Fernando Belluschi

Fernando Daniel Belluschi (, ; born 10 September 1983) is an Argentine former professional player. During his playing career, Belluschi was a midfielder. Belluschi played for clubs as River Plate or San Lorenzo in Argentina, Olympiacos in Greece or Porto in Portugal.

Club career Belluschi began 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, Porto purchased Belluschi's playing rights and 50% of his economic rights for €5 million. The other 50% was owned by private investment company Rio Football Services Ltd. He signed a contract until 2013 with a release clause of €30 million. In summer 2012, Porto sold its 50% ownership of his economic rights for €1.05 million.

On 10 July 2015, Cruz Azul signed Belluschi on a free transfer. His salary was set at €1.1 million. He debuted for the side as a substitute in the 61st minute for an injured Marc Crosas in the Clasico Joven. He did not receive his international pass until the Clasico Joven, which was why he did not participate in any league matches up to that point. He failed to score for Cruz Azul, having a penalty saved by Atlas goalkeeper Miguel Ángel Fraga on matchday 11.

On 26 January 2016, San Lorenzo signed the then-32-year-old Belluschi on a free transfer.

Career statistics

International career Belluschi has won six caps for Argentina, all in friendlies. In November 2017, after six years away from the national team, Belluschi was named in coach Jorge Sampaoli's squad for friendlies against Russia and Nigeria in the former.

Personal life Belluschi is married to Florencia, whom he met in his home city of Los Quirquinchos. They began dating when he was 17 years old and have been together since. 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 to Argentina from.

Honours Newell's Old Boys Argentine Primera División: Torneo Apertura 2004

Olympiacos Super League Greece: 2007–08, 2008–09 Greek Cup: 2007–08, 2008–09

Porto Primeira Liga: 2010–11, 2011–12 Taça de Portugal: 2009–10, 2010–11 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2009, 2010, 2011 UEFA Europa League: 2010–11

San Lorenzo Supercopa Argentina: 2015 Argentina South American Youth Championship: 2003 Individual Footballer of the Year of Argentina: 2016