Lucas Rodrigo Biglia (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈlukas roˈðɾiɣo ˈβiɣlja];[a] born 30 January 1986)[5] is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.

[7] After scoring against Godoy Cruz on 21 June 2004 in two appearances,[8] he made his Argentinos Juniors debut on 1 July 2004, making his first start, in a 2–1 win over Talleres in play-offs.

[22][23] He then scored his first goal for the club, which came from a penalty kick, as well as, assisting two times during the game, in a 6–0 victory against FC Brussels to win the league this season.

[31] After making 50 appearances and scoring once in the 2007–08 season, the club finished second place after losing to Standard Liège for the league title, but nevertheless won the Belgium Cup.

[37] In the January transfer window, he was linked with European clubs such as Barcelona, Inter Milan, Valencia, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Birmingham City.

[43] Biglia then scored his first Anderlecht goal of the season, in the round of 16 of the Belgium Cup, in a 3–0 win over FCV Dender EH.

[61] Notwithstanding, Biglia stayed at the club throughout summer and was appointed vice-captain by new manager Ariël Jacobs, with Olivier Deschacht remaining as captain.

[72] Despite missing out with a shoulder injury, Biglia helped the club win the league this season, his first in two years,[73] and went on to make 38 appearances and scored two goals in all competitions.

[74] In the 2012–13 season, Biglia was linked with a move away from Anderlecht, with Arsenal,[75] Norwich City,[76] Real Madrid and Internazionale showing interest.

[86] In the last match of the Pro League play-off, Biglia scored the equaliser against Zulte Waregem, which gave Anderlecht the title.

Shortly after winning the title, general manager Herman Van Holsbeeck confirmed Biglia would leave the club.

[88] During his time at Anderlecht, Biglia's playing style was often compared with that of compatriot Fernando Redondo due to his accurate passing and hard tackling.

[91] Biglia made his Lazio debut in the opening match of the season, starting and playing the entirety of a 2–1 win over Udinese.

[96] In a match against AC Milan on 23 March 2014, he set up a goal for Álvaro González to score the equaliser in an ultimate 1–1 draw.

[127] However, his future was in doubt after he rejected a new contract, prompting interests from La Liga clubs, including Atlético Madrid.

[136][137] The move was confirmed on 16 July 2017 when Biglia officially signed a contract that would keep him at the club until 2020[138] in a deal that reportedly cost Milan €17 million.

On 14 September 2020, Biglia joined newly promoted Süper Lig side Fatih Karagümrük on a free transfer.

[144] In January 2005, Biglia played for the Argentina U-20 team, participating in the South American U-20 Championship in Colombia and the side went on to win the tournament.

[153][154] At Copa América tournament, Biglia went on to make two brief substitute appearances as the hosts lost to Uruguay in the quarter-finals on a penalty shootout.

[155] A late substitute in every match up to that point, he was an undisputed starter from the quarter-finals onward, as his nation lost 0–1 to Germany in the final.

[95][156] Biglia also appeared as a starter in five of Argentina's six 2015 Copa América matches, including the final where La Albiceleste lost in a penalty shootout to hosts Chile.

[157] On 17 November 2015, Biglia scored his first and only international goal in a 1–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying win over Colombia in Barranquilla.

[161] In May 2018, Biglia was named by manager Jorge Sampaoli in Argentina's final 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

[162] He made his only appearance in the competition in his team's opening group match against Iceland on 16 June, which ended in a 1–1 draw; he was replaced in the second half by Éver Banega.

[163] On 30 June 2018, after Argentina's 4–3 loss to France in the round of 16 of the tournament, Biglia announced his retirement from international duty with 58 caps and one goal.

Although Biglia is competent defensively, due to his work-rate and aggression, as well as his ability to read the game and break down opposing attacks, he is also known for his ability to dictate the tempo of his team's play in midfield or create goalscoring opportunities after winning back the ball, courtesy of his good technique, vision, passing accuracy, and anticipation, as well as his personality, temperament and leadership.

[32][165][166][167][168][169][170][171] His role has also been likened to that of a metodista ("centre-half," in Italian football jargon), due to his ability to dictate play in midfield as well as assist his team defensively.

[172] On 20 December 2011, De Standaard reported that Biglia had married his childhood friend, fellow Argentine Cecilia Ambrosio.

[179] In March 2008, Biglia, along with Frutos and Pareja, were involved in a humanitarian aid to help disadvantaged young people in Argentina.

[183] In June 2009, Biglia was reportedly in hospital in his homeland, claiming that he had H1N1 (Swine flu) virus, but test revealed at the end that he did not.