Daniel Lajud

Daniel Lajud Martínez (دانيال لحود مارتينيز; born 22 January 1999), also known as Daniel Kuri (دانيل الخوري), is a professional footballer who plays as a winger or attacking midfielder the Lebanon national team.

Coming through the youth system, Lajud began his senior career with Monterrey, scoring on his Liga MX debut in 2018. He was sent on loan to fellow Liga MX clubs Querétaro and Puebla in 2019, before moving to Liga de Expansión MX side Tampico Madero in 2020, with whom he won the Guardianes 2020. After a one-season spell at Raya2, Monterrey's reserve team, Lajud left Monterrey for Atlante in 2022, winning the Apertura 2022 and Clausura 2024.

Born in Mexico, Lajud is of Lebanese descent through his father and was called up to the Lebanon national team in 2022. He represented Lebanon in the 2023 Asian Cup.

Monterrey and loans
Lajud joined Monterrey's youth academy in 2014, progressing through their under-15, under-17 and under-20 teams. He registered to Monterrey's senior team in the Clausura 2018 Copa MX, making his competitive debut on 20 February 2018, in a 2–1 win against Dorados. Lajud made his league debut in the Liga MX on 20 October 2018 in a 2–1 win against Toluca; he was substituted in during the 72nd minute and scored the winning goal in the 84th minute.

In January 2019, Lajud was sent on loan to Querétaro in the Liga de Expansión MX, and then to Puebla six months later. In January 2020, Lajud moved to Tampico Madero on loan, with whom he won the Guardianes 2020. During the 2021–22 season, Lajud played for Raya2, Monterrey's reserve team in the Liga de Expansión MX. He was released by Monterrey in summer 2022.

Atlante
On 28 June 2022, Lajud joined Atlante. He made his debut two days later as a starter in a 3–0 home win against Atlético La Paz; after the end of the match, Lajud proposed to his girlfriend. On 13 July, Lajud scored his first goal for Atlante in a 3–1 win against Cancún. He scored consecutive braces in a 5–0 win against Tlaxcala and a 2–2 draw against Cimarrones de Sonora, on 5 and 8 September, respectively. After defeating Celaya in the final, Layun helped Atlante win the Apertura 2022.

In the first matchday of the Clausura 2023, Lajud scored a brace against Alebrijes de Oaxaca in a 4–0 win on 5 January 2023. He scored another brace on 31 January, helping his side win 3–0 against Mineros de Zacatecas. Atlante eventually finished semi-finalists of the Clausura 2023. Lajud scored 13 goals in 39 games during the 2022–23 season.

In the 2023–24 season, Lajud scored eight goals in 36 games, helping Atlante finish runners-up in the Apertura 2023 and champions of the Clausura 2024.

International career
On 19 September 2022, he obtained a Lebanese passport in order to play for the Lebanon national team. Lajud was first called up by coach Aleksandar Ilić ahead of Lebanon's friendly fixture against Kuwait in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 19 November 2022. He made his debut as a starter, with the match ending in a 2–0 defeat.

In December 2023, Lajud was included in the Lebanese squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

Style of play
Mainly a left winger, Lajud can also play as an attacking midfielder. He is known for his speed and powerful mid-range shooting.

Personal life
Lajud is of Lebanese descent through his father. Lajud's brother, Rodrigo, is also a footballer.

On 30 June 2022, he proposed to his girlfriend at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, Atlante's home stadium, following his club debut.

Honours
Tampico Madero
 * Liga de Expansión MX: Guardianes 2020

Atlante
 * Liga de Expansión MX: Apertura 2022, Clausura 2024