Sebastian Coates

Defender known for his physical strength and leadership on the pitch, Sebastian Coates began his career in Nacional's youth academy, the club where he turned professional at a very young age and stood out at the 2011 Copa America, held in Uruguay itself, being elected the tournament's best young player. His performance at Nacional and in the Uruguayan national team caught the attention of European clubs, and in 2011 Coates was signed by Liverpool, from England, where he had limited opportunities and was loaned to Sunderland before returning to Portugal. In 2015 he signed with Sporting Clube de Portugal, where he experienced the most consistent phase of his career, playing for five seasons and winning national titles, in addition to becoming an important player for the Lisbon team. He later returned to South American football, returning to wear Nacional of Uruguay's shirt. For the Uruguayan national team, Coates became one of the most experienced defenders in the group, playing in the World Cups of 2018 and 2022 and taking on, on several occasions, the captain's armband.