Lucas Rodrigo Biglia was born in Mercedes, Buenos Aires, Argentina, on January 30, 1986.
His youth career was spent at local Estudiantes Mercedes and then at Argentinos Juniors.
He stayed on and started as a professional at Argentinos Juniors, as another Argentinian, Diego Maradona. He played 15 games and scored 1 goal for the ‘Bichos Colorados’.
In 2005 he signed for Independiente. He stayed one year with the Avellaneda club, playing 49 games.
In 2006 Europe called. He signed for Anderlecht and set off to play in Belgium for the Purple and Whites of Brussels. He stayed six years with the ‘Paars-Wit’ playing 187 games and scoring 11 goals. In his time in Brussels he won 4 league titles, 1 Belgian Cup and 4 Supercups.
In the summer of 2013 he signed for Lazio for five years. His debut was unfortunate as it came in a 4-0 defeat by Juventus in the Italian Supercoppa final. His league debut, a week later on the 25th August, at least coincided with a win as Lazio beat Udinese 2-1. His first goal for the Biancocelesti was away against Verona on the 22nd December. In his first year in Rome, first under Vladimir Petkovic and then Edy Reja, he made 26 league appearances (2 goals), 1 in Coppa Italia, 4 in the Europa League and 1 in the Super Coppa.
In his second year, he found a new manager, Stefano Pioli. Lazio had an excellent season finishing third and qualifying for the Champions League preliminary round. Biglia played 27 league games and scored 3 goals (Torino, Fiorentina, Cagliari) and 4 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (winner against Milan away). Lazio reached the final of Coppa Italia but were unlucky and defeated 2-1 by Juventus in extra time.
In 2015-16, Lazio again started the season with Stefano Pioli (1-32) but finished it under Simone Inzaghi (32-38). Biglia played 27 league games and scored 4 goals (Bologna, Verona, Atalanta, Torino), 2 in Coppa Italia, 6 in Europe (1 CL-5 UCL) with 1 goal (Saint-Étienne) and 1 in the Italian Supercoppa final.
The next season, 2016-17, would be his last in Rome. Simone Inzaghi was confirmed as manager and Biglia played 29 league games with 4 goals (Genoa, Fiorentina, Milan, Genoa) and 5 games in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Inter). Lazio had a decent season finishing 5th and also reached the final of Coppa Italia but were again defeated by Juventus 2-0.
In the summer of 2017, after four seasons, Biglia left Lazio and joined Milan. The Rossoneri signed him for 17 million Euros, plus 3 of bonus'. In his first year with the ‘Diavoli’ he played under Vincenzo Montella (until 27 November) and then Gennaro Gattuso; he made 28 league appearances with 1 goal (Spal), 4 in Coppa Italia and 5 in Europa League. Milan reached the final of Coppa Italia but were defeated by … surprise, surprise, Juventus.
In his next two seasons in Milan he played less, also due to a series of injuries. In 2018-19 Gattuso stayed on and Biglia made 16 league appearances (1 goal vs Chievo), 1 in Coppa Italia and 2 in Europa League.
In 2019-20 (the season interrupted by Covid) he played only 14 games in Serie A, first under manager Marco Giampaolo (1-7) and then Stefano Pioli. Despite being reunited with his former Lazio coach, Biglia was not able to impose himself as a first choice midfielder and when his contract ran out at the end of the season he left.
In September 2020 he went to play in Turkey, joining Fatih Karagümrük in the Süper Lig. He was almost immediately made captain and stayed two years with the Istanbul club. He played 65 games for the ‘Kara Kirmizi’ and scored 4 goals.
In 2022 he changed teams but stayed in Turkey and Istanbul. He joined the ambitious İstanbul Başakşehir. A club only formed in 1990 and said to be very ‘close’ to the current Turkish government (it is owned by a minister). They are an up and coming club and have already won one league (2019-20). They obviously do not have the massive following of Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe or Galatasaray. One Besiktas fan interviewed before a derby game claimed he had never met a Başakşehir fan... Anyway Biglia went to play for the Grey Owls of Istanbul, under former Inter player Emre Belözoğlu. He made 42 appearances and decided not to continue with the club.
After eight months of unemployment, in February 2024 he announced his retirement.
On the international stage Biglia first played 3 games for Argentina U-17's (1 goal), then 8 games for the U-20's (1 goal). With the U-17's he won the South-American Championship in 2003 and bronze in the World Championships. With the U-20's he won bronze at the South-American Championship in 2005 but then won gold at the World Cup.
He then went on to earn 58 full caps for the Albiceleste and scored 1 goal against Colombia. His debut came on 9 February 2011 in a friendly against Portugal. He played his first game at a world championship on 15 June 2014. He played 7 games in that world cup including the final loss against Germany. Losing finals was unfortunately a recurring event in his national team career, losing two Copa América finals in Chile 2015 and USA 2016. He retired from the Albiceleste after playing one game (versus Iceland) at the Russia World Cup 2018.
Lucas Biglia is nicknamed El Principito (“Little Prince”) for his diminutive height, although he is 1.78 metres tall. He is a defensive midfielder and usually plays as a deep lying playmaker. He is a hard worker, aggressive and good at breaking down opposing attacks. In addition to these defensive skills he can also dictate the tempo with good technique, vision and passing ability. He has leadership qualities and was captain at times with Lazio. The Argentine possesses good ball-striking ability confirmed by many goals on freekicks and penalties. He has had a good career as his curriculum proves and his 59 Argentina caps are particularly impressive.
At Lazio he was a reasonable success. He had four solid seasons and captained the Biancocelesti thirteen times. He was never a massive fan favourite and in my opinion lacked some qualities to make him a great player. It's true that had Lazio not lost 4 cup finals during his time in Rome he might be remembered differently. He will however be remembered with affection and his best Italian days were definitely in the capital.
Lazio Career
Season | Total Appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Champions League | Europa League | Super Coppa |
2013-14 | 32 (2) | 26 (2) | 1 | - | 4 | 1 |
2014-15 | 31 (4) | 27 (3) | 4 (1) | - | - | - |
2015-16 | 36 (5) | 27 (4) | 2 | 1 | 5 (1) | 1 |
2016-17 | 34 (5) | 29 (4) | 5 (1) | - | - | - |
Total | 133 (16) | 109 (13) | 12 (2) | 1 | 9 (1) | 2 |
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