Marcelo Carrusca
Marcelo Carrusca | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marcelo Adrián Carrusca September 1, 1983 La Plata, Argentina |
| Occupation(s) | Retired professional soccer player, Head of Junior Development at Adelaide United |
| Years active | 2001–2019 |
| Known for | Professional football career as attacking midfielder; Head of Junior Development at Adelaide United |
Marcelo Adrián Carrusca (; born 1 September 1983) is a retired Argentine-Australian professional soccer player who operated primarily as an attacking midfielder. He currently holds the position of Head of Junior Development at Adelaide United.
Originating from La Plata, Carrusca launched his professional journey with Estudiantes de La Plata before making a move to Turkish side Galatasaray in 2006. Following a loan period at Mexican club Cruz Azul, he returned to Estudiantes in 2009 and subsequently went on loan to Banfield. After spending a season at San Martín de San Juan, he joined the Australian A-League team Adelaide United in 2012, where he played for five years.
On the international stage, Carrusca represented Argentina’s under-20 national team, playing a key role in their triumph at the 2003 South American U-20 Championship and competing in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. He became an Australian citizen in 2017.
Club career
Carrusca rose through the ranks of the youth academy at Estudiantes de La Plata, making his first-team debut in 2001. Over five seasons, he appeared in 103 league matches and scored 12 goals.
On 27 July 2006, he secured a five-year deal with Turkish outfit Galatasaray valued at approximately €1.8 million. However, after one season, then-manager Karl Heinz Feldkamp indicated plans to transfer Carrusca to free up a foreign player slot.
Limited opportunities at Galatasaray led to Carrusca being loaned out for the 2008–09 campaign to Mexican Primera División club Cruz Azul. He later rejoined Estudiantes for the 2009–10 Argentine Primera División season and participated in the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup.
On 8 July 2010, Carrusca was loaned to Banfield from Estudiantes, stepping in for departing left winger James Rodríguez.
Adelaide United
Carrusca signed a two-year contract with A-League side Adelaide United on 3 August 2012.
He showcased an impressive display on 7 December 2012 during a 4–2 victory over Melbourne Victory, contributing one goal and two assists.
After obtaining Australian citizenship on 23 May 2017, Carrusca qualified as a non-visa player within the A-League.
In July 2017, it was announced that under new head coach Marco Kurz, he would not be offered a contract extension by Adelaide United.
Melbourne City
Carrusca joined A-League club Melbourne City on a one-year contract on 12 September 2017.
Western Sydney Wanderers
On 11 January 2018, Carrusca and Melbourne City agreed to end his contract by mutual consent, after which he signed with Western Sydney Wanderers to complete the remainder of the 2017–18 A-League campaign.
Retirement
Carrusca announced his retirement from professional football in May 2019 to dedicate himself to coaching. He currently runs a football academy in Adelaide aimed at nurturing young talent.
International career
At the youth international level, Carrusca represented Argentina's U-20 team, where he scored twice across 16 matches and took part in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.
Honours
Galatasaray
- Turkish League title: 2007–08
Adelaide United
- A-League Championship winner: 2015–16
- A-League Premiership winner: 2015–16
- FFA Cup champion: 2014
Argentina
- CONMEBOL U-20 Championship winner: 2003
Individual
- Selected for the A-League PFA Team of the Season in 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2014–15
- Named an A-League All Star in both 2013 and 2014
External links
- at Fútbol XXI
- Player statistics at Irish Times