- Source: Hugo Cuenca (footballer)
Hugo Francisco Cuenca Martínez (born 8 January 2005) is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for Serie C Group B club Milan Futuro (the reserve team of Serie A club AC Milan) and the Paraguay national team.
Club career
Born in Coronel Oviedo, Paraguay, Cuenca played football at Deportivo Capiatá, before going on a series of trials with AC Milan, starting from December 2019, and finally joining the Italian club in August 2022, as he signed a three-year professional contract in the process. He was subsequently included in the first team's pre-season campaign shortly after his signing, and went on to feature in several friendly matches.
Throughout the whole 2022–23 season, Cuenca played for AC Milan's under-19 team, scoring four goals – one of which, a strike against Hellas Verona, was nominated for goal of the season – and four assists in twenty-eight games; he also helped the team reach the UEFA Youth League semi-finals for the first time in their history, although they were eventually eliminated by Croatian side Hajduk Split.
In the summer of 2023, Cuenca was once again included in the first-team squad by manager Stefano Pioli ahead of the 2023–24 season. He began training with the first team in January 2024.
He joined AC Milan for their 2024–25 pre-season, getting some minutes of playing time on the friendly matches. Cuenca made his professional debut on 10 August 2024, starting for the newly created reserve team Milan Futuro, on a 3–0 away win Coppa Italia Serie C first round match against Lecco.
On 31 August 2024, Cuenca received his first call-up with AC Milan, as an unused substitute for a 2–2 away draw Serie A match against Lazio.
International career
Cuenca has represented Paraguay at under-15 and under-17 level.
He received his first call-up with the Paraguay national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Uruguay and Brazil on 6 and 10 September 2024, respectively. Cuenca debuted against Brazil at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco. He substituted Miguel Almirón in the 86th minute as Paraguay won 1–0.
Career statistics
= Club
=As of match played 20 October 2024
Notes
= International
=As of match played 10 September 2024
Personal life
Born in Paraguay, Cuenca also holds a Spanish passport, which he acquired in order to accommodate his move to AC Milan (due to transfer rules for non-EU players).
References
External links
Hugo Cuenca at Soccerway
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Hugo Cuenca (footballer)
- 2024 Ecuadorian Serie A
- Hugo Bargas
- FC Málaga City
- Samy Merheg
- 1993 Copa América
- Leonardo Enciso
- Club Universidad Nacional
- List of Ecuadorians
- 2024 Copa Ecuador
