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| Maynor Figueroa | |
|---|---|
| Name | Maynor Figueroa |
| Fullname | Maynor Alexis Figueroa Paz |
| Birth date | 1983-05-09 |
| Birth place | Olanchito, Honduras |
| Height | 1.80 m |
| Position | Centre-back, left-back |
| Youthclubs | Platense |
Maynor Figueroa is a Honduran professional footballer and coach known for a long career as a versatile left-sided defender and occasional midfielder. He rose from youth football in Honduras to a prominent club career spanning Honduran and English competitions, and he earned over a century of caps for the Honduras national team. Figueroa featured in multiple FIFA World Cup tournaments and represented clubs in international club competitions.
Figueroa was born in Olanchito in the Yoro Department of Honduras and developed in the youth system of Platense. During his teenage years he progressed through regional tournaments alongside contemporaries who later moved to Olimpia, Real España and Marathón. Influenced by Honduran defenders who represented World Cup squads from CONCACAF, he combined local school competitions with appearances for Platense in the Liga Nacional youth fixtures.
Figueroa made his professional debut with Platense before transferring to Olimpia, where he won domestic honours and played in the CONCACAF Champions League qualifying cycles. His performances attracted attention from abroad and he secured a move to Wigan Athletic in the Premier League era, joining a squad managed by Steve Bruce and later Roberto Martínez. At Wigan he adapted to both Premier League and FA Cup contexts, contributing defensively and scoring decisive goals against clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. After several seasons he transferred to Hull City and later played on loan at Wolves before permanent stints with FC Dallas in Major League Soccer, and returns to Honduran clubs including Olimpia and Motagua. Throughout his club career he competed in Europa League qualifying ties, EFL Championship promotion battles, and MLS Cup playoff fixtures with teammates from Spain, Brazil, Argentina, and United States internationals.
Figueroa debuted for the Honduras national team in the early 2000s and became a mainstay under managers such as Reinaldo Rueda and Luis Fernando Suárez. He represented Honduras at the 2008 Olympics qualifying stages, earned selection for the 2010 FIFA World Cup squad in South Africa, and later captained Honduras at the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns and the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments. Figueroa passed 100 caps milestone playing in CONCACAF qualifiers and friendly fixtures against nations including United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama. His international career included appearances in FIFA World Cup qualification cycles across CONCACAF and participation in regional competitions like the Copa Centroamericana.
Figueroa is noted for his left-footed defensive versatility, operating as a left-back, centre-back, and occasional defensive midfielder. He combined aerial ability with tackling and positional reading, traits that suited managers deploying zonal marking systems against clubs such as Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea. His stamina and crossing allowed overlap play akin to left-sided defenders who transitioned into midfield roles for clubs like FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF. Coaches praised his leadership, work-rate and capacity to adapt between the tactical frameworks of Premier League and Major League Soccer.
Off the pitch Figueroa has family ties to Olanchito and maintained residence in Tegucigalpa during national team camps. He engaged in community initiatives in Honduras alongside former internationals and club teammates, and has been involved in youth coaching clinics influenced by former managers such as Roberto Martínez and Steve Bruce. Figueroa speaks Spanish and English, and his professional moves exposed him to football cultures in England, United States, and Central America.
Club appearances and goals span domestic leagues in Honduras, the Premier League, the English Football League, and Major League Soccer. Internationally he recorded over 100 caps and contributed goals in CONCACAF qualifiers and international friendlies, reaching milestones alongside Honduran contemporaries who also surpassed centurion status in CONCACAF history.
Figueroa won domestic titles in the Honduran Liga Nacional with Olimpia and collected cup honours during his time in England, including involvement in FA Cup campaigns. Individually he was recognised for reaching 100 international caps and for long-term service in top-flight competitions such as the Premier League and Major League Soccer. He featured in squads that contested continental competitions like the CONCACAF Champions League and earned accolades from national federations for contributions to Honduran football.
Category:Honduran footballers Category:Living people Category:1983 births