In Praise Of An Argentine Star, But It's Not Messi, It's Maxi Moralez
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – October 31: Maxi Moralez #10 of New York City in action during the New York City FC Vs Philadelphia Union MLS Eastern Conference Knockout match at Yankee Stadium on October 31st, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
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As we have discovered over the decades, soccer players can impact a game in all shapes of sizes.
There’s Peter Crouch, a gargantuan 6-foot-7 forward, who racked up 108goals in the Premier League in England.
There’s the absolutely fabulous 5-7, 150-lb. Lionel Messi, who at 38, has confounded the opposition with so many goals and assists for a generation.
And then there’s Maxi Moralez, who is still performing at a high level for New York City FC in Major League Soccer.
Maxi who?
You never heard of Moralez?
Time for some education.
Well, he is a 5-foot-3, 115-lb. dynamo who is still performing at a high level for New York City FC in Major League Soccer.
And that’s no typo. The Argentine native is 5-3 and 115 lbs.
Despite his size and because of his size, Moralez can drive opposing midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers crazy. He is highly skilled and has a low center of gravity, which allows him to make quick moves on his marker, whether it is bringing the ball up the field, setting up a teammate for a shot or producing a well-taken attempt by himself.
NYCFC midfielder Maxi Moralez having a kick around with children in East Harlem in 2017.
Michael Lewis/FrontRowSoccer.com
An intriguing debut with the media
This writer got an opportunity to meet Moralez when he first joined NYCFC in February 2017. He was introduced to the media at P.S. 83 / P.S. 182 in East Harlem in Manhattan, Moralez wasn’t that much taller than the students he kicked the ball around with, that afternoon, but then again, size hasn’t mattered in his sterling career.
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In way, it has, because Moralez has used his size to torment would-be defender with his skill, dribbling ability, dexterity, quickness and high soccer IQ on many an occasion.
Through 209 MLS matches, he has scored 29 goals and set up teammates for another 84. He has two goals and a team-high 10 assists this season.
Not bad for an “old man.”
And a humble man, at that.
It was difficult not to ascertain his humble personality when he first met with the media.
“I am proud that my new club planned for my first NYC event to be at a school,” he said. “It is important for me to get to know and give back to my new community and it is clear that NYCFC is deeply committed to working with the communities of New York.”
Ciudad del Este, Paraguay: Argentina's Maxi Moralez (r) Vies for the ball with Colombia's Javier Reina During their South American Under-20 Championship Soccer Match at Ciudad del Este Stadium in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, 10 January 2007. AFP Photo/Juan Mabromata Images)
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Internationally speaking
Moralez, whose given first name is Maximiliano, suited up 16 times for Argentina’s Men’s Under-20 National Team and made one appearance for the full side in 2011. After that, he hasn’t heard any word from the head national coach.
Coming from a country that produces elite soccer talents faster than you can say, Diego Maradona, Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Batistuta, Javier Mascherano, and of course, Lionel Messi, it is not easy to grab the spotlight and earn a spot on the Argentine Men’s National Team.
Still, Moralez has forged his reputation on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. He started his career with Racing Club in his native country before performing for FC Moscow (Russia) before coming back to Racing and then to Velez Sarsfield (Argentina). After four seasons with Atalanta (Italy), Moralez journeyed back to the Americans for a season with Leon (Mexico) before signing with NYCFC in 2017.
“I came from a football family, like any good Argentinian,” he said in 2017. “It’s part of our lives. My dad really implemented it in me. Football got me on a good path in my life, got me out of bad friendships and got me the opportunity to where I am. Football gave me [the opportunity] to see many places throughout the world. It’s helped me family, too. They’re really happy to be here.”
Moralez certainly is appreciated on this side of the Atlantic.
CATANIA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 26: Maxi Morales of Atalanta celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between Calcio Catania and Atalanta BC at Stadio Angelo Massimino on September 26, 2012 in Catania, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
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One memorable comeback
Take, for instance, when he returned from an ACL injury last season. With the score deadlocked at 1-1 between City and the San Jose Earthquakes in the 74th minute on May 31, 2024, the Argentine came on a substitute in the 74th minute. To say that he was the sparkplug would be an understatement. The hosts tallied four unanswered goals until the final whistle, as Moralez set up the first of Alonso Martinez’s three goals.
Afterwards, Nick Cushing, then the NYCFC head coach, effused his creative midfielder.
“Since I’ve been here, he is the greatest player to ever play for our football club,” he said. “He’s had the biggest impact. He’s almost like having a coach on the field when he plays like he did tonight. It’s an absolute masterclass. I think you have certain players in the game that can literally just pick the game up and just put it in his pocket and just almost conduct the game like the conductor conducts the orchestra. He’s that guy.
“Tonight was masterclass vintage Maxi Moralez. He played like a 21-year-old. When we were in the locker room, we said he played like he’s 21. So important to us. When I was given the opportunity last year to bring him back, I sent the plane and the car and everything to pick him up to bring him. I’m so happy for him because he’s worked incredibly hard to get back to where he is.”
Cushing hasn’t been the only coach who has enjoyed the fruits of Moralez’s midfield labors.
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY- JULY 24: NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira talking to his players during a drinks break in searing heat during the New York Red Bulls Vs New York City FC MLS regular season match at Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey on July 24, 2016 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
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More praise for Maxi
During his coaching tenure (2016-18), former French international Patrick Vieira also praised the all-star.
“When he’s on the ball, he’s always giving options, whether it’s to our No. 6 if it’s Andrea [Pirlo]]or giving options to players who are in the position for the ball,” he said. “He’s really mobile on the field, he creates chances and free kicks. This is really good, especially with the way we want to play. We want to control the possession of the game, we want to build up from the back. To have him on the ball is really good for us.”
Moralez doesn’t just perform magic with his feet, he even has scored off a header, which is a pretty mean feat, considering his 5-3 against some defenders who can be a good 12 inches taller than him. It just comes down to timing, and getting a good feed from a teammate.
PRATT & WHITNEY STADIUM, EAST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATES – 2017/09/23: Maxi Moralez (10) and teammates of NYC FC celebrate scoring goal during MLS regular game against Houston Dynamo at Pratt & Whitney stadium. Game ended in draw 1 – 1. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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A head of the class header
That came in a 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo in East Hartford Conn. on Sept. 23, 2017. Moralez headed home Andraz Struna’s right-wing cross from that same side in the sixth minute to give the Cityzens a 1-0 lead.
“On the goal, it was the only option I had there,” he said. “I never thought I would score it, because I was off to the side. Personally, I’m happy, but at a group level, a little bit bitter because we couldn’t get the three points that we needed.”
PORTLAND, OR – DECEMBER 11: Maxi Moralez #10 of NYCFC celebrates scoring on a penalty kick during a game between New York City FC and Portland Timbers at Providence Park on December 11, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
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NYCFC’s impact player through the years
He wound up playing an important role in NYCFC’s march to the 2021 MLS Cup crown, converting a penalty kick in the shootout, and on the club’s Campeones Cup victorious side, scoring the game-winning goal, a year later. Individually, he was named to the MLS Best XI and to the league’s all-star game in 2019. And rightfully so, since Moralez became only the fifth player in MLS history to reach 20 assists in a season.
In December 2022, we thought we had seen the last of Moralez in the Big Apple. He decided to return to his native country and play with his original team, Racing Club.
“My family and I have decided to return Argentina, my country, after a very long time,” he said. “It was a very difficult and personal decision for me, one of the most difficult decisions in my career because of what we’ve accomplished together here. I am happy here, and from the first day the fans have made me feel like one of them. Those memories combined with this City, the best city in the world, has really made this decision extremely hard.
“Racing is where I started, they raised me, many years ago they gave me the opportunity to play professional football and be in the position I’m in today. It was a dream of mine, of my children and my family, to see me play at Racing and I’d like for it to come true for them.
“NYCFC has been six years of my life which I’ve enjoyed immensely, with so much happiness, with accomplishments and defeats, but I’ve always been so happy here playing for this Club. NYCFC is my longest tenured club which makes me so proud because it’s a great club, in a great City and being here is like being part of one big family.”
Many observers felt he was going to retire with his original club.
But after a season there, surprise! He returned to NYCFC for the 2023 season. He suffered that knee injury later in the campaign but returned on a memorable late May night last year.
We never know how long a player’s shelf-life will be in any sport. They need to stay away from many injuries and career-crippling ones. They need to stay in shape and hopefully not even lose half a step, which can be devastating for an attacking player.
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Maxi Moralez #10 of New York City FC seen in action during the game against the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field on March 22, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
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This season, NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen has used Moralez wisely. He has started his veteran midfielder 26 times, as Moralez has played 89 minutes or more 15 times. Jansen hasn’t been afraid of taking him out of matches in the later stage, especially when NYCFC is winning.
“Maxi has a great impact on our game, because he is by far the midfield player who creates the most chances for the attackers,” Jansen said. “But we also have to make sure that Maxi is always available for each and every game. So that’s finding the balance right there.”
Entering this weekend’s action, NYCFC was in the eighth playoff spot in the MLS Eastern Conference. The top nine teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs.
So far so very good for an “old man” of the beautiful game.
Michael Lewis, a veteran himself of the beautiful game who has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), can be followed on X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky at @Soccerwriter.
