Darío Conca

Darío Leonardo Conca (Spanish pronunciation: [daˈɾi.o le.oˈnaɾðo ˈkoŋka]; born 11 May 1983) is an Argentine former[2] footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Conca was elected for two consecutive years as the best player of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2009 and 2010.[3][4] When Conca signed for Guangzhou Evergrande in 2011, he was made the third-highest paid player in the world, behind only Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.[5]

Darío Conca
Personal information
Full name Darío Leonardo Conca
Date of birth (1983-05-11) 11 May 1983
Place of birth General Pacheco, Argentina
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)[1]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Youth career
1999–2000 Tigre
2000–2002 River Plate
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2000 Tigre 0 (0)
2000–2008 River Plate 14 (2)
2004–2006 → Universidad Católica (loan) 65 (13)
2006 → Rosario Central (loan) 13 (0)
2007 → Vasco da Gama (loan) 30 (6)
2008 → Fluminense (loan) 30 (4)
2009–2011 Fluminense 81 (17)
2011–2013 Guangzhou Evergrande 65 (33)
2014 Fluminense 37 (9)
2015–2018 Shanghai SIPG 46 (13)
2017 → Flamengo (loan) 2 (0)
2019 Austin Bold 3 (0)
National team‡
2002 Argentina U20 9 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18 April 2019
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 13 January 2016

Club career

Early career

Conca started his career in Argentina's Primera B Nacional and made his debut for Tigre at the age of just 15. River Plate took him just a year later and Conca made the steady rise to River's first team. On 23 November 2003, under then Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini, Conca made his first team debut in a 1–0 defeat to Chacarita Juniors.

In 2004, however, Conca was loaned to Chilean club Universidad Católica by new River manager Leonardo Astrada. In 2006, River loaned him out again, this time to Rosario Central where after some impressive displays, Vasco da Gama made a successful bid to bring him to Brazil on 5 January 2007, signing an initial one-year loan deal from River Plate. He made his Vasco debut and scored in friendly 4–0 win over Villa Rio on 14 January 2007.

Fluminense

In 2008, Conca signed a loan deal with Fluminense, and was a key player in the squad under coach Renato Gaúcho. Conca played an important role in the team's brilliant 2008 Copa Libertadores campaign, along with others such as Thiago Neves, Thiago Silva, Washington and Cícero. In 2009, he signed a three-year deal with Fluminense. He was voted the best player in Brazil in a poll organized annually by Globo, and was ranked as the 15th-best player in Latin America and the best player in Brazil by Uruguayan newspaper El País. After a successful season where Fluminense won the Brazilian league, Conca renewed his contract with Fluminense for another five years.

2011 season

On 2 July 2011, Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande announced that they had officially signed Conca on a two-and-a-half-year deal for a domestic record fee of $10 million (This record was broken by Lucas Barrios in May 2012), he was given the number 15 shirt. It was reported that Conca's annual salary would be $12.5 million, putting him among the highest paid players in the world.[6] He scored his first goal for the club on his debut in a 5–0 win against Nanchang Hengyuan on 14 July 2011. Conca scored 9 goals in 15 appearances as Guangzhou became Super League champion for the first time in the club's history. He was named by local fans and media as "the king of Tianhe Stadium".[7]

2012 season

At the start of the 2012 season, Conca helped Guangzhou win the 2012 Chinese FA Super Cup against Tianjin Teda on 25 February. On 7 March, he scored his first two goals in a 2012 AFC Champions League group stage match, which was Guangzhou's first AFC Champions League match, as Guangzhou defeated K-League champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 5–1 away.[8] Conca continued his excellent form in March and April. He managed to score five goals in the first eight rounds of the domestic league and three goals in the first four group stage games of the AFC Champions League as Guangzhou achieved the first place in the both competitions. On 1 May, he scored a penalty after Guangzhou's Zhang Linpeng had been brought down in a home Champions League match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. In the 60th minute of that match, however, he was substituted out, and Guangzhou would later go on to lose 3–1 after Jeonbuk Hyundai's Lee Dong-gook scored two goals in injury time.[9] On 3 May, Conca expressed his disappointment about the team manager Lee Jang-soo's decision on his Weibo account, saying:[10][11]

I don't understand why they always sideline me with the excuse that I'm exhausted and need rest. How could I have scored a crucial penalty if I'm not in condition? And why does the coach always have Conca take a rest?

On 4 May, Conca received a ban of nine matches (including reserve league match) at least and was fined ¥1 million by the club for his remarks on Weibo.[12] On 15 May, the club decided to include him on the roster for the last group match of AFC Champions League against Buriram United. He scored the winning goal of the match in the 90th minute, sealing a place in the knockout phase for the Chinese Super League side.[13] His ban was officially canceled when former Italian World Cup-winning football manager Marcello Lippi was appointed as the new manager of club on 17 May. After joining Guangzhou Evergrande for just one year, Conca handed in a transfer request on 4 July.[14] However, after several talks with the club, Conca changed his mind and said he would stay in Guangzhou at least until the end of the season. On 27 October, Conca assisted Gao Lin to score the league-winning goal in the injury time against Liaoning Whowin, which gave Guangzhou Evergrande their second Super League title and became the first team ever to defend the CSL title.[15] In his first full year in China, Conca played 36 matches and scored 17 goals for Guangzhou and was named as the candidate for Chinese Football Association Footballer of the Year award. However, he lost to Jiangsu Sainty's Cristian Dănălache, top scorer of the league, in November 2012.

2013 season

On 30 November 2012, Conca decided to leave the Chinese side, writing a letter for Guangzhou president, Liu Yongzhuo, with the following words: "I have things to do in my life. One of this things is coming back to Brazil". Therefore, his intentions were to come back to Fluminense, where he is still seen as an idol.[16] However, Fluminense was not able to come to an agreement with Guangzhou Evergrande so Conca returned to China on 3 January 2013.[17]

Conca continued to play as the crucial player in Lippi's tactics in this season. On 26 February 2013, he made his season debut in the first match of 2013 AFC Champions League group stage, which Guangzhou beat J. League Division 1 side Urawa Red Diamonds 3–0 at Tianhe Stadium.[18] He scored his first goal of the season in the 2013 Chinese FA Super Cup on 3 March 2013, however, Guangzhou finally lost to Jiangsu Sainty 2–1, failing to defend the Super Cup title.[19] Conca was linked with Fluminense again in the summer, but he emphasized that he would fulfill his contract and return to Brazil at the end of 2013 when his contract ends.[20] He scored 14 goals in his 26 league appearances in the season which ensured Guangzhou win the Super League title three times in a row. In the 2013 AFC Champions League, Conca scored six goals in five successive matches from second leg of round of 16 to second leg of semi-finals as Guangzhou became the first Chinese club to reach the final of the AFC Club Championship since 1998.[21][22][23][24][25] On 3 November 2013, in the last match of the league which Guangzhou beat Wuhan Zall 5–0, Conca stripped off his shirt when he scored his first goal of the match, showing the words "No matter where I am, you will always be in my mind. Thank you" to say goodbye to Guangzhou Evergrande's fans.[26] Conca played both legs of 2013 AFC Champions League Final which Guangzhou secured the title on the away goals ruling against K-League side FC Seoul on 9 November 2013.[27][28]

On 17 November 2013, on the winning by 2–1 against São Paulo at Maracanã Stadium, Fluminense announced Conca's return to club in an unusual way: on screen of the field he was confirmed as first player for Tricolor das Laranjeiras for 2014 season. Before heading back to Brazil, Conca, however, is available to play for Guangzhou Evergrande until the end of the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup in December.[29] Conca won Chinese Football Association Footballer of the Year award on 24 November 2013.[30] In December, although Guangzhou failed to defend the FA Cup title by losing Guizhou Renhe 3–2 on aggregate in the 2013 Chinese FA Cup final, Conca was awarded the most valuable player of FA Cup.[31] Conca played all three matches for Guangzhou Evergrande in the FIFA Club World Cup. He scored two goals in the tournament. The first came on the quarter-finals when Guangzhou beat African champions Al Ahly 2–0 and the second came on his last match for the club when Guangzhou lost to Copa Libertadores winners Atlético Mineiro 3–2 in the third place match.[32][33]

In 99 competitive games for the club, Conca scored 54 goals and assisted 37.

Return to Fluminense

On 18 January 2014, Conca made his return debut for Fluminense in the first match of 2014 Campeonato Carioca. He assisted two goals in the match, however, Fluminense were finally defeated by Madureira 3–2.[34]

Shanghai SIPG

On 22 January 2015, Fluminense announced that Conca would be joining Shanghai SIPG.[35]

On 8 July 2015, he scored a penalty to equalize the game for his team against Guangzhou R&F in the China FA cup. His team went on to win 2–1 at Shanghai stadium.

On 12 July 2015, Conca scored two goals in addition to an assist in the away win against Guangzhou R&F. The game ended 3–2 for Shanghai SIPG.

On 15 March 2016, he assisted Elkson's second goal in the 2016 AFC Champions league group stage match against Gamba Osaka to give Shanghai a 2-1 lead, Shanghai went on to win the match and Conca was praised for his good performance.

On 10 April 2016, he provided an assist in a 4–0 win against Liaoning FC. He also scored a goal which was later canceled for offside.

Flamengo

Conca joined Flamengo on a year long loan from Shanghai SIPG on 3 January 2017.[36]

Austin Bold

Darío Conca moved to Austin, TX to join the new Austin Bold FC team that plays the USL Championship. However, after only three games, on April 18, the club announced that the Bold and Conca have parted ways so he can pursue other football opportunities. However, on 23 April 2019, he announced that he'd be retiring from football to focus on other ventures.[2]

International career

Darío Conca was capped at Argentina's youth national team, but never at the senior team. However, he considered the idea of playing for Brazil,[37] and Mano Menezes, Brazil's manager at the time, did not rule out including him in Brazil's squad.[38]

Personal life

Conca met his wife Paula Araújo in 2007. They married in Maldives in September 2010.[39] On 15 March 2012, their first son, Benjamin, was born in Guangzhou, China PR.[40] Their second son, Bryan, was born in Shanghai on 18 March 2016.[41]

Career statistics
As of 31 October 2016.
Club Season League Cup Continental1 Other2 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
River Plate
2002 300000—30
2003 1120000—112
Total 1420000—142
Universidad Católica
2004 1820000—182
2005 24700102—349
2006 2340061—295
Total 651300163—8116
Rosario Central
2006 1300000—130
Total 1300000—130
Vasco da Gama
2007 3062051110487
Total 3062051110487
Fluminense
2008 30400142122568
2009 36720921646313
2010 38960001555914
2011 710081122274
Total 1112180315551320539
Guangzhou Evergrande
2011 159———159
2012 24102196103617
2013 261443148434828
Total 6533642314539954
Fluminense
2014 37953201545916
Total 37953201545916
Shanghai SIPG
2015 2992200003111
2016 174208200276
Total 46134282005817
Career total 3819724985258620577151

1Continental competitions include the Copa Libertadores and AFC Champions League.
2Other tournaments include the Campeonato Carioca, Chinese FA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Honours

Club
Universidad Católica
Fluminense
Guangzhou Evergrande
Flamengo

Individual

References
  1. "D. CONCA". soccerway.com. Soccerway. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  2. "Golfe, família e homem de eventos: o primeiro mês do aposentado Darío Conca". ge (in Portuguese). Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  3. "Globo.com - Desculpe-nos, ocorreu um erro". globoesporte.globo.com. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  4. Janeiro, Por GLOBOESPORTE COM Rio de. "Brasileirão 2010: Conca é o Craque da Galera e do campeonato". globoesporte.com. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  5. Mira, Luis. "Fluminense's Conca to become third-highest paid player in the world at Guangzhou Evergrande - report - Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  6. "Conca Smashes Chinese Transfer Record". ESPN Soccernet. 3 July 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  7. "恒大球迷赞孔卡天体皇帝 球员：穆里奇没法跟他比". sina. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  8. "Jeonbuk Motors 1-5 Guangzhou Evergrande". archive.is. 16 December 2012. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  9. "Guangzhou Evergrande 1-3 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors". archive.is. 12 September 2012. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
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  11. 孔卡急了！3句话质问李章洙:为什么轮休的总是我?(in Chinese)
  12. 关于对外援孔卡的处理决定 Archived 9 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine(in Chinese)
  13. "Buriram United 1-2 Guangzhou Evergrande". archive.is. 9 December 2012. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  14. 孔卡正式向恒大提出转会要求 恒大震惊称全力挽留(in Chinese)
  15. 广州恒大提前一轮中超卫冕 Archived 10 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine(in Chinese)
  16. "Conca dá adeus a time chinês por carta e deixa presidente indignado". Terra. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
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  18. Guangzhou Evergrande 3–0 Urawa Reds Archived 2 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  19. Guangzhou Evergrande 1–2 Jiangsu Sainty: Shock in Super Cup
  20. 律师证实孔卡合同到期前不离队:他只想履行与恒大合同(in Chinese)
  21. ACL RD16 (2nd leg): Guangzhou 3–0 Central Coast (5–1 agg) Archived 14 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ACL QF (1st leg): Guangzhou Evergrande 2–0 Lekhwiya Archived 23 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  23. ACL QF (2nd leg): Lekhwiya 1–4 Guangzhou E. (1–6 agg.) Archived 21 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ACL SF (1st leg): Kashiwa Reysol 1–4 Guangzhou Evergrande Archived 27 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ACL SF (2nd Leg): Guangzhou 4–0 Kashiwa Reysol Archived 5 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  26. GZBiffo (3 November 2013). "Conca scores brace in final CSL appearance for Evergrande". wildeastfootball.net. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  27. ACL Final (1st leg): FC Seoul 2–2 Guangzhou Evergrande Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  28. Guangzhou win 2013 AFC Champions League Archived 9 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  29. "Corinthians chega ao 30º jogo do ano mais cedo do que em toda a década". Gazeta Esportiva. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  30. 孔卡荣膺最佳球员 拿奖实至名归告别很温馨感人(in Chinese)
  31. 孔卡荣膺足协杯最佳球员 领奖落泪跪地亲吻草皮(in Chinese)
  32. FIFA.com. "FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2013 - Matches - Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC-Al Ahly Sporting Club". FIFA.com. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  33. FIFA.com. "FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2013 - Matches - Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC-Clube Atlético Mineiro". FIFA.com. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  34. Madureira 3 x 2 Fluminense(in Portuguese)
  35. Flu acerta com Shanghai Dongya, e Conca voltará ao futebol chinês(in Portuguese)
  36. "Fla anuncia Conca, lembra foto com Guerrero e brinca: "Só falta o Mickey"". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  37. "Conca revela que jogaria pela seleção brasileira". Estadão (in Portuguese). Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  38. "Mano elogia e não descarta convocação de Conca para seleção brasileira". UOL (in Portuguese). Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  39. "曝穗民政局拒为孔卡结婚登记 因微博门敌视媒体_网易体育". sports.163.com. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  40. "Who's hot, who's not in China Sports (Week 11) -China Sports Weekly -chinadaily.com.cn". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  41. "孔卡次子今早在上海降生 两儿子中国生缘分不浅". news.eastday.com. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  42. "足协杯-张琳芃传射8024两球 恒大总分5-3贵州夺冠". Sports.sina.com.cn. 18 November 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
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