Miguel Layún
Mexican former right-back who won three league titles with Club América and became the first Mexican to play in Serie A.
Miguel Arturo Layún Prado (born 25 June 1988) is a Mexican former professional footballer who played as a right-back. Over the course of his 17-year career, Layún represented nine clubs across five countries. He is best remembered for his time at Club América, where he won three league titles. During his stint in Europe, he became the first Mexican footballer to play in Serie A. Later, he captured a Primeira Liga championship with Porto, and upon returning to Mexico, he added another league title with Monterrey. An international since 2013, Layún represented Mexico at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups, the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, and two CONCACAF Gold Cups, winning the 2015 edition.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Right-back; Right wing-back
- Nationality
- Mexican
- Born
- 1988, Mexico City
- América era
- Early-to-mid 2010s
- Known for
- Pace
- overlapping runs
- long hair
- International career
- Mexico national team, 2018 FIFA World Cup squad
Lore & Background
Miguel Layún began his professional career in 2006 with Gallos Caliente Tijuana, a Queretaro reserve team in Primera 'A'. He debuted on 5 October 2006 against Monarcas Morelia Primera 'A'. After transferring to Veracruz, he debuted in the Primera División on 28 April 2007 against Necaxa. He scored his only goal for Veracruz on 25 February 2009 in a 5–1 victory against Tampico Madero.
He then had a successful trial with Italian club Atalanta, transferring for €625,000, becoming the first Mexican to play in Serie A. He made his league debut on 27 September 2009 against Chievo, coming on as a substitute in the 82nd minute. On 21 December 2009, he transferred to Club América. He scored his first goal for América on 2 May 2010 in a quarter-final match against Toluca. On 26 May 2013, he scored the final penalty in the shoot-out against Cruz Azul in the Clausura 2013 Final, winning his first league championship.
Prior to the Apertura 2014, he was named one of four players that would captain the club throughout the tournament. He captained the team for the first time on 2 August 2014 against Puebla. On 26 September 2014, he scored four goals in a 4–1 victory over Santos Laguna. On 14 December 2014, he captained América to the league title following a 3–1 aggregate victory over Tigres UANL.
He later played for Watford, Porto, Sevilla (loan), Villarreal, and Monterrey. On 3 June 2021, he returned to Club América signing a one-year deal. On 8 October 2023, he announced he would retire at the end of the year. He played his last match in the Apertura 2023 league’s final, winning the match versus Tigres UANL and retiring as a Liga MX champion for Club America.
Reader's Guide
Miguel Layún is a former right-back known for his speed, attacking and defending ability, and effectiveness on set pieces. He can play as a left-back or right-back. He is of Lebanese and Spanish descent and holds a Spanish passport. He is the second Lebanese-Mexican player after Miguel Sabah to play for the Mexico national team. He and fellow footballer José Abella are second cousins.
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