| Intro | Argentine football player/manager |
| Is |
Sports official Athlete Football player Association football player Association football manager |
| From | Argentina |
| Type | Sports |
| Gender | male |
| Birth | 4 July 1977, Buenos Aires |
| Age: | 43 years |
Sebastián Ariel Méndez Pardiñas (born 4 July 1977) is an Argentine retired footballer who played as a central defender, and a current manager.
As a player, he won the Argentine Primera División with all three clubs he represented in his country, and also spent almost five years in Spain.
Playing career
A native of Buenos Aires, Méndez started his career with Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield. He made his debut in the top division on 24 July 1994 against Club Social, Deportivo y Cultural Español, aged only 17. During his tenure the club had the most sustained period of success in its history, collecting three leagues and other five international tournaments, with the player being an undisputed starter during his last six years.
In January 2002, Méndez moved to Spain to play for Celta de Vigo in La Liga, during the Galician team’s heyday. In his four 1/2-year spell, he started rarely (tops 16 games in 2004–05, with the side in the second level) but did amass 69 competitive appearances.
In 2006 Méndez returned to his country, signing with San Lorenzo de Almagro, and helped it to the 2007 Clausura tournament to conquer his fourth league title. Nevertheless, during 2008 he took part in only a few matches, mostly because of constant injuries and ejections. Afterwards, he was transferred to Club Atlético Banfield for the 2009–10 season, and was a key member of the squad that won the 2009 Apertura, appearing in all 19 contests.
On 13 December 2009, the squad celebrated its first ever top division accolade. Shortly after, Méndez announced his retirement from football at the age of 32.
Manager career
On 4 April 2010 Méndez returned to San Lorenzo, now as a caretaker manager, following Diego Simeone’s dismissal. On 21 December he landed his first full-time job, in another of his former clubs, Banfield, where he replaced Julio César Falcioni.
Honours
- Vélez
- Argentine League: Apertura 1995, Clausura 1996, Clausura 1998
- Libertadores Cup: 1994
- Intercontinental Cup: 1994
- Interamerican Cup: 1995
- South American Cup: 1996
- South American Supercup: 1997
- San Lorenzo
- Argentine League: Clausura 2007
- Banfield
- Argentine League: Apertura 2009