View source for Enrique Esqueda

{{short description|Mexican footballer (born 1988)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{family name hatnote|Esqueda|Tirado|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name         = Enrique Esqueda
| image        = Esqueda East Bengal.jpg 
| caption      = Esqueda with [[East Bengal F.C.|East Bengal]] in 2019
| fullname     = Enrique Alejandro Esqueda Tirado
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1988|4|19}}
| birth_place  = [[Querétaro City|Querétaro]], Mexico
| currentclub  = 
| clubnumber   = 
| height       = 1.80 m
| position     = [[Forward (association football)|Striker]]
| years1 = 2005–2011
| years2 = 2011–2014
| years3 = 2014
| years4 = 2015
| years5 = 2016
| years6 = 2017
| years7 = 2017
| years8 = 2018
| years9 = 2018–2019
| clubs1 = [[Club América|América]]
| clubs2 = [[C.F. Pachuca|Pachuca]]
| clubs3 = → [[Atlas F.C.|Atlas]] (loan)
| clubs4 = [[Tigres UANL]]
| clubs5 = [[C.D. Veracruz|Veracruz]]
| clubs6 = [[FC Juárez|Juárez]]
| clubs7 = [[Chiapas F.C.|Chiapas]]
| clubs8 = [[Arka Gdynia]]
| clubs9 = [[East Bengal F.C.|East Bengal]]
| caps1  = 107
| caps2  = 36
| caps3  = 16
| caps4  = 18
| caps5  = 6
| caps6  = 0
| caps7  = 5
| caps8  = 8
| caps9  = 14
| goals1 = 15
| goals2 = 9
| goals3 = 3
| goals4 = 2
| goals5 = 1
| goals6 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| goals8 = 2
| goals9 = 9
| totalcaps = 210
| totalgoals = 41
| nationalyears1 = 2005
| nationalteam1  = [[Mexico national under-17 football team|Mexico U17]]
| nationalcaps1  = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 2007
| nationalteam2  = [[Mexico national under-20 football team|Mexico U20]]
| nationalcaps2  = 2
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 2007
| nationalteam3  = [[Mexico national under-23 football team|Mexico U23]]
| nationalcaps3  = 12
| nationalgoals3 = 5
| nationalyears4 = 2007–2015
| nationalteam4  = [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]]
| nationalcaps4  = 9
| nationalgoals4 = 1
| manageryears1  = 2021
| managerclubs1  = Cañada CTM (assistant)
| manageryears2= 2024
| managerclubs2= Peluche Caligari ([[Américas Queens League|AQL]])
| manageryears3= 2024
| managerclubs3= Peluche Caligari ([[Américas Kings League|AKL]])
| medaltemplates = 
{{MedalCountry|{{MEX}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football|Football]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA U-17 World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship|2005 Peru]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Pan American Games]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2007 Pan American Games|2007 Rio de Janeiro]]|[[Football at the 2007 Pan American Games – Men's tournament|Team Competition]]}}
}}

'''Enrique Alejandro Esqueda Tirado''' (born 19 April 1988) is a Mexican former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)|striker]]. He represented [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]] at the [[2015 Copa América]]. He is popularly known by his nickname "Paleta".

==Club career==
===América===
At club level, he made his debut for [[Club América|América]] on 4 February 2006 against [[Atlas F.C.|Atlas]]. His debut in an international tournament came in 2007, when América participated in the [[Copa Sudamericana 2007|Copa Sudamericana]], where they finished runner-up. In 2009, América participated in the [[World Football Challenge]], where he scored in the 2–1 win against [[AC Milan]]. In 2011, Esqueda scored against European powerhouses [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] in a 1–1 draw and against [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] in a 2–3 loss.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

===Pachuca, Atlas, Tigres UANL, Veracruz and Chiapas===
On 23 May 2011, he was transferred to [[C.F. Pachuca]]. After several years of injuries and ups and downs with Pachuca, he was loaned to [[Atlas F.C.|Atlas]] in 2014. Under the command of [[Tomás Boy]], Esqueda scored three goals with Atlas in the season. On 2015, he was loaned again to [[Tigres UANL]]. With Tigres, he scored a hat-trick in the [[Copa Libertadores 2015]] victory of 5–4 over [[Juan Aurich]] on 15 April 2015. He also scored the last goal of the 3–0 victory in the [[Clásico Regiomontano]] against arch-rivals [[C.F. Monterrey]] on 18 April, as well as Tigres' first goal in the 2–1 victory over [[Bolivia]]n side [[Club Universitario]] in the round of 16 of the 2015 Copa Libertadores.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

After winning his first [[Liga MX]] with Tigres UANL as a reserve player,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/mexico/cronicas/2015/12/13/tigres-campeon-incomparable-levanto-la-cuarta_66175|title=Tigres, Campeón incomparable... Levantó la cuarta|date=14 December 2015 |access-date=17 February 2017|archive-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721043928/http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/mexico/cronicas/2015/12/13/tigres-campeon-incomparable-levanto-la-cuarta_66175|url-status=live}}</ref> Esqueda was loaned out to [[C.D. Veracruz|Veracruz]] where he had a discreet stint.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.multimedios.com/deportes/futbol/veracruz/veracruz-decepcionados-esqueda.html|title=Veracruz, decepcionados con la contratación de Esqueda|date=12 April 2016|access-date=17 February 2017|archive-date=18 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218063856/http://www.multimedios.com/deportes/futbol/veracruz/veracruz-decepcionados-esqueda.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2016, Esqueda was loaned out to [[Ascenso MX|second division]] team [[FC Juárez]] a move which Esqueda refused to comply with.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://diario.mx/Deportes/2016-06-18_e3acfa92/que-siempre-no/|title=Que siempre no|access-date=17 February 2017|archive-date=18 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218064147/http://diario.mx/Deportes/2016-06-18_e3acfa92/que-siempre-no/|url-status=live}}</ref> After an inactive fall 2016 semester, Esqueda was loaned out to [[Chiapas F.C.]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.univision.com/deportes/futbol/liga-mx/enrique-esqueda-continuaria-su-carrera-con-jaguares-de-chiapas|title=Enrique Esqueda continuaría su carrera con Jaguares de Chiapas|access-date=17 February 2017|archive-date=18 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218072315/http://www.univision.com/deportes/futbol/liga-mx/enrique-esqueda-continuaria-su-carrera-con-jaguares-de-chiapas|url-status=live}}</ref> His resentment for Tigres UANL is apparent as he has publicly desecrated the Tigres UANL crest on television.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://laaficion.milenio.com/futbol/enrique_esqueda-paleta-pisotea-escudo-tigres-milenio-la_aficion_0_899310162.html|title=Enrique Esqueda pisotea el escudo de Tigres|access-date=17 February 2017|archive-date=18 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218063842/http://laaficion.milenio.com/futbol/enrique_esqueda-paleta-pisotea-escudo-tigres-milenio-la_aficion_0_899310162.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

After the disaffiliation of Chiapas F.C., Esqueda became a free agent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.excelsior.com.mx/adrenalina/2017/06/27/1172228|title=¡Se busca equipo!; desempleados de Jaguares, con pocas opciones|date=27 June 2017|access-date=14 August 2017|archive-date=1 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801115317/http://www.excelsior.com.mx/adrenalina/2017/06/27/1172228|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Arka Gdynia===
On 20 January 2018, Esqueda began trials with [[Ekstraklasa]] club [[Arka Gdynia]]. On 22 January, he made his unofficial debut with the Polish side in a friendly against Romanian side [[FC Botoșani|Botoșani]], and scored opening goal in a 2–0 win, making Esqueda the 1st Mexican to score for any team in Poland. On 6 February, he signed a contract valid for the rest of [[2017–18 Ekstraklasa|2017–18]] season, with an extension option.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.arka.gdynia.pl/news,18661-enrique-esqueda-w-arce.html|title=Arka Gdynia S.A. Oficjalny Serwis Internetowy - Enrique Esqueda w Arce|access-date=6 February 2018|archive-date=7 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207122345/http://www.arka.gdynia.pl/news,18661-enrique-esqueda-w-arce.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===East Bengal===
On 20 August 2018, [[free agent]] Esqueda joined Indian [[I-League]] club [[East Bengal F.C.|East Bengal]] for the [[2018–19 I-League|upcoming season]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Krishanu Mazumdar |title=ডার্বির আগে ইস্টবঙ্গলে বড় চমক। মেক্সিকান স্ট্রাইকারকে সই করালো লাল-হলুদ |trans-title=Big surprise ahead of derby. Mexican striker joins the Red and Gold |url=https://ebela.in/sports/enrique-esqueda-is-going-to-play-for-east-bengal-dgtl-1.856127 |publisher=Ebela |access-date=28 September 2018 |language=bn |date=20 August 2018 |archive-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928201145/https://ebela.in/sports/enrique-esqueda-is-going-to-play-for-east-bengal-dgtl-1.856127 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Swapnaneel Parasar |title=I-League: East Bengal sign Enrique Esqueda |url=http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/east-bengal-sign-enrique-esqueda-mexico-striker/mr7dd21rtvml10atiuz5votre |publisher=Goal |access-date=28 September 2018 |date=20 August 2018 |archive-date=29 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929000157/http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/east-bengal-sign-enrique-esqueda-mexico-striker/mr7dd21rtvml10atiuz5votre |url-status=live }}</ref> On 27 October, he made his debut, scoring a brace in a 2–0 victory over [[NEROCA FC|NEROCA]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Enrique Esqueda double helps East Bengal beat Neroca FC |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/enrique-esqueda-double-helps-east-bengal-beat-neroca-fc/story-tPrB1PjLH3t1KmX20SWkPJ.html |publisher=Hindustan Times |access-date=1 November 2018 |date=27 October 2018 |archive-date=7 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107024851/https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/enrique-esqueda-double-helps-east-bengal-beat-neroca-fc/story-tPrB1PjLH3t1KmX20SWkPJ.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He went onto score 9 goals in 14 matches as East Bengal finished 2nd in the I-League, with 3 assists and 3 Man of the Match awards.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chennai City Crowned I-League 2018-19 Champions After Win Against Minerva Punjab |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/chennai-city-crowned-i-league-2018-19-champions-after-win-against-minerva-punjab-2005254 |access-date=27 June 2020 |work=[[Press Trust of India]] (PTI) |publisher=[[NDTV]] |date=9 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627200614/https://sports.ndtv.com/football/chennai-city-crowned-i-league-2018-19-champions-after-win-against-minerva-punjab-2005254|archive-date=27 June 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> He finished as the highest goal getter for East Bengal along with teammate Joby Justin in the [[2018–19 I-League]] season. On 10 March 2019, Enrique was released from his contract.

==International career==
Esqueda was a part of the [[2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship squads#Mexico|U-17]] world champion team in [[Peru]] in 2005. He was also part of the [[2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup squads#Mexico|U-20]] team that represented Mexico at the 2007 [[FIFA U-20 World Cup]], but was cut from the team at the last minute. He formed part of the U-23 team that was to represent Mexico at the [[2007 Pan American Games]] in [[Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]]. He helped Mexico achieve a bronze medal, with him scoring four goals, becoming one of the top scorers of the tournament.

He was called up by the Mexico national team for a game against [[El Salvador national football team|El Salvador]]. He scored his first goal on 14 October 2009 against [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad & Tobago]] in a 2–2 draw.

His most recent appearance was on 3 June 2015 in a friendly against [[Peru national football team|Peru]]. He was part of the [[2015 Copa America]] roster, however he did not make any appearances during the tournament.

===International goals===
{{International goals header}}
|- 
| 1. || 14 October 2009 || [[Hasley Crawford Stadium]], [[Port of Spain]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]] || {{fb|TRI}} || '''1'''–1 || 2–2 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)|2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers]]
|}

===International appearances===
''As of 12 October 2010''
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="font-size:90%"
|-
!colspan="7"|'''International appearances'''
|-
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1. || 22 August 2007 || [[Dick's Sporting Goods Park]], [[Commerce City]], [[United States]] || {{fb|COL}} || '''0–'''1 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| 2. || 24 September 2008 || [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum|Memorial Coliseum]], [[Los Angeles]], United States || {{fb|CHI}} || '''0'''–1 || Friendly
|-
| 3. || 30 September 2009 || [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]], [[Dallas]], United States || {{fb|COL}} || '''1–'''2 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| 4. || 14 October 2009 || [[Hasely Crawford Stadium]], [[Port of Spain]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]] || {{fb|TRI}} || 2–2 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| 5. || 11 August 2010 || Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico || {{fb|ESP}} || 1–1 || Friendly
|-
| 6. || 4 September 2010 || [[Estadio Omnilife]], [[Zapopan, Jalisco|Zapopan]], Mexico || {{fb|ECU}} || 1–2 || Friendly
|-
| 7. || 7 September 2010 || [[Estadio Universitario (UANL)|Estadio Universitario]], [[San Nicolás de los Garza|San Nicolás]], Mexico || {{fb|COL}} || 1–0 || Friendly
|-
| 8. || 12 October 2010 || [[Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez]], [[Ciudad Juárez]], Mexico || {{fb|VEN}} || 2–2 || Friendly
|-
| 9. || 3 June 2015 || [[Estadio Nacional de Lima]], [[Lima]], Peru || {{fb|PER}} || 1–1 || Friendly
|-
|}

==Honours==
'''América'''
*[[InterLiga]]: 2008

'''East Bengal'''
*[[I-League]]: Runner-up [[2018–19 I-League|2018–19]]

'''Tigres UANL'''
*[[Liga MX]]: [[2015–16 Liga MX season#Torneo Apertura|Apertura 2015]]

'''Mexico U-17'''
*[[FIFA U-17 World Cup|FIFA U-17 World Championship]]: [[2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship|2005]]
*[[Football at the Pan American Games|Pan American Games]]: Bronze medal [[Football at the 2007 Pan American Games – Men's tournament|2007]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.pasionaguila.com Pasionaguila] Blog y Noticias al minutos del Club America
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081112045238/http://www.golst.com/players/v/Enrique_Esqueda/12300 Enrique Esqueda's stats]
*{{Medio Tiempo|enrique-esqueda}}
*{{NFT player|pid=23307}}
*[http://www.esmas.com/clubamerica/nuestroequipo/649992.html Esqueda profile at America's official site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328095354/http://www.esmas.com/clubamerica/nuestroequipo/649992.html |date=2008-03-28 }} {{in lang|es}}

{{Mexico squad 2015 Copa América}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Esqueda, Enrique}}
[[Category:1988 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Querétaro]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Querétaro City]]
[[Category:Men's association football wingers]]
[[Category:Mexican men's footballers]]
[[Category:Mexico men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 2007 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:2015 Copa América players]]
[[Category:Pan American Games bronze medalists for Mexico]]
[[Category:Pan American Games footballers for Mexico]]
[[Category:Pan American Games bronze medalists in football]]
[[Category:Club América footballers]]
[[Category:C.F. Pachuca players]]
[[Category:Atlas F.C. footballers]]
[[Category:Tigres UANL footballers]]
[[Category:C.D. Veracruz footballers]]
[[Category:FC Juárez footballers]]
[[Category:Jaguares F.C. footballers]]
[[Category:Arka Gdynia players]]
[[Category:East Bengal Club players]]
[[Category:Liga MX players]]
[[Category:Ekstraklasa players]]
[[Category:I-League players]]
[[Category:Mexican expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Poland]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in India]]
[[Category:Mexican expatriate sportspeople in Poland]]
[[Category:Mexican expatriate sportspeople in India]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2007 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:21st-century Mexican sportsmen]]