Maximiliano Moralez

He is nicknamed frasquito (English: little flask).

Maxi Moralez

Moralez with New York City FC in 2022
Personal information
Full name	Maximiliano Nicolás Moralez
Date of birth	(1987-02-27) 27 February 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth	Granadero Baigorria, Argentina
Height	1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team	New York City FC
Number	27
Youth career
	Racing
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2005–2007	Racing	52	(8)
2007–2009	FC Moscow	6	(0)
2008	→ Racing (loan)	36	(8)
2009–2011	Vélez Sársfield	72	(20)
2011–2015	Atalanta	142	(18)
2016–2017	León	34	(6)
2017–2022	New York City FC	162	(26)
2023	Racing	17	(1)
2023–	New York City FC	4	(0)
International career‡
2007	Argentina U20	16	(5)
2011	Argentina	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 September 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16 July 2015 (UTC)

Moralez started playing professionally for Racing Club in the Argentine Primera División during the 2005 Clausura tournament, entering the field on a 2–2 draw with Colón. In 2007, Moralez was bought by FC Moscow. However, after only half a season in the Russian club, he was loaned back to Racing Club. Moralez helped his club avoid relegation during the 2007–08 season, scoring the winning goal against Belgrano in the relegation playoff.

For the 2009 Clausura tournament, Moralez was bought by Vélez Sársfield. During his first season in the club, he helped the team become Argentine champion, playing 14 (out of 19) games and scoring 5 goals. He scored the winning goal against Huracán on the 83rd minute of the final game, giving Vélez the 1–0 victory necessary to win the championship. During the following tournament, the 2009 Apertura, Moralez was Vélez' top goalscorer (along Jonathan Cristaldo) with 5 goals each.

On 5 March 2011, Moralez renewed his contract with Vélez until June 2013. During that semester, he won his second league title with the club (the 2011 Clausura) playing 15 of the 19 games, and scoring 4 goals. He also played 11 of the 12 games of his team's Copa Libertadores semi-finalist campaign, scoring 5 goals.

On 27 July 2011, Atalanta B.C., recently promoted to the Serie A, paid Moralez's buyout clause to Vélez Sársfield (€8 million for the 50% transfer rights owned by Vélez). The Argentine midfielder was introduced by his new club three days later.

On 24 December 2015, Jesús Martínez Murguía (León's President), confirmed that Moralez would be playing the 2016 tournament with Club León.

On 15 February 2017, New York City FC announced that he had been signed as a Designated Player.

In 2007, Moralez was called for the Argentina under-20 squad for the South American Youth Championship held in Paraguay. Later that year he was part of Argentina FIFA W-20 World Cup title winning team. He played along Sergio Agüero and Mauro Zárate in the attack. Moralez was third highest scorer in the tournament (bronze shoe) and was named second best player (silver ball), behind his teammate Agüero.

In November 2010, Moralez was selected as part of an Argentine league squad to train twice weekly with the Argentina national team. He made his senior international debut on a 4–1 friendly victory over Venezuela on 16 March 2011.

Club

As of match played 8 March 2024