Ramón Morales

Ramón Morales
Personal information
Full name	Ramón Morales Higuera
Date of birth	10 October 1975
Place of birth	La Piedad, Michoacán, Mexico
Height	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s)	Left-Winger
Senior career*
National team
Teams managed
2012–2013	Oro
2013–2015	Guadalajara Reserves and Academy
2015	Guadalajara (Interim)
2015	Guadalajara (Assistant)
2016	Guadalajara Reserves and Academy
2016	Coras
Representing Mexico
	* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Ramón Morales Higuera (born 10 October 1975) is a former Mexican professional footballer. He is popularly known by his nickname "Ramoncito".

Club career

Morales made his professional debut in the Mexican Primera División in 1995, playing for Rayados de Monterrey in a 0–0 draw match, against Tecos UAG.

He was regarded as one of Mexico's most outstanding and skilful attacking left midfielders, with explosive speed, dribbling skills, fast attacking abilities and a powerful left foot, while also being an outstanding free kick taker. Ramón is known as one of the best mid-range free kick takers in Mexico's Primera División. Morales is a versatile player often playing as a left winger, however it is not uncommon to see him move up in the pitch as a left forward or down on the defensive side as a left-sided wing-back.

Ramón was a key figure for Guadalajara and has been so for years, aiding the team with swift counterattacks, precise crosses and through passes. He was a vital part in Chivas' Championship Apertura 2006 season. On 27 December 2006 Ramón Morales was appointed as Chivas' new captain for the 2007 season following the departure of ex-Chiva Oswaldo Sánchez to Santos Laguna. Morales scored 66 goals for Guadalajara, which is ninth all-time in club history.

His younger brother Carlos, currently plays for Monarcas Morelia and is also a left midfielder.^[1]

On 11 August 2011, Morales announced his retirement from professional football after a 16-year career.^[2]

Coaching career

On 6 January 2013, Morales was presented as the new coach for Guadalajara Sub-17 Team. On 1 December 2013 he was crowned champions with the Under 17 team in the final against los Tuzos de Pachuca. He was later moved up to be the under-20s coach.

On 3 October 2014, he was appointed as the interim coach of the first division team after the resignation of Carlos Bustos.

In June 2015, after success with the youth teams, he was appointed as the assistant manager of Jose Manuel de la Torre with the first team.

On 14 September 2015, after Jose Manuel de la Torre was released, Morales was appointed as Chivas' interim manager for the second time while a new coach was announced.

International career

Morales made his international debut for the Mexico national team on 12 July 2001, playing against Brazil. Morales played for Mexico at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea-Japan, where he appeared in four matches. He also played in the 2004 Copa América where he scored a freekick goal for Mexico's first official win over Argentina. The game ended 1–0 in favor of Mexico. He also played four games in the 2005 Confederations Cup, in Germany and five games in Mexico's qualification matches for the 2006 World Cup. Morales played in three matches in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He scored a freekick in Mexico's 2–0 win over Brazil in the first round of the Copa América.

International goals

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	23 August 2001	Estadio Luis "Pirata" Fuente, Veracruz, Mexico	Liberia	1–0	5–4	Friendly
2	13 March 2002	Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, United States	Albania	3–0	4–0	Friendly
3	10 July 2004	Estadio Elías Aguirre, Chiclayo, Peru	Argentina	1–0	1–0	2004 Copa América
4	30 March 2005	Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City, Panama	Panama	1–0	1–1	2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
5	27 April 2005	Soldier Field, Chicago, United States	Poland	1–0	1–1	Friendly
6	27 June 2007	Polideportivo Cachamay, Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela	Brazil	2–0	2–0	2007 Copa América