Germán Lux

Germán Darío Lux (born 7 June 1982) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Germán Lux
Lux with Mallorca in 2011
Personal information
Full nameGermán Darío Lux[1]
Date of birth (1982-06-07) 7 June 1982 (age 42)[1]
Place of birthCarcarañá, Argentina[1]
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Position(s)Goalkeeper
Youth career
1998–2001River Plate
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2001–2007River Plate53(0)
2007–2011Mallorca29(0)
2011–2017Deportivo La Coruña106(0)
2017–2021River Plate12(0)
Total200(0)
International career
2001Argentina U205(0)
2004Argentina Olympic9(0)
2005Argentina6(0)
Medal record
Representing Argentina
Men's Football
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place2004 AthensTeam Competition
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

After starting out at River Plate, he spent most of his career in Spain with Mallorca and Deportivo.

Club career

River Plate

Lux was born in Carcarañá, Santa Fe Province. Nicknamed Poroto, he joined Club Atlético River Plate's youth system aged 16, and made his Primera División debut in 2001. Shortly after, he became first choice.[2]

In the 2006 Apertura, Lux lost his job to emergent talent Juan Pablo Carrizo[3] and, a few months after, was cut from the squad by coach Daniel Passarella.[4] In the beginning of the year he also lost his brother, who committed suicide.[5]

Mallorca

Lux signed a four-year deal with RCD Mallorca for 2007–08,[6] as a backup to youth graduate Miguel Ángel Moyá, but benefitted from an injury to the latter to appear in ten La Liga matches during the season.[7][8] In his second year, the same occurred: Moyá was again downed with physical problems and Lux was promoted to starter,[9] but lost his job in January 2009 with the signing of Dudu Aouate from Deportivo de La Coruña.[8]

Deportivo

In the following two seasons, Lux was almost exclusively restricted to Copa del Rey matches with Mallorca, only totalling five league appearances.[8] The same fate befell him at his next club, Deportivo La Coruña,[10] where he initially played second-fiddle to Dani Aranzubia.[11][12]

Lux was again the starter in the 2013–14 campaign, as the Galicians finished runners-up in the Segunda División and subsequently returned to the top flight.[13] Afterwards, he alternated in goal with Fabricio.[14]

Return to River

On 26 June 2017, ten years after leaving for Europe, the 35-year-old Lux returned to River Plate on a three-year contract.[15] In December 2021, after several years as backup to Franco Armani where he was often criticised for his performances,[16][17] he announced his retirement.[18]

International career

As a starter during the 2004 Summer Olympics (all six matches, no goals conceded), Lux was instrumental in the gold medal triumph of the Argentina national team, who scored 17.[19] He made his full debut on 9 March 2005 in a 1–1 friendly draw against Mexico, as manager José Pékerman only fielded players based in the Argentine league.[20]

Lux was also first-choice in the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup for the runners-up.[21][22] He was left out of the squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, however, and Oscar Ustari was picked instead.[20]

Personal life

Lux's older brother, Javier, was also a footballer. A midfielder, he played for several teams during his career.[5]

Career statistics

Club performance[23]LeagueCupLeague CupContinentalTotal
SeasonClubLeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
ArgentinaLeagueCupLeague CupSouth AmericaTotal
2001–02River PlatePrimera División300030
2003–0415020170
2004–056040100
2005–06280100380
2006–07202040
SpainLeagueCopa del ReySupercopa de EspañaEuropeTotal
2007–08MallorcaLa Liga10040140
2008–0914030170
2009–10104050
2010–11404080
2011–12DeportivoSegunda División404080
2012–13La Liga402060
2013–14Segunda División37000370
2014–15La Liga702090
2015–16La Liga29000290
2016–17La Liga25000250
ArgentinaLeagueCupLeague CupSouth AmericaTotal
2016–17River PlatePrimera División00303060
2017–18702020110
2018–1950102080
2019–2000001010
2020–2100000000
TotalArgentina65060240980
Spain1350230001580
Career total20002902402560

Honours

River Plate

Deportivo

Argentina

References