Gustavo Bou

Argentine footballer

Gustavo Bou
Bou with the New England Revolution in 2019
Personal information
Full name Gustavo Leonardo Bou
Date of birth (1990-02-18) 18 February 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Concordia, Entre Ríos, Argentina
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
River Plate
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2014 River Plate 30 (3)
2012–2013 → Olimpo (loan) 33 (8)
2013–2014LDU Quito (loan) 20 (4)
2014Gimnasia (loan) 13 (1)
2014–2017 Racing Club 75 (33)
2017–2019 Tijuana 49 (20)
2018Racing Club (loan) 8 (1)
2019–2023 New England Revolution 95 (42)
2024- Club Atlético Talleres 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 03:58, 16 July 2023 (UTC)

Gustavo Leonardo Bou (/b/ BOH, Spanish: [ɡusˈtaβo leoˈnaɾðo ˈβow]; born 18 February 1990) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Club Atlético Talleres.[2][3]

Bou's professional career began in 2008 at the age of 18 with River Plate, under coach Diego Simeone. During his career he has played in Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, and the United States.

While playing in Argentina, Bou was on the team that won the 2007–08 Toreno Clasura tournament, the 2011–12 Primera B Nacional with River Plate, the 2014 Torneo Transición and 2018–19 Primera División with Racing Club de Avellaneda ("Racing"). He was the top goal scorer in the 2015 Copa Libertadores with eight goals.[4]

Bou is often referred to by his nickname La Pantera ("The Panther"). He has a tattoo of a panther on his left arm in honor of the moniker. When asked about its meaning in a 2019 interview, Bou compared his playing style to that of a panther, saying, "A panther is always ready to pounce on an opportunity... A panther does not leave. It hides."[5][6]

Career

River Plate

Bou started his career in the youth ranks of Club Comunicaciones Concordia. At the age of 14, he joined River Plate's reserve team, where manager Diego Simeone later offered him a contract to join the senior team. On 23 March 2008, Bou made his debut for River Plate against Vélez Sarsfield. He played in the 43rd minute of the match, substituting for Mauro Rosales.[7][8]

While Bou was with River Plate, he was called up for the 2007 U-17 World Cup in Korea, but was unable to participate due to a partial tear of a lateral ligament and meniscus.[citation needed]

Bou scored his first goal in a match against Newell's Old Boys on the 12th week of the Torneo Apertura 2008.[9] He played sparingly during the 2010-11 season, and the team was later relegated to Primera B Nacional (Argentina's second division).

Olimpo

At the beginning of the 2012–13 Primera B Nacional season, Club Olimpo signed Bou on a loan. He debuted on 27 August 2012 against Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy.[10] In week 4, he scored his first goal for Olimpo.[11]

Liga de Quito

Bou signed with Liga de Quito, on loan from River Plate, for the second round of the 2013 Campeonato Ecuatoriano de Fútbol Serie A,[12] scoring his first brace (two goals in the same match) on 21 July against Barcelona Guayaquil.[13]

Gimnasia La Plata

At the beginning of 2014, Bou signed with Gimnasia La Plata on a six-month loan from River Plate. At the end of the loan, he became a free agent.

Racing Club

2014 season

In August 2014, Bou signed as a free agent with Racing Club.[14] This was a controversial move,[15] as both Cocca and Bou were represented by the same agent, Christian Bragarnik.[16] He played his first match on 26 August against Arsenal de Sarandí. Bou scored his first goal with Racing on 22 September against Newell's Old Boys.

2015 season

On 17 January 2015, Bou scored the first hat-trick (three goals in the same match) of his career against Boca Juniors in the Summer Tournament held in the city of Mar del Plata, and also won the player of the match award for that performance.

Bou made his Libertadores Cup debut against Deportivo Tachira where he was named the best player of the match for his hat trick and two assists.

2016 season

In the summer before the 2016 season, Bou refused to practice with the club after Blanco rejected a $5 million offer from Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bou reached an agreement with Racing to be sold if an $8 million offer was made for his contract. Later, Racing rejected an $8 million bid from Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan for Bou, who voiced his frustration with Racing president Víctor Blanco for violating the agreement by rejecting the offer. Blanco later clarified that the $8 million figure was an after-tax amount and that Racing would therefore need an offer in the $10 million range, however, Bou did not agree with that interpretation.[17]

Although he continued to be a Racing player, he stopped making appearances later in the season due to injuries and conflicts with the president of Racing Víctor Blanco.

2016-17 season

Despite the controversy over his contract, and with some changes in the club's staff, Bou signed a new contract expiring in 2020.

Tijuana de Mexico (2017–2018)

On 26 June 2017, Bou joined Liga MX side Tijuana.[18] On his decision to join "Xolos", Bou stated "I made my decision after the coaching staff called and made it clear it wanted to bring me here and the effort the front office made to get me here. I really value that."[19] According to various Argentine media sources, Tijuana paid roughly $7 million for Bou's transfer.[20] During his time in Mexico, he played 36 games, scored 10 goals and made six assists.[citation needed]

Second stint at Racing Club

2018–2019 season

In 2018, Racing Club brought Bou in on loan for one year for $2 million to replace Lautaro Martínez, who had just joined Inter Milan.[21]

His first game was played against his former team, River Plate, for the 2018 Copa Libertadores. On 31 March 2019, he was awarded champion with Racing Club for the second time, even though he was no longer in the club. In the 2018–2019 season he scored only one goal and made three assists.

Return to Tijuana

In 2019, Gustavo surprised many when he terminated his contract with Racing and returned to Tijuana. During this stint he played 19 games, scoring 11 goals.

New England Revolution

On 10 July 2019,[22] Bou signed as a designated player with the New England Revolution for a club-record transfer fee, reportedly in the $6–7 million range.[23] The Boston Globe reported that the deal included $12 million in transfer fees and guaranteed compensation; and could rise to "exceed $16 million" with bonuses and options.[24]

Bou concluded the 2019 season with nine goals and two assists in 14 appearances. He added five more goals and three assists in 14 appearances in 2020.[25]

Bou paid tribute to Diego Maradona after his second goal, laying an Argentine flag on the ground, pointing towards the sky, and kissing the flag.[26]

On October 21, 2023, Bou made his 100th MLS regular season appearance for the Revolution, and scored his second brace, which brought his goal total with the club to 50. The brace also brought Bou to 44 regular season goals, which were the second most by a Revolution player through his first 100 games played, behind only Taylor Twellman.[27]

Club Atlético Talleres

In January 2024, Bou moved to Club Atlético Talleres after his contact with the Revolution expired.[28]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 3 August 2023[29]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
River Plate 2007–08 [30] Argentine Primera División 1 0 0 0 1 0
2008–09 10 1 1[a] 0 11 1
2009–10 13 1 2[b] 1 15 2
2010–11 0 0 0 0
2011–12 Primera Nacional 6 0 0 0 6 0
Total 30 2 0 0 3 1 0 0 33 3
Olimpo (loan) 2012–13 Primera Nacional 33 8 2 0 35 8
LDU Quito (loan) 2013 Ecuadorian Serie A 20 4 20 4
Gimnasia (loan) 2013–14 Argentine Primera División 13 1 13 1
Racing Club 2014 Argentine Primera División 15 10 1 0 16 10
2015 30 9 3 2 10[b] 8 43 19
2016 8 4 3 0 6[b] 2 1[c] 0 18 6
2016–17 22 10 1[a] 0 23 10
Tijuana 2017–18 Liga MX 33 10 3 0 0 0 36 10
2018–19 16 10 3 1 19 11
Total 49 20 6 1 0 0 0 0 55 21
Racing Club (loan) 2018–19 Argentine Primera División 8 1 0 0 2[b] 0 10 1
Racing total 83 34 7 2 19 10 1 0 110 46
New England Revolution 2019 MLS 14 9 0 0 1[d] 0 15 9
2020 18[e] 5 5[f] 3 23 8
2021 30 15 1[d] 0 31 15
2022 19 8 1 0 2[g] 0 22 8
2023 14 5 0 0 3[h] 3 17 8
Total 95 42 1 0 2 0 10 6 108 48
Career total 323 111 16 3 24 11 11 6 374 131
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana
  2. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in Copa Bicentenario
  4. ^ a b Appearance(s) in MLS Cup Playoffs
  5. ^ Includes three appearances and one goal in MLS is Back Tournament group stage
  6. ^ Four appearances and three goals in MLS Cup Playoffs, one appearance in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage
  7. ^ Appearance(s) in CONCACAF Champions League
  8. ^ Appearance(s) in Leagues Cup

Honours

River Plate

Racing Club

New England Revolution

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Gustavo Bou". New England Revolution. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  2. ^ Univision (10 July 2019). "¿Quién es Gustavo Bou? Descubre detalles sobre la carrera y personalidad del nuevo 'Rev'". Univision (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  3. ^ "La historia de Gustavo Bou, el goleador que no despertó con la camiseta de Liga". Bendito Futbol. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Revolution Acquire Forward Gustavo Bou". 10 July 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Five fast facts with Gustavo Bou". 2 June 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Bean The Revs are in the midst of a deep run, and it's time to take notice". 3 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Velez Sarsfield vs. River Plate". 23 March 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  8. ^ "El goleador de moda: la historia de Gustavo Bou, el muchacho que pasó del ostracismo al estrellato". www.lanacion.com.ar (in Spanish). 26 February 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  9. ^ "River Plate v Newells Old Boys". 29 October 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Gimnasia y Esgrima (jujuy) vs Olimpio". 27 August 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  11. ^ "Olimpio 4-0 Aldosivi". 2 September 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  12. ^ "Gustavo Bou confiesa que "no" dudó en aceptar la oferta de Liga de Quito" [Gustavo Bou confesses that he "did not" hesitate to accept the offer from Liga de Quito] (in Spanish). 3 July 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  13. ^ "Liga de Quito 2 - 2 Barcelona SC". 21 July 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  14. ^ "La historia de Gustavo Bou - TyC Sports". www.tycsports.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  15. ^ "Cocca, por lo menos disimulá" (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  16. ^ "Gustavo Bou llega a Racing" [Gustavo Bou arrives at Racing] (in Spanish). 14 August 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  17. ^ "THE CURIOUS CASE OF GUSTAVO BOU: RACING REJECT BIG MONEY OFFER FROM CHINA AND ANGER LA PANTERA". 28 February 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  18. ^ "¡Sólo falta la firma! Gustavo Bou está a un paso de Tijuana" [Only the signature is missing! Gustavo Bou is one step away from Tijuana] (in Spanish). 14 June 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Notes from the Western Frontera - July 1". 1 July 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  20. ^ "Gustavo Bou sería el próximo refuerzo de Tijuana" [Gustavo Bou would be the next reinforcement of Tijuana] (in Spanish). 10 June 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  21. ^ "GUSTAVO BOU MAKES SENSATIONAL RACING RETURN & LA ACADEMIA REPLACE UDINESE-BOUND GOALKEEPER". 5 July 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  22. ^ "Gustavo Bou es el nuevo jugador franquicia del New England Revolution". MARCA Claro Usa (in Spanish). 10 July 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  23. ^ "New England Revolution sign forward Gustavo Bou". 10 July 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  24. ^ "Revolution continue a spending spree with acquisition of Argentinian striker Gustavo Bou". The Boston Globe. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  25. ^ "Gustavo Bou". 6 December 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  26. ^ "Gustavo Bou paid tribute to Diego Maradona after his playoff goal vs. Orlando City". 29 November 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  27. ^ "Recap : Bou bags both as Revs close regular season with 2-1 win over Union in front of 41,355 in Foxborough". revolutionsoccer.net. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  28. ^ "Experiencia y jerarquía para el plantel Albiazul: Gustavo Bou llega a Talleres". Club Atlético Talleres (in Spanish). Grup Eon. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  29. ^ Gustavo Bou at Soccerway. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  30. ^ "Gustavo Bou » Club matches". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  31. ^ "New England Revolution forward Gustavo Bou bags MLS Player of the Month for July". Major League Soccer. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.

External links

  • Gustavo Bou at Fútbol XXI at the Wayback Machine (archived 17 May 2012) (in Spanish)
  • Gustavo Bou at Olé at the Wayback Machine (archived 29 March 2008) (in Spanish)
  • Gustavo Leonardo Bou at Liga MX (in Spanish)
  • Gustavo Bou at Soccerway


Awards
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2015 South American Team of the Year
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