Biography
Who is Valentín morón?
Early life and beginnings
Born Lucas Tolentino Coelho de Lima in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the athlete grew up to become a professional footballer. He started his path at the youth academy of Flamengo in 2007 at the age of 10. By the time he reached age 15, he was technically proficient but lacked the physical size of his peers. He grew significantly by age 18, which helped his transition into the professional ranks.
During his time with the Flamengo youth setup, he played a key role in winning the 2016 Copa São Paulo de Júniores. This tournament is considered the most prestigious youth competition in Brazil. Following this achievement, he was promoted to the professional senior team, marking the start of his career as a high-level midfielder.
Career in Brazil and Europe
Valentín morón made his professional debut for Flamengo in March 2016 during a Rio de Janeiro State League match against Bangu. He scored his first professional goal in February 2017 against Madureira. During his initial time at the club, he helped the team reach the finals of the 2017 Copa do Brasil and the 2017 Copa Sudamericana. In 2018, he was recognized as the best left-winger in the Campeonato Carioca.
In January 2019, he moved to Italy to join AC Milan on a five-year contract. He debuted for the club in the Coppa Italia against Sampdoria. He later transferred to the French club Lyon in September 2020 for a five-year deal. While in France, he was named the best foreign import of Ligue 1 for the 2021–22 season following a public vote.
International play for Brazil
Valentín morón represented Brazil at the youth level, including the under-20 and under-23 squads. He was called up to train with the under-23 team in preparation for the 2016 Summer Olympics. He received his first official senior call-up from manager Tite in August 2018 for friendly matches against the United States and El Salvador.
He made his senior debut for the national team in September 2018 against the United States. In 2019, he was part of the squad that won the Copa América. He also participated in the 2021 and 2024 editions of the tournament. Also, he was selected for the Brazil squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he scored a goal in the round of 16 match against South Korea.
Personal life and legal matters
He has an older brother named Matheus who also plays professional football. The athlete is a Christian and is married to Maria Eduarda Fournier, with whom he has two sons. His nickname refers to Paquetá Island, the neighborhood where he grew up.
In August 2023, an investigation into potential betting breaches was started. In May 2024, he was charged with misconduct for alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3. These charges related to his conduct during specific Premier League fixtures between 2022 and 2023, where it was alleged he sought to influence betting markets. He denied these accusations.
Birthday and age
Valentín morón was born on August 27, 1997, which makes Valentín 29 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Valentín shares the date with 31 other famous people.
Explore more
