Romel Morales Explained

Romel Morales
Fullname:Romel Oswaldo Morales Ramírez
Birth Date:1997 8, df=yes
Birth Place:Villavicencio, Colombia
Height:1.87 m
Currentclub:Johor Darul Ta'zim
Clubnumber:19
Position:Forward
Youthyears1:2011–2014
Youthclubs1:River Plate
Youthyears2:2014–2016
Youthclubs2:Banfield
Years1:2016–2017
Clubs1:Banfield
Caps1:1
Goals1:0
Years2:2018–2019
Clubs2:PKNS
Caps2:43
Goals2:10
Years3:2020
Clubs3:Melaka United
Caps3:11
Goals3:3
Years4:2021–2023
Clubs4:Kuala Lumpur City
Caps4:60
Goals4:18
Years5:2024–
Clubs5:Johor Darul Ta'zim
Caps5:0
Goals5:0
Club-Update:26 November 2023
Nationalyears1:2024–
Nationalteam1:Malaysia
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:1

Romel Oswaldo Morales Ramírez (born 23 August 1997) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Malaysia Super League club Johor Darul Ta'zim. Born in Colombia, he represents the Malaysia national team.

Club career

Morales started at Churta-Millos football school in Bogotá, then his parents decided that he show move to River Plate at 14 years of age.

Banfield

In 2014, Morales moved to Argentinian club Banfield. He made his professional debut on 20 March 2016, replacing Walter Erviti in 1–1 draw against River Plate at the Más Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.

PKNS

After six years in Argentina, Morales decided to continue his career in Malaysia, where he signed with PKNS. He made his debut on 3 February 2018, in a 2–2 draw against Terengganu II.

Melaka United

On 12 November 2019, Melaka United announced the signing of Morales for the following 2020 Malaysia Super League season.

Kuala Lumpur City

Morales joined Malaysia Super League club Kuala Lumpur City in January 2021. He was part of the team that won the 2021 Malaysia Cup and emerged as the top scorer of the competition with 10 goals. Morales was also part of the squad where the club reached the 2022 AFC Cup Final.

International career

After a five-year stay in the country, on 19 December 2023, Morales was naturalised as a Malaysian citizen.[1] [2] He made his official debut against Jordan during the group stage at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup held in Qatar. He scored his first goal for Malaysia on 25 January 2024 in a 90+14th stoppage time equalizer in the 3–3 draw against South Korea.[3]

Career statistics

Club

[4]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
PKNS2018Malaysia Super League2136283358
2019Malaysia Super League2273062319
Total431092!145006617
Melaka United2020Malaysia Super League1130010123
Kuala Lumpur City2021Malaysia Super League2250011103315
2022Malaysia Super League1851042272308
2023Malaysia Super League2081100219
Total601811!1512727326
Career total1142411330177215146

International goals

Senior

Honours

Club

Kuala Lumpur City

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Colombian footballer Morales set to play for Malaysia | New Straits Times . 7 June 2023 .
  2. Web site: Morales set to give Harimau Malaya more bite in Asian Cup finals . 2024-05-04. The Vibes . en.
  3. Web site: K-Drama at the Asian Cup as Harimau Malaya hold South Korea in final group game . 2024-03-08. The Star . en.
  4. News: Romel Morales . Soccerway . 24 November 2018.