On 5 December 2014, after becoming a regular starter, Zelarayán extended his contract until 2018.[7]
On 5 December 2015, amid transfer speculation, Zelarayán played his last game for Belgrano, versus Colón in the Liguilla Pre Sudamericana, where he was given the captain's armband and an emotional farewell by the fans. Over 55,000 spectators chanted his name in unison to bid him farewell.[8][9]
Tigres UANL
On 21 December 2015, Zelarayán agreed to a contract with Liga MX side Tigres UANL, signing for a reported 5.5 million. [10][11] He debuted for the club the following 10 January, replacing Rafael Sóbis in a 1–0 loss at Toluca.
Zelarayán scored his first goal abroad on 5 February 2016, netting the last in a 3–1 win at Chiapas. On 22 January 2017, he scored a brace in a 4–2 home win against América. On 6 March 2019, After a long absence of almost five months due to injury, Lucas Zelarayán made his return to the pitch with Tigres, coming on in the 83rd minute to seal a 3–0 aggregate victory against the Houston Dynamo in the CONCACAF Champions League.[12][13]
During the 2021 MLS season, Zelarayán scored a total of five free-kick goals, with two of them coming in one game vs New York City FC. Both free kick goals turned out to be crucial for the Crew, as they ended up winning 2–1, with the game winning free kick coming in the 5th minute of second half stoppage time, which earned Zelarayán recognition as MLS Player of the Week.[18] Zelarayán was named MLS Player of the Week a second time in the 2021 season after scoring 2 goals in a 3–1 victory against D.C. United.[19] Zelarayán finished the year leading the club in both goals and assists with twelve and seven respectively.[20] At the end of the season, it was announced that Zelarayán had signed a contract extension with the Crew, keeping him with Columbus through the 2024 Major League Soccer season with an option for 2025.[21]
"In training, his quality on the ball is insane. His ability to hit a ball is like when I would talk about (former teammates) Giovinco or David Villa. When these guys hit a ball, it’s just different. They strike the ball cleanly so much more often than everyone else. It’s like their target on the ball is just bigger because their ability to hit a clean ball happens all the time. They hardly ever mis-hit a ball. Lucas has that quality."
The 2022 season began promisingly for Zelarayán as he scored four goals in the first three games of the season, including a free kick goal as part of his brace in a 3–3 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes. After a fast start in the month of March, which included being named MLS Player of the Month, recurring injury issues[23][24][25] were a potential factor in his goalless streak, which lasted for 12 consecutive matches before he scored in the Hell Is Real derby against FC Cincinnati on 17 July.[26][27] On 5 October, Zelarayán scored a 56-yard free kick, which gave him the record for the longest free-kick goal in Major League Soccer history.[28]
During week two of the 2023 season, Zelarayán scored both of Columbus' goals in a 2–0 victory over D.C. United,[29] earning the league's Player of the Week award in the process.[30] Zelarayán scored the game-winning goal versus Chicago Fire FC, a 61-yard strike in the 93rd minute, leading Columbus to a 2–1 victory.[31] In his final game for the Crew on July 23, Zelarayán scored his last goal for the club—a free-kick in the 2–1 win against St. Louis City SC in Leagues Cup—setting a club record with 9 free-kick goals across his time with the team.[32][33]
Al Fateh SC
On 31 July 2023, Zelarayán was transferred to Al Fateh SC of the Saudi Professional League for an undisclosed transfer fee.[34] On 30 March 2024, Zelarayán assisted on all three of his team's goals in a 3–2 win versus Al-Wehda FC,[35][36] and would then go on score in his next four appearances, most notably the only goal in a 1–0 victory versus Al-Ettifaq FC.[36][37][38]
International career
Born in Argentina, Zelarayán is of Armenian descent through his father. He received an invitation to represent the Armenia national team in June 2020.[39] After accepting the invitation in October 2021,[40] he made his debut for the team in a 1–1 draw against Iceland during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.[41]
On 16 June 2023, Zelarayán scored his first international goals in a 4–2 win away to Wales in UEFA Euro 2024 qualification.[42] In the reverse fixture on 18 November, he netted after five minutes in a 1–1 draw.[43]
Style of play
Lucas Zelarayán is a versatile attacking midfielder who has proven himself in a variety of positions, including on the wings and in the central midfield. With a reputation as a creative playmaker possessing exceptional technical ability and decision making, he is an expert at dismantling opposing defenses. Zelarayán's great sense of positioning on the field allows him to shoot from outside the box, dribble past defenders, and deliver final passes that unlock even the tightest of defenses. His ability to not only set up teammates, but set himself up to score as well makes him a vital component of his team's offense. In addition to his attacking prowess, Zelarayán is also a set-piece specialist, known for his superb free-kick taking ability. His talent for both keeping possession and slaloming through defenders make him an exceptionally dangerous player.[44][45][46][47][48][49]