1. Early life and club career beginnings
Conca's early career involved formative years in Argentine youth football and initial professional appearances, followed by loan spells in Argentina, Chile, and Brazil, which shaped his development as a player.
1.1. Early career in Argentina and Chile
Conca began his career in Argentina's Primera B Nacional, making his debut for Tigre at the age of 15 in 1999. Later that year, he was scouted by River Plate, steadily rising through their youth ranks to the first team. On November 23, 2003, he made his senior debut under then-Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini in a 1-0 defeat to Chacarita Juniors.
In 2004, under new River manager Leonardo Astrada, Conca was loaned to Chilean club Universidad Católica. During his time there, he achieved his first career title, winning the 2005 Clausura. In 2006, River Plate loaned him out again, this time to Rosario Central, where he delivered impressive performances.
1.2. Vasco da Gama
Following his displays at Rosario Central, Vasco da Gama successfully bid to bring Conca to Brazil. On January 5, 2007, he signed an initial one-year loan deal from River Plate. Conca made his debut for Vasco and scored his first goal in a 4-0 friendly victory over Villa Rio on January 14, 2007.
2. Rise to prominence in Brazil (Fluminense)
In 2008, Conca joined Fluminense on a loan deal, quickly becoming a key player under coach Renato Gaúcho. He played an important role in the team's strong 2008 Copa Libertadores campaign, alongside teammates such as Thiago Neves, Thiago Silva, Washington, and Cícero. Fluminense reached the final of the competition, where Conca scored an equalizer in the 12th minute, but they ultimately lost 4-2 to Ecuadorian club LDU Quito.
In 2009, Conca signed a three-year permanent deal with Fluminense. His outstanding performances led to him being voted the best player in Brazil in an annual poll organized by Globo for both 2009 and 2010. He was also recognized by the Uruguayan newspaper El País as the 15th-best player in Latin America and the best player in Brazil. After a highly successful 2010 season, where Fluminense won the Brazilian league title, Conca renewed his contract with the club for an additional five years. He also received the prestigious Bola de Ouro and Bola de Prata awards in 2010, alongside the Troféu Mesa Redonda Best Player award.
3. Global recognition in China (Guangzhou Evergrande)
Conca's move to Guangzhou Evergrande marked a significant turning point in his career, establishing him as one of the world's highest-paid players and a dominant force in Asian football.
3.1. 2011 season
On July 2, 2011, Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande officially announced the signing of Darío Conca on a two-and-a-half-year deal. The transfer fee was a domestic record for China, amounting to 10.00 M USD, although some reports also cited it as 10.00 M EUR. This record was later surpassed by Lucas Barrios in May 2012. Conca was assigned the number 15 shirt. His annual salary was widely reported to be around 12.50 M USD, with another report stating 10.40 M USD, placing him among the highest-paid footballers globally, behind only Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.
He made an immediate impact, scoring his first goal for the club on his debut in a 5-0 victory against Nanchang Hengyuan on July 14, 2011. Conca went on to score 9 goals in 15 appearances, playing a crucial role as Guangzhou Evergrande secured their first-ever Chinese Super League championship. His influential performances earned him the nickname "the king of Tianhe Stadium" from local fans and media.
3.2. 2012 season
At the beginning of the 2012 season, Conca helped Guangzhou Evergrande win the 2012 Chinese FA Super Cup against Tianjin Teda on February 25. On March 7, he scored his first two goals in the AFC Champions League, marking Guangzhou's debut in the competition, as they defeated K-League champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 5-1 away. Conca continued his excellent form through March and April, scoring five goals in the first eight rounds of the domestic league and three goals in the first four group stage games of the AFC Champions League, as Guangzhou topped both competitions.
On May 1, during a home Champions League match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Conca scored a penalty after his teammate Zhang Linpeng was fouled. However, he was substituted in the 60th minute, and Guangzhou went on to lose 3-1 after Jeonbuk Hyundai's Lee Dong-gook scored two goals in injury time. On May 3, Conca publicly expressed his disappointment regarding the substitution on his Weibo account, stating: "I don't understand why they always sideline me with the excuse that I'm exhausted and need rest. How could I have scored a crucial penalty if I'm not in condition? And why does the coach always have Conca take a rest?" He also reportedly kicked a water bottle in frustration.
As a consequence of his public remarks, on May 4, Conca was disciplined by the club, receiving a ban of at least nine matches (including reserve league matches) and a fine of 1.00 M CNY. However, the club decided to include him in the squad for the final AFC Champions League group match against Buriram United on May 15. He scored the winning goal in the 90th minute, securing Guangzhou's place in the knockout phase. His ban was officially canceled on May 17 when former Italian World Cup-winning manager Marcello Lippi was appointed as the new coach of the club.
On July 4, Conca submitted a transfer request, but after several discussions with the club, he changed his mind and committed to staying in Guangzhou until at least the end of the season. On October 27, Conca assisted Gao Lin in scoring the league-winning goal in injury time against Liaoning Whowin, securing Guangzhou Evergrande's second consecutive Super League title and making them the first team to defend the CSL title. In his first full year in China, Conca played 36 matches and scored 17 goals for Guangzhou. He was nominated for the Chinese Football Association Footballer of the Year award but lost to Jiangsu Sainty's Cristian Dănălache, the league's top scorer, in November 2012.
3.3. 2013 season
On November 30, 2012, Conca indicated his decision to leave Guangzhou Evergrande, sending a letter to club president Liu Yongzhuo expressing his desire to return to Brazil, specifically to Fluminense, where he remained an idol. However, Fluminense and Guangzhou Evergrande could not reach an agreement for his transfer, leading Conca to return to China on January 3, 2013.
Conca continued to be a crucial player in Marcello Lippi's tactical plans during the 2013 season. He made his season debut on February 26, 2013, in the first match of the 2013 AFC Champions League group stage, as Guangzhou defeated J. League Division 1 side Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 at Tianhe Stadium. He scored his first goal of the season in the 2013 Chinese FA Super Cup on March 3, 2013, but Guangzhou ultimately lost 2-1 to Jiangsu Sainty, failing to defend their Super Cup title. Conca was again linked with Fluminense in the summer, but he reiterated his commitment to fulfill his contract and return to Brazil only at the end of 2013.
He scored 14 goals in 26 league appearances during the season, contributing to Guangzhou's third consecutive Super League title. In the 2013 AFC Champions League, Conca displayed exceptional form, scoring six goals in five successive matches from the second leg of the round of 16 to the second leg of the semi-finals. His efforts helped Guangzhou become the first Chinese club to reach the final of the AFC Club Championship since 1998.
On November 3, 2013, in the final league match against Wuhan Zall, which Guangzhou won 5-0, Conca famously stripped off his shirt after scoring his first goal to reveal a message that read: "No matter where I am, you will always be in my mind. Thank you," as a farewell to Guangzhou Evergrande fans. Conca played both legs of the 2013 AFC Champions League Final, which Guangzhou secured the title on the away goals rule against FC Seoul on November 9, 2013.
On November 17, 2013, during a 2-1 victory against São Paulo at Maracanã Stadium, Fluminense unusually announced Conca's return to the club for the 2014 season on the field's giant screen. Before heading back to Brazil, Conca remained available to play for Guangzhou Evergrande until the end of the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup in December. He was honored with the Chinese Football Association Footballer of the Year award on November 24, 2013. In December, despite Guangzhou failing to defend their FA Cup title after losing 3-2 on aggregate to Guizhou Renhe in the 2013 Chinese FA Cup final, Conca was awarded the Most Valuable Player of the FA Cup.
Conca played all three matches for Guangzhou Evergrande in the FIFA Club World Cup, scoring two goals in the tournament, making him the competition's top scorer. His first goal came in the quarter-finals when Guangzhou defeated African champions Al Ahly 2-0. The second goal was scored in his final match for the club, a 3-2 loss to Copa Libertadores winners Atlético Mineiro in the third-place play-off. In total, Conca scored 54 goals and provided 37 assists in 99 competitive games for Guangzhou Evergrande.
4. Later career
Following his initial departure from Guangzhou Evergrande, Darío Conca continued his club career with several tenures, including a return to Fluminense and spells with Shanghai SIPG, Flamengo, and Austin Bold before his retirement.
4.1. Return to Fluminense
On January 18, 2014, Conca made his return debut for Fluminense in the first match of the 2014 Campeonato Carioca. He assisted two goals in the match, though Fluminense were ultimately defeated 3-2 by Madureira.
4.2. Shanghai SIPG
On January 22, 2015, Fluminense announced that Conca would be joining Shanghai SIPG. He was given the number 10 shirt and played a key role in leading the club to a league runner-up finish and their first-ever appearance in the AFC Champions League.
On July 8, 2015, he scored a penalty to equalize the game for his team against Guangzhou R&F in the Chinese FA Cup, with his team eventually winning 2-1 at Shanghai Stadium. Four days later, on July 12, Conca scored two goals and provided an assist in an away win against Guangzhou R&F, a match that ended 3-2 in favor of Shanghai SIPG. On March 15, 2016, he assisted Elkeson's second goal in a 2016 AFC Champions League group stage match against Gamba Osaka, giving Shanghai a 2-1 lead in a game they eventually won. Conca was praised for his strong performance in that match. On April 10, 2016, he provided another assist in a 4-0 win against Liaoning FC. He also scored a goal that was later disallowed for offside.
4.3. Flamengo
Conca joined Flamengo on a year-long loan from Shanghai SIPG on January 3, 2017. During his loan spell, he was part of the squad that won the 2017 Campeonato Carioca title. He left the club after the 2017 season.
4.4. Austin Bold and retirement
In 2019, Conca joined Austin Bold FC, a new club playing in the USL Championship (the de facto second tier of American soccer). After making three appearances, the club announced on April 18 that Conca had parted ways to pursue other football opportunities. However, on April 23, 2019, he publicly announced his retirement from professional football, stating his intention to focus on other ventures, including pursuing a career as a professional golfer.
5. International career
Darío Conca was capped at Argentina's youth national team level, but he never received a call-up to the senior national team. Despite this, he openly considered the idea of playing for the Brazil national football team in 2015. At the time, Brazil's manager, Mano Menezes, did not rule out the possibility of including Conca in the Brazilian squad.
6. Personal life
Darío Conca met his wife, Paula Araújo, in 2007. They were married in the Maldives in September 2010. On March 15, 2012, their first son, Benjamin, was born in Guangzhou, China. Four years later, their second son, Bryan, was born in Shanghai on March 18, 2016, meaning both of Conca's sons were born in China.
7. Controversies
A notable controversy in Conca's career occurred during the 2012 AFC Champions League home match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. After being substituted by then-Guangzhou Evergrande coach Lee Jang-soo, Conca publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision on his Weibo account. His remarks questioned the coach's reasoning for frequently resting him, despite his ability to score crucial penalties. This incident also involved him reportedly kicking a water bottle in frustration. As a result, Guangzhou Evergrande imposed a disciplinary action, fining Conca 1.00 M CNY and banning him for nine matches, which included reserve league and AFC Champions League games. However, this ban was later lifted when Marcello Lippi was appointed as the new manager of the club.
8. Honours
Conca achieved numerous team titles and individual accolades throughout his professional football career.
Universidad Católica
- Primera División de Chile: 2005 Clausura
Fluminense
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2010
Guangzhou Evergrande
- AFC Champions League: 2013
- Chinese Super League: 2011, 2012, 2013
- Chinese FA Cup: 2012
- Chinese FA Super Cup: 2012
Flamengo
- Campeonato Carioca: 2017
Individual
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Best Fan's Player: 2009, 2010
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Best Player: 2010
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year: 2010
- Bola de Ouro: 2010
- Bola de Prata: 2010
- Troféu Mesa Redonda Best Player: 2010
- Chinese Super League Team of the Year: 2012, 2013, 2015
- AFC Champions League Dream Team: 2013
- Chinese Football Association Footballer of the Year: 2013
- Chinese FA Cup Most Valuable Player: 2013
- FIFA Club World Cup Top Scorer: 2013
9. Career statistics
The table below provides a comprehensive statistical overview of Darío Conca's appearances and goals across various clubs, seasons, and competitions as of October 31, 2016.
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental1 | Other2 | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| River Plate | 2002 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2003 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 11 | 2 | |||
| Total | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 14 | 2 | |||
| Universidad Católica (loan) | 2004 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 18 | 2 | ||
| 2005 | 24 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | - | 34 | 9 | |||
| 2006 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | - | 29 | 5 | |||
| Total | 65 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 3 | - | 81 | 16 | |||
| Rosario Central (loan) | 2006 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 13 | 0 | ||
| Vasco da Gama (loan) | 2007 | 30 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 48 | 7 | |
| Fluminense | 2008 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 12 | 2 | 56 | 8 | |
| 2009 | 36 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 16 | 4 | 63 | 13 | ||
| 2010 | 38 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 5 | 59 | 14 | ||
| 2011 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 27 | 4 | ||
| Total | 111 | 21 | 8 | 0 | 31 | 5 | 55 | 13 | 205 | 39 | ||
| Guangzhou Evergrande | 2011 | 15 | 9 | - | - | - | 15 | 9 | ||||
| 2012 | 24 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 17 | ||
| 2013 | 26 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 48 | 28 | ||
| Total | 65 | 33 | 6 | 4 | 23 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 99 | 54 | ||
| Fluminense | 2014 | 37 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 4 | 59 | 16 | |
| Shanghai SIPG | 2015 | 29 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 11 | |
| 2016 | 17 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 6 | ||
| Total | 46 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 58 | 17 | ||
| Career total | 381 | 97 | 24 | 9 | 85 | 25 | 86 | 20 | 577 | 151 | ||
1Includes Copa Libertadores and AFC Champions League.
2Includes Campeonato Carioca, Chinese FA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.