Eugenio Mena

Eugenio Esteban Mena Reveco is a Chilean professional football player who was born on 18 July 1988 in Viña del Mar, Chile.

Currently, Mena is plays as a left back for the Argentine club Racing Club and Chile national football team. Though, he is mainly a left back but he can be useful in some other positions too, such as left-wing, left midfield and defensive midfield.

Background

Mena chose training academy of Primera Division club Santiago Wanderers for his early formation and training to become a professional player. After spending several years with the club's academy, he made his professional debut for the senior team in the 2008 Chilean Primera División B tournament. Slowly, he got his feet in the squad and scored his first goal on 11 October 2009 against San Marcos de Arica. After staying with the Wanderers for two straight seasons, he moved to Club Universidad de Chile signing a contract for $500,000 in July 2010.

Mena also represented Chile U-23 team at Toulon Tournament two times. First, in 2009 and second, in 2010.

Debut

During his early career with the Wanderers and Club Universidad de Chile, he was good enough to get noticed. As a result, he got a chance at the U-23 level. There, he helped his team to finish first at the Toulon Tournament. Resultingly, his delineation at the U-23 level earned him a place in the senior team. Later, on 7 September 2010, he made his international debut against Ukraine. In the match, Ukraine had defeated Chile by 1-2.

Not being a regular member of the team, Mena had to wait for several months for his second International game, which he got on 22 January 2011 against United States. This time, he had come on the field as a starter.

Rise to glory

Mena scored his first international goal on 21 March 2012 against Peru and helped Chile to win the game by 3-1. On 12 April 2012, Chile once again took Peru for another friendly and Mena hit his second goal in two successive matches.

He was a key player in the Chile squad for 2014 World Cup Qualifiers, creating and setting up chances for goals and providing some useful assists. His defence had also helped Chile several times throughout the tournament. Afterwards, he was also included in the 23 man squad for the main event of 2014 World Cup. There, he featured in 4 games and all as a starter.

At the 2015 Copa America, he played only two group games, but was brought back for the quarter finals and the semifinals. Farther, he had also won the title for Chile.

Mena was also member of 2016 Copa América Centenario winning team, however he could have played only one game due to Achilles tendon problems.

Club career

Apart from Santiago Wanderers and Club Universidad de Chile, Mena has also played with several other clubs such as Santos FC, Cruzeiro, São Paulo and Sport Recife. Overall, he has featured in 249 games of various leagues including Série A and Primera División. Playing his most of the games with Club Universidad de Chile, he has got 8 goals and 14 assists in his name whereas total goals in his goal tally are 9. He has also got all in all 28 assists in his pocket.

On 3 January 2018, Mena has signed a contract for his current club Bahia.

Records

Mena has appeared in 52 matches for Chile scoring 3 goals as well as providing 8 assists. Though, his goal tally does not have that much goals but he is always an asset for his team, defending opposition team's attack and setting up goal-making possibilities for fellow forward-strikers.

Mena was also felicitated with the 2009 Valparaíso UNESCO Medal.