Mauro Zárate

As of 14 June 2022

In 2007, Zárate helped the Argentina national under-20 team win the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, scoring the winning goal in the final against the Czech Republic. In 2008, Diego Maradona was appointed manager of the Argentina national team and said that if Zárate's good form continued, he would get a chance with that team. In 2014, Zárate opted to play international football for Chile after not being named in the latest Argentina squad chosen by manager Gerardo Martino. He is eligible for the country through his father. However, in 2015, Zárate expressly stated he is Argentine and has always dreamt of playing for Argentina.

Vélez Sarsfield

Zárate began his club football career at Vélez Sarsfield where he had played since childhood. At age 17, considered too strong for the youth category, he was promoted to the first team with which he made his full debut on 21 April 2004 against Arsenal de Sarandí. He shared the top-scorer award for the Apertura 2006 with Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors) with 12 goals each.

Al-Sadd

On 18 June 2007, Zárate signed a two-year deal with Al-Sadd in the Qatari League for a fee reported by Clarín at $22 million. However, he did not remain in Qatar long, playing just six league matches and scoring four goals, before heading on loan to English Premier League side Birmingham City.

Birmingham City (loan)

On 21 January 2008, Zárate joined Premier League side Birmingham City on loan until the end of the 2007–08 season, with a view to a permanent deal. He made his debut for the club in the 2–0 defeat at Sunderland on 29 January as a 66th-minute substitute for Cameron Jerome, and made his first start on 12 March against Portsmouth. He scored his first goal for the club against Reading on 22 March, followed by a brace in their next match against Manchester City in a 3–1 win, and a free-kick that earned a draw against Everton on 12 April. After a total of 4 goals in 14 matches, Zárate left the club at the end of his loan spell, their relegation from the Premier League meaning no extension to the loan would be considered.

Lazio

Zárate…

Zárate was born in Haedo, Buenos Aires, to a footballing family. His father Sergio is a Chilean former professional footballer who played for Independiente de Avellaneda. His mother, Catalina Riga, has Italian origins from Catanzaro in southern Italy. His grandfather Juvenal was Chilean and also a footballer. Mauro is the youngest brother of former footballers Rolando and Ariel, as well as former international Sergio, who acts as Mauro's agent. Mauro's nephew, Tobías, also became a professional footballer.