Fernando Belluschi

Fernando Belluschi

File:Fernando Belluschi (1).JPG Belluschi with Bursaspor in 2012
Personal information
Full name	Fernando Daniel Belluschi
Date of birth	(1983-09-10) 10 September 1983
Place of birth	Los Quirquinchos, Argentina
Height
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Cruz Azul
Number	25
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002–2005	Newell's Old Boys	90	(25)
2006–2007	River Plate	48	(13)
2007–2009	Olympiacos	36	(6)
2009–2012	Porto	63	(6)
2012	→ Genoa (loan)	14	(1)
2012–2015	Bursaspor	89	(11)
2015	Cruz Azul	8	(0)
International career‡
2005–	Argentina	5	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 August 2015 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 November 2011

Fernando Daniel Belluschi (locally: [beˈluʔtʃi], Italian: [belˈluski]; born 10 September 1983) is an Argentine midfielder currently playing for Cruz Azul from Liga MX.

Belluschi's best position is as an attacking midfielder, or playing just behind the forwards as a link between midfield and attack, although his playing attributes are suited to a wider position.

Club career

Belluschi started playing professionally at Newell's Old Boys in 2002, with whom he won the 2004 Apertura Championship. He moved to River Plate in 2006 and with the departure of Marcelo Gallardo to Paris Saint-Germain following the 2006 Apertura, he was named team captain, a position he would fill for two years. He then joined Olympiacos for reported €6.5 million in early 2008.

On 6 July 2009, FC Porto bought Belluschi's playing rights and 50% economic rights for €5 million. The other 50% is owned by private investment company Rio Football Services Ltd. He signed a contract until 2013 with a release clause of €30 million.

In 2012 he was sent on loan from FC Porto to Genoa C.F.C., under a purchasing option of €3.5 million or €5 million if the club qualifies to the UEFA Europa League.

Porto sold its 50% economic rights on Belluschi for €1.05 million in summer 2012.

On July 10, 2015, Cruz Azul signed the 32 year old on a free transfer. Belluschi's current salary is 1.1 million EUR. He debuted for the team coming on as a substitute in the 61' minute for an injured Marc Crosas in the Clasico Joven. He didn't get his international pass until the Clasico Joven which is why he was unable to participate in any league games up to that point. Belluschi has yet to score for Cruz Azul, but had his chance by kicking a penalty during week 11 against Atlas but it was blocked by their goalkeeper Miguel Angel Fraga

International career

Belluschi has won five caps for Argentina, where his second came against Chile on 18 April 2007.

Personal life

Belluschi is married to Florencia, whom he met in his home city of Los Quirquinchos. They started dating when he was 17 and they have been together since then. He is best friends with fellow professional footballer Ignacio Scocco, and both served as best men at each other's wedding.

Belluschi also holds an Italian passport, due to his Italian ancestry from the province of Pavia, where his paternal great-grandfather emigrated from. Belluschi is of Arberesh descent.

Honours

Club

Newell's Old Boys

• Argentine Primera División (1): Torneo Apertura 2004

Olympiacos

• Superleague Greece (2): 2007–08, 2008–09
• Greek Cup (2): 2007–08, 2008–09

Porto

• Portuguese League (2): 2010–11, 2011–12
• Taça de Portugal (2): 2009–10, 2010–11
• Portuguese Supercup (3): 2009, 2010, 2011
• UEFA Europa League (1): 2010–11
• UEFA Super Cup: Runner-up 2011

International

Argentina

• South American Youth Championship (1): 2003

External links

• Guardian statistics
• Fernando Belluschi at National-Football-Teams.com
• Player Profile on the River Plate Website (Spanish)
• Argentine Primera statistics (Spanish)