In summer 2007, at the hands of then sports director and Blue and Whites’ coach, Juan Ramón Muñiz, a tall central defender arrived in Málaga from the Swiss league. Since his winning debut (3-0) at home against Salamanca, in the Second Division, Weligton showed his defensive qualities that always characterised him: speed on the crosses, impeccable placement, aerial strength, tactical intelligence…an intangible that isn’t reflected in the statistics, the ability to better his teammates in defence. His pairing with Hélder Rosário was unforgettable during the year of First Division promotion (2007/08), as a general defensive captain taking part in 38 matches, all in the starting line-up, 37 of which were complete games.
Since then, he has been in the Spanish footballing elite for nine years wearing the MCF shirt, competing in 217 games (215 in the starting-11, 203 complete), giving an outstanding performance in defence, and scoring nine goals within his incorporations on the attack, particularly at his lucky ground, Gijón’s El Molinón where he ‘always scored’. Weligton was a key part of the best Málaga in history, with the team ending in 4th and 6th place in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 League seasons, the latter being when the Malaguismo dream came true, of competing in and reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
More recently, ‘Weli’ has been indispensable in the dressing room, as a true captain on and off the pitch. Thanks to his commitment and strength, his name is amongst the most standout players in the history of the Club in all denominations. The most significant statistic; after Duda (348) and Gámez (293), he has played the third highest number of matches with Málaga CF (285). The last and perhaps most remembered gesture of the eternal number ‘3’, a symbol of his amazing personal qualities, he yielded his place to Peñaranda during the last winter transfer window, whilst he was recovering from his knee injury.
Weligton, thank you for everything. Málaga is your home and Málaga CF will always be your home. We love you, Mariscal.
