Lucas Villalba

Lucas Martín Villalba Jaume (born 11 May 2001) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Botafogo.

Club career Villalba played for Boston River as a youth, but was released before the start of the 2022 season. On 16 May of that year, he was announced at Segunda División Amateur side Tacuarembó, and helped the side to achieve promotion in his first year. During his 18 months at the club, he struggled with unpaid wages and had to sleep in the club's facilities due to the lack of funds.

On 5 February 2024, fellow Segunda División side Montevideo City Torque announced the signing of Villalba. He scored six goals and provided seven assists during the season to help the club return to Primera División.

On 20 January 2025, Villalba signed a three-year contract with Nacional also in the top tier. On 28 May, during a Copa Libertadores match against Atlético Nacional, he was recorded as one of the fastest players in the world at 38.3 kilometres per hour.

On 5 January 2026, Villalba moved abroad for the first time in his career, after agreeing to a four-year deal with Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side Botafogo.

International career In August 2024, Villalba was called up to a Uruguay national team composed of players from the local leagues, for a friendly against Guatemala.

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