Lucas Zelarayán

Lucas Manuel Zelarayán (Լուկաս Մանուել Զելարայան; born 20 June 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Saudi Pro League club Al-Fateh. Born in Argentina, he plays for the Armenia national team.

He began his professional career with Belgrano in the Argentine Primera División in 2012, moving in 2016 to Tigres UANL in the Liga MX. He won three league titles and as many Campeón de Campeones tournaments, before an $8 million transfer to the Columbus Crew in 2020. In his first year in Major League Soccer, he won the MLS Cup, scoring twice and assisting once in a 3–0 final win over Seattle Sounders FC and being named MLS Cup Most Valuable Player. In July 2023, he transferred to Al-Fateh for an undisclosed fee.

Youth career and Belgrano
Born in Córdoba, Argentina, Zelarayán was nicknamed "El Chino" (The Chinese Man) from his childhood and kept the nickname during his career. He played his youth football at Las Estrellas, Universitario, and Atalaya, and is a Belgrano youth graduate. He made his senior debut on 25 April 2012, coming on as a second-half substitute for Lucas Parodi in a 2–1 away loss against Rosario Central, for the season's Copa Argentina.

Zelarayán made his Primera División debut on 2 March 2013, replacing Jorge Velázquez in a 2–0 away loss against Newell's Old Boys. His first professional goal came on 7 April of the following year, as he scored the winner in a 2–1 home defeat of River Plate.

On 5 December 2014, after becoming a regular starter, Zelarayán extended his contract until 2018.

On 5 December 2015, amid transfer speculation, Zelarayán played his last game for Belgrano, versus Colón in the Liguilla Pre Sudamericana, where he was given the captain's armband and an emotional farewell by the fans. Over 55,000 spectators chanted his name in unison to bid him farewell.

Tigres UANL
On 21 December 2015, Zelarayán agreed to a contract with Liga MX side Tigres UANL, signing for a reported 5.5 million. He debuted for the club the following 10 January, replacing Rafael Sóbis in a 1–0 loss at Toluca. Zelarayán scored his first goal abroad on 5 February 2016, netting the last in a 3–1 win at Chiapas. On 22 January 2017, he scored a brace in a 4–2 home win against América. On 6 March 2019, After a long absence of almost five months due to injury, Lucas Zelarayán made his return to the pitch with Tigres, coming on in the 83rd minute to seal a 3–0 aggregate victory against the Houston Dynamo in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Columbus Crew
On 20 December 2019, Zelarayán moved to Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew for $8 million. Zelarayán made his debut against New York City FC, scoring the match-winning goal in the 56th minute. He was named the league's Newcomer of the Year at the end of the 2020 regular season. In the 2020 MLS Cup final, Zelarayán scored two goals and assisted on another in Columbus' 3–0 win over Seattle Sounders FC to help them win their second ever MLS Cup title. Zelarayán was named the MLS Cup Most Valuable Player after his performance.

During the 2021 MLS season, Zelarayán scored a total of five free-kick goals, with two of them coming in one game vs New York City FC. Both free kick goals turned out to be crucial for the Crew, as they ended up winning 2–1, with the game winning free kick coming in the 5th minute of second half stoppage time, which earned Zelarayán recognition as MLS Player of the Week. Zelarayán was named MLS Player of the Week a second time in the 2021 season after scoring 2 goals in a 3–1 victory against D.C. United. Zelarayán finished the year leading the club in both goals and assists with twelve and seven respectively. At the end of the season, it was announced that Zelarayán had signed a contract extension with the Crew, keeping him with Columbus through the 2024 Major League Soccer season with an option for 2025.

The 2022 season began promisingly for Zelarayán as he scored four goals in the first three games of the season, including a free kick goal as part of his brace in a 3–3 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes. After a fast start in the month of March, which included being named MLS Player of the Month, recurring injury issues  were a potential factor in his goalless streak, which lasted for 12 consecutive matches before he scored in the Hell Is Real derby against FC Cincinnati on 17 July. On 5 October, Zelarayán scored a 56-yard free kick, which gave him the record for the longest free-kick goal in Major League Soccer history.

During week two of the 2023 season, Zelarayán scored both of Columbus' goals in a 2–0 victory over D.C. United, earning the league's Player of the Week award in the process. Zelarayán scored the game-winning goal versus Chicago Fire FC, a 61-yard strike in the 93rd minute, leading Columbus to a 2–1 victory. In his final game for the Crew on July 23, Zelarayán scored his last goal for the club—a free-kick in the 2–1 win against St. Louis City SC in Leagues Cup—setting a club record with 9 free-kick goals across his time with the team.

Al Fateh SC
On 31 July 2023, Zelarayán was transferred to Al Fateh SC of the Saudi Professional League for an undisclosed transfer fee. On 30 March 2024, Zelarayán assisted on all three of his team's goals in a 3–2 win versus Al-Wehda FC. The following matchday, he would score the only goal in a 1–0 victory versus Al-Ettifaq FC.

International career
Born in Argentina, Zelarayán is of Armenian descent through his father. He received an invitation to represent the Armenia national team in June 2020. After accepting the invitation in October 2021, he made his debut for the team in a 1–1 draw against Iceland during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.

On 16 June 2023, Zelarayán scored his first international goals in a 4–2 win away to Wales in UEFA Euro 2024 qualification. In the reverse fixture on 18 November, he netted after five minutes in a 1–1 draw.

Style of play
Lucas Zelarayán is a versatile attacking midfielder who has proven himself in a variety of positions, including on the wings and in the central midfield. With a reputation as a creative playmaker possessing exceptional technical ability and decision making, he is an expert at dismantling opposing defenses. Zelarayán's great sense of positioning on the field allows him to shoot from outside the box, dribble past defenders, and deliver final passes that unlock even the tightest of defenses. His ability to not only set up teammates, but set himself up to score as well makes him a vital component of his team's offense. In addition to his attacking prowess, Zelarayán is also a set-piece specialist, known for his superb free-kick taking ability. His talent for both keeping possession and slaloming through defenders make him an exceptionally dangerous player.

Personal life
Zelarayán is a fan of Belgrano and grew up supporting them. He lists his idols as Juan Román Riquelme and Paolo Frangipane.

International

 * Scores and results list Armenia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zelarayán goal.

Honours
UANL
 * Liga MX: Apertura 2016, Apertura 2017, Clausura 2019
 * Campeón de Campeones: 2016, 2017, 2018
 * Campeones Cup: 2018

Columbus Crew
 * MLS Cup: 2020
 * Campeones Cup: 2021

Individual
 * MLS Newcomer of the Year: 2020
 * MLS Cup MVP: 2020
 * MLS All-Star: 2021, 2023
 * MLS Player of the Month: February/March 2022