Rony Lopes

Last updated

Rony Lopes
Marcos Lopes 2015.jpg
Lopes training with Lille in 2015
Personal information
Full name Marcos Paulo Mesquita Lopes [1] [2]
Date of birth (1995-12-28) 28 December 1995 (age 29) [1]
Place of birth Belém, Brazil [1]
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) [1]
Position(s)
Team information
Current team
Tondela
Number 16
Youth career
2003–2006 AD Poiares
2006–2011 Benfica
2011–2013 Manchester City
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2013–2015 Manchester City 0 (0)
2014–2015 → Lille (loan) 23 (3)
2015–2019 Monaco 65 (17)
2015 Monaco B 1 (0)
2016–2017 → Lille (loan) 37 (6)
2016 → Lille B (loan) 1 (0)
2019–2023 Sevilla 5 (0)
2020–2021 → Nice (loan) 28 (3)
2021–2022 → Olympiacos (loan) 18 (3)
2022–2023 → Troyes (loan) 32 (7)
2023–2024 Braga 23 (2)
2024–2025 Alanyaspor 15 (0)
2025 → Farense (loan) 14 (1)
2025– Tondela 7 (1)
International career
2010–2011 Portugal U16 8 (3)
2011–2012 Portugal U17 11 (1)
2012 Portugal U18 3 (1)
2012–2014 Portugal U19 24 (14)
2015 Portugal U20 7 (0)
2014–2017 Portugal U21 12 (1)
2017–2018 Portugal 2 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing Flag of Portugal (official).svg  Portugal
UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Runner-up 2014 Hungary
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20:05, 21 December 2025 (UTC)

Marcos Paulo Mesquita "Rony" Lopes (born 28 December 1995) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or right winger for Primeira Liga club Tondela.

Contents

Early life

Born in Belém, Pará, Brazil to a Brazilian father and a Portuguese mother, [3] Lopes moved to Portugal at the age of four. [4] [5]

Club career

Manchester City

Lopes played youth football for Benfica from ages 10 to 15, signing for Manchester City in 2011. [6] He was a surprise addition to the first team's pre-season the following year, but had to wait until 7 January 2013 to make his competitive debut, when he came as an 88th-minute substitute for David Silva in a FA Cup third-round tie against Watford and scored the final goal in the 3–0 win, which made him the youngest ever scorer for the club at the age of 17 years and 9 days. [7]

Lopes was a regular for City's Elite Development Squad in the 2012–13 season, and went on to claim the inaugural Academy Player of the Year award after winning a public vote. [8] He was included in the team that featured in the first match of the UEFA Youth League, netting twice in a 4–1 victory at Viktoria Plzeň. [9] He added a hat-trick in the 6–0 home rout of Bayern Munich. [10]

On 21 January 2014, Lopes started against West Ham United in the second leg of the semi-finals of the Football League Cup. In the game, he assisted Sergio Agüero and Álvaro Negredo to a goal each, in a 3–0 away win (9–0 on aggregate). [11]

On 7 July 2014, Lopes was loaned to Lille until the end of the campaign. [12] His maiden appearance in Ligue 1 occurred on 9 August, in a goalless home draw against Metz. [13] He scored his first goal on 14 September, in a 2–0 victory over Nantes also at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. [14]

Lopes was included in City's squad for their pre-season tour in Australia. [15] On 5 August, he was promoted to the first team alongside Jason Denayer and Kelechi Iheanacho. [16]

Monaco

On 28 August 2015, Lopes joined Ligue 1 side Monaco for £9 million, [17] sharing teams with a host of compatriots including manager Leonardo Jardim. In early January 2016, he was loaned again to Lille until June. [18]

In July 2016, still owned by Monaco, Lopes re-signed at Lille for one season. [19] He scored a brace in the league opener, but in a 3–2 away loss against Metz. [20]

Lopes scored his first competitive goal for the club on 16 September 2017, when he opened a 3–0 league home defeat of Strasbourg. [21] He started for the first time in the UEFA Champions League on 1 November, and scored in the 1–1 group stage away draw with Beşiktaş. [22]

Sevilla

On 14 August 2019, Lopes signed a five-year contract at Sevilla of the Spanish La Liga in part exchange for Wissam Ben Yedder. [23] In his first season, he appeared in only 14 official matches. [24]

On 29 July 2020, Lopes joined Nice on a season-long loan deal with option to buy. [25] On 16 August 2021, in a similar move, he signed with Olympiacos. [26] He scored his first goal for the latter club on 4 December, in a 3–1 away win against OFI. [27]

Lopes served another loan in the 2022–23 campaign, at Troyes in the French top division. [28]

Braga

On 2 August 2023, Lopes signed for Primeira Liga club Braga on a three-year contract and a free transfer, potentially rising to €500,000 depending on clauses being met. [29] He scored his first goal in the competition on 9 September, opening the 3–2 away victory over Moreirense. [30]

Later career

On 16 August 2024, having cut his ties to Braga, who remained entitled to 10% of any future transfer, Lopes agreed to a two-year deal with Turkish Süper Lig's Alanyaspor. [31] In the following transfer window, he returned to Portugal on a five-month loan at Farense. [32]

Lopes remained in the Portuguese top tier for 2025–26, signing a three-year contract with Tondela. [33]

International career

Lopes chose to represent Portugal internationally, [34] winning caps at every youth level. [2] He appeared with the under-20 side at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, playing all matches in New Zealand and helping his country reach the quarter-finals. [35]

On 5 January 2014, still aged 18, Lopes made his debut with the under-21s, playing roughly 20 minutes in a 2–0 win over Macedonia for the 2015 UEFA European Championship qualifiers. [36] He first appeared with the full side on 14 November 2017, replacing Gonçalo Guedes late in the second half of a 1–1 friendly draw against the United States. [37]

Lopes was named in a preliminary 35-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, [38] but did not make the final cut. [39]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 18 May 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup [a] League cup [b] EuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City 2012–13 [40] Premier League —11———11
2013–14 [41] Premier League—1030——40
Total002130000051
Lille (loan) 2014–15 [42] Ligue 1 233—103 [c] 0—273
2015–16 [43] Ligue 11221130——163
2016–17 [43] Ligue 125422002 [d] 0—296
Total609334050007212
Monaco 2015–16 [43] Ligue 120————20
2017–18 [43] Ligue 1381521405 [e] 11 [f] 05017
2018–19 [43] Ligue 12422022001 [f] 0294
2019–20 [43] Ligue 1100000000010
Total6517416251208221
Sevilla 2019–20 [43] La Liga 5020—7 [d] 0—140
Nice (loan) 2020–21 [43] Ligue 128312—4 [d] 0—335
Olympiacos 2021–22 [43] Super League Greece 18331—6 [d] 0—274
Troyes (loan) 2022–23 Ligue 132700———327
Braga 2023–24 Primeira Liga 23232204 [g] 0—324
Career total231411891523112029753
  1. ↑ Includes FA Cup, Coupe de France, Copa del Rey, Greek Football Cup, Taça de Portugal
  2. ↑ Includes Football League Cup, Coupe de la Ligue, Taça da Liga
  3. ↑ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Europa League
  4. 1 2 3 4 Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  6. 1 2 Appearance in Trophée des Champions
  7. ↑ Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Europa League

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year [44]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Portugal 201710
201810
Total20

Honours

Manchester City

Lille

Monaco

Sevilla

Olympiacos

Braga

Portugal U19

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Rony Lopes" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  2. 1 2 Iannacca, Márcio (14 August 2014). "Joia brasileira da sub-20 veste a 10 de Portugal e admite: "Coração dividido"" [Under-20 Brazilian gem wears the Portuguese number 10 and admits: "Torn heart"] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte . Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  3. ↑ Azevedo, Afonso (8 September 2016). "Entre Brasil e Portugal, enquanto brilha em França" [Between Brazil and Portugal, while he shines in France] (in Portuguese). Bet.pt. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  4. ↑ "Ronny Lopes, 16 (Manchester City)" (in Portuguese). Olheiro. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  5. ↑ Tomé, Bruno (15 February 2014). "Bloco de notas: Os jovens talentos que estão a fugir de Portugal" [Notebook: The young talents that are fleeing Portugal] (in Portuguese). Futebol 365. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "Rony confirmado no Manchester City" [Rony confirmed at Manchester City] (in Portuguese). ESPBR. 11 July 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  7. ↑ "Marcos makes his mark". Manchester City F.C. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  8. ↑ Pollard, Rob (8 April 2015). "What role will Marcos Lopes play for Manchester City in 2015/16 season?". Bleacher Report . Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  9. ↑ "Marcos Lopes bisa na estreia da competição" [Marcos Lopes grabs brace in competition premiere]. Record (in Portuguese). 17 September 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  10. ↑ "Lopes scores three as City put six past Bayern". UEFA. 2 October 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  11. ↑ Jurejko, Jonathan (21 January 2014). "West Ham United 0–3 Manchester City". BBC Sport . Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  12. ↑ "Transfer news: Manchester City midfielder Marcos Lopes joins Lille on loan". Sky Sports. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  13. ↑ "French Ligue 1 report: Goalless between Lille and Metz". Sky Sports. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  14. ↑ "Origi inspires Lille to top of the table". Ligue 1. 15 September 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  15. ↑ "Official tour 2015 squad list". Manchester City F.C. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  16. ↑ ".@Jasondenayer, @Rony10Lopes & @67Kelechi on stage now. Three academy graduates promoted to the first team. #citylive". Twitter. 5 August 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  17. ↑ "Lopes joins Monaco". Manchester City F.C. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  18. ↑ "Transfert – France: Rony Lopes (Monaco) prêté à Lille" [Transfer – France: Rony Lopes (Monaco) loaned to Lille]. Le Parisien (in French). 7 January 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  19. ↑ "LOSC: Rony Lopes reste à Lille une saison de plus" [LOSC: Rony Lopes remains at Lille for another season] (in French). France 3. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  20. ↑ "Le LOSC s'écroule à Metz" [LOSC collapse at Metz] (in French). France 3. 14 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  21. ↑ "Falcao stars as Monaco sweep past Strasbourg". Ligue 1. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  22. ↑ Clément, Anthony; Testelin, Régis (1 November 2017). "Les notes de Besiktas – Monaco" [The grades of Besiktas – Monaco]. L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  23. ↑ "El Sevilla ficha a Rony Lopes por cinco temporadas" [Sevilla sign Rony Lopes for five seasons]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 14 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  24. ↑ Cáceres, Ignacio (12 July 2020). "Vieira quiere a Rony Lopes en su Niza" [Vieira wants Rony Lopes in his Nice] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  25. ↑ "Rony Lopes loaned to OGC Nice, with option to buy". OGC Nice. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  26. ↑ Cholidis, Kostas (16 August 2021). "Ολυμπιακός: Προσγειώθηκε στην Αθήνα ο Ρόνι Λόπες" [Olympiacos: Rony Lopes landed in Athens] (in Greek). Sport 24. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  27. ↑ Konstantopoulos, Vassilis (4 December 2021). "ΟΦΗ – Ολυμπιακός 1–3: Διπλό με… Σισέ-ντερ φορ! (vids)" [ΟFI – Οlympiacos 1–3: Brace for Cissé! (video)] (in Greek). Nova Sports. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  28. ↑ Pulido, Rafael (24 August 2022). "Oficial: Cesión de Rony Lopes al Troyes" [Official: Rony Lopes loan to Troyes]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  29. ↑ "Rony Lopes É Gverreiro!" [Rony Lopes Is Gverreiro!] (in Portuguese). S.C. Braga. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  30. ↑ Delgado, Evandro (9 September 2023). "Braga vence Moreirense com golo aos 90+6 e sobe ao 7.º lugar" [Braga beat Moreirense with 90+6 goal and climb to 7th place] (in Portuguese). SAPO . Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  31. ↑ "OFICIAL: Rony Lopes deixa Sp. Braga e ruma à Turquia" [OFFICIAL: Rony Lopes leaves Sp. Braga and heads to Turkey] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  32. ↑ "OFICIAL: Farense anuncia contratação de Rony Lopes" [OFFICIAL: Farense announce signing of Rony Lopes] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  33. ↑ "Rony Lopes é o 12.º reforço do Tondela" [Rony Lopes is Tondela's 12th addition]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 1 September 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  34. ↑ Teixeira, Nuno R. (27 August 2014). "Marcos Lopes quer representar Portugal no Mundial sub-20 (com fotos)" [Marcos Lopes wants to represent Portugal at the under-20 World Cup (with pictures)] (in Portuguese). Relvado. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  35. ↑ "Brazil through as profligate Portugal pay the penalty". FIFA. 14 June 2015. Archived from the original on 16 June 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  36. ↑ Santos, Carlos Jorge (5 March 2014). "Perfect Portugal dispatch FYROM". UEFA. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  37. ↑ "Golo com sabor a frango valeu empate à seleção nacional" [Chicken-flavoured ("Chicken" a Portuguese word for blunder) goal provided draw to the national team]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 14 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  38. ↑ "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad – 23-man & preliminary lists & when will they be announced?". Goal. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  39. ↑ "Nearly half Portugal's Euro squad to miss World Cup". Special Broadcasting Service. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  40. ↑ "Games played by Rony Lopes in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Rony Lopes in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  42. ↑ "Games played by Rony Lopes in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  43. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Rony Lopes at Soccerway
  44. ↑ Rony Lopes at EU-Football.info
  45. ↑ "Olympiacos, de Pedro Martins, sagra-se tricampeão na Grécia" [Olympiacos, of Pedro Martins, are back-to-back-to-back champions in Greece]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 4 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  46. ↑ Vaza, Marco (27 January 2024). "Sp. Braga vence a Taça da Liga pela terceira vez" [Sp. Braga win League Cup for the third time]. Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved 28 January 2024.