10 fun facts about Hirving Lozano

Hirving Lozano, popularly known as “Chucky,” is a Mexican professional footballer who is currently a part of the Italian Serie A club Napoli and represents the Mexico national team. Born on July 30, 1995, in Mexico City, Mexico, Lozano began his football journey by playing for local clubs before catching the attention of Pachuca, one of Mexico’s prominent clubs.

In 2009, he joined the Pachuca youth academy and swiftly climbed up the ranks. At the age of 18, Lozano made his professional debut for Pachuca in 2014. His exceptional skills and talent quickly made him one of the most promising young players in Mexican football. Lozano played a pivotal role in Pachuca’s triumph in the Liga MX Clausura championship in 2016 and was recognized for his outstanding performances by being included in the Best XI.

In 2017, Lozano made a move to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven for a reported fee of €8 million. He swiftly became an integral part of the team, contributing significantly to their success in winning the Eredivisie title in his debut season. Lozano’s prominence further soared when he emerged as the top scorer for the Mexican national team during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. His winning goal against Germany in the opening match of the tournament brought him even more attention and acclaim.

Napoli was captivated by his impressive performances, leading them to secure his signature for a club-record fee of €42 million. In September 2019, he marked his debut for Napoli with a remarkable goal against Juventus. Ever since, he has emerged as a vital player for the team, contributing to their triumph in the Coppa Italia in 2020 and the Serie A title in 2023.

Lozano’s journey with the Mexican national team began in 2016, and he has since become an integral part of the squad. He has proudly represented Mexico in prestigious tournaments such as the 2017 Confederations Cup, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. With 17 goals in 64 appearances for the national team, Lozano has proven his worth by scoring crucial goals in World Cup qualifying matches. Below are some fun facts about him.

1. Why the nickname “Chucky”?

During his early days in the world of football, Lozano earned himself a rather interesting nickname. Legend has it that he would often play mischievous pranks on his teammates by hiding under their beds and giving them a good scare.

He said, “It was approximately two months ago that I arrived in Pachuca. I was living with my coworkers,” he explained, “where I used to hide under the bus seats and beds and scare my coworkers.”

“At the time, two coworkers approached me and asked, ‘Would you like us to call you Chucky?’ And I said ‘yes, no problem, it doesn’t bother me’. And that’s how Chucky Lozanor was born, and they’ve been calling me that ever since.”

2. Guided by his father

Lozano was raised in Mexico City, where he grew up in a white Mexican family with Spanish connections. His mother, Ana Maria Bahena, and his father, Jesus Lozano, played significant roles in his upbringing.

It was in Pachuca city, located about 90 kilometers north of the capital, where Lozano’s football skills were nurtured. This city became the platform for his rise to prominence, as he displayed a strong determination to succeed and climbed the ranks of his youth club. Recognizing their potential, Lozano’s father ensured that both him and his brother were introduced to football at an early age, igniting their passion to pursue professional careers in the sport.

Ultimately, Lozano’s success in football not only transformed his own life but also lifted his entire family out of poverty.

3. Told he lacked discipline as a youngster

Despite being relatively new to the football scene, Lozano has already accumulated a total of seven red cards in his short tenure in senior football. This is in addition to the one he received while participating in his country’s under-23 competitions.

Lozano’s lack of discipline has drawn criticism, as he has been known to challenge authority during his stint with Pachuca and engage in on-field altercations with minimal provocation.

4. Gained fame in 2018

Lozano’s career was predominantly spent away from the spotlight. His rise to fame came from his unexpected and solitary goal for Mexico against Germany in the pre-tournament competition at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Additionally, he contributed to Mexico’s success by scoring crucial match-winning goals against South Korea, alongside Chicharito. As a result, Mexico secured their spot in the knockout stage of the competition. However, their journey came to an end in the round of 16 when they were defeated by Brazil.

5. Most expensive Mexican player

With his exceptional performances at PSV, he quickly gained worldwide acclaim and caught the attention of numerous clubs throughout Europe. Eventually, it was Napoli who managed to secure his talents for a staggering €42 million, thus crowning him as the priciest Mexican player in history.

6.Napoli’s second most expensive signing

Napoli made a significant financial investment to acquire the services of the talented Mexican player who had made a huge impact in the Eredivisie. Lozano joined the club in Naples for a reported fee of €42 million, making him the most expensive signing in Napoli’s history at that time.

However, this record was later surpassed by the transfer of Victor Osimhen. During his first appearance in Serie A, Lozano came off the bench in the second half and managed to score against Juventus in a 4-3 defeat. Over the course of three years, the Mexican winger has established himself as a crucial member of the Naples-based team.

7. PSV’s most expensive player sale of all time

In just two seasons, Lozano showcased his incredible talent by netting an impressive 34 goals in 60 appearances for his team. This outstanding performance caught the attention of Italian giants Napoli, who were willing to pay a staggering €42m for the 24-year-old winger. This transfer not only made Lozano the most expensive sale in PSV’s history but also solidified his place in the record books, a feat that remains unchallenged to this day.

8. CONCACAF U-20 Championship golden boot winner

Lozano made headlines during the CONCACAF U20 Championship in 2015, where Mexico emerged victorious. He concluded the tournament with an impressive tally of five goals, earning him a share of the Golden Boot award alongside United States midfielder Romain Gall.

9. CONCACAF Men’s Player of the Year

Lozano received widespread praise for his performances at the 2018 FIFA World Cup representing Mexico, as well as for his outstanding domestic season in the Netherlands. He made a significant impact with his club, PSV Eindhoven, netting 17 goals in 30 Eredivisie matches throughout the year, and adding four goals in eight UEFA Champions League matches. As a result of his impressive displays, he was honored as the best CONCACAF player of the year in 2018.

10. Unique style of play

With a dominant right foot, he primarily operates on the left wing. However, he is versatile enough to excel on the right side or even in the center. Lozano’s exceptional shooting and precise crossing skills have significantly contributed to both his club and national team, resulting in numerous goals and assists.

He also possesses remarkable creativity, technical finesse, and a keen eye for scoring opportunities. His powerful right foot makes him a formidable threat when cutting inside from the left flank. Moreover, his adeptness in generating and converting chances, combined with his strong left foot, enables him to deliver accurate crosses after controlling the ball.