Lenny Lobato

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Lobato and the second or paternal family name is Romanelli.
Lenny Lobato
Personal information
Full name Lenny Ivo Lobato Romanelli
Date of birth (2001-02-03) 3 February 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth Búzios, Brazil
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s) Winger[1]
Team information
Current team
 Sport Recife
Number 77
Youth career
2017–2021 Vélez Sarsfield
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Vélez Sarsfield 40 (2)
2024– → Sport Recife (loan) 8 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 September 2024

Lenny Ivo Lobato Romanelli (born 3 February 2001) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Sport Recife on loan from Argentinian club Vélez Sarsfield.

Club career

Lobato spent six months with Brazilian side Madureira before heading to Argentina.[2] He initially spent time with All Boys of Primera B Nacional, though was unable to remain due to contractual issues.[3] At the age of sixteen, Lobato joined Vélez Sarsfield; via a trial that his El Fortín-supporting uncle had set up, with the help of the latter's brother-in-law Alejandro Chiossi who worked for them.[2][4] It was Lobato's second trial with Vélez, following one he had aged ten.[3][4] The winger soon trained with the first-team squad on numerous occasions; under both Gabriel Heinze and Mauricio Pellegrino.[5] In November 2020, Lobato signed his first professional contract.[6][7]

Lobato was moved into Mauricio Pellegrino's senior squad for the first time on 17 February 2021, as the winger made the bench for a Copa Argentina round of sixty-four encounter with Deportivo Camioneros of Torneo Federal A.[8] With the scoreline at 3–1 to Vélez, Lobato was substituted on in place of Cristian Tarragona for the final seven minutes of the victory at the Estadio Julio Humberto Grondona; he picked up a late yellow card.[8]

International career

Lobato is eligible to represent Argentina or Brazil at international level.[3] He has yet to announce his allegiances for either nation, stating he would treat any call-up equally.[3][9][10] He previously stated that he feels more Brazilian than Argentine when in Argentina, but more Argentine than Brazilian when in Brazil.[3] In regards to club football, he said that he hopes to play in Brazilian football at some point in his career.[9]

Personal life

Lobato is the grandson of 20th century Argentine dancer and actress Nelida Lobato.[3][4] His family, including parents Gabriela and Adrián, were born in Argentina, though Lobato was born in Búzios, Brazil and remained in that country until joining Vélez Sarsfield in 2017.[3][5]

Career statistics

As of 18 February 2021.[8]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Vélez Sarsfield 2021[nb 1] Primera División 0 0 1 0 — 0 0 0 0 1 0
Career total 0 0 1 0 — 0 0 0 0 1 0

Notes

  1. ^ Soccerway counts Copa de la Liga Profesional appearances as league appearances.

References

  1. ^ a b Lenny Lobato at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ a b "Nació en Buzios y es el nieto de una legendaria estrella del espectáculo: Lenny Lobato, la sorpresa brasileña de Vélez en Copa Argentina". Infobae. 17 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Aposta do Vélez poderá ter que escolher entre Brasil ou Argentina". Folha. 9 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "Destacado Fecha 6: Lenny Lobato". Vélez Sarsfield. 17 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Conheça Lenny, a jovem promessa brasileira que brilha na base do Vélez Sarsfield, da Argentina". Globo Esporte. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Una joya de la cantera de Vélez con ADN brasilero". IAM Noticias. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  7. ^ "Vélez profesionalizó a Lenny Lobato". El Rincón del Fútbol. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  8. ^ a b c "Argentina - L. Lobato". Soccerway. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Atacante assina com o Vélez e é o único brasileiro a jogar na Argentina". UOL. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  10. ^ ""SIEMPRE SOÑÉ CON JUGAR EN UN CLUB IMPORTANTE COMO VÉLEZ"". Somos Velez. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2021.