Everything you need to know about Napoli's Mexican forward Hirving Lozano.
Hirving Lozano, also known as "Chucky," is a professional footballer from Mexico who currently plays for Italian Serie A club Napoli and the Mexico national team. Lozano was born on July 30, 1995, in Mexico City, Mexico. Lozano played for local clubs before being scouted by Pachuca, one of the biggest clubs in Mexico. He joined the Pachuca youth academy in 2009 and quickly rose through the ranks.
Lozano made his professional debut for Pachuca in 2014, at the age of 18. He quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in Mexican football, helping Pachuca win the Liga MX Clausura championship in 2016 and being included in the Best XI for his amazing performances.
In 2017, Lozano signed for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven for a reported fee of €8 million. The Mexican quickly became a key player for PSV, helping them win the Eredivisie title in his first season. Lozano was also the top scorer for the Mexican national team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, scoring the winning goal against Germany in their opening match of the tournament, bringing him further under the limelight.
His strong performances caught the eye of Italian side Napoli, who signed him for a club-record fee of €42 million at the time. He made his debut for Napoli in September 2019, scoring a goal in his first game against Juventus. Since then, he has become an important player for the team, helping them win the Coppa Italia in 2020 and the Serie A title in 2023.
Lozano made his debut for the Mexican national team in 2016 and has since become a key player for the team. He has represented Mexico at the 2017 Confederations Cup, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He has scored 17 goals in 64 appearances for the national team, including important goals in World Cup qualifying matches.
Lozano is known for his speed, agility, and technical ability. He is a versatile attacker who can play on either wing or as a forward. He is a skilled dribbler who can beat defenders with ease and has a powerful shot from distance. Lozano is also known for his work rate and defensive contribution, making him a valuable player for both his club and national team.
Here are 11 interesting facts about 'Chucky' Lozano that you absolutely need to know.
@GettyHis antics earned him his nickname
Lozano is widely recognized by his nickname Chucky, after the doll of the horror film series. He reportedly got the moniker during his youth career, as he used to hide under team-mates' beds and scare them.
"It was approximately two months ago that I arrived in Pachuca. I was living with my coworkers," he explained, "where I used to hide under the bus seats and beds and scare my coworkers."
“At the time, two coworkers approached me and asked, ‘Would you like us to call you Chucky?' And I said 'yes, no problem, it doesn't bother me'. And that's how Chucky Lozanor was born, and they've been calling me that ever since."
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Lozano grew up in Mexico City. His mother was Ana Maria Bahena and his father was Jesus Lozano. Hirving Lozano was brought up in a white Mexican family who had Spanish linkages.
About 90 kilometers north of the capital, in Pachuca city, is where his football skills were honed. He grew to prominence in this city, developed a strong will to succeed, and rose through the ranks of his youth club.
His father made sure that Hirving and his brother were introduced to football early to stir up their desire to become professional footballers. Football finally succeed through Lozano and lifted the entire family out of poverty.
GettyHot headed as a youngster
Although Lozano’s career is still young in the football world, he has picked up seven red cards already during his short time in senior football, that’s besides one he got while in his country’s under-23 competitions.
Lozano has been criticized for a lack of discipline: railing against authority during his time with Pachuca, being involved in on-field incidents with little provocation.
Getty ImagesDebut goals galore
Lozano's talent has made waves ever since his Pachuca days. The Mexican attacker has a habit of making his mark on his debuts. He is the first Mexican player to score in his debut match in the Eredivisie, Serie A, and the Champions League.
He marked his Eredivisie debut against AZ Alkmaar, on his Serie A debut against Juventus and his Champions League debut against BATE.