Enrique Alejandro Esqueda Tirado (born 19 April 1988) is a Mexican former professional footballer who played as a striker. He represented Mexico at the 2015 Copa América. He is popularly known by his nickname "Paleta".

Enrique Esqueda
Esqueda with East Bengal in 2019
Personal information
Full name Enrique Alejandro Esqueda Tirado
Date of birth (1988-04-19) 19 April 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Querétaro, Mexico
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
Peluche Caligari (AQL) (Manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2011 América 107 (15)
2011–2014 Pachuca 36 (9)
2014Atlas (loan) 16 (3)
2015 Tigres UANL 18 (2)
2016 Veracruz 6 (1)
2017 Juárez 0 (0)
2017 Chiapas 5 (0)
2018 Arka Gdynia 8 (2)
2018–2019 East Bengal 14 (9)
Total 210 (41)
International career
2005 Mexico U17 2 (2)
2007 Mexico U20 2 (1)
2007 Mexico U23 12 (5)
2007–2015 Mexico 9 (1)
Managerial career
2021 Cañada CTM (assistant)
2024– Peluche Caligari (AQL)
Medal record
Representing  Mexico
Men's Football
FIFA U-17 World Cup
Winner 2005 Peru
Pan American Games
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Rio de Janeiro Team Competition
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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América

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At club level, he made his debut for América on 4 February 2006 against Atlas. His debut in an international tournament came in 2007, when América participated in the 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 in a 1–1 draw and against Real Madrid in a 2–3 loss.[citation needed]

Pachuca, Atlas, Tigres UANL, Veracruz and Chiapas

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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 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 Bolivian side Club Universitario in the round of 16 of the 2015 Copa Libertadores.[citation needed]

After winning his first Liga MX with Tigres UANL as a reserve player,[1] Esqueda was loaned out to Veracruz where he had a discreet stint.[2] In July 2016, Esqueda was loaned out to second division team FC Juárez a move which Esqueda refused to comply with.[3] After an inactive fall 2016 semester, Esqueda was loaned out to Chiapas F.C.[4] His resentment for Tigres UANL is apparent as he has publicly desecrated the Tigres UANL crest on television.[5]

After the disaffiliation of Chiapas F.C., Esqueda became a free agent.[6]

Arka Gdynia

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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 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 season, with an extension option.[7]

East Bengal

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On 20 August 2018, free agent Esqueda joined Indian I-League club East Bengal for the upcoming season.[8][9] On 27 October, he made his debut, scoring a brace in a 2–0 victory over NEROCA.[10] 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.[11] 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

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Esqueda was a part of the U-17 world champion team in Peru in 2005. He was also part of the 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. He scored his first goal on 14 October 2009 against Trinidad & Tobago in a 2–2 draw.

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

International goals

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No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1. 14 October 2009 Hasley Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago   Trinidad and Tobago 1–1 2–2 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

International appearances

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As of 12 October 2010

Honours

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América

East Bengal

Tigres UANL

Mexico U-17

References

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  1. ^ "Tigres, Campeón incomparable... Levantó la cuarta". 14 December 2015. Archived from the original on 21 July 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Veracruz, decepcionados con la contratación de Esqueda". 12 April 2016. Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Que siempre no". Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  4. ^ "Enrique Esqueda continuaría su carrera con Jaguares de Chiapas". Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  5. ^ "Enrique Esqueda pisotea el escudo de Tigres". Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  6. ^ "¡Se busca equipo!; desempleados de Jaguares, con pocas opciones". 27 June 2017. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  7. ^ "Arka Gdynia S.A. Oficjalny Serwis Internetowy - Enrique Esqueda w Arce". Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  8. ^ Krishanu Mazumdar (20 August 2018). "ডার্বির আগে ইস্টবঙ্গলে বড় চমক। মেক্সিকান স্ট্রাইকারকে সই করালো লাল-হলুদ" [Big surprise ahead of derby. Mexican striker joins the Red and Gold] (in Bengali). Ebela. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  9. ^ Swapnaneel Parasar (20 August 2018). "I-League: East Bengal sign Enrique Esqueda". Goal. Archived from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  10. ^ "Enrique Esqueda double helps East Bengal beat Neroca FC". Hindustan Times. 27 October 2018. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  11. ^ "Chennai City Crowned I-League 2018-19 Champions After Win Against Minerva Punjab". Press Trust of India (PTI). NDTV. 9 March 2019. Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
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  NODES
INTERN 10
Note 1