Pablo EstÃÂfer Armero (born 2 November 1986) is a Colombian former professional footballer who played as a left-back. He is known in Colombia by the nickname "MiñÃÂa", reportedly after a phrase commonly used to call infants in his hometown.
Armero made his professional debut with América de Cali, and he was part of the squad that won the 2008 Finalizacion title against Independiente MedellÃÂn.
After his performance with Colombia, and having helped América win their 13th championship, Armero was loaned to Palmeiras, his agent Turbo Sports holding the registration rights through Poços de Caldas. He was signed in early 2009, and was the first choice for Palmeiras left-back position. He helped Palmeiras reach the São Paulo State Championship semi-finals before losing to Santos. He was noticed for his speed and crossing abilities and played many matches helping Palmeiras lead in the Brazilian Série A. His only goal for Palmeiras came in a 4âÂÂ1 win against Náutico in July 2009.
Having signed a pre-contract, Armero almost joined the Serie A side Parma in July 2010, but the deal collapsed on 3 July. Parma's lack of non-EU registration quota, reflected in the new ruling announced on 2 July, forced the contract to be terminated and obligated the club to pay a sum to the player. Instead, Parma signed Zé Eduardo. It was reported that Palmeiras bought 20% economic rights, (date unknown) and the non-dividable registration rights in June 2010. made Palmeiras would receive 20% transfer fee.
On 28 August 2010, Udinese signed Armero. He became a left wingback ahead of Giovanni Pasquale in Udinese's 3âÂÂ5âÂÂ2 formation (or a 5âÂÂ3âÂÂ2 formation). That season Udinese finished fourth and returned to the UEFA Champions League.
Due to Udinese's UEFA coefficient, Udinese paired with seeded team Arsenal of the English Premier League. The team changed tactics, and Armero played as a left-sided wingback in its 4âÂÂ4âÂÂ1âÂÂ1 formation, with new-signing Neuton playing new left-back. After his successful Serie A debut and following his appearances in European football, Armero was selected into the Serie A Team of the Year for the 2010âÂÂ11 season.
Armero was rested for the first round of 2011âÂÂ12 Serie A and started in his first UEFA Europa League match on 15 September. With the team changing its tactics back to 3âÂÂ5âÂÂ2, Armero remained left wing-back, also scoring the winning goal.
On 9 January 2013, Armero joined Napoli on loan until the end of the season, with the option to make a permanent switch in the summer. He mostly made his appearances coming off the bench for the remainder of the 2012âÂÂ13 season. During the 2013 summer transfer window, Napoli made the move permanent for a reported â¬4 million.
On 31 January 2014, Armero completed his loan move to West Ham United until the end of the season. He made his West Ham debut on 15 March in a 3âÂÂ1 away defeat to Stoke City. With West Ham already losing 3âÂÂ1, he was an 83rd-minute substitute for Andy Carroll. He played five league games for West Ham before his loan ended. His final game came on 19 April 2014 in a 1âÂÂ0 home defeat by Crystal Palace. The only goal of the game was a penalty conceded by Armero whose performance was criticised by manager Sam Allardyce.
On 20 June 2014, Udinese announced they had signed back Armero, a season after he left to Napoli.
On 11 August 2014, the club announced his loan move to Milan for the 2014âÂÂ15 season.
On 9 April 2015, he was loaned again, this time to Flamengo, until the end of the year. He debuted in a match against Avaàfor the third round of the Brasileirão 2015.
Armero rejoined Italian club Udinese for the 2015âÂÂ16 season, where he mostly appeared as a substitute. However, Armero was sold halfway through the 2016âÂÂ17 season, having played only eight matches in three years.
On 24 December 2016, he joined Bahia, who was playing in Campeonato Brasileiro Série B at the time.
Armero joined Brazilian club CSA on 17 March 2019, but was released only two months later after being spotted at a nightclub on the eve of a league match.
Armero played for the Colombian under-17 team in the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship and was promoted to the senior team in 2008 for his form with América de Cali. He received his first cap in Colombia's 5âÂÂ2 win over Venezuela and has won the spot of starting left-back for the national team. In March 2013, he scored his first goal for Colombia in a 5âÂÂ0 victory over Bolivia.
In June 2014, he was named in Colombia's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals. Armero scored Colombia's first goal in a 3âÂÂ0 win against Greece in the team's opening group game.
Described as a "box-to-box player" ("tuttocampista," in Italian) in the media, Armero was known for his versatility, teamâÂÂplay, and work-rate, and is capable of playing in several midfield positions; he has been used as a leftâÂÂsided midfielder, as an attacking midfielder, or as an offensiveâÂÂminded central midfielder, known as the mezzala role, in Italian football jargon, and has even been used as a left-back.
América de Cali
Bahia
Individual