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Marco Rojas

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For the Mexican footballer, see Marco Jovanni Rojas.
Not to be confused with Marcos Rojo.

Marco Rodrigo Rojas (born 5 November 1991) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a forward for Chilean side Colo-Colo and the New Zealand national football team. During his time in the A-League with Melbourne Victory, Rojas was dubbed the Kiwi Messi by fans for his ability on the ball and goalscoring prowess.

Marco Rojas
Rojas playing for New Zealand at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup
Personal information
Full name Marco Rodrigo Rojas[1]
Date of birth (1991-11-05) 5 November 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth Hamilton, New Zealand
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Colo-Colo
Number 10
Youth career
Hamilton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2008 Hamilton Wanderers
2008–2009 Waikato 13 (1)
2009–2011 Wellington Phoenix 20 (2)
2011–2013 Melbourne Victory 48 (15)
2013–2016 VfB Stuttgart 0 (0)
2014-2016 VfB Stuttgart II 4 (0)
2014 → Greuther Fürth (loan) 3 (0)
2014 → Greuther Fürth II (loan) 4 (1)
2015–2016 → Thun (loan) 37 (4)
2016–2017 Melbourne Victory 25 (12)
2017–2019 Heerenveen 25 (4)
2019–2020 SønderjyskE 30 (3)
2020–2022 Melbourne Victory 44 (12)
2022– Colo-Colo 13 (1)
International career‡
2011 New Zealand U20 9 (4)
2012 New Zealand U23 6 (1)
2011– New Zealand 43 (5)
Medal record
Representing  New Zealand
Men's association football
OFC Nations Cup
Third place 2012 Solomon Islands
Winner 2016 Papua New Guinea
OFC U-20 Championship
Winner 2011 New Zealand
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 May 2022
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 24 March 2018

Early life

Rojas attended Aberdeen Primary School and Maeroa Intermediate School during the late 1990s and early-mid-2000s. He is of Chilean descent.[3]

Club career

Wellington Phoenix

Marco Rojas came through Wynton Rufer's Wynrs football academy. He trialled with fellow graduate Caleb Rufer at German clubs Werder Bremen, Hannover and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Neither player was successful, but Rojas was awarded a trial with the Wellington Phoenix after winning the Retro Ricki Youth Scholarship from the supporters group Yellow Fever. Rojas impressed Wellington coach Ricki Herbert and put in some good performances in the Phoenix's warm up friendlies, resulting in him getting offered a 2-year contract with the A-League side.[4]

On 13 September 2009, he made his senior debut in the A-League for the Wellington Phoenix against Melbourne Victory at the age of 17, coming off the bench as a 77th minute substitution for Daniel[5] making him the second youngest player to play for the Phoenix behind Kosta Barbarouses. Rojas got his second appearance for the Phoenix when he was substituted on for Paul Ifill in the 73rd minute against Central Coast Mariners on 27 September 2009.[6]

Rojas scored his first goal on his full debut for the Phoenix on 18 December 2010 in a 4–0 victory over the Newcastle Jets. His second goal was in the 72nd minute on 5 January against Melbourne Victory helping them secure a 2–0 win at Westpac Stadium. Rojas provided the assist for Chris Greenacre's opening goal in a 3–1 win over North Queensland Fury in the Phoenix's final home game of the 2010–11 season.

On 18 February 2011, Rojas was awarded the NAB Young Player of the Month.[7] On 22 February 2011, he was awarded the Wellington Phoenix young player of the year.

On 27 February 2011, Wellington Phoenix announced that Rojas declined to sign a new contract with the club and wanted to move on.[8] Following this announcement, some media outlets claimed unofficially that Rojas had signed for Melbourne Victory,[9][10] however, officially, Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick denied this.[11] It was believed at the time that Melbourne Victory, Adelaide United and a South American club were vying for the signature of the highly rated youngster.[12][13]

Melbourne Victory

 
Rojas playing for the Victory in 2012

On 11 March 2011, Melbourne Victory ended weeks of speculation by officially confirming that they had indeed signed Rojas, securing him on a two-year deal.[14]

On 8 October 2011, Rojas made his debut for Melbourne Victory FC in the A-League season opener against Sydney FC.[15] It would not be until the following 2012–13 season, however, that he would score his first Melbourne Victory goal; it came in the Victory's 2–1 loss to crosstown rivals Melbourne Heart, after receiving a cross from Archie Thompson.[16][17] His second Melbourne Victory goal came in the Victory's 2–1 win against Adelaide United two weeks later.[18] Rojas scored goal number 15 for season 2012–13 on 31 March 2013 against Wellington Phoenix in a 2–3 win.[19][20]

At the A-League end of season awards for the 2012–13 season, Rojas won both the Johnny Warren Medal and the A-League Young Footballer of the Year awards.[21]

On 18 April 2013, Rojas quit Melbourne Victory to pursue a career in Europe. His contract with Melbourne expired on 30 April 2013.[22]

VfB Stuttgart

 
Marco Rojas training in 2014.

Rojas moved during the 2013–14 season to VfB Stuttgart. On 8 May 2013, Marco Rojas signed a contract until June 2017 with VfB Stuttgart. He joined the Bundesliga side on a free transfer from Melbourne Victory.[23]

On 10 July 2013, Marco started his first game for Die Schwaben in a pre-season friendly match against the local Hohenlohe-Selection at the Schönebürgstadion, Crailsheim. Marco scored his first goal for his new club in this game to give VfB a 4–0 lead just before half time, VfB went on to win the match 5–0.[24]

On 17 July 2013, Marco suffered an injury setback during training that sidelined the Kiwi international for between four and six weeks. Media sources revealed Rojas had broken a bone in his foot. Rojas however continued to swim, cycle and perform weight training but he was unable to continue football related activities until after the new 1. Bundesliga season began in early August.[25]

Loan to SpVgg Greuther Fürth

On 21 August 2014, Rojas was loaned out to SpVgg Greuther Fürth.[26] In January 2015 the loan deal was terminated.

Loan to FC Thun

He was loaned out to FC Thun on 3 January 2015 until the end of the 2014–15 season.[27] On 8 February 2015, Rojas scored his first Swiss Super League goal on debut for FC Thun in Thun's 1–1 draw with FC Aarau match.[28] On 12 June 2015, the loan deal was extended until the end of the 2015–16 season.[29]

Return to Melbourne Victory

On 25 August 2016, Rojas returned to the A-League with former club Melbourne Victory, signing a two-year deal.[30][31] His first goal on return was the sole goal for Victory in a disappointing Melbourne Derby clash. The following week, Rojas scored a match-winner at the last minute of stoppage time against Adelaide United. His performances in the first half of the season, have been voted by Mark Bosnich as the best the A-League has ever seen.[citation needed]

SC Heerenveen

In July 2017, Rojas joined Dutch club SC Heerenveen on a two-year contract with the option of a third year.[32]

SønderjyskE

SønderjyskE confirmed the signing of Rojas on 22 January 2019.[33] He signed a one-year contract with an option to extend it further, and got shirt number 17. However, his contract wasn't extended and he left the club by the end of 2019.[34]

Second return to Melbourne Victory

On 22 January 2020, Melbourne Victory announced that he had again signed for the club on a two-and-a-half year deal.

Colo-Colo

In July 2022, Rojas moved to Chile, the native country of his father, and joined Colo-Colo on a deal for eighteen months.[35]

International career

On 8 March 2011, Rojas was called up for the 30-man squad for the upcoming games against China and Japan for New Zealand's national team the All Whites. He made his debut as a second-half substitute in the 1–1 draw with China on 25 March 2011 before he made any appearance for any other junior New Zealand sides.[36] The scheduled match against Japan was called off due to logistics and safety concerns following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. He gained his second international cap against Australia, 5 May 2011 he came on as a second-half substitute. Australia won the game 5–0

Rojas was selected for the New Zealand U-20 team to compete in the 2011 OFC U-20 Championship in April 2011 and the Suwon Cup in Korea. During the OFC U-20 championship he played in all four matches helping the Junior All Whites win the tournament and secure qualification to the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

During the junior All Whites game against Uruguay in the 2011 under-20 World Cup, Rojas contributed to the goal that put New Zealand in the lead at 54 minutes (the game finished in a 1–1 draw).[37]

He was an unused squad player at the 2012 Summer Olympics.[38]

Career statistics

Club

As of 22 April 2022[39]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Hamilton Wanderers 2007 Northern League 10 2 – – – 10 2
Total 10 2 – – – 10 2
Waikato 2008–09[40] Stirling Sports Premiership 13 1 – – – 13 1
Total 13 1 – – – 13 1
Wellington Phoenix 2009–10[41] A-League 4 0 – – – 4 0
2010–11[42] A-League 16 2 – – 1[a] 0 17 2
Total 20 2 – – 1 0 21 2
Melbourne Victory 2011–12[43] A-League 23 0 – – – 23 0
2012–13[44] A-League 25 15 – – 2[a] 0 27 15
Total 48 15 – – 2 0 50 15
VfB Stuttgart II 2013–14[45] 3.Liga 2 0 – – – 2 0
2016–17[46] Regionalliga Südwest 2 0 – – – 2 0
Total 4 0 – – – 4 0
Greuther Fürth (loan) 2014–15[47] 2.Bundesliga 3 0 – – – 3 0
Greuther Fürth II (loan) 2014–15[48] Regionalliga Bayern 4 1 – – – 4 1
Thun (loan) 2014–15[49] Super League 17 2 – – – 17 2
2015–16[50] Super League 20 2 3[b] 0 6[c] 1 - 29 3
Total 44 5 3 0 6 1 – 53 6
Melbourne Victory 2016–17[51] A-League 23 13 2[d] 1 – 2[a] – 27 14
Total 23 13 2 1 – 2 0 27 14
Heerenveen 2017–18[52] Eredivisie 20 3 2[e] 0 2[c] 1 – 24 4
2018–19[53] Eredivisie 3 0 2[e] 0 – – 5 0
Total 23 3 4 0 2 1 – 29 4
SønderjyskE 2018–19[54] Superliga 5 0 – 2[c] 0 4[f] 1 11 1
2019–20[55] Superliga 19 2 2[g] 1 – – 21 3
Total 24 2 2 1 2 0 4 1 32 4
Melbourne Victory 2019–20[56] A-League 10 6 – 7[h] 1 – 17 7
2020–21[57] A-League 21 5 – 0 0 0 0 6 0
Total 31 11 – 7 1 0 0 23 7
Career total 225 49 11 2 17 3 9 1 262 55
  1. ^ a b c Appearances in A-League Finals
  2. ^ Appearances in Swiss Cup
  3. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League qualifying
  4. ^ Appearances in FFA Cup
  5. ^ a b Appearances in KNVB Cup
  6. ^ Appearances in Superliga playoffs
  7. ^ Appearances in Danish Cup
  8. ^ Appearances in AFC Champions League

International

New Zealand[58]
Year Apps Goals
2011 2 0
2012 11 1
2013 3 0
2014 3 0
2015 3 0
2016 7 3
2017 10 1
2018 1 0
Total 40 5

International goals

No. Date Location Opposition Score Result Competition
1. 11 September 2012 North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand   Solomon Islands 6–1 6–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
2. 7 October 2016 Nissan Stadium, Nashville, United States   Mexico 1–1 1–2 Friendly
3. 12 November 2016 QBE Stadium, Albany, New Zealand   New Caledonia 1–0 2–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
4. 2–0
5. 25 March 2017 Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji   Fiji 2–0 2–0

Honours

Melbourne Victory

New Zealand

Individual

References

  1. ^ "List of Players — 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup" (PDF). FIFA. 10 August 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  2. ^ "Marco Rojas". Melbourne Victory FC. Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  3. ^ "Marco Rojas, la sangre 'chilena' de Nueva Zelanda en el Mundial Sub-20". Univisión Noticias (in Spanish). 8 February 2011. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  4. ^ Woodcock, Fred (9 July 2009). "Teenager impresses Phoenix". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  5. ^ Jeremy Ruane (14 September 2009). "Reigning Champions Hold Wellington To A Draw". SportsWeb Soccer. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
  6. ^ "Official Hyundai A-League | Home". A-league.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012.
  7. ^ "News Display". Wellington Phoenix FC. Archived from the original on 1 March 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  8. ^ "Official Hyundai A-League | Home". A-league.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 April 2011.
  9. ^ "Victory snares Phoenix's Rojas". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. 28 February 2011. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  10. ^ "Victory nab Phoenix youngster". Fox Sports. 27 February 2011.
  11. ^ "News Display". Archived from the original on 3 April 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  12. ^ Rojas exit has fans livid
  13. ^ Worthington, Sam (2 March 2011). "Phoenix star Marco Rojas 'still open to offers'". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  14. ^ Victory secure Rojas signing Archived 3 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "Latest Football Australia News". www.footballaustralia.com.au. Archived from the original on 12 October 2011.
  16. ^ Melbourne Victory vs. Melbourne Heart – 5 October 2012 Soccerway
  17. ^ Marco Rojas, Melbourne Victory – Videos Football Australia
  18. ^ Melbourne Victory vs. Adelaide United – 19 October 2012 Soccerway
  19. ^ Wellington Phoenix vs. Melbourne Victory – 31 March 2013 Soccerway
  20. ^ Worthington, Sam (1 April 2013). "Wellington Phoenix season of woe is over". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  21. ^ Davutovic, David (15 April 2013). "Melbourne Victory star Marco Rojas wins Johnny Warren Medal for A-League Player of the Year". The Advertiser. Archived from the original on 27 June 2013.
  22. ^ Melbourne Victory confirms departure of star Marco Rojas to continue career in Europe Herald Sun
  23. ^ "Marco Rojas signs for VfB". vfb.de. VfB Stuttgart. 8 May 2013. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  24. ^ "Brace, debut and own-goal". VfB Stuttgart. 10 July 2013. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  25. ^ "Injury blow to new Stuttgart signing Rojas". bundesliga.com. 16 July 2013. Archived from the original on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  26. ^ "Marco Rojas released on loan". vfb.de. VfB Stuttgart. 21 August 2014. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  27. ^ "Marco Rojas bound for Switzerland". vfb.de. VfB Stuttgart. 3 January 2015. Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  28. ^ "Marco Rojas scores on FC Thun debut". 3news.co.nz. 3 News. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  29. ^ "FC Thun - Rojas bleibt, Markovic rückt nach". Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  30. ^ "Marco Rojas returns to Melbourne Victory". Melbourne Victory. 25 August 2016. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  31. ^ "Rojas signs for Melbourne Victory". Radio New Zealand. 25 August 2016.
  32. ^ Voerman, Andrew (30 July 2017). "Rojas concludes move to Holland". Sunday News. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  33. ^ Marco Rojas til SønderjyskE, soenderjyske.dk, 22 January 2019
  34. ^ Amankwaa og duo forlader SønderjyskE, bold.dk, 16 December 2019
  35. ^ Valenzuela Gallegos, Rodrigo (15 July 2022). "Todo listo: Colo Colo oficializa a Marco Rojas como su nuevo refuerzo". Dale Albo (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  36. ^ Martin, Sean (26 March 2011). "All Whites draw with China in friendly". The Sunday Star-Times. NZPA. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  37. ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Columbia 2011 – New Zealand – Squad List". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  38. ^ "Olympedia – Marco Rojas". www.olympedia.org. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  39. ^ Marco Rojas at Soccerway. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  40. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2008/2009". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  41. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2009/2010". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  42. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2010/2011". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  43. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2011/2012". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  44. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2012/2013". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  45. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2013/2014 for VfB Stuttgart II". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  46. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2016/2017 for VfB Stuttgart II". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  47. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2014/2015 for Greuther Fürth". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  48. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2014/2015 for Greuther Fürth II". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  49. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2014/2015 for Thun". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  50. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2015/2016 for Thun". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  51. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2016/2017 for Melbourne Victory". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  52. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2017/2018". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  53. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2018/2019 for Heerenveen". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  54. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2018/2019 for SønderjyskE". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  55. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2019/20 for SønderjyskE". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  56. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2019/2020". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  57. ^ "Games played by Marco Rojas in 2020/2021". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  58. ^ Marco Rojas at National-Football-Teams.com
  59. ^ "IFFHS MAN TEAM - OFC - OF THE DECADE 2011-2020". IFFHS. 31 January 2021.
  60. ^ "IFFHS ALL TIME OCEANIA MEN'S DREAM TEAM". IFFHS. 14 June 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
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