajara and usually referred to by its nickname Chivas (goats), is a Mexican sports club. ...

Before this, in what Castillo thought was his last game for Olympiacos, he scored a free kick after "stealing" it from a team mate who was preparing to take it. He celebrated by running the length of the field and throwing his shirt to his fans at Gate 7. He was left looking somewhat sheepish without a shirt for the restart.

During the 2006-2007 campaign Castillo was a solid starter. Many reports considered that the player had changed his attitude and solved off the field issues. The prospect of a more mature Castillo encouraged the officers of Olympiacos to renew his contract, extending its length four more years, and improving its economic conditions. This is the inaugural Super League Greece season. ...

Castillo was the leading scorer for Olympiacos during the preparatory phase for the 2006-2007 season, accumulating seven goals in friendly games. From then on his form only improved, scoring several goals in the UEFA Champions League and the domestic tournament, including a hat-trick against Panionios FC. Castillo ended the season second to Rivaldo in goals and assists for the club, which included three goals in five Champions League matches. This is the inaugural Super League Greece season. ... UEFA Champions League, which replaced the European Champions Cup, is a seasonal club football competition organised by UEFA since 1992 for the most successful football clubs in Europe. ... In sports, a hat-trick (more often rendered in North America as hat trick, without the hyphen) is associated with achieving something in a group of three. ... Panionios GSS (Greek: Πανιώνιος Γυμναστικός Σύλλογος Σμύρνης - Panionios Gymnastikos Syllogos Smyrnis), the Pan-Ionian Gymnastic Association of Smyrna, is a Greek multisport club based in Athens, Greece. ...

Shakhtar Donetsk

On 31 July 2007, Castillo joined Ukrainian side FC Shakhtar Donetsk on a five year contract for a fee of €20 million.^[7] This became the most expensive transfer for a Ukrainian club to date.^[8] is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... FC Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukrainian: Russian: ) is a Ukrainian professional football club, playing in the city of Donetsk, the capital of Donetsk region. ...

Castillo scored his first goal for Shakhtar while playing against SV Salzburg in the Champions League. His stint was to be brief, though. Castillo had only played in a few games for Shakhtar when in a league match versus FC Naftovyk-Ukrnafta Okhtyrka, Shakhtar won a penalty kick. Castillo refused to give the ball to official penalty kick-taker Cristiano Lucarelli and took the penalty himself, which was saved.^[9] Castillo was immediately substituted from the game. Coach Mircea Lucescu commented "What Castillo did, from a professional point of view, I've never seen anything like it before in my whole life. There will be some measures taken against Castillo".^[10]. He has not played a game for Shakhtar since. Red Bull Salzburg is an Austrian football (soccer) club, based in Salzburg. ... Champions League may refers to: UEFA Champions League - A major football (soccer) tournament contested by European teams. ... FC Naftovyk Okhtyrka is a Ukrainian football club based in Okhtyrka, where it was founded in 1980. ... Cristiano Lucarelli (born October 4, 1975 in Livorno) is an Italian football player. ... Mircea Lucescu (born July 29, 1945, in Bucharest) is a former Romanian football player and one of the most successful Romanian football managers. ...

On 15 December 2007 Castillo's agent told the Daily Mail: "There has been an agreement with Manchester City so that Nery can be with the club for one year on loan so he can prove himself and play active football." adding that City would have an option to buy Castillo once his loan period expires.^[11] Shaktar president and Ukraine's richest man Rinat Akhmetov then said that City's offer of £1 million was too low, instead offering "a one-year loan - five million euros and there will be no options, meaning a right to buy (Castillo)... If Castillo finds his game ... then in a year we'll decide whether to take him back to Shakhtar or sell. And the price could be 20, or 30, or 40, or 50 million euros."^[12] is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... The Daily Mail is a British newspaper, currently published in a tabloid format. ... Rinat Leonidovych Akhmetov (born on 21 September 1966 in Donetsk, Ukraine) is a Ukrainian business man, multi-billionaire, and President of SCM Holdings, as well of the Ukrainian football club, Shakhtar Donetsk. ...

Manchester City

It was announced on 18 December 2007 that Castillo had signed a one-year loan agreement with Manchester City,^[13] commencing on 1 January 2008. Reportedly Castillo was keen to make the move happen and in a highly unusual move paid half of the loan fee himself. Sven-Göran Eriksson commented "He was desperate to come to us, desperate to come to England, desperate to come to the Premier League" and said he had never seen a player pay for half of a deal before.^[1] is the 352nd day of the year (353rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Manchester City F.C. is a football club based in Manchester, United Kingdom. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ...   (IPA: , born 7 April 1948) is a association football manager, currently with Manchester City F.C. of the English Premier League. ...

He played his first match for Manchester City on 5 January 2008 in the third round of the FA Cup, away to West Ham United. However, in the replay on 16 January 2008, his first home appearance for the club, he was stretchered off after 32 minutes with a broken shoulder. ^[14] is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the English FA Cup. ... The West Ham United Crest West Ham United F.C are a professional English football club based in East London. ... is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ...

Statistics

as of May 26, 2008 is the 146th day of the year (147th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ...

Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Cup	Apps	Goals	Continental	Apps	Goals
2007-08	Manchester City[15]		7	0		2	0		0	0
2007-08	Shakhtar Donetsk[16][17]		6	0		0	0		4	1
2006-07	Olympiacos[16][18]		25	12		??	??		5	3
2005-06	Olympiacos[16]		17	2		??	??		0	0
2004-05	Olympiacos[16][19][20]		26	6		??	4		5	0
2003-04	Olympiacos[16][21][22]		26	7		??	2		5	2
2002-03	Olympiacos[16]		9	3		??	??		0	0
2001-02	Olympiacos[16]		1	0		??	??		0	0
2000-01	Olympiacos[16]		1	0		??	??		0	0
Total			118	30	Total	2	6	Total	19	6

Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Manchester City F.C. is a football club based in Manchester, United Kingdom. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ukraine. ... Categories: Stub | Ukrainian football clubs ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Greece. ... Olympiacos C.F.P. (Greek: ΟΣΦΠ - Ολυμπιακός Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων Πειραιώς - Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Peiraios), Olympiacos Club of Fans of Piraeus, is one of the largest, and the most popular Greek multisport club based in Piraeus, Athens. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Greece. ... Olympiacos C.F.P. (Greek: ΟΣΦΠ - Ολυμπιακός Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων Πειραιώς - Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Peiraios), Olympiacos Club of Fans of Piraeus, is one of the largest, and the most popular Greek multisport club based in Piraeus, Athens. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Greece. ... Olympiacos C.F.P. (Greek: ΟΣΦΠ - Ολυμπιακός Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων Πειραιώς - Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Peiraios), Olympiacos Club of Fans of Piraeus, is one of the largest, and the most popular Greek multisport club based in Piraeus, Athens. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Greece. ... Olympiacos C.F.P. (Greek: ΟΣΦΠ - Ολυμπιακός Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων Πειραιώς - Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Peiraios), Olympiacos Club of Fans of Piraeus, is one of the largest, and the most popular Greek multisport club based in Piraeus, Athens. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Greece. ... Olympiacos C.F.P. (Greek: ΟΣΦΠ - Ολυμπιακός Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων Πειραιώς - Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Peiraios), Olympiacos Club of Fans of Piraeus, is one of the largest, and the most popular Greek multisport club based in Piraeus, Athens. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Greece. ... Olympiacos C.F.P. (Greek: ΟΣΦΠ - Ολυμπιακός Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων Πειραιώς - Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Peiraios), Olympiacos Club of Fans of Piraeus, is one of the largest, and the most popular Greek multisport club based in Piraeus, Athens. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Greece. ... Olympiacos C.F.P. (Greek: ΟΣΦΠ - Ολυμπιακός Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων Πειραιώς - Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Peiraios), Olympiacos Club of Fans of Piraeus, is one of the largest, and the most popular Greek multisport club based in Piraeus, Athens. ...

International career

Choosing nationality

Castillo is eligible for citizenship in four countries; Uruguay because his father is from there; Italy due to his maternal grandparents; Greece because he resided there for more than six years and Mexico where he was born.^[23]

His first experience of international football came when he was called up to a Uruguay U-17 training camp. However he was released before playing a game^[23]. Next the Greek coach Otto Rehhagel tried to secure his services for the Greece national football team.^[24] Greece were reportedly willing to pay Castillo $800,000, including fast-tracked citizenship as part of the offer.^[23] Otto Rehhagel (born August 9, 1938 in Essen) is a German football coach and former football player. ... First international  Greece 1 - 4  Italy (Athens, Greece; 7 April 1929) Biggest win  Greece 8 - 0  Syria (Athens, Greece; 25 November 1949) Biggest defeat  Hungary 11 - 1  Greece (Budapest, Hungary; 25 March 1938) World Cup Appearances 1 (First in 1994) Best result Round 1, 1994 European Championship Appearances 3 (First...

Ultimately Castillo decided to play for the country of his birth and joined the Mexico national football team. First international  Guatemala 2-3 Mexico (Guatemala, Guatemala; 1 January 1923) Biggest win Mexico 13-0 Bahamas  (Toluca, Mexico; Apr 28, 1987) Biggest defeat  England 8-0 Mexico (London,England; May 10, 1961) World Cup Appearances 13 (First in 1930) Best result Quarterfinals, 1970, 1986 CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup Appearances...

Mexico National Team

Castillo made his debut for Mexico on 2 June 2007 against Iran. The game was held in his hometown San Luis Potosí and Mexico won the game 4-0. is the 153rd day of the year (154th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... The Mexican state of San Luis Potosí has an area of 62,848 km² (24,266 mi²). It is in the north-central part of the Mexican republic, bordered by the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo, Veracruz, Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, and Zacatecas. ...

He went on to play in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup where he scored his first international goal against Cuba. The 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup is the ninth edition of the Gold Cup, the association football championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF). ...

He was then included in the squad for the 2007 Copa America. A pre-tournament injury to Jared Borgetti gave Castillo a starting berth,^[25] and he proved influential in Mexico's first match of the tournament, scoring in a 2–0 win against Brazil.^[26] He scored again against Ecuador as Mexico secured a place in the knockout stages,^[26] and scored a brace in the quarter-final against Paraguay, the first goal a penalty.^[27] Overall he was the third highest goal scorer of the tournament with four goals, behind Juan Román Riquelme and Robinho.^[28] The Copa América 2007 is the 42nd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for the South America region. ... Jared Francisco Borgetti Echavarría (born August 14, 1973 in Culiacancito, Sinaloa) is a Mexican football striker, who currently plays for CF Monterrey in the Primera División de México. ... Juan Román Riquelme (born June 24, 1978 in San Fernando, Buenos Aires, Argentina) is an Argentine professional football attacking midfielder. ... Robson de Souza (born January 25, 1984 in São Vicente, São Paulo), nicknamed Robinho, is a Brazilian footballer currently playing for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid C.F. and the Brazilian national team. ...

Goals

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	8 June 2007	Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, United States	Cuba	2 – 1	2 – 1	2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup
2.	27 June 2007	Polideportivo Cachamay, Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela	Brazil	1 – 0	2 – 0	2007 CONMEBOL Copa America
3.	1 July 2007	Estadio Monumental de Maturín, Maturin, Venezuela	Ecuador	1 – 0	2 – 1	2007 CONMEBOL Copa America
4.	8 July 2007	Estadio Monumental de Maturín, Maturin, Venezuela	Paraguay	1 – 0	6 – 0	2007 CONMEBOL Copa America
5.	8 July 2007	Estadio Monumental de Maturín, Maturin, Venezuela	Paraguay	3 – 0	6 – 0	2007 CONMEBOL Copa America

is the 159th day of the year (160th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Giants Stadium, frequently referred to as The Meadowlands, is the home stadium for the New York Giants and New York Jets football teams of the NFL, and the Red Bull New York soccer team of MLS. It is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey in the Meadowlands Sports Complex, which... Map highlighting East Rutherfords location within Bergen County. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Cuba. ... The 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup is the ninth edition of the Gold Cup, the association football championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF). ... is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Polideportivo in Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela. ... Puerto Ordaz is a town which, together with San Felix, forms part of Ciudad Guayana in the Caroní region of Bolivar State, Venezuela. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Brazil. ... The Copa América 2007 is the 42nd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for the South America region. ... is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... The Estadio Monumental de Maturín (Monumental Stadium of Maturin) is a football stadium located in the city of Maturín, Venezuela currently under construction, and will be one of the venues for the Copa América 2007, which will be held on June of that year in nine cities... Maturín is a city in northeast Venezuela. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ecuador. ... The Copa América 2007 is the 42nd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for the South America region. ... is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... The Estadio Monumental de Maturín (Monumental Stadium of Maturin) is a football stadium located in the city of Maturín, Venezuela currently under construction, and will be one of the venues for the Copa América 2007, which will be held on June of that year in nine cities... Maturín is a city in northeast Venezuela. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Paraguay. ... The Copa América 2007 is the 42nd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for the South America region. ... is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... The Estadio Monumental de Maturín (Monumental Stadium of Maturin) is a football stadium located in the city of Maturín, Venezuela currently under construction, and will be one of the venues for the Copa América 2007, which will be held on June of that year in nine cities... Maturín is a city in northeast Venezuela. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Paraguay. ... The Copa América 2007 is the 42nd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for the South America region. ...

Honours

Club Honours

Team	Award	Year(s)
Olympiacos	Greek Cup	2005, 2006
Olympiacos	Greek Super League	2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07

Image File history File links Flag_of_Greece. ... Olympiacos C.F.P. (Greek: ΟΣΦΠ - Ολυμπιακός Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων Πειραιώς - Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Peiraios), Olympiacos Club of Fans of Piraeus, is one of the largest, and the most popular Greek multisport club based in Piraeus, Athens. ... The Greek Football Cup (Greek: ), commonly known as the Greek Cup, is a knockout cup competition in Greek football, run by and named after Hellenic Football Federation. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Greece. ... Olympiacos C.F.P. (Greek: ΟΣΦΠ - Ολυμπιακός Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων Πειραιώς - Olympiakos Syndesmos Filathlon Peiraios), Olympiacos Club of Fans of Piraeus, is one of the largest, and the most popular Greek multisport club based in Piraeus, Athens. ... For other sports leagues which may be referred to by this name, see List of professional sports leagues. ...

References