Biography
Who is Duván Zapata?
Early life and career
Duván Zapata Esteban Zapata Banguero was born on April 1, 1991, in Cali, Colombia. He began his football path at the youth academy of the Colombian club América de Cali in 2004. He was thirteen at the time. By May 2008, he made his debut for the senior team during a match against Boyaca Chico.
During his time with América de Cali, he gained experience in high-stakes matches. He scored his first professional hat-trick in February 2011 against Deportivo Pereira. This performance took place at the Estadio Pascual Guerrero. He departed the club following the 2011 Apertura season.
Playing career in Argentina and Italy
In July 2011, Duván moved to Argentina to join Estudiantes on a loan agreement. He scored on his debut in a victory against Belgrano. He eventually became a fundamental player for the team, scoring sixteen goals in thirty-three games during the 2012 to 2013 season. This success drew attention from various European clubs.
In August 2013, he transferred to the Italian club Napoli. He scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in October of that year against Marseille. He later played for Udinese and Sampdoria before joining Atalanta in July 2018. At Atalanta, he formed a well-known striker partnership with his compatriot Luis Muriel. He helped the team reach the Coppa Italia Final and secure a position in the Champions League. He was named to the Serie A team of the year for the 2018 to 2019 season.
International and recent club achievements
Duván made his international debut for the senior Colombia national team in 2017. He participated in the Copa América tournaments held in 2019 and 2021. He scored his first international goal in a friendly match against Peru in June 2019. He also scored group stage goals against Argentina and Qatar during the 2019 Copa América.
In September 2023, he joined Torino on a loan deal, which became a permanent move in July 2024. He was named the club captain. In October 2024, he suffered an ACL injury during a match against Inter Milan that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He returned to action in December 2025, scoring a goal in a match against Milan.
Style of play
As a striker, Duván is known for his physical strength, speed, and offensive movement. He typically operates in a central attacking role. He possesses a powerful and accurate shot. His height and physique allow him to excel in aerial situations and hold up the ball with his back to the goal.
He is also recognized for his defensive work-rate and willingness to press opponents. His technique and agility make him effective in one-on-one situations. In October 2024, former Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci named him the toughest opponent he had ever faced.
Birthday and age
Duván Zapata was born on April 1, 1991, which makes Duván 35 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Duván shares the date with 56 other famous people.
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