 Flores warming up withAdelaide United in 2010 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Marcos Abel Flores Benard | ||
| Date of birth | (1985-10-23)23 October 1985 (age 40) | ||
| Place of birth | Reconquista, Argentina | ||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001–2003 | Unión de Santa Fe | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2003–2006 | Unión de Santa Fe | 24 | (9) |
| 2006–2008 | Newell's Old Boys | 16 | (0) |
| 2007–2008 | →Unión de Santa Fe (loan) | 26 | (2) |
| 2009 | Curicó Unido | 25 | (4) |
| 2010–2011 | Adelaide United | 31 | (8) |
| 2011–2012 | Henan Jianye | 15 | (0) |
| 2012–2013 | Melbourne Victory | 24 | (4) |
| 2013–2014 | Central Coast Mariners | 12 | (3) |
| 2014–2015 | Newcastle Jets | 6 | (1) |
| 2015 | Jacksonville Armada | 22 | (2) |
| 2016 | Curicó Unido | 8 | (1) |
| 2016 | Persib Bandung | 13 | (1) |
| 2017 | Bali United | 26 | (8) |
| 2019–2020 | Adelaide City | 22 | (4) |
| Total | 270 | (47) | |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Marcos Abel Flores Benard (Spanish pronunciation:[ˈmaɾkosˈfloɾes]; born 23 October 1985) is anArgentine former professionalfootballer who last played for, and captained,Adelaide City.
On 17 April 2004, Flores made his senior debut forArgentine clubUnión de Santa Fe as a 67th-minute substitute forMiguel Sebastián Garcia and scored his first goal in the 89th minute of the same match.
In 2006, Flores was transferred toNewell's Old Boys but was loaned back to Unión de Santa Fe for a one-year period.
After returning to Newell's Old Boys, Flores was finally transferred to the ChileanPrimera División clubCuricó Unido.
It was revealed in June 2009, that AustralianA-League clubAdelaide United had approached Flores for the2009–10 A-League season, but the negotiations collapsed, citing Flores' desire to remain in South America.[1] On 8 December 2009, Flores signed with Adelaide United and was named as part of the club's squad for the2010 AFC Champions League.[2] Flores was officially revealed by the club on 11 January 2010.[3]
Flores was then registered as an injury replacement player for fellow importCristiano[4] and made his debut as a 60th-minute substitute for Adelaide United in their 2–0 win against Brisbane Roar on 6 February 2010.[5] Flores impressed at Adelaide and gained instant legendary status by the Adelaide United fans.[6] Flores provided the team with theplaymaker position, and showcased skills and technique rarely seen in the A-League.[7] Flores added aggression and stamina to his game since coming to the A-League.[8]
Flores scored four A-Leaguegoal of the season contenders in the 2010–11 season.[9][10] Flores' form at Adelaide attracted overseas attention, withJ-League clubUrawa Red Diamonds and aspiringMLS clubNew York Cosmos.[11] On 21 January 2011, Flores scored his firstA-league hat-trick for Adelaide in their record 8–1 win overNorth Queensland Fury. Flores won the Johnny Warren player of the year award for the 2010–11 season.[12] Adelaide offered Flores a three-year deal worth $320,000 a season, which would have made him the highest paid player in the club's history.[13]
Flores announced his transfer toChinese Super League clubHenan Jianye on 26 June 2011, where he was set to earn $2.4 million over a three-year period. The transfer fee was said to be worth $500,000.[14] Flores made his debut for Henan Jianye as a second-half substitute on 10 July 2011 in an away 0–0 draw againstChangchun Yatai in the Chinese Super League. His contract was terminated by mutual consent at 21 June 2012.[15] Flores stated that he was interested in coming back to Australia, preferably Adelaide United, but a move was halted due tosalary cap reasons.[16]
On 4 July 2012, it was announced that Marcos Flores had signed withA-League clubMelbourne Victory on a two-year deal worth around $1 million.[17]
He made his debut in round 1 of theA-League against cross town rivalsMelbourne Heart on 5 October 2012.[18] Flores scored his first everMelbourne Victory goal on 5 November 2012, in a game againstWellington Phoenix.[19] Flores was released by Melbourne Victory on 5 July 2013, becoming a free agent.
Shortly after his release, he was signed by the Central Coast Mariners on a one-year contract.[20] He was seriously injured, suffering anAnterior cruciate ligament tear, and was put out for the rest of the season. On 29 March 2014 the Mariners announced he would not be re-signed for the following season.[21]
On 9 June 2014, it was announced that Flores will play for the Newcastle Jets in the upcoming Hyundai A-League season.[22] Marcos scored his first goal for the Newcastle Jets against the Western Sydney Wanderers in the 27th minute in a 1–1 draw.[23]
On 15 January 2015, Flores' contract with the Jets was mutually terminated, to allow Flores to move to an overseas football club.[24]
After being released by the Newcastle Jets, Flores signed withNASL teamJacksonville Armada FC.[25] The Armada's General Manager,Dario Sala, flew out to Australia to complete the signing of Flores on 22 January 2015.[26] Flores was released by Jacksonville in November 2015.[27]
On January 30 Marcos joined Curico Unido unfortunately things didn't work out and he only made a few starts and a few off the bench. He also sat on the bench and wasn't in the squad for most of the season. On the 2nd of August Marcos got released.
On August 30, 2016, Marcos signed a 4-months deal withIndonesia Soccer Championship A sidePersib Bandung. He eventually got his debut on September 18 in an away match againstBali United.[28]
On 17 January 2019, Flores signed a 2-year deal withNational Premier League sideAdelaide City.[29]
On 15 May 2020, Flores announced his retirement from football.[30][31]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other1 | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Curicó Unido | 2009 | 25 | 4 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 2 | 0 | 27 | 4 |
| Total | 25 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 27 | 4 | |
| Adelaide United | 2009–10 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 7 | 0 | – | – | 9 | 0 |
| 2010–11 | 29 | 9 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 29 | 9 | |
| Total | 31 | 9 | – | – | 7 | 0 | – | – | 38 | 9 | |
| Henan Jianye | 2011 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 11 | 0 |
| 2012 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 15 | 0 | |
| Melbourne Victory | 2012–13 | 24 | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 24 | 4 |
| Total | 24 | 4 | – | – | 0 | 0 | – | – | 24 | 4 | |
| Central Coast Mariners | 2013–14 | 12 | 3 | – | – | 0 | 0 | – | – | 12 | 3 |
| Total | 12 | 3 | – | – | 0 | 0 | – | – | 12 | 3 | |
| Newcastle Jets | 2014–15 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 6 | 1 |
| Total | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 6 | 1 | |
| Jacksonville Armada | 2015 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 4 | 2 |
| Total | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 4 | 2 | |
| Total | 125 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 125 | 23 | |
1 – includesChilean Primera División play-offs
Individual
Adelaide City playmaker Marcos Flores has announced his retirement after spreading joy throughout his glittering football career to six continents.