Rony Lopes is a Portuguese footballer known for his versatility as an attacking midfielder and right winger.
He was born in Brazil but moved to Portugal at the age of four, shaping his football career.
Lopes made his competitive debut for Manchester City at just 17 years and 9 days, becoming the youngest scorer in the club's history.
Biography
Early Life
Marcos Paulo Mesquita, known as Rony Lopes, was born in Belém, Pará, Brazil, to a Brazilian father and a Portuguese mother. At the tender age of four, he moved to Portugal, where his football journey began.
Career
Lopes started his youth career at Benfica, where he played from ages 10 to 15 before signing with Manchester City in 2011. He made a remarkable debut for the first team on January 7, 2013, becoming the youngest scorer in the club's history at just 17 years and 9 days. His time at City was marked by significant achievements, including winning the inaugural Academy Player of the Year award and contributing to the team's success in the UEFA Youth League.
In 2014, Lopes was loaned to Lille OSC, where he made his Ligue 1 debut and scored his first goal shortly after. He returned to Lille for a second stint in 2016 and has continued to develop his skills as a midfielder. Throughout his career, Lopes has represented Portugal at various youth levels, culminating in his debut for the senior national team in 2017. He was also part of the under-20 squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Legacy
Rony Lopes has established himself as a talented attacking midfielder, known for his agility and playmaking abilities. His journey from Brazil to becoming a key player in European football showcases his dedication and skill, making him a notable figure in the sport.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Lopes chose to represent Portugal internationally, winning caps at every youth level. He appeared with the under-20 side at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, playing all matches in New Zealand and helping his country reach the quarter-finals. On 5 January 2014, still aged 18, Lopes made his debut with the under-21s, playing roughly 20 minutes in a 2–0 win over Macedonia for the 2015 UEFA European Championship qualifiers. He first appeared with the full side on 14 November 2017, replacing Gonçalo Guedes late in the second half of a 1–1 friendly draw against the United States. Lopes was named in a preliminary 35-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but did not make the final cut.
Manchester City
Lopes played youth football for Benfica from ages 10 to 15, signing for Manchester City in 2011. He was a surprise addition to the first team's pre-season the following year, but had to wait until 7 January 2013 to make his competitive debut, when he came as an 88th-minute substitute for David Silva in a FA Cup third-round tie against Watford and scored the final goal in the 3–0 win, which made him the youngest ever scorer for the club at the age of 17 years and 9 days. Lopes was a regular for City's Elite Development Squad in the 2012–13 season, and went on to claim the inaugural Academy Player of the Year award after winning a public vote. He was included in the team that featured in the first match of the UEFA Youth League, netting twice in a 4–1 victory at Viktoria Plzeň. He added a hat-trick in the 6–0 home rout of Bayern Munich. On 21 January 2014, Lopes started against West Ham United in the second leg of the semi-finals of the Football League Cup. In the game, he assisted Sergio Agüero and Álvaro Negredo to a goal each, in a 3–0 away win (9–0 on aggregate). On 7 July 2014, Lopes was loaned to Lille until the end of the campaign. His maiden appearance in Ligue 1 occurred on 9 August, in a goalless home draw against Metz. He scored his first goal on 14 September, in a 2–0 victory over Nantes also at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Lopes was included in City's squad for their pre-season tour in Australia. On 5 August, he was promoted to the first team…
- National team
- Portugal
- Club
- Lille OSC (2014–2015)
- Club
- Manchester City F.C. (2013–2015)
- Club
- AS Monaco FC (2015–2015)
- Club
- Lille OSC (2016–)
- Club
- Portugal national under-17 football team (2011–2012)
- Club
- Portugal national under-19 football team (2012–2014)
- Club
- Portugal national under-20 football team (2015–2015)
- Club
- Portugal national under-21 football team (2014–)
- Club
- Portugal national under-16 football team (2010–2011)
- Club
- Portugal national under-18 football team (2012–2013)
- Club
- Portugal national under-21 football team (2015–)
Personal
Born in Belém, Pará, Brazil to a Brazilian father and a Portuguese mother, Lopes moved to Portugal at the age of four.
Clubs
- Portugal national under-21 football team2014current
- Portugal national under-21 football team2015current
- Lille OSC2016current
- Portugal national under-16 football team2010–2011
- Portugal national under-17 football team2011–2012
- Portugal national under-18 football team2012–2013
- Portugal national under-19 football team2012–2014
- Manchester City F.C.2013–2015
- Lille OSC2014–2015
- AS Monaco FC2015–2015
- Portugal national under-20 football team2015–2015
Played together with
- Aadil AssanaAS Monaco FC · 2011–2014
Abdelaziz Ben TifourAS Monaco FC · 1956–1958- Abdelilah FahmiLille OSC · 1999–2003
Abdelkrim MerryLille OSC · 1980–1981- Abdellah LiegeonAS Monaco FC · 1981–1987
- Abderrahmane BoubekeurAS Monaco FC · 1954–1958
- Abdisalam IbrahimManchester City F.C. · 2010–2014
Abdou DialloAS Monaco FC · 2014–2015
Abdoulay DiabyLille OSC · 2013–2015
Abdoulkader ThiamAS Monaco FC
Abdukodir KhusanovManchester City F.C. · 2025
Abdul Kader KeïtaLille OSC · 2005–2007
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Marcos Paulo Mesquita "Rony" Lopes is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or right winger for Ekstraklasa club Motor Lublin. Born in Brazil, he represented Portugal internationally.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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