.png) García in 2018 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Santiago Damián García Correa | ||
| Date of birth | (1990-09-14)14 September 1990 | ||
| Place of birth | Montevideo, Uruguay | ||
| Date of death | 4 February 2021(2021-02-04) (aged 30)[1] | ||
| Place of death | Godoy Cruz,Mendoza, Argentina[2] | ||
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Club Boca | |||
| Libertad Washington | |||
| Nacional | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2008–2011 | Nacional | 77 | (39) |
| 2011–2012 | Athletico Paranaense | 15 | (2) |
| 2012–2013 | Kasımpaşa | 1 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Nacional | 14 | (0) |
| 2014–2015 | River Plate-UY | 35 | (13) |
| 2016–2021 | Godoy Cruz | 96 | (46) |
| Total | 238 | (100) | |
| International career | |||
| 2009 | Uruguay U-20 | 9 | (5) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Santiago Damián García Correa (14 September 1990 – 4 February 2021), nicknamedMorro, was a Uruguayan professionalfootballer who played as astriker.[3] His last club was Argentine clubGodoy Cruz, which tenure is considered the most successful of his professional career.[4] being the top scorer of the club inArgentine Primera División[5] and an idol of club supporters.[6] García was also the top scorer of the2017–18 Argentine Primera División season with 17 goals.
García started his career in Libertad Washington youth teams. He then joinedNacional de Montevideo.[7] He was considered one of Uruguayanfootball's best prospects.
He appeared on the first team in 2008, at just 17 years old, capturing everyone's attention with his speed and strength. He made his official debut on 27 July 2008 againstDefensor Sporting Club, scoring in this game his first goal as a professional player. After his great appearances inNacional,San Lorenzo de Almagro tried to hire him without success.
During the last two seasons of the Uruguayan championship García participated in the first team of Nacional, although he wasn't considered part of the starting team. This situation changed in the2010–11 season, in which Garcia evolved into becoming not only part of the starting team, but also one of its most valuable players. He managed to win the Primera División championship with Nacional and ended the season as the league's top goalscorer, with 23 goals in 28 matches.
On 18 June 2011, García joined BrazilianClube Atlético Paranaense for€2 million, signing a five-year contract.[8] After failing adrug test forcocainedoping, García was traded to Turkish clubKasımpaşa. In 2013 he returned to Nacional, and one year later he moved toRiver Plate, where he remained until January 2016 when he was acquired by Godoy Cruz.[4]
With theMendocino team, García spent the most successful years in the history of the club. The team finished second toBoca Juniors in2017–18 (only two points behind), and qualified to play the2017 Copa Libertadores. During those five years playing for Godoy Cruz, García also became the club's all-time top scorer in Primera División.[4]
García was a member of theUruguay under-20 team that participated in the2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he played three games and scored one goal.
On 6 February 2021, after several days without contact,[9] García, aged 30, was found dead in his apartment inGodoy Cruz, with a gunshot wound in the rightparietal.[10]
He had been receiving psychiatric treatment. It was later confirmed that the cause of death was suicide by gunshot.[11] After preliminary examinations by the Scientific Police, it was determined that he died on 4 February.[1]
After the death of García was confirmed, Godoy Cruz announced that number 18 worn by García during his tenure with the club would be retired in his honour.[12][13]
