Introduction
Efraín Andrés Morales Badillo (born March 4, 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Atlanta United. Born in the United States, he represents Bolivia internationally.
Club career
Born in Decatur, Georgia, Morales joined in the youth academy of Major League Soccer club Atlanta United in 2016. Morales began at the under-12 level but quickly progressed to the under-17 side. After impressing coaches in the youth setup, Morales signed a professional homegrown player contract with Atlanta United on August 13, 2020, which will come into effect on January 1, 2021.
On August 15, 2020, Morales made his professional debut for Atlanta United 2, Atlanta United's reserve team in the USL Championship, against Charleston Battery. He came on as a 22nd-minute substitute for Patrick Nielsen and scored his first professional goal in the 51st minute. Despite the goal, Atlanta United 2 lost 3–2.
Morales signed a contract extension with Atlanta United on November 29, 2023.
International career
Morales made his Bolivia national team debut on 14 November 2024 in a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador at Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo. He played the full game as Ecuador won 4–0.
Personal life
Born in the United States, Morales is the son of a Bolivian father and a Puerto Rican mother.
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played September 30, 2024
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Atlanta United 2 | 2020 | USL Championship | 4 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 1 | ||
| 2021 | USL Championship | 6 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 | |||
| 2022 | USL Championship | 24 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 0 | |||
| 2023 | USL Championship | 20 | 0 | — | — | 20 | 0 | |||
| 2024 | USL Championship | 15 | 1 | — | — | 15 | 1 | |||
| Total | 69 | 2 | — | — | 69 | 2 | ||||
| Atlanta United | 2024 | MLS | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Career total | 73 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 76 | 2 | ||
International
- As of match played November 19, 2024
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolivia | 2024 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 0 | |