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Nery Castillo
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Nery Alberto Castillo Confalonieri (born 13 June 1984) is a Mexican former professional footballer who played as a forward.

Key Information

Early years

[edit]

Nery Castillo was born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, where his father, a Uruguayan professional footballer, had played for the local team of San Luis. He is also of Italian descent.[1]

The family moved to South America while Castillo was still a small child. He started playing for Uruguayan side Danubio's youth team. While playing in a Brazilian tournament, Castillo was spotted by scouts from European clubs. He went on to trials with Manchester United,[2] but failed to obtain a work permit and the transfer did not materialise.[3][4]

Club career

[edit]

Olympiacos

[edit]

At the age of 16, Castillo's father and agent accepted an offer from the Greek club Olympiacos. Three years after he joined Olympiacos, Castillo became a regular starter in both domestic and European competitions. He became a fan favourite with the Gate 7 Ultras and was even given the number 7 shirt in deference to them.[5] Castillo was part of the Olympiacos squad that won the next three consecutive league titles. He was the club's leading scorer during the preparatory phase for the 2006–07 season, accumulating seven goals in friendly games. He finished the season second to Rivaldo in goals scored and assists for the club, with three goals scored in five Champions League games.

In early 2006, his father and agent began negotiations with Mexican club Guadalajara, but talks were suspended because Olympiacos weren't interested in selling the player at the time.

Subsequently, in 2007, Olympiacos accepted Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk's offer of €20 million for Castillo's services. Castillo therefore, did not want to leave the club as he was satisfied. He did this, after big pressure from president's son Petros Kokkalis due to the large offer.[6] Before this, in what Castillo correctly anticipated would be his last game for Olympiacos, he scored with a free kick shot, after "stealing" the kick from the teammate who was preparing to take it.

Shakhtar Donetsk

[edit]

On 31 July 2007, Castillo joined Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk on a five-year contract for a fee of €20 million.[7] This became the most expensive transfer for a Ukrainian club to date.[8]

Castillo scored his first goal for Shakhtar while playing against SV Salzburg in the Champions League. He had only played in a few games for Shakhtar when, in a league match versus FC Naftovyk-Ukrnafta Okhtyrka, Shakhtar won a penalty kick. Castillo refused to give the ball to designated penalty kick-taker Cristiano Lucarelli and took the penalty himself, which was saved by the goalkeeper.[9] Castillo was immediately substituted from the game. Coach Mircea Lucescu commented "What Castillo did, from a professional point of view, I've never seen anything like it before in my whole life. There will be some measures taken against Castillo".[10]

Manchester City (loan)

[edit]

On 18 December 2007, it was announced that Castillo had signed a one-year loan agreement with Manchester City,[11] commencing on 1 January 2008. Reportedly Castillo was keen to make the move happen and, in a highly unusual move, paid half of the loan fee himself.[2] Sven-Göran Eriksson commented "He was desperate to come to us, desperate to come to England, desperate to come to the Premier League", and said he had never seen a player pay for half the transfer deal himself before.[2]

Castillo played his first game for Manchester City on 5 January 2008 in the third round of the FA Cup, away to West Ham United. However, in the replay on 16 January 2008, his first home appearance for the club, he was stretchered off after 32 minutes with a broken shoulder.[12]

He ended the season with nine appearances, seven of them coming in the Premier League. Failing to secure a place at Manchester City, Castillo returned to Shakhtar Donetsk at the end of his loan in January 2009.[citation needed]

Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (loan)

[edit]

After Shakhtar Donetsk had failed to even include Castillo on the bench for the first two matches of the 2009/2010 season he was loaned to Ukrainian league rivals Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk for a year on 30 July 2009.

Chicago Fire (loan)

[edit]

On 17 July 2010, the Chicago Fire announced the signing of Castillo as their newest Designated Player. He arrived on loan with Chicago holding the option to make the transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk permanent. In being signed as a designated player, he became the second youngest designated player in Major League Soccer history.[13]

Aris

[edit]

Castillo joined Aris on a six-month loan on 19 January 2011.[14] He played his first game for Aris on 30 January 2011, against local rivals PAOK.

Castillo terminated his contract with Shakhtar Donetsk and signed a two-year contract with Aris on 1 July 2011.[15]

He scored his first league goal for Aris of the 2011/12 season on 8 January 2012 in a 1–0 win over PAS Giannina. He scored his first brace in a 3–1 victory over Doxa Drama on 22 January. He scored his second consecutive brace seven days later in a 2–1 win over Levadiakos. Castillo scored again on 5 February in a 2–0 win over Xanthi, bringing his goal tally to six.

Pachuca

[edit]

On 14 June 2012, Castillo joined Liga MX club Pachuca on a three-year contract.

León (loan)

[edit]

On 10 December 2012, Castillo was loaned to Club León for six months, for whom he made seven appearances in total.

Rayo Vallecano

[edit]

On 9 July 2013, Castillo joined Spanish club Rayo Vallecano on a free transfer.[16]

International career

[edit]

Choosing nationality

[edit]

Castillo was eligible for citizenship in four countries; Uruguay because his father is from there; Italy due to his maternal grandparents; Greece because he resided there for more than six years and Mexico where he was born.[17]

His first experience of international football came when he was called up to a Uruguay U-17 training camp. However, he was released after playing a few friendly games.[17] Next the Greek coach Otto Rehhagel tried to secure his services for the Greece national football team.[18] Greece were reportedly willing to pay Castillo $800,000, including fast-tracked citizenship as part of the offer.[17]

Ultimately, Castillo decided to play for the country of his birth and joined the Mexico national football team.

Mexico national team

[edit]

He made his international debut for Mexico on 2 June 2007 vs Iran, in his hometown San Luis Potosí with Mexico winning the game 4–0,[19] and went on to represent his country in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he scored his first international goal against Cuba, and in the 2007 Copa America.

In the 2007 Copa America, a pre-tournament injury to Jared Borgetti gave Castillo a starting berth,[20] and he scored l in Mexico's first match of the tournament, a 2–0 win against Brazil.[21]

He scored again against Ecuador, as Mexico secured a place in the knockout stages,[21] and scored a brace in the quarter-final against Paraguay, the first goal from the penalty spot.[22] Overall, Castillo was the third highest goal scorer of the tournament with four goals, behind Juan Román Riquelme and Robinho.[23]

Relationship with the Mexican media

[edit]

During a press conference on 25 March 2009 that was held after a training session for the national team ahead of a match against Costa Rica, Nery Castillo clashed with Mexican reporters, who were questioning his fitness and discipline following his late arrival at the camp. After a heating exchange, he finally responds and ended the exchange by saying: “La diferencia es que yo estoy en Europa y tú estás en México, y siempre te vas a quedar en México.” (“The difference is that I am in Europe and you are in Mexico, and you will always remain in Mexico.”) [24] The comment was widely interpreted by parts of the media as arrogant and Malinchista, and, in the same interview, reporters respond calling him "malinchista".

Since, the incident in 2005, video recordings of the press-conference circulated widely among fans and on social media. According to fan reactions observed in public forums and highlight clips, many Mexican supporters used the incident to highlight what they saw as the absurdity of the Mexico national football team, and the Mexican Football Federation.[25]

After retirement

[edit]

Following his retirement from football, he dedicated himself to selling fishing equipment and gear in Athens, Greece. He also has a branch in fournoi island near Ikaria.[26]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of 20 July 2015
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Olympiacos 2000–01 Alpha Ethniki 1 0 3 1 — 4 1
2001–02 Alpha Ethniki 1 0 7 1 — 8 1
2002–03 Alpha Ethniki 9 3 7 1 — 16 4
2003–04 Alpha Ethniki 26 7 8 2 5 2 39 11
2004–05 Alpha Ethniki 26 6 4 1 5 0 35 7
2005–06 Alpha Ethniki 17 2 5 2 — 22 4
2006–07 Super League Greece 25 12 5 0 5 3 35 15
Shakhtar Donetsk 2007–08 Vyshcha Liha 8 0 1 0 5 1 14 1
Manchester City 2007–08 Premier League 7 0 2 0 — 9 0
Shakhtar 2008–09 Ukrainian Premier League 4 1 — — 4 1
Dnipro 2008–09 Ukrainian Premier League 3 0 — — 3 0
Chicago Fire 2010 Major League Soccer 8 0 — — 8 0
Aris 2010–11 Super League Greece 10 2 — 1 0 11 2
2011–12 Super League Greece 20 6 1 1 — 21 7
Pachuca 2012–13 Liga MX 13 1 2 0 — 15 1
León 2012–13 Liga MX 7 0 — 2 0 9 0
Rayo Vallecano 2013–14 La Liga 11 2 4 0 — 15 2
Total 196 42 49 9 23 6 268 57

International

[edit]
As of match played 6 September 2009[27]
National team Year Apps Goals
Mexico 2007 12 5
2008 3 0
2009 6 1
Total 21 6

International goals

[edit]
International goals
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 8 June 2007 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, United States  Cuba 2–1 2–1 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup
2 27 June 2007 Polideportivo Cachamay, Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela  Brazil 1–0 2–0 2007 Copa América
3 1 July 2007 Estadio Monumental de Maturín, Maturín, Venezuela  Ecuador 1–0 2–1 2007 Copa América
4 8 July 2007 Estadio Monumental de Maturín, Maturín, Venezuela  Paraguay 1–0 6–0 2007 Copa América
5 8 July 2007 Estadio Monumental de Maturín, Maturín, Venezuela  Paraguay 3–0 6–0 2007 Copa América
6 1 April 2009 Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras  Honduras 1–3 1–3 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

[edit]

Olympiacos

Shakhtar Donetsk

Individual

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Nery Castillo

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Nery Alberto Castillo Confalonieri is a retired professional footballer who played primarily as a right winger, as well as a centre-forward and second striker, during a career spanning from 1999 to 2014. Born on June 13, 1984, in , , he stood at 1.70 meters tall and held citizenship in , , , and . Castillo began his professional career with Danubio in in 1999 before joining Olympiacos in in 2000, where he played until 2007 and contributed to three consecutive Greek Super League titles. He then transferred to Shakhtar Donetsk in from 2007 to 2011, during which he had loan spells at Manchester City in 2008 and the Chicago Fire in in 2010. Later, he returned to European football with in , where he made his final professional appearances in 2014 before retiring at age 30. On the international stage, Castillo represented 21 times between 2007 and 2009, scoring 6 goals. His notable achievements include helping Mexico secure a runner-up finish at the and a third-place result at the . Following his retirement, Castillo settled in and opened Nery's Fishing, a retail store for enthusiasts, marking a shift to a post-football life away from the sport. Throughout his career, he faced personal challenges, including the loss of both parents to cancer and periods of depression after his move to , which he discussed in interviews.

Early life

Birth and family background

Nery Alberto Castillo Confalonieri was born on June 13, 1984, in , , to Uruguayan parents. His father, Nery Castillo Sr., was a professional footballer from who was playing for the local club San Luis at the time of his son's birth. The family relocated to , , when Nery was two years old, following his father's return to his home country after completing his contract in . He holds Italian citizenship through his family's heritage, in addition to Mexican and Uruguayan nationalities. Raised in Montevideo, Castillo developed an early interest in football influenced by his father's profession. This dual cultural exposure between Mexico and Uruguay later contributed to his eligibility for international representation.

Youth career and early moves

Castillo began his football journey in the youth academy of Danubio in Uruguay, where he developed his skills after moving to Montevideo at a young age. He also represented Uruguay at the youth international level, including the U-17 team. Progressing through the club's ranks, he honed his abilities as an attacking midfielder and forward, drawing attention for his technical prowess and vision on the ball. At the age of 15, Castillo made his professional debut for Danubio's senior team in 1999, becoming one of the youngest players to feature in the . Over the following year, he gained experience in the league, showcasing his potential despite limited senior appearances before transitioning abroad. His early promise and standout performances in caught the eye of European scouts, leading to a transfer to Olympiacos in during the summer of 2000 for a fee of €60,000. This move marked the end of his youth phase and the beginning of his professional career in Europe, influenced by the technical style he absorbed from his Uruguayan upbringing.

Club career

Olympiacos

Nery Castillo joined Olympiacos in the summer of 2000 at the age of 16, arriving from the youth setup of Uruguayan club Danubio, where he had already shown early promise. After developing in the club's youth ranks, he signed a professional contract and broke into the first team during the 2004–05 season, featuring in 10 Greek Super League matches that year. Under coach Dušan Bajevic, Castillo adapted quickly to the physical demands of the Greek Super League, transitioning from a youth prospect to a key winger and forward known for his explosive pace, dribbling ability, and goal-scoring instinct. He became a regular starter by the 2005–06 campaign, contributing significantly on the right flank and in attacking roles, often linking up with teammates like Giovanni and to create dynamic plays. During his seven-year stint with Olympiacos from 2000 to 2007, Castillo helped the club secure six Greek Super League titles (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007) and two Greek Cups (2005, 2006), establishing himself as a pivotal figure in the team's domestic dominance. His standout performance came in the 2006–07 season, where he netted 9 goals in 23 league appearances, showcasing his clinical finishing and earning widespread acclaim. One of Castillo's most memorable moments was scoring a in a 3–0 league victory over Panionios on August 27, 2006, demonstrating his lethal form in front of goal. He also contributed 5 goals in 16 appearances for the club, including crucial strikes that highlighted his impact in European competitions. His flair and direct style made him a fan favorite in , where supporters adored his relentless energy and ability to turn matches single-handedly.

Shakhtar Donetsk and loans

In July 2007, Nery Castillo transferred from Olympiacos to Shakhtar Donetsk for a reported €20 million fee, signing a five-year contract amid high expectations following his standout performances in , where he had scored 30 s in 105 appearances. Despite the promise, Castillo's time at Shakhtar was severely limited by persistent injuries and subsequent s, resulting in just 18 total appearances and 2 s across all competitions during his tenure from 2007 to 2011. In the 2008–09 season, after returning from , he made only 4 appearances and scored 1 , contributing minimally to Shakhtar's runners-up finish in the league and their Cup victory. Castillo's challenges at Shakhtar were exacerbated by a series of injuries, including a fractured bone in January 2008 that sidelined him for up to six weeks and a subsequent calf problem that further delayed his integration into the squad. These setbacks, combined with tactical mismatches in Ukraine's physical style of play, prompted Shakhtar to loan him out repeatedly to revive his career. In December 2007, shortly after joining Shakhtar, Castillo was loaned to Manchester City for one year, arriving with optimism but struggling to adapt to the 's intensity. He made 9 appearances across all competitions—7 in the and 2 in the —without scoring, hampered by his early shoulder injury and ongoing fitness issues that limited him to just 487 minutes played. The loan ended in January 2009, with Castillo returning to Shakhtar unable to secure a permanent move or regular playing time. Seeking more opportunities, Castillo joined on loan for the 2009–10 season in July 2009, another Ukrainian club, in hopes of rebuilding form closer to home. However, his stint proved unproductive, with only 3 league appearances and 69 minutes played, yielding no goals amid continued adaptation struggles and limited trust from the coaching staff. Despite reaching the quarterfinals, Castillo's involvement was negligible, underscoring persistent injury concerns and tactical fit issues that kept him on the fringes. By mid-2010, with his Shakhtar contract winding down and opportunities scarce, Castillo was loaned to Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire on July 17, 2010, as a Designated Player with an option for permanence. He appeared in 8 regular-season matches, logging 487 minutes but failing to score or assist, as the Fire finished 10th in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs. Injuries, including lingering knee problems from prior seasons, and difficulties adjusting to MLS's pace contributed to his underwhelming output, leading Chicago to decline the purchase option at the loan's end. Overall, Castillo's loans from Shakhtar—totaling 20 appearances and 0 goals across Manchester City, , and —highlighted a turbulent period marked by recurrent injuries (particularly to his , calf, and knees) and challenges in regaining the explosive form that defined his Olympiacos days, ultimately eroding his standing at the Ukrainian club.

Aris and return to Mexico

In the summer of 2011, following an initial spell earlier that year, Nery Castillo secured a free transfer to from Shakhtar , marking his return to Greek football after a previous stint with Olympiacos. During the 2011–12 season, he featured in 20 league matches, scoring 6 goals to become Aris's top scorer and helping the team secure a mid-table 9th-place finish. Seeking to return to Mexico after years abroad, Castillo joined side on a free transfer in July 2012, signing a three-year contract under manager . In the 2012–13 season, he made 13 league appearances and scored 1 goal, contributing to 's efforts to stabilize their position; the club finished 18th in the Apertura but rebounded to 6th in the Clausura, avoiding relegation via the quotient table. Midway through the season, in January 2013, Castillo was loaned to for the Clausura tournament to aid their title challenge. He appeared in 7 league matches without scoring, as León clinched the championship—their first league title since 1992—before he returned to at the end of June. Back at , ongoing contract disagreements prompted a mutual termination of his deal in July 2013, allowing Castillo to become a . This phase of his career was hampered by persistent injuries and a noticeable dip in form as he entered his late 20s, limiting his playing time and output compared to earlier peaks.

Final years in Spain

In July 2013, Nery Castillo joined on a one-year free transfer from , marking his return to European football after stints in . The 29-year-old international, who held Italian, Uruguayan, and Greek passports, was unveiled at the club's training ground shortly after the deal received administrative approval. During the 2013–14 La Liga season, Castillo made 11 appearances for , accumulating 455 minutes on the pitch and scoring 2 goals, both in a 2–5 home defeat to on 6 January 2014. His debut came in late September 2013 against after recovering from pre-season muscular issues, but ongoing fitness problems limited his involvement, including a thigh muscle tear in October that sidelined him for four to six weeks. These injuries contributed to sparse playing time, with Castillo often used as a substitute in a team that finished 12th in the league. Rayo Vallecano did not renew Castillo's contract at the end of the 2013–14 season, after which he did not secure another professional deal in . Over his club career spanning multiple leagues in , , and the , Castillo amassed 196 appearances and 42 goals. He officially announced his retirement from professional football in April 2017, at age 32, having last played competitively in 2014.

International career

Nationality eligibility

Nery Castillo was eligible to represent , , and at the international level due to his birthplace, family background, and ancestry, as well as through long-term residency. Born on June 13, 1984, in , , to Uruguayan parents—with his father from and maternal grandparents from —he acquired Mexican by birth while also gaining Uruguayan and Italian through his parents and grandparents. His family relocated to when he was two years old, where he gained long-term residency. Raised primarily in Uruguay, Castillo developed his early football skills there and received youth international call-ups for the Uruguayan under-20 team, though he never made a senior appearance for . Under FIFA's eligibility regulations in effect during the mid-2000s, which permitted a one-time switch of national association for players who had not yet debuted at the senior level—provided they met or residency criteria—Castillo was able to change allegiance amid competing interests from the Mexican and Uruguayan federations. This rule, outlined in FIFA's Statutes (2004 edition), emphasized a "clear connection" to the chosen nation, which Castillo satisfied through his Mexican birth and Uruguayan upbringing, ultimately leading him to opt for despite his deeper formative years in Uruguay.

Representation for Mexico

Nery Castillo made his senior debut for the national team on June 2, 2007, in a 4–0 friendly victory over in . Born in but eligible for through his father and via his club career, he opted to represent El Tri, committing to the side under coach . Castillo quickly established himself in the , where he featured in all of 's matches en route to the final. He scored his first international goal in a 2–1 group-stage win against on June 8 at , opening the scoring with a left-footed strike. In the semifinal against , which won 1–0 thanks to Pavel Pardo's penalty, Castillo provided key attacking threat on the left flank, helping secure progression to the final against the , where finished as runners-up after a 2–1 defeat. His performances propelled him into the squad, where Castillo emerged as a standout, scoring four goals in four matches to become Mexico's top scorer and the tournament's third-highest behind Argentina's and 's . He netted the opener in a historic 2–0 group-stage upset over on June 27, flicking the ball over the defender before volleying past goalkeeper . Against , he scored in a 2–1 win, and in the quarterfinals versus , he bagged a brace—including a penalty after the keeper's red card—in a 6–0 rout, advancing Mexico to the semifinals. Mexico ultimately took after a 3–1 semifinal loss to and a 3–1 third-place win over . Castillo continued to earn call-ups for 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying, contributing a goal in a 1–3 loss to on April 1, 2009. qualified for the , though Castillo did not make the final squad. He also appeared in the , playing limited minutes as reached the knockout stage. In total, Castillo won 21 caps for between 2007 and 2009, scoring six goals, with his international career tapering due to club form and injuries. His last appearance came on September 5, 2009, in a 3–0 qualifying victory over . By 2012, amid ongoing club challenges, he effectively retired from international duty to focus on his professional commitments abroad.

Post-retirement

Transition from football

Nery Castillo effectively retired from professional football in 2014 at the age of 30, after his last appearance with on January 18 of that year, due to a series of recurrent injuries including muscle tears in his thigh that prevented a sustained return to the pitch. He formally announced his retirement in April 2017 at age 32, citing a loss of interest in the sport amid ongoing physical setbacks from his time at clubs like Shakhtar Donetsk. During the transitional period from 2014 to 2017, Castillo explored limited involvement in lower-level football, nearly signing an unofficial contract with Ermis Zonianion, a third-division team in , in October 2016 as a way to ease back into playing, though the deal did not materialize. This brief consideration highlighted his struggle to fully detach from the game while grappling with the physical limitations imposed by his injury history. Immediately following his official , Castillo transitioned into media roles, appearing in interviews on outlets like in 2017 to reflect on his career highs and the personal toll of injuries and depression stemming from family losses. These appearances provided an outlet for analysis of and European football, though they were sporadic through 2019 as he focused on rebuilding his life outside the sport. The adjustment period proved challenging, as Castillo navigated the emotional void left by football's absence, compounded by earlier bouts of depression triggered by his parents' deaths from cancer in and cultural adaptation issues during his Ukrainian stint. He relocated his family to , —where he had built connections during his Olympiacos and Aris days—opting for stability in a familiar environment rather than an immediate return to , allowing time to redefine his identity beyond the pitch.

Current business and personal life

Following his retirement from professional football in 2014, Nery Castillo transitioned into by opening Nery's Fishing, a retail store specializing in gear, in , , in 2017; the venture was inspired by his longstanding personal hobby of , which provided a contrast to the demands of his athletic career. Although he briefly attempted to launch a similar business in around that time, it did not succeed, leading him to establish and maintain the operation successfully in . By 2025, Castillo remained actively involved in the business, frequently sharing updates on about fishing activities and products from locations in , such as the of Lipsi. In September 2025, sports analyst Rafa Puente highlighted Castillo's complete dedication to this retail endeavor in a public tweet, framing it as a formal farewell to any lingering ties with professional soccer and emphasizing his fulfillment in selling fishing equipment. This shift underscores Castillo's post-retirement focus on a quieter, passion-driven life away from competitive sports. Castillo resides in , where he leads a low-profile centered on family and leisure pursuits, including as a means of relaxation and after the physical and emotional challenges of his playing days. The activity has served as a therapeutic outlet, helping him navigate personal losses, such as the deaths of his parents from cancer, which impacted his earlier career performance.

Career statistics

Club appearances and goals

Nery Castillo's club career encompassed stints across seven countries, resulting in a total of 271 appearances and 61 goals in all competitions. His professional journey began in before establishing himself primarily in , where he achieved his most prolific output, followed by shorter spells in , , the , , and . The following table summarizes his appearances and goals by club, including loans, across all competitions:
ClubCountryAppearancesGoals
Olympiacos16347
329
Shakhtar Donetsk182
152
151
Club León90
Manchester City80
Chicago Fire80
Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk30
Total27161
In terms of league-specific contributions, Castillo recorded 143 appearances and 38 goals in the Greek Super League, predominantly with Olympiacos during his peak seasons from 2000 to 2007, where he helped secure multiple titles. He made 20 appearances and scored 1 goal in across and León. In with Chicago Fire, he appeared in 8 matches without scoring. His time in the English with Manchester City yielded 6 appearances and 0 goals, while in with , he had 11 appearances and 2 goals. Additionally, he logged 21 appearances and 1 goal in the between Shakhtar Donetsk and .

International caps and goals

Nery Castillo represented the national team from 2007 to 2009, accumulating 21 caps and scoring 6 goals across various competitions. His contributions were particularly notable in major tournaments, where he demonstrated versatility as a forward capable of both scoring and creating chances, with a total of 2 assists recorded, both in friendly matches. Castillo's international goals spanned key moments in Mexico's campaign. His first came on June 8, 2007, in a 2–1 group stage victory over during the , where he scored the winner in the 55th minute to help advance. He then exploded onto the scene at the , netting four goals in five appearances: the opener in a 2–0 upset win against on June 28 (24th minute), the first in a 2–1 triumph over on July 1 (21st minute), and a brace against in the quarterfinals on July 8 (5th and 38th minutes) during a 6–0 rout. These strikes made him the tournament's third-leading scorer with 4 goals (1 from a penalty), propelling to a third-place finish—their best result at the competition to that point. His final international goal arrived on April 1, 2009, a penalty in the 21st minute of a 3–1 qualifier win over , aiding 's efforts in the final qualification round for the . The following table summarizes Castillo's appearances and goals by competition:
CompetitionCapsGoals
31
54
FIFA World Cup qualifiers71
International friendlies60
Total216
Castillo's goals had significant tournament impacts: his Gold Cup strike contributed to Mexico's group stage progression and eventual runner-up finish, while his haul showcased his flair against top South American opposition, including a memorable chip over the Brazilian defense. In qualifiers, his timely penalty helped maintain Mexico's momentum in the competitive hexagonal format. Despite limited minutes in later years due to club commitments and injuries, his early international burst highlighted his potential as a key attacker for El Tri.

Honours

Club achievements

During his seven-year tenure with Olympiacos from 2000 to 2007, Nery Castillo contributed to six Greek Super League titles in the 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, and 2006–07 seasons. He also helped the club secure two Greek Cup victories in 2004–05 and 2005–06. Castillo joined Shakhtar Donetsk in July 2007 and, despite subsequent loans, was part of the squad that won the in the 2007–08 season, as well as the that same year. With from January 2011 to June 2012, Castillo did not win any major club titles, though he emerged as the team's leading scorer in the 2011–12 Greek Super League with six goals. Individually, Castillo received no major club awards during his time in with Chicago Fire or in with and León.

International accomplishments

Castillo played a significant role in Mexico's campaign at the , where the team advanced to the final but fell 2–1 to the , securing the runner-up position. He contributed offensively with one goal during the tournament, scoring in the group stage match against to help Mexico secure a 2–1 . His dynamic play earned him the Man of the Match award in that group stage win over . At the , Castillo was instrumental in Mexico's third-place finish, scoring four goals in five matches, including the winner in a 2–0 upset victory over in the quarterfinals. His performance made him Mexico's top scorer in the tournament and joint third overall. During the final round of qualification for the , known as the Hexagonal, Castillo scored one goal across seven appearances, bolstering Mexico's attack as they finished second in the group and qualified for the tournament. Throughout his international tenure from 2007 to 2009, Castillo amassed 21 caps and netted six goals for , establishing him as a notable contributor among the nation's modern attackers.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.com/nery-castillo/profil/spieler/9711
  2. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37517914/ex-mexico-star-nery-castillo-retires-opens-nery-fishing-greece
  3. https://africa.espn.com/football/player/bio/_/id/174716/nery-castillo
  4. https://vivaligamx.com/2020/05/05/nery-castillo-a-player-that-never-reached-the-sky/
  5. https://www.chicagofirefc.com/news/top-5-highlights-nery-castillos-career
  6. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/top-5-highlights-nery-castillos-career
  7. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/nery-castillo/
  8. https://www.transfermarkt.us/olympiakos-piraus/transfers/verein/683/saison_id/2000
  9. https://www.thrylos7intl.com/post/olympiacos-legends-interview-nery-alberto-castillo
  10. https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/2gnsce/nery_castillo_once_a_star_at_olympiakos_and_the/
  11. https://www.transfermarkt.us/nery-castillo/profil/spieler/9711
  12. https://www.topscorersfootball.com/hat-tricks/mexico
  13. https://www.transfermarkt.us/nery-castillo/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/9711/wettbewerb/CL
  14. https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01c3-0ea8dcccc5bd-a937bd0d6f8c-1000--shakhtar-capture-mexican-castillo/
  15. https://www.chicagofirefc.com/news/bienvenido-nery-castillo
  16. https://www.transfermarkt.us/nery-castillo/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/9711
  17. https://fbref.com/en/squads/e89d5a28/2008-2009/Shakhtar-Donetsk-Stats
  18. https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-30344963.html
  19. https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/archive/2008/april/nery-to-show-true-colours
  20. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/dec/18/newsstory.manchestercity1
  21. https://www.transfermarkt.us/nery-castillo/leistungsdaten/spieler/9711
  22. https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/nery-castillo/
  23. https://www.si.com/soccer/2009/07/31/nery-castillo
  24. https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/20694/Nery_Castillo.html
  25. https://fbref.com/en/players/bb34761d/Nery-Castillo
  26. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/castillo-new-flame-lit-mls
  27. https://www.transfermarkt.com/aris-thessaloniki/startseite/verein/605/saison_id/2011
  28. https://fbref.com/en/squads/edddfa63/2011-2012/Aris-Stats
  29. https://www.transfermarkt.com/nery-castillo/transfers/spieler/9711/transfer_id/729909
  30. http://futnsoccer.com/2012/06/14/nery-castillo-transfer-to-pachuca/
  31. https://www.record.com.mx/futbol-futbol-nacional-pachuca/nery-castillo-y-pachuca-acuerdan-el-fin-de-su-contrato
  32. https://www.football-espana.net/2013/07/10/rayo-get-castillo-green-light
  33. https://www.laliga.com/en-GB/news/nery-castillo-out-for-four-to-six-weeks
  34. https://www.scribd.com/document/132785804/FIFA-Statutes-2004-Edition
  35. https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/sports-now/story/2008-11-12/nery-castillo-needs-to-shine-in-mexico-ecuador-game
  36. https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/soccer/castillo-included-in-mexico-squad-idUSL01888834/
  37. https://www.rsssf.org/tables/07gc-full.html
  38. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/214667/mexico-brazil
  39. https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/blogs/quefuede/que-fue-nery-castillo-cuando-depresion-puede-acabar-con-una-carrera-5595376/
  40. https://www.proceso.com.mx/deportes/2020/8/29/nery-castillo-retirado-del-futbol-dedicado-la-pesca-deportiva-en-atenas-248517.html
  41. https://lasillarota.com/hidalgo/local/2025/9/6/que-fue-de-nery-castillo-exjugador-polemico-de-del-pachuca-de-la-seleccion-554764.html
  42. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMm3JI9sEgt/
  43. https://laorquesta.mx/que-fue-de-nery-castillo/
  44. https://www.transfermarkt.us/nery-castillo/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/9711
  45. https://www.transfermarkt.us/nery-castillo/nationalmannschaft/spieler/9711/verein_id/6303
  46. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/218845/cuba-mexico
  47. https://fbref.com/en/matches/4b3f3c02/Honduras-Mexico-April-1-2009-WCQ----CONCACAF-M
  48. https://www.concacaf.com/en/gold-cup/news/gold-cup-rewind-fabulous-goal-lifts-us-over-mexico-for-2007-title/
  49. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/nery-castillo/copa-america/4/
  50. https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/co122/greece-super-league/records-winners-list/
  51. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesg/grkcuphist.html
  52. https://shakhtar.com/en/club/honours/
  53. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/nery-castillo/gold-cup/4/
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