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Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | José Manuel Reina Páez | ||
Date of birth | [1] | 31 August 1982||
Place of birth | Madrid, Spain | ||
Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1] | ||
Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
Club information | |||
Current club | Liverpool | ||
Number | 25 | ||
Youth career | |||
EF Madrid Oeste | |||
1995–1999 | Barcelona | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
1999–2000 | Barcelona B | 41 | (0) |
2000–2002 | Barcelona | 30 | (0) |
2002–2005 | Villarreal | 109 | (0) |
2005– | Liverpool | 254 | (0) |
National team‡ | |||
1998–1999 | Spain U16 | 9 | (0) |
1999 | Spain U17 | 2 | (0) |
2000 | Spain U18 | 1 | (0) |
2000–2003 | Spain U21 | 20 | (0) |
2005– | Spain | 25 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:55, 22 March 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
José Manuel "Pepe" Reina Páez (Spanish pronunciation: [xoˈse maˈnwel ˈreina ˈpa.eθ]; born 31 August 1982) is a Spanish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for English Premier League team Liverpool. In the 2010–11 season he made his 100th Premier League clean sheet for Liverpool, in a 3–0 win against Aston Villa.
The son of famed FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Miguel Reina, Reina began his career with the Barcelona youth team and made his La Liga debut in the 2000–01 season. He signed for Villarreal in 2002. However, he soon moved on to Liverpool and made his debut in 2005. He instantly became first-choice goalkeeper and won his first major honour in 2006, the FA Cup. He saved three out of four West Ham United penalties in the final. In 2007, Liverpool reached the Champions League Final, matching the feat achieved by his father in 1974, but they lost to A.C. Milan.
At international level, Reina played for Spain's youth team, winning the UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship in 1999. He made his senior debut in 2005, and has generally been selected as the second-choice keeper behind Iker Casillas. He was part of the Spain squad for the 2006 World Cup and made one appearance in their victorious Euro 2008 campaign, earning him his first international honour. In 2010 he won FIFA World Cup with Spain, despite not making an appearance in the competition.
Reina has been an ever-present fixture for Liverpool in the league since the start of the 2007–08 season.[dated info] He is also the record holder for appearances by a Spanish player in the Premier League, with more than 200 appearances in just the first five seasons, 108 of the 219 appearances being clean sheets.[2]
Reina is well known for his distribution, and ability to save penalties. He is the second vice-captain for Liverpool in the absence of Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard. Reina has set a number of goalkeeping records for Liverpool and won the Premier League Golden Glove award for clean sheets in first three seasons at the club.
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Son of the former FC Barcelona goalkeeper, Miguel Reina, José Manuel began his football career in the youth academy of Barcelona, La Masia. From 1997 he played as a first-choice goalkeeper for the Barcelona reserve side, which then competed in the third tier in the Spanish football pyramid. In 2000 Aged 18 he was called up for the Barcelona first-team, after the first and second choice goalkeepers, Richard Dutruel and Francesc Arnau, suffered injuries. According to the first-team coach Serra Ferrer, who had called up Reina, the keeper showed great promise, but after a couple of months Ferrer was himself fired and Reina demoted from first team action.[3] Two years later, in 2002, he was loaned out Villarreal, becoming their first-choice goalkeeper. Following some good performances, he caught the attention of Liverpool .
Reina was signed by Liverpool from Villarreal in July 2005, with manager Rafael Benítez hailing him as "the best goalkeeper in Spain". Reina made his Liverpool debut against Total Network Solutions, now known as The New Saints, in the first qualifying round for the 2005–06 UEFA Champions League.
For the 2005–06 season, Reina took over as Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper, relegating 2005 Champions League hero Jerzy Dudek to the bench. At the start of the season on 17 August 2005, Reina made his international debut for Spain in a friendly against Uruguay. Spain won 2–0.
The season turned out to be successful for Liverpool as they improved upon the previous year's league placing and won the FA Cup. It was also a huge success personally for Reina as he notched up Liverpool records. On 3 December 2005, Reina kept his sixth consecutive clean sheet against Wigan Athletic in the Premier League, to break the Liverpool club record for successive clean sheets in the Premiership era. He surpassed David James' record of five games, from the 1996–97 season. Reina's incredible run ended at eight league games, when Everton's James Beattie headed past him into the Liverpool net in Liverpool's 3–1 win over their Merseyside rivals, on 28 December 2005. Reina also broke Liverpool's consecutive clean-sheet record, with 11 between October and December 2005. Mineiro, of São Paulo, finally scored past him on 18 December 2005, during the FIFA Club World Cup Final.
A big talking point occurred on 5 February 2006, in a league game against Chelsea. Reina, having made a challenge on Eiður Guðjohnsen moments earlier, was controversially sent off for patting the face of Arjen Robben, who fell down theatrically,[4] described as "going down like he'd been sledgehammered" by pundit (and ex-Liverpool player) Alan Hansen. Liverpool ended up losing the game 2–0 and Reina was given a three match ban.
On 16 April 2006, Reina celebrated his 50th appearance for Liverpool by keeping a clean sheet against Blackburn Rovers. As a result, he holds a Liverpool record for the fewest goals conceded by a keeper in their first 50 games. The previous record was set by Ray Clemence in 1970–71, when he conceded 32 goals. Reina conceded just 29.
In May 2006, Reina was awarded the Premier League's Golden Glove award for keeping 20 clean sheets in the 2005–06 season.
In the final domestic game of the season - the FA Cup Final on 13 May 2006 - Reina made a number of errors to allow the Hammers to lead 3–2. Steven Gerrard saved Reina's blushes with a late equaliser, before the goalkeeper made a crucial save in extra time. The match ended 3–3 and went to penalties, where Reina saved three out of four penalties to gain the cup win.
During the 2006–07 season, despite making early season blunders (most notably against Liverpool city rivals Everton in a 3–0 defeat), Reina's status as Liverpool's number-one keeper was further cemented by Dudek's conceding nine goals within a week in two cup ties against Arsenal. After the 2007 Champions League semi-final first-leg against Chelsea, Reina was awarded man of the match by Liverpool supporters thanks to a string of superb saves, including two stunning saves from England midfielder Frank Lampard. He repeated his good form in the second leg, keeping a clean sheet. The match went to a penalty shootout, where Reina reinforced his penalty-saving reputation, stopping two of the three Chelsea kicks as Liverpool won 4–1. On his return home from the match, he discovered his house in Woolton had been burgled. Three weeks later in Athens, Reina became only the third player to follow in his father's footsteps by appearing in a European Cup final. Reina signed a new deal with Liverpool - until 2012 - on 7 June 2007.[5]
In August 2007, Reina once again won the Premier League's Golden Glove Award for the second successive season, after keeping 19 clean sheets in the 2006–07 Premier League campaign.[6][7]
On 2 February 2008, Reina became the quickest goalkeeper in Liverpool history to keep a half century of clean sheets. He hit the milestone during a 3–0 win against Sunderland, on his 92nd league outing, beating the previous record by three.[8] He then went on to tie with Petr Čech for the Barclays Golden Glove award for the season, but Čech was awarded the trophy with a better goals to game ratio. Reina signed a new contract with Liverpool, replacing his previous one. The contract keeps him at Anfield until 2016. About signing for such a long time he said “Why commit? Because I am happy here and I think the club is happy too. I see no reason to leave.”[9]
Reina got his 2010–11 season off to a mixed start, making some world class saves against Arsenal in Liverpool's opening Premier League fixture, before pushing Marouane Chamakh's effort into his own goal. Manager Roy Hodgson, club captain Steven Gerrard and vice-captain Jamie Carragher were all quick to get behind Reina and back him to not let the mistake affect his season. In the Europa League match against SSC Napoli, in the second half both Gerrard and Carragher were absent, so Reina once again captained the team to a credible 0–0 draw.[10][11][12]
It was announced by manager Roy Hodgson on 1 December 2010 that Reina would captain the Reds in their forthcoming match against Steaua in the Europa League. This was due to the absences of regular club captain Steven Gerrard and vice-captain Jamie Carragher. Reina captained Liverpool in the Premier League on 6 December 2010, in a 3-0 victory against Aston Villa.[13] This clean sheet gave him his 100th in 198 games, the fastest Liverpool keeper to reach this landmark. On 9 May 2011, Reina played his 150th consecutive league game for Liverpool. Reina was only one of two players to have played in all of Liverpool's league games for 2010–11 season. In June 2011, Reina had a double hernia operation.
Reina announced on 3 September 2011 that he wanted to stay at Liverpool for another five or six years, because he and his family had settled in so well, and the people were so nice to him.[14]
On 26 February 2012, Reina won his second major honour with Liverpool, beating Cardiff City on penalties in the Football League Cup final.[15] On 1 April 2012, Reina received a red card in a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United due to violent conduct on Newcastle player, James Perch.[16] Reina hadn't missed a Liverpool league match for over five years.[citation needed] This resulted in Doni playing the next two games, against Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers (during the latter of which Doni was also sent off), meaning Doni became the first goalkeeper except Reina to play a league game since Daniele Padelli against Charlton Athletic on 13th May 2007. Reina also missed the FA Cup semi-final against Everton on 14 April.
Reina has been a regular in the Spain squad, mostly as second choice keeper after Iker Casillas. He was part of the team that won the Euro 2008 but only played one game in the finals. He played a full game against Greece which Spain won 2–1.
In October 2008, he and Casillas broke the national record for the longest time spent without conceding a goal. They went unbeaten for 710 minutes, longer than the legendary Andoni Zubizarreta and Francisco Buyo. Wesley Sonck of Belgium ended their goalless streak when he scored against them in a 2010 World Cup qualifying match. In July 2010 he won the FIFA World Cup in South Africa with Spain.
Reina married longtime girlfriend Yolanda Ruiz in Córdoba on 19 May 2006,[17] before joining up with the Spanish national squad for the 2006 World Cup. The couple have three children, Grecia (born February 25, 2007), Alma (born July 30, 2008) and Luca (born May 26, 2011). Reina was the former next door neighbour of Chelsea F.C. striker and Spanish international teammate Fernando Torres. His current next door neighbours are fellow team mates Luis Suarez and Maxi Rodriguez.[18][19]
His father Miguel Reina was in goal for Atlético Madrid in the 1974 European Cup Final which they lost to FC Bayern Munich 4-0 in a replay after the first match finished 1–1.
Although a steely and serious figure as goalkeeper, Reina is known for his exuberant, jester-like character off the pitch, often entertaining his teammates with jokes and songs,[20][21] and famously acting as a crowd-pleasing master of ceremonies at Spain's official victory celebrations following the 2008 European Championship[22] and the 2010 World Cup.[23]
Reina is a very close friend of his Spanish international teammate David Villa.[24] They can often be seen together spending time or celebrating victories.[25][26]
(CS = Clean sheets)
Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Club | League | Apps | CS | Apps | CS | Apps | CS | Apps | CS | Apps | CS | |
Spain | La Liga | Copa del Rey | - | Europe | Total | ||||||||
1999–2000 | Barcelona B | Segunda División B | 30 | ? | 30 | ? | |||||||
2000–01 | 11 | ? | 11 | ? | |||||||||
2000–01 | Barcelona | La Liga | 19 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 33 | 12 | |||
2001–02 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 6 | |||||
2002–03 | Villarreal | 33 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ? | 37 | 9 | ||||
2003–04 | 38 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 50 | 17 | |||||
2004–05 | 38 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 6 | 49 | 20 | |||||
England | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | ||||||||
2005–06 | Liverpool | Premier League | 33 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 7 | 531 | 30 | |
2006–07 | 35 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 512 | 26 | |||
2007–08 | 38 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 52 | 24 | |||
2008–09 | 38 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 5 | 51 | 25 | |||
2009–10 | 38 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 52 | 21 | |||
2010–11 | 38 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 5 | 50 | 19 | |||
2011–12 | 34 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 42 | 12 | |||||
Total | Spain | 180 | 43 | 8 | 4 | 38 | 17 | 226 | 64 | ||||
England | 254 | 120 | 13 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 76 | 34 | 354 | 159 | |||
Career total | 431 | 163 | 21 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 114 | 51 | 580 | 223 |
Winner
Winner
Runner-Up
Winner
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Reina | |
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Background information | |
Born | 1978 New York City, New York |
Genres | Dance |
Occupations | Singer, songwriter |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1998–present |
Labels | Robbins |
Reina (born 1978 in the Bronx, New York City, New York) is a female Dance-pop singer-songwriter.
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Reina (Lori Goldstein) began in the music industry as a teen and released her debut album in 1995 under the name Lori Gold "Lori Gold" in Japan only . She also recorded another album in 1995 under the name Bass Dreams "Bass Dreams." She was a backup singer for such music artists as Deborah Cox and Corina, became an overnight sensation [1] on the Dance/Club scene when "Find Another Woman" reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1998.[2]
In 2004, she scored her biggest hit on the Billboard Dance Top 40, when "If I Close My Eyes" went top 5, and in 2005 scored another top 10 on the same chart with "Forgive". Both tracks were from her third album overall, but first under her new name Reina "This Is Reina". Reina is promoted by AJ Iacona.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Reina |
Ramos in action for Real Madrid |
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Personal information | |||
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Full name | Sergio Ramos García | ||
Date of birth | 30 March 1986 | ||
Place of birth | Camas, Spain | ||
Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
Playing position | Defender | ||
Club information | |||
Current club | Real Madrid | ||
Number | 4 | ||
Youth career | |||
1996–2003 | Sevilla | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
2003–2004 | Sevilla B | 25 | (2) |
2004–2005 | Sevilla | 39 | (2) |
2005– | Real Madrid | 229 | (28) |
National team‡ | |||
2002 | Spain U17 | 1 | (0) |
2004 | Spain U19 | 6 | (0) |
2004 | Spain U21 | 6 | (0) |
2005– | Spain | 85 | (6) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:03, 13 May 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
Sergio Ramos García (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈseɾxjo ˈramoz ɡaɾˈθi.a]; born 30 March 1986) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Real Madrid and the Spain national football team. Mainly a central defender, he can perform equally as a right back.
After emerging through Sevilla's youth system, he went on to be a defensive mainstay for both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, gaining his first cap at the age of 18.
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Born in Camas, Seville, Andalusia, Ramos began his career at local side Sevilla FC, emerging through the club's youth system alongside Jesús Navas and Antonio Puerta. He made his first team – and La Liga – debut on 1 February 2004, coming on as a second half substitute in a 0–1 away loss against Deportivo de La Coruña.
In the 2004–05 season, Ramos appeared in 31 games as Sevilla finished sixth and qualified to the UEFA Cup, scoring in home fixtures against Real Sociedad (2–1)[1] and Real Madrid (2–2).[2]
In the summer of 2005, 19-year old Ramos was purchased by Real Madrid for €27 million, a record for a Spanish teenager.[3] He was the only Spanish player brought in during Florentino Pérez first stint as Real Madrid president.
At the club, Ramos was awarded the number 4 shirt, previously worn by Fernando Hierro. On 6 December 2005 he netted his first goal for the Merengues, in a 2–3 UEFA Champions League group stage loss at Olympiacos FC.[4]
During his first seasons, Ramos played as centre back, being also used as an emergency defensive midfielder on occasion. However, with the arrival of Christoph Metzelder and Pepe in the 2007–08 season, he was again relocated to right back, whilst displaying a goalscoring instinct unusual to many defenders, netting more than 20 overall goals in Real Madrid's shirt during his first four seasons combined. On 4 May 2008, Ramos assisted Gonzalo Higuaín in the 89th minute against CA Osasuna in an eventual 2–1 away win, the match that sealed Real Madrid's 31st league championship; on the final day of the season, he scored twice in a 5–2 home win against already relegated Levante UD, one through a header and another after an individual effort, taking his league tally to five.[5]
Ramos scored a vital goal in the Spanish Supercup contest against Valencia CF, making it 2–1 to and 4–4 on aggregate in an eventual 4–2 win (6–5), despite the fact Real Madrid playing with only nine men for a long period of time. Although he experienced a slight dip in form, he returned to his best and on 11 January 2009, netted on an acrobatic volley against RCD Mallorca (3–0 away triumph),[6] continuing his scoring run in the following week, in a 3–1 home win against Osasuna.[7]
Ramos was named in both FIFA and UEFA's 1754 Team of the Year, adding the FIFPro Team of the Year 2007–08 accolade. He also finished 21st in the European Player of the Year nomination for 2008.[8]
Just at the start of the 2009–10 season, Ramos was appointed as one of Real Madrid's four captains of Real Madrid. As Pepe suffered a serious knee injury during the campaign, he was often deployed as central defender, and scored four goals in 33 league contests, but the team eventually came out empty in silverware. On 21 February 2010, he played his 200th official match for the capital team against Villarreal CF (150 in the first division).
In Real Madrid's 0–5 loss at FC Barcelona on 29 November 2010, Ramos was sent off after kicking Lionel Messi from behind, then pushing Carles Puyol in the ensuing melée.[9] After this ejection, he equalled Fernando Hierro's previous record for red cards at the club, having played in 264 fewer games.[10]
On 20 April 2011, Ramos started in the season's Copa del Rey final, a 1–0 win against Barcelona in Valencia. In the subsequent victory procession, while celebrating on the top of the club's bus, he accidentally lost hold of the cup, which fell under the wheels of the vehicle; the trophy was dented as a result.[11]
On 12 July 2011, Ramos extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2017.[12] Early into the season, he profitted from an injury to Ricardo Carvalho to return to his more natural position as stopper.
On 25 April 2012, in the Champions League semifinals' second leg against FC Bayern Munich, Ramos missed his penalty shootout attempt, shooting well wide over the bar. Real Madrid went on to lose 1–3 and be eliminated.[13]
In 2004, Ramos became an instant hit for Spain's under-21, for who he played six international matches. On 26 March 2005, in a 3–0 friendly win over China in Salamanca, he first appeared for the senior side at only 18 years and 361 days of age, making him the youngest player to play for the national team in the last 55 years (he held this record until it was broken by Barcelona's Cesc Fàbregas).
Just seven months later, Ramos scored his first two international goals in a 6–0 away thrashing of San Marino for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He was selected for the final stages in Germany and, after the international retirement of Real Madrid teammate Míchel Salgado, became the undisputed first-choice right back.
Throughout Spain's UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, Ramos was a regular member of the starting eleven as the national side finished first in its group, above Sweden. He scored two goals, including one in a 3–1 away win over Denmark, in 11 appearances.
In the tournament's final stages, Ramos played in all matches and minutes, except the 2–1 group stage win against Greece. In the final, his pass nearly set up Marcos Senna's first international goal, but the latter barely missed it by inches. During the celebrations after the 1–0 defeat of Germany, he wore a T-shirt in honor of close friend and former Sevilla teammate Puerta, who died in August 2007.[14][15]
Ramos was selected in the squad for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, as Spain finished in third position. At the 2010 World Cup, held in the same country, he started every game, helping the team keep five clean sheets and reach the final, which they won 1–0 against the Netherlands; he topped the tournament's Castrol Performance Index with a score of 9.79.[16]
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 13 October 2005 | Stadio Olimpico, San Marino, San Marino | San Marino | 0–3 | 0–6 | 2006 World Cup qualification |
2. | 13 October 2005 | Stadio Olimpico, San Marino, San Marino | San Marino | 0–4 | 0–6 | 2006 World Cup qualification |
3. | 13 October 2007 | Atletion, Aarhus, Denmark | Denmark | 0–2 | 1–3 | Euro 2008 qualifying |
4. | 17 November 2007 | Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, Spain | Sweden | 3–0 | 3–0 | Euro 2008 qualifying |
5. | 3 March 2010 | Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France | France | 0–2 | 0–2 | Friendly |
6. | 6 September 2011 | Estadio Las Gaunas, Logroño, Spain | Liechtenstein | 4–0 | 6–0 | Euro 2012 qualifying |
As of 13 May 2012[update]
Club | Season | League | Cup1 | Europe | Total | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
Sevilla | 2003–04 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 |
2004–05 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 3 | 0 | |
2005–06 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | 39 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 49 | 3 | 0 | |
Real Madrid | 2005–06 | 33 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 6 | 0 |
2006–07 | 33 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 6 | 2 | |
2007–08 | 33 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 45 | 6 | 5 | |
2008–09 | 32 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 6 | 3 | |
2009–10 | 33 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 4 | 5 | |
2010–11 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 4 | 3 | |
2011–12 | 33 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 50 | 4 | 8 | |
Total | 229 | 28 | 21 | 29 | 4 | 2 | 54 | 4 | 2 | 312 | 36 | 25 | |
Career Total | 268 | 30 | 21 | 34 | 4 | 2 | 59 | 5 | 2 | 361 | 39 | 25 |
1 Includes Supercopa de España.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Sergio Ramos |
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Torres playing for Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League Final 2012 |
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Personal information | |||
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Full name | Fernando José Torres Sanz[1] | ||
Date of birth | [2] | 20 March 1984||
Place of birth | Fuenlabrada, Spain | ||
Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[3] | ||
Playing position | Striker | ||
Club information | |||
Current club | Chelsea | ||
Number | 9 | ||
Youth career | |||
1995–2001 | Atlético Madrid | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
2001–2007 | Atlético Madrid | 214 | (82) |
2007–2011 | Liverpool | 102 | (65) |
2011– | Chelsea | 46 | (7) |
National team‡ | |||
2000 | Spain U15 | 1 | (0) |
2001 | Spain U16 | 9 | (11) |
2001 | Spain U17 | 4 | (1) |
2002 | Spain U18 | 1 | (1) |
2002 | Spain U19 | 5 | (6) |
2002–2003 | Spain U21 | 10 | (3) |
2003– | Spain | 92 | (28) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:45, 13 May 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
Fernando José Torres Sanz (Spanish pronunciation: [ferˈnando ˈtores]; born 20 March 1984), nicknamed El Niño (The Kid in Spanish),[4] is a Spanish footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Spain national team as a striker.
Torres started his career with Atlético Madrid, progressing through their youth system to the first team squad. He made his first team debut in 2001 and finished his time at the club having scored 75 goals in 174 La Liga appearances. Prior to his La Liga debut, Torres played two seasons in the Segunda División for Atlético Madrid, making 40 appearances and scoring seven goals. He joined Premier League club Liverpool in 2007 after signing for a club record transfer fee. He marked his first season at Anfield by being Liverpool's first player since Robbie Fowler in the 1995–96 season to score more than 20 league goals in a season. Torres became the fastest player in Liverpool history to score 50 league goals after scoring against Aston Villa in December 2009. He left the club in January 2011 to join Chelsea for a record British transfer fee of £50 million, which also made him the most expensive Spanish player in history.
Torres is a Spanish international and made his debut for the country against Portugal in 2003. He has since participated in four major tournaments, UEFA Euro 2004, the 2006 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Torres did not score at Euro 2004, but netted three at the 2006 World Cup. He scored twice at UEFA Euro 2008, including the winning goal for Spain in their 1–0 win over Germany in the Final. He won the 2010 World Cup with Spain, but did not score any goals during the tournament.
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Born in Fuenlabrada, Community of Madrid,[5] Torres became interested in football as a child and joined his first team, Parque 84, at the age of five.[2] His father José Torres worked during Torres' childhood, and his mother Flori Sanz traveled daily with him to training sessions.[6] His grandfather was not a passionate football fan, but took pride in being an Atlético Madrid supporter, and Torres inherited his love for the club.[2]
Torres started playing football as a goalkeeper, the position his brother played in.[7] When he was seven years old, however, he started playing regularly as a striker in an indoor league for the neighborhood club, Mario's Holland,[2] using the characters from the anime Captain Tsubasa as inspiration.[8] Three years later, aged 10, he progressed to an 11-side team, Rayo 13.[9] He scored 55 goals in a season and was one of three Rayo 13 players to earn a trial with Atlético.[9] He impressed the scouts and joined the club's youth system at the age of 11 in 1995.[9]
After progressing through the ranks, Torres won his first important youth title in 1998.[9] Atlético sent an under-15 team to compete in the Nike Cup, in Spain and Europe, to play against youth teams from other clubs; Atlético won the tournament.[9][11] He was later voted the best player in Europe for the age group.[11] In 1999, at the age of 15, Torres signed his first professional contract with Atlético.[9] He spent his first year playing in the youth team and moved onto the participating in the Honor Division when he was 16.[12] The 2000–01 season had started badly, as Torres suffered from a cracked shinbone which kept him out until December.[12] Torres trained with the first team to get prepared for pre-season, but eventually made his debut for the team on 27 May 2001, at Vicente Calderón, against CD Leganés.[12] A week later, he scored his first goal for the club against Albacete Balompié and the season finished with Atlético narrowly missing out on promotion to La Liga.[12]
Atlético were promoted to La Liga at the end of the 2001–02 season, although Torres did not perform well in the season, as he netted only six times in 36 appearances in the Segunda División.[13] Torres' first season in La Liga, 2002–03, was better, however, as he scored 13 goals in 29 appearances, with Atlético finishing in 11th place.[12][13] In the 2003–04 season, his second in La Liga, Torres made further strides, scoring 19 league goals in 35 appearances,[13] meaning he finished as joint third highest scorer in the league.[14] At the age of 19, Torres was named Atlético's captain.[11] Atlético narrowly missed out on qualification for the UEFA Cup, but by finishing in seventh place in the 2003–04 season, they qualified for the 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup, giving Torres a first taste of a competition at the European level.[15] He scored two goals in the two fourth round matches against OFK Beograd, with one coming in each leg.[15] Atlético reached the Final, but lost 3–1 on a penalty shoot-out to Villarreal CF following a 2–2 draw on aggregate.[15] FA Premier League champions Chelsea were believed to be interested in signing Torres during the summer of 2005, but Atlético president Enrique Cerezo said that they had "no chance" of signing him.[16] Cerezo later said in January 2006 that the club was willing to listen to offers for Torres, and Torres claimed Newcastle United of the FA Premier League had made a bid to sign him in March.[17][18]
He stated after the 2006 FIFA World Cup that he had turned down an offer to join Chelsea at the end of the 2005–06 season.[19] Torres scored 14 league goals in the 2006–07 season.[13] The English media reported that he was the main transfer target of Premier League Liverpool,[20] but Cerezo stated "We've received no offer from Liverpool or any other club or player".[21] However, a few days later, new reports suggested Atlético had agreed a deal with Liverpool for Torres; the fee was rumored to be £25 million with Luis García moving to Atlético in a separate transfer deal.[22] On 30 June, Atlético announced a deal to sign Diego Forlán from Villarreal, in what was seen as a move to replace Torres before his departure became official.[23] On 2 July, it was reported that Torres had cut short a vacation to fly back to Madrid to finalise the move to Liverpool.[24] The following day, Torres passed a medical at Liverpool's Melwood training ground.[25] He held a press conference in Madrid on 4 July to bid farewell to the Atlético fans, before completing his move to Liverpool on a six-year contract.[25] The transfer fee was the highest in Liverpool's history.[23] In March 2008, manager Rafael Benítez stated in an interview with The Times that Torres was acquired for around £20 million, although this figure takes into account García's move to Atlético.[26]
Torres made his competitive debut for Liverpool against Aston Villa in a 2–1 win on 11 August 2007.[27] He made his first appearance in the UEFA Champions League four days later in a 1–0 victory over Toulouse, after coming on as a 79th minute substitute.[28] His first Premier League goal came on his Anfield debut on 19 August, in the 16th minute in a 1–1 draw against Chelsea.[29] His first hat-trick came in a 4–2 victory over Reading in the League Cup in September, with all of his goals coming in the second half.[30] His first goals in the Champions League came on his third appearance in the competition as Liverpool beat Porto 4–1, as he scored twice.[31]
He was named Premier League Player of the Month for February,[32] during which he scored four goals in four appearances, including a hat-trick against Middlesbrough on 23 February 2008.[33] This hat-trick and another in a 4–0 victory over West Ham United on 5 March 2008 meant he became the first Liverpool player since Jack Balmer in November 1946 to score a hat-trick in successive home matches.[34] Later in March, after he scored a 47th minute header against Reading at Anfield, becoming the first Liverpool player since Robbie Fowler in the 1995–96 season campaign to score 20 league goals in a season.[35] In April, he scored another Champions League goal, this time against Arsenal in the quarter-final second leg, as Liverpool advanced to the semi-final.[36] This goal took him onto 29 goals for the 2007–08 season in all competitions,[33] eclipsing Michael Owen's personal record for goals in a season.[37] On 11 April 2008, it was announced Torres had made a six man shortlist for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award,[38] which was eventually won by Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United.[39] The Spanish international was also nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year Award, which was won by Cesc Fàbregas of Arsenal and was named in the PFA Team of the Year.[39] In May, he finished second to Ronaldo for the FWA Footballer of the Year award.[40]
On 4 May 2008, Torres scored a 57th minute winner against Manchester City, which equalled the consecutive Anfield league goal record of eight games set by Roger Hunt.[41] After scoring his 24th league goal in the final game of the season, a 2–0 win against Tottenham Hotspur, he set a new record for the most prolific foreign goal scorer ever in a debut season in England, eclipsing Ruud van Nistelrooy's 23 goals.[33][42] He ended the season in joint second place with Emmanuel Adebayor in the race for the Premier League golden boot.[43] Torres was subject to media speculation that Chelsea were willing to pay £50 million to sign him but Torres responded by saying it would be "many years" before he left Liverpool.[44][45] Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks also negated the idea of a transfer, saying he would not allow Torres to leave the club at any price.[46]
Torres made a promising start to the 2008–09 Premier League season, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 away win against Sunderland.[47] He suffered what was later confirmed as a hamstring tear in a 0–0 draw against Aston Villa, which would keep him out for two to three weeks.[48] Torres made his return in a 2–1 victory against Marseille in the Champions League and went on to score two goals in the Merseyside derby against Everton on 27 September to give Liverpool a 2–0 win.[49][50] He followed this up with another two goals the following weekend against Manchester City in a 3–2 win away at the City of Manchester Stadium as Liverpool came back from a two goal deficit.[51] The first of these was the thousandth Liverpool goal to be scored in the Premier League.[52] Torres picked up a hamstring injury during a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier, meaning he was likely to miss three games for Liverpool.[53] On 22 October, Liverpool played Torres' former club Atlético in the Champions League at the Vicente Calderón, but his injury meant he missed out on the game.[54] The Atlético president, Enrique Cerezo, had given him a VIP invitation to watch the game, but he declined this to recover his rehabilitation from injury in Merseyside.[55] He was named in the FIFPro World XI team for the 2007–08 season on 27 October.[56]
Torres made his return for Liverpool after coming on as a 72nd minute substitute in a 3–0 victory against West Bromwich Albion (West Brom).[57] He said he would be interested in returning to former club Atlético eventually, saying "I don't know if I will retire there, but I would like to go back and finish some things that are left to do."[58] He was ruled out of action for two to three weeks following Liverpool's 1–0 victory over Marseille in the Champions League in November, where he picked up a hamstring strain,[59] which was later extended to at least four weeks by specialists.[60] He was named on the shortlist for the FIFA World Player of the Year award in December,[61] and eventually came in third place behind Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.[62] Torres returned to action on 3 January 2009 as a substitute with a goal in the 2–0 win over Preston North End; his first in the FA Cup.[63] He scored two late goals for Liverpool to secure a 2–0 victory over Chelsea on 1 February.[64] Despite having spent a year and a half at the club, Torres was chosen as number 50 in The Times's list of "The 50 greatest Liverpool players", reinforcing the impact he had made at Liverpool in such a short period of time.[65]
Torres faced his old rivals Real Madrid on 10 March in the Champions League last 16 and due to an ankle injury, he had a painkilling injection before the game to enable him to play.[66] He scored the first goal of the game, which ended as a 4–0 victory, meaning Liverpool progressed to the quarter-finals 5–0 on aggregate.[67] Four days later he lined up against Manchester United at Old Trafford and he scored the equaliser in a game that finished as a 4–1 victory.[68] He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the second season running in April 2009.[69] Torres scored his 50th goal for Liverpool on 24 May against Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the 2008–09 season, which was his 84th appearance.[70]
Following the end of the season, he agreed a new contract with Liverpool,[71] which he signed on 14 August.[72] By signing this contract, Liverpool increased his wage to £110,000 a week and included the option of a one-year extension after its expiry in 2013.[73] Torres scored two goals in a 3–2 win over West Ham United on 19 September 2009, a result that took Liverpool to third in the Premier League.[74] A week later he scored his first hat-trick of the 2009–10 Premier League season in a 6–1 victory over Hull City at Anfield.[75] He was named Premier League Player of the Month for September, after scoring five goals during the month and becoming the Premier League's top goalscorer.[76] On 25 October, he scored the first goal in a 2–0 victory for Liverpool over Manchester United,[77] after which Benítez praised Torres' performance, saying "We were waiting for that final pass. When it came we knew he would score."[78] Torres was named in the FIFPro World XI for the second successive season in December.[79] His stoppage-time winning goal against Aston Villa on 29 December 2009 made him the fastest Liverpool player ever to score 50 league goals.[80] He was substituted on 65 minutes in a 1–1 draw with Birmingham City on 4 April 2010, which Benítez justified by saying Torres was "exhausted".[81] Torres made his last appearance of the season scoring twice in a 4–1 victory over S.L. Benfica in the UEFA Cup on 8 April,[82] and it was announced on 18 April that he would miss the rest of the season to undergo knee surgery.[83] This meant that Torres finished the season with 22 goals in 32 games in all competitions, finishing as Liverpool's top scorer for the second time.[82] His surname was the most popular name to feature on replica Premier League shirts sold across the world in the 2009–10 season.[84]
Following Roy Hodgson's appointment as Liverpool manager he stated that Torres would not be sold by the club, saying "He is not for sale and we don't welcome any offers for him. We want to keep him."[85] Hodgson dismissed reports Torres was set to leave Liverpool by saying "He has told us that he is looking forward to Monday, to getting back to work and looking forward to playing for Liverpool next season. That is what I know so other reports, I would suggest, are erroneous."[86] Torres stated his commitment to Liverpool on 3 August, saying "My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed."[87]
He made his first appearance of the 2010–11 season in the opening game, a 1–1 draw with Arsenal on 14 August, entering the game as a substitute in the 74th minute.[88] He scored his first goal of the season with the winner in a 1–0 victory over West Brom on 29 August,[89] which was his 50th goal in all competitions to be scored at Anfield.[90] Torres scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory at home to Blackburn Rovers on 24 October, which was his first goal since August.[91] He followed this up by scoring both goals in Liverpool's 2–0 win at home to Chelsea on 7 November.[92] On 1 January 2011, Torres scored the equaliser in a 2–1 win at home to Bolton Wanderers.[93] He scored his final goals for Liverpool in a 3–0 win away at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 22 January.[94]
On 27 January, Torres was the subject of a £40 million bid from Chelsea, which was rejected by Liverpool.[95] He subsequently handed in an official transfer request to Liverpool the next day, which was rejected.[96] Torres completed his move to Chelsea on a five-and-a-half year contract on 31 January for an undisclosed fee reported to be £50 million, which set a new record for a British transfer and made him the sixth most expensive footballer in history.[97] He made his Chelsea debut on 6 February in a 1–0 home defeat to former club Liverpool.[98] On 23 April, Torres scored his first goal for Chelsea against West Ham United in a 3–0 victory, which ended a run of 903 minutes of football without a goal.[99]
Torres got the 2011–12 season underway in Chelsea's 0–0 draw away against Stoke City, in which his "link-up play was sharp, plus he was willing to make intelligent runs into space to receive the ball".[100] He scored his second goal at Chelsea, and his first of the season, on 18 September, during an away game against Manchester United, which was the side's only goal in a 3–1 defeat.[101] He scored his second goal of the season against Swansea City in a 4–1 victory.[102] However, 10 minutes after his goal, a two-footed challenge on Mark Gower resulted in his first red card in English football and a three-match domestic suspension.[103][104] On 19 October, Torres scored two goals in a 5–0 victory against Genk in the Champions League, his first in Europe since the quarter-final of the 2008–09 Champions League with his old club Liverpool, against Chelsea.[105] His next Chelsea goals came after scoring twice and also assisting two others against Championship side Leicester City in an FA Cup quarter-final on 18 March 2012, ending a goal drought that stretched 24 games.[106] On 31 March 2012, Torres scored his first Premier League goal since 24 September 2011 against Aston Villa in a 4–2 away win.[107]
Torres came on as a substitute for Didier Drogba on 24 April 2012 to score a last-minute goal against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final, which gave Chelsea a 2–2 draw, and also eliminated Barcelona from the tournament, as Chelsea won 3–2 on aggregate.[108] He scored the first hat-trick of his Chelsea career in a 6–1 win against Queens Park Rangers at Stamford Bridge on 29 April.[109] Torres came on in the second half of the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final, directly after Bayern Munich's opening goal, and was heavily involved with Didier Drogba's equalizer, earning the corner kick from which the Ivorian scored to bring the game into extra time.[110]
In February 2001, Torres won the Algarve Tournament with the Spain national under-16 team.[111] The under-16s took part in the 2001 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship in May, which they also won, with Torres scoring the only goal in the Final, as well as finishing as the tournament's leading scorer, and was also named the player of the tournament.[11][13] In September 2001, Torres represented the under-17 team at the 2001 FIFA Under-17 World Championship, but the team failed to progress through the group stage.[13] In July 2002, he won the 2002 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship with the under-19 team and was again the only goalscorer in the Final.[11] Also, he finished as top scorer and was named player of the tournament.[13]
“ | We complement each other very well. We get on well on the pitch and very well off it too. We're a good partnership. We both chase down defenders, put pressure on and fight to create chances for each other. | ” |
—David Villa, speaking about Torres[112] |
Torres made his debut for the senior Spanish national team on 6 September 2003 in a friendly against Portugal.[13] His first goal for Spain came against Italy on 28 April 2004.[13] He was selected for the Spanish squad for UEFA Euro 2004.[13] After appearing as a late substitute in Spain's first two group games, he started for the deciding game against Portugal.[13] Spain were losing 1–0 and, towards the end of the game, he hit the post.[13]
He scored seven goals in 11 appearances in qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup,[113] making him Spain's top scorer for qualification, including a vital two goals against Belgium and his first international hat-trick against San Marino.[13] At his first ever appearance in a FIFA World Cup finals at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Torres scored the final goal in a 4–0 victory over Ukraine with a volley.[114] In the second group match, Torres scored twice against Tunisia, first in the 76th minute to take Spain 2–1 into the lead, and then again from a penalty kick in the 90th.[115] With three goals, he finished the tournament as Spain's top scorer along with fellow striker David Villa.[116]
He was called up for Spain's UEFA Euro 2008 squad,[117] where he set up Villa to score Spain's first goal of the tournament in the first game in the group stage against Russia.[118] Torres came under criticism for apparently refusing to shake the hand of Spanish manager, Luis Aragonés, after being substituted.[119] He subsequently denied being angry with the coaching, saying that he was actually "irritated with himself".[119] He scored his first goal of the tournament in Spain's next game, a 2–1 win over Sweden.[120] Torres scored the winner and was named the man of the match in the Final against Germany in a 1–0 victory.[121][122] He said "It's just a dream come true. This is my first title and I hope it's the first of many. Victory in a Euro, it is almost as big as a World Cup. We are used to watching finals on television, but today we were here and we won. My job is to score goals. I want to win more titles and be the most important player in Europe and the world."[123] He was later named as a striker along with his striking partner Villa in the Team of the Tournament.[124]
Torres made his 60th appearance for Spain in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification victory over Turkey on 28 March 2009, becoming the youngest player to reach this milestone.[125] He was named in Spain's team for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June.[126] He scored his second hat-trick for Spain after 17 minutes into a Confederations Cup game against New Zealand on 14 June,[127] thus recording the fastest hat-trick by a player for Spain.[128] He played for Spain as they were defeated 2–0 by the United States in the semi-final,[129] as well as the third-place play-off, which Spain won 3–2 against South Africa after extra time.[130]
Having undergone knee surgery on 18 April 2010, and missed the end of the Premier League season, Torres' rehabilitation and fitness was closely monitored by Spain manager Vicente del Bosque.[83] Although still out injured, Torres was selected for Spain's 2010 FIFA World Cup squad in May.[131] On 8 June, Torres made his first appearance on the field in exactly two months, coming on as a substitute on 66 minutes against Poland in a pre-World Cup friendly.[131] He came on as a substitute on 61 minutes in Spain's opening World Cup game on 16 June, a 1–0 defeat to Switzerland.[132] He started the next two games against Honduras and Chile and although his performances in the group stage were described as below-par, he received backing from manager Vicente del Bosque.[133] Torres came on as a substitute on 105 minutes in the Final as Spain won the FIFA World Cup for the first time following a 1–0 victory over the Netherlands on 11 July 2010.[134]
Torres' parents are José and Flori, and he has two older siblings, Israel (born 1977) and Maria Paz (born 1976).[135] He married Olalla Domínguez Liste, with whom he had been in a relationship since 2001, on 27 May 2009 in a private ceremony with just two guests at the local town hall in El Escorial, Madrid.[136][137] They had been an item for eight years and are thought to have met in the Galician seaside town of Estorde, where Torres would go on family holidays each year to escape the Spanish capital.[138] The couple have two children, a daughter, Nora, born on 8 July 2009 at the Hospital La Rosaleda, in Santiago de Compostela,[139] and a son, born on 6 December 2010 at Liverpool Women's Hospital, with Torres missing the fixture against Aston Villa at Anfield.[140]
In 2009, it was reported that Torres has a personal fortune of £14 million.[141] He features in the video for "Ya Nada Volverá A Ser Como Antes" by Spanish pop rock group El Canto del Loco,[142] whose singer, Dani Martín, shares a strong friendship with the footballer.[143] He makes a cameo appearance in the 2005 comedy film Torrente 3: El protector.[144] In 2009, he released an autobiography entitled Torres: El Niño: My Story.[145]
He has been described as a world-class striker and is "quick, strong, impressive in the air, blessed with expert technique and is cool and collected in front of goal".[146]
Club | Season | League[A] | Cup[B] | League Cup | Europe[C] | Total | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Atlético Madrid | 2000–01[147][148] | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 6 | 1 | ||
2001–02[149][150] | 36 | 6 | 1 | 1 | – | – | 37 | 7 | |||
2002–03[151][152] | 29 | 13 | 2 | 1 | – | – | 31 | 14 | |||
2003–04[153][154] | 35 | 19 | 5 | 2 | – | – | 40 | 21 | |||
2004–05[155][156][157] | 38 | 16 | 6 | 2 | – | 5 | 2 | 49 | 20 | ||
2005–06[158][159] | 36 | 13 | 4 | 0 | – | – | 40 | 13 | |||
2006–07[160][161] | 36 | 14 | 4 | 1 | – | – | 40 | 15 | |||
Total | 214 | 82 | 24 | 7 | – | 5 | 2 | 243 | 91 | ||
Liverpool | 2007–08[33] | 33 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 46 | 33 |
2008–09[162] | 24 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 38 | 17 | |
2009–10[82] | 22 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 32 | 22 | |
2010–11[163] | 23 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 9 | |
Total | 102 | 65 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 30 | 12 | 142 | 81 | |
Chelsea | 2010–11[163] | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 1 |
2011–12[164] | 32 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 49 | 11 | |
Total | 46 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 67 | 12 | |
Career total | 362 | 154 | 37 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 49 | 17 | 452 | 184 |
National team | Season | Friendly | Competitive | Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Spain | 2003 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
2004 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 1 | |
2005 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 12 | 8 | |
2006 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 13 | 5 | |
2007 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 1 | |
2008 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 13 | 3 | |
2009 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 5 | |
2010 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 11 | 3 | |
2011 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
2012 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
Career total | 38 | 9 | 54 | 19 | 92 | 28 |
U16 international goals | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
1. | 24 February 2001 | Estádio Capitão Josino da Costa, Lagoa | England | 2–1 | 2001 Algarve Tournament | |
2. | 24 February 2001 | Estadio de Lagos, Lagos | Finland | 4–0 | 2001 Algarve Tournament | |
3. | ||||||
4. | 27 February 2001 | Estádio do Portimonense, Portimão | Portugal | 1–1 | 2001 Algarve Tournament | |
5. | 22 April 2001 | New Ferens Park, Durham | Romania | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2001 Under-16 Football Championship |
6. | 24 April 2001 | New Ferens Park, Durham | Belgium | 2–0 | 5–0 | 2001 Under-16 Football Championship |
7. | 3–0 | |||||
8. | 29 April 2001 | Stadium of Light, Sunderland | Italy | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2001 Under-16 Football Championship |
9. | 3 May 2001 | Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough | Croatia | 1–0 | 3–0 | 2001 Under-16 Football Championship |
10. | 3–0 | |||||
11. | 6 May 2001 | Stadium of Light, Sunderland | France | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2001 Under-16 Football Championship |
U17 international goal | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
1. | 15 September 2001 | Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva | Oman | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2001 U-17 World Championship |
U18 international goal | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
1. | 16 May 2001 | Complexo Desportivo Monte da Forca, Vila Real | Portugal | 3–1 | 2001 Under-18 Football Championship qualifier |
U19 international goals | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
1. | 22 May 2002 | Estadio de La Condomina, Murcia | Macedonia | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2002 Under-19 Football Championship qualifier |
2. | 3–0 | |||||
3. | 23 July 2002 | Hønefoss Stadion, Hønefoss | Norway | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2002 Under-19 Football Championship |
4. | 25 July 2002 | Marienlyst Stadion, Drammen | Slovakia | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2002 Under-19 Football Championship |
5. | 3–1 | |||||
6. | 28 July 2002 | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo | Germany | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2002 Under-19 Football Championship |
U21 international goals | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
1. | 16 April 2002 | Estadio Alfonso Murube, Ceuta | Serbia | 2–0 | 2–1 | Friendly |
2. | 10 June 2003 | Mourneview Park, Lurgan | Northern Ireland | 1–0 | 4–1 | 2004 Under-21 Football Championship qualifier |
3. | 2–0 |
Senior team international goals | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
1. | 28 April 2004 | Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa | Italy | 1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |
2. | 9 February 2005 | Estadio Mediterraneo, Almería | San Marino | 2–0 | 5–0 | 2006 World Cup qualifier |
3. | 26 March 2005 | Estadio El Helmántico, Salamanca | China PR | 1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
4. | 8 October 2005 | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels | Belgium | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2006 World Cup qualifier |
5. | 2–0 | |||||
6. | 12 October 2005 | Stadio Olimpico, Rome | San Marino | 2–0 | 6–0 | 2006 World Cup qualifier |
7. | 5–0 | |||||
8. | 6–0 | |||||
9. | 12 November 2005 | Vicente Calderón, Madrid | Slovakia | 3–1 | 5–1 | 2006 World Cup qualifier |
10. | 7 June 2006 | Stade de Genève, Geneva | Croatia | 2–1 | 2–1 | Friendly |
11. | 14 June 2006 | Zentralstadion, Leipzig | Ukraine | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2006 World Cup |
12. | 19 June 2006 | Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart | Tunisia | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2006 World Cup |
13. | 3–1 | |||||
14. | 2 September 2006 | Estadio Nuevo Vivero, Badajoz | Liechtenstein | 1–0 | 4–0 | Euro 2008 qualifier |
15. | 12 September 2007 | Estadio Carlos Tartiere, Oviedo | Latvia | 2–0 | 2–0 | Euro 2008 qualifier |
16. | 14 June 2008 | Tivoli Neu, Innsbruck | Sweden | 1–0 | 2–1 | Euro 2008 |
17. | 29 June 2008 | Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna | Germany | 1–0 | 1–0 | Euro 2008 |
18. | 19 November 2008 | El Madrigal, Villarreal | Chile | 2–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
19. | 9 June 2009 | Tofik Bakhramov, Baku | Azerbaijan | 6–0 | 6–0 | Friendly |
20. | 14 June 2009 | Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg | New Zealand | 1–0 | 5–0 | 2009 Confederations Cup |
21. | 2–0 | |||||
22. | 3–0 | |||||
23. | 12 August 2009 | Philip II Arena, Skopje | Macedonia | 1–2 | 3–2 | Friendly |
24. | 8 June 2010 | Estadio de La Condomina, Murcia | Poland | 5–0 | 6–0 | Friendly |
25. | 3 September 2010 | Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz | Liechtenstein | 1–0 | 4–0 | Euro 2012 qualifier |
26. | 3–0 | |||||
27. | 4 June 2011 | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough | United States | 4–0 | 4–0 | Friendly |
28. | 30 May 2012 | Stade de Suisse, Bern | South Korea | 1–0 | 4–1 | Friendly |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Fernando Torres |
Sporting positions | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Carlos Aguilera |
Atlético Madrid Captain 2003–2007 |
Succeeded by Maxi Rodríguez |
|
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Xabi Alonso playing for Real Madrid |
|||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Xabier Alonso Olano | ||
Date of birth | 25 November 1981 | ||
Place of birth | Tolosa, Spain | ||
Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] | ||
Playing position | Midfielder | ||
Club information | |||
Current club | Real Madrid | ||
Number | 14 | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
1999–2004 | Real Sociedad | 119 | (9) |
2000–2001 | → Eibar (loan) | 14 | (0) |
2004–2009 | Liverpool | 143 | (15) |
2009– | Real Madrid | 104 | (4) |
National team‡ | |||
2000 | Spain U18 | 1 | (0) |
2002–2003 | Spain U21 | 9 | (0) |
2003– | Spain | 95 | (13) |
2001– | Basque Country | 4 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:04, 13 May 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
Xabier "Xabi" Alonso Olano (Basque pronunciation: [ˈʃabi aˈlons̺o]; born 25 November 1981) is a Spanish World Cup-winning footballer who plays for Real Madrid as a midfielder.
Alonso began his career at Real Sociedad, the main team of his home region Gipuzkoa. After a brief loan period at Eibar he returned to Sociedad where then manager John Toshack appointed Alonso as his team captain. Alonso succeeded in the role, taking Real Sociedad to second place in the 2002–03 season. He moved to Liverpool in August 2004 for £10.5 million. He won the UEFA Champions League in his first season at the club, scoring the equalising goal in the final. The following season he won the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield. He moved to Real Madrid for the start of the 2009–10 season, in a deal worth around £30 million. Internationally, Alonso has represented Spain in the Euro 2004, Euro 2008 tournaments and in the 2006 World Cup and 2010 World Cup. He made his international debut in April 2003 in a 4–0 victory against Ecuador, and he won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup with Spain.
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Alonso was born into a family known for its footballing prowess. His father, Periko Alonso won the La Liga twice in successive seasons with Real Sociedad and a third time after he moved to Barcelona. He also featured in the national team, winning 20 caps over the course of his career.[2] Born in Tolosa, a small Basque town, Xabi Alonso lived in Barcelona for the first six years of his life and moved to San Sebastián thereafter. It was here that his passion for football began as he whiled away his childhood playing at Playa de la Concha (Shell Beach).[2] On the Basque sands Alonso befriended a fellow resident of Calle Matia, Mikel Arteta, and the two would battle each other in exhibitions of technical ability.[3] He was immersed in football and his father would often bring him and his older brother, Mikel, to CE Sabadell's training ground to practise together. Alonso was influenced by his father's playing, taking more pleasure in passing the ball well than shooting at goal.[4] At an early age he decided to play as a defensive midfielder: a role which helped him learn how to distribute the ball well. This talent would later prove to be an integral part of his club and international career.[2]
When he was 15, Alonso went to the Irish town of Kells, County Meath on a school exchange programme to learn English.[5] During his time there, he played Gaelic football and developed a keen interest in the sport.
Alonso and Arteta were ambitious and dreamed of playing alongside each other for Real Sociedad when they were older. Though they attended different schools, the two young players joined forces at the local youth side Antiguoko, playing games at the weekend. Their performances attracted the attention of scouts from top Spanish sides and the young Donostiarras separated ways, ending nine years of friendly rivalry, as Alonso went to Real Sociedad and Arteta moved to Catalan giants Barcelona.[6] However, Alonso's move to Real Sociedad was not a companionless one as he was joined by his older brother Mikel Alonso who had also become an adept player.[2]
Alonso progressed through the youth ranks and the reserve team at Real Sociedad and impressed enough to earn a first team debut at the age of 18.[4] He made his first senior appearance against CD Logroñés in December 1999 in a Copa del Rey match.[7] Alonso failed to make another appearance in the season but the following year brought more opportunities. At the beginning of the 2000–01 season, Javier Clemente sent Alonso to Segunda División team Eibar to gain experience. Alonso's father particularly felt the move to the smaller club improved him as a player.[4] However, a quick turnover of managers, including a two month period with Periko Alonso in charge, left Real Sociedad in a dire situation. By January 2001 Real Sociedad were bottom of the league and the new manager, John Toshack, turned to the prodigious Alonso in the hope of reversing the team's fortunes. In a surprise move, the Welsh manager made 19 year old Alonso the team captain, a position traditionally held by more senior players.[2] By the end of the season Sociedad had climbed out of the relegation zone and finished in 14th place.[8] Toshack lauded Alonso, noting that the impression he had on the team was exceptional, especially for a player from the youth-team.[2]
Under the guidance of John Toshack, Alonso's captaincy marked a resurgence of form for Real Sociedad. Toshack recognised Alonso's potential and invested much time in his young captain, creating a training method designed to improve his touch and control specifically for him.[9] The team cemented their mid-table position in the 2001–02, finishing in 13th place. Alonso appeared consistently in La Liga with 30 appearances over the course of the season and also scored his first league goal, finishing with a season total of 3. Real Sociedad's management changed again in the summer of 2002 with the arrival of Raynald Denoueix but Alonso kept his place in the first team on the strength of his past performance.[10]
The 2002–03 season was the club's best league performance since the 1981-1982 season in which they won the league. The Basque team finished second, two points behind Real Madrid, setting a club record for their highest ever points total and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for the first time. Alonso received much praise for his role in the team's success and was given the Best Spanish Player award by Spanish sports magazine Don Balón.[11] In addition, Alonso significantly contributed to the team's goal tally, scoring 12 goals in all competitions.[12] His performances earned Alonso national repute and Iñaki Sáez, the coach of the Spanish national team, called him up for La Selección. Alonso made his international debut in April 2003 in a 4–0 friendly win over Ecuador.[13] Sáez raved over Alonso saying: "He has a fantastic range of accurate passing [and] sees football with an extraordinary clarity".[2]
The 2003–04 season comprised mixed results for Alonso and his San Sebastián club. Alonso revelled in the opportunity to perform in Europe, appearing in all the team's games, and Real Sociedad qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League. However, the team struggled under the pressure of the extra matches and were promptly knocked out of the tournament by Lyon and finished 15th in La Liga.[12] The combination of Alonso's outstanding performances and the team's poor league finish made a move away from Estadio Anoeta inevitable. Despite interest from La Liga champions Real Madrid, Alonso remained committed to Real Sociedad.[2] Madrid failed to meet the £13 million price tag that Jose Luis Astiazaran, the Real Sociedad president, had placed on Alonso and the deal reached a stalemate.[12] Alonso had other concerns and focused on international duty with Spain at the Euro 2004 tournament.[13] Despite the fact that Alonso's appearance at the tournament was brief, he caught the attention of retired footballer Jan Molby who was impressed with his precise passing abilities.[2]
The summer transfer window at Real Sociedad saw the arrival of Alonso's childhood friend Mikel Arteta.[14] Arteta was ecstatic at the prospect of partnering Alonso in midfield but his excitement was short lived.[3] Alonso was not picked for Real Sociedad's pre-season friendlies, signalling that an offer by Liverpool was being treated seriously.[14] The Basque side announced on 20 August 2004 that they had made a deal worth £10.7 million with Liverpool and Alonso had agreed terms with the Merseyside team.[7][15] Alonso did not lament the fact that a move to Real Madrid had not materialised. Instead he concentrated on integrating with the new Spanish contingent at Liverpool under the guidance of, ex-Valencia coach, Rafael Benítez.[2]
Alonso arrived at Liverpool, along with Luis García from Barcelona, marked the beginning of a new era at Anfield. Liverpool's new coach Rafael Benítez sought to revolutionise the club and completely overhauled the squad, impressing his own management style and tactics upon the team.[16] The technical Spaniards were Benítez's first signings and he remarked that their emphasis of skill over strength offered something different to the team.[15][17] Alonso made his Premiership debut for the Merseysiders against Bolton Wanderers at The Reebok Stadium on 29 August 2004.[7] Liverpool lost the fixture 1–0 but Alonso was already receiving praise for his passing skills from the press.[18] A Premier League tie against Fulham displayed more of Alonso's talents. Liverpool were losing 2–0 at half-time and Benítez brought on Alonso as a substitute after the break. He revived a deflated Liverpool and the game finished 4–2 to the Merseyside team.[19] Furthermore, Alonso scored his first goal for the team from a free kick to bring Liverpool ahead of the opposition.[20]
Alonso continued to provide important goals for the club, scoring his first goal at Anfield against Arsenal in a 2–1 victory.[21] Alonso was elated at the achievement and felt he was settling in well in England.[22] The Arsenal game marked the return of Steven Gerrard from injury but Alonso's midfield partnership with the team captain came to a halt when Alonso suffered his first setback at Liverpool. Alonso's ankle was broken following a tackle from Frank Lampard in Liverpool's 1-0 defeat against Chelsea on New Year's Day 2005 and the Spaniard was ruled out of action for three months.[23][24]
He made his return to the first team in the second leg of the Champions League quarter final against Juventus. Alonso was not at full fitness but, as Steven Gerrard was injured, he played for the full 90 minutes and Liverpool held the score at 0–0 in Italy, defeating the eventual Italian Champions on aggregate.[25] Kevin McCarra of The Guardian paid testament to Alonso's skill and dedication to the game, saying: "This marvellously accomplished footballer testified in the Stadio delle Alpi that technique can overcome a serious physical disadvantage".[26] In the next round against Chelsea, Alonso received a yellow card in a tense and scrappy 0–0 draw at Stamford Bridge, making him suspended for the following fixture.[27] Alonso was distraught that he would miss the game and vehemently contested the referee's decision to no avail.[28][29] Gerrard returned from injury for the second leg, however, and the captain steered his team to a 1–0 win with the help of a Luis García goal, qualifying for the final against Milan.[30]
Liverpool's fifth place finish in the Premiership left much to be desired but debut season glory still awaited Alonso in the form of the Champions League final. The team fell three goals behind Milan but completed a dramatic second-half comeback.[31] Liverpool, trailing 3–2, were awarded a penalty and it was decided that Alonso would take the spot kick. While Dida, Milan's acclaimed Brazilian goalkeeper, managed to save the penalty Alonso fired the rebound into the roof of the net, bringing the score to 3–3.[32] Extra time passed without a goal from either team and Liverpool won 3–2 in the penalty shootout.[33] Alonso was praised for his pivotal influence on the team's comeback and manager Benítez reinforced his importance to the team.[34][35][36] Alonso was ecstatic with the win, commenting: "This is the best moment in my professional career".[37] This marked a very successful first year in England for Alonso and victory in the final of the biggest European club competition signified a bright future for the 23-year-old.
Alonso was ever-present in the first team in the 2005–06 season, largely avoiding injuries that had marred his first season at the club. The summer transfer window brought Peter Crouch to Liverpool and the striker's height sparked accusations that the team would change to long ball tactics. Crouch denied this, highlighting that Alonso's passing ability, alongside Gerrard, would define Liverpool's style of play.[38] Alonso faced more competition for his place in the form of new arrival Mohamed Sissoko. However, Steven Gerrard's injuries and Rafael Benítez's favouring of a 4–5–1 formation ensured Alonso's place in the team. Alonso appeared in all of Liverpool's games in the Champions League but the dominance shown in the previous season had gone as the team lost to Benfica in the knockout stage.
On 7 January 2006, in an FA Cup third-round tie against Luton Town, Alonso assisted Liverpool to a 5–3 comeback victory after being down 3–1 early in the second half.[39] Alonso scored two impressive goals from distance: one from 45 yards, and the other 65 yards from goal; behind the half-way line.[7][40] Consequently, Alonso's goals marked a stroke of luck for a Liverpool fan who won £25,000 from a £200 bet on Alonso scoring from within his own half.[41] Alonso suffered an ankle injury in a 3–1 victory over Portsmouth, putting his participation in the FA Cup final in doubt.[42] However, he recovered sufficiently to start the game against West Ham United and Gerrard scored Liverpool's third goal from Alonso's free kick, pulling the team ahead of the opposition. Alonso, still affected by the injury, could not manage the whole 90 minutes and was substituted in the second half. Liverpool won on penalties without his help but Alonso still earned his first FA Cup winners' medal.[43]
On 20 September 2006 Alonso scored what the BBC described as "an outrageous strike" from his own half in a 2–0 Premiership win against Newcastle.[44] Andy Hunter of The Independent described it as "one of the most audacious goals in Anfield's rich 115-year history".[45] Alonso rebutted claims that his 70 yard goal was all down to luck and stated that he took long range shots as part of his training routine.[46] Despite the similarity of the goals struck from inside his own half, Alonso was in no doubt which was his best. He said, "I think this was better. The Luton goal bounced a few times, this one went quite straight. The Luton one was left-footed – it was different – but I am quite happy to score the goal."[47] It was his first goal for Liverpool since the goal against Luton, making it two consecutive goals from inside his own half of the pitch.[44]
On 8 June 2007 Alonso signed a five-year contract, stating, "I knew there was interest from other clubs but it was always my idea to stay here. I have been here for three seasons now and have such special feelings for the club and the supporters. I understand what Liverpool means to so many people. It is such a special club and I just didn't want to leave."[48] The 2007–08 season started well for the Spaniard: Gerrard's absence led to Alonso playing in a more advanced position and he scored twice in a 6–0 rout against Premier League newcomers Derby County.[49][50] However, the bright beginning was short-lived as a minor injury sustained in a game against Portsmouth became aggravated in training.[51] The metatarsal injury forced him out of training for six weeks but his return to the first team was rushed and his injury recurred in his first game back. Alonso's determination and passion proved to be his downfall and he later reflected: "I had been feeling a bit tired around that time because it was only my first game back and the match was very fast. But as a player you don't want to come off, particularly when the team is winning and I stayed on."[52]
Alonso returned from injury at the end of 2007 but over the following months he increasingly faced competition for a place in midfield from Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva.[53][54] His role in Liverpool's five man midfield role was assured, however, as Rafael Benítez regarded him as "a top class player", stating that Alonso had the ability to change games and break down the opposition's defence.[55][56] Alonso made his 100th league appearance for Liverpool on 12 January 2008 against Middlesbrough.[57]
The 2008 summer transfer window suggested a move away from Merseyside as Liverpool pursued England international Gareth Barry to replace Alonso.[58] By the start of the 2008–09 season, neither Alonso or Barry had moved club but the drawn-out transfer saga had left the Spaniard feeling unsettled at Liverpool and unsure of his position in the team.[59][60] However, the club's fans did much to restore his spirits, supporting him on and off the pitch, and Alonso responded to this, saying:
Despite the events of the summer, Alonso made a confident start to the season and both his peers and the press praised his strength of character, citing his influence as a factor in the team's strong opening to the season.[61][62] Alonso's importance to the team was further underlined when he scored the only goal, through a deflection, in a 1–0 victory against Chelsea, making Liverpool the first away team to win at Stamford Bridge in over four years.[63] Statistical analysis reflected Alonso's good form: on 11 December figures from Opta revealed that he was the first Premier League player to complete 1000 successful passes in the season.[64] His last goal for Liverpool came in their match against Hull, scoring a volley after his own free kick hit the Hull City wall.
Alonso completed his £30,000,000 move to Real Madrid on 5 August 2009.[65] It has been suggested that he never wanted to leave the Anfield side, with his contract existing until at least 2012, and that his departure was due to differences with Benítez.[66][67][68] Former teammate Steven Gerrard said he was "devastated" by Alonso's decision, and cited his departure as one of the reasons behind Liverpool's poor run of form at the start of the following season.[69]
Alonso was given the number 22 jersey in Madrid and played in a holding midfield position. He scored his first goal for his new team on 21 February 2010, a penalty against Villarreal in a 6–2 win.[70] Unless he was injured or suspended, Manuel Pellegrini started Alonso in every match of the Champions League and in La Liga in his first season at Real Madrid.[71] In La Liga he helped the club finish with a club record 96 points, three points behind winners Barcelona.[72] It was the third time in Alonso's career that he helped his team set a new club record in terms of points gathered, while finishing in second position (he achieved the same feat with Real Sociedad in 2002–03 and with Liverpool in 2008–09). During his first season at Real Madrid Alonso scored three goals and was considered one of the club's "most consistent" players.[73] Readers of Marca made him part of their La tiga team of the season, as their choice defensive midfielder; the only other Real Madrid player featured was Cristiano Ronaldo.[74] Alonso received the same accolade from ESPN Soccernet.[75] He was also a nominee in the LFP Awards, awards given out by the Liga de Fútbol Profesional, the Spanish Football league. Alonso was nominated in the Best Midfielder category, alongside Xavi and Javi Martínez.[76] Several members of the Spanish press, as well as a number of Real Madrid supporters, gave Alonso a new nickname during the season: La Barba Roja (The Red Beard).[77]
His second season at Real Madrid started with the arrival of a new manager, José Mourinho. He was given the number 14 jersey, after the departure of the vice-captain Guti.[78] On 6 June, When asked if would ever consider returning to Liverpool, Alonso told Liverpool.tv "Why not?", he also said "At the moment I don't know what is going to happen, but it could be a possibility. Never say never".[79] Alonso scored the equalizing goal against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup on 14 August.
Xabi Alonso started his third season at Real Madrid by scoring the second goal in a 2–2 draw against Barcelona in the 2011 Supercopa de España at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. On 21 September 2011, he played his 100th official game for Real Madrid in the 0–0 draw against Racing Santander. Alonso continued to be an undisputed force in the starting eleven and ultimately claimed the first league title of his career.
Alonso was a substitute in Spain's 1–0 victory against Russia and played a full 90 minutes against Portugal. Spain were knocked out in the group stage.[13]
Alonso was named in the Spanish squad for the 2006 World Cup and he scored Spain's first goal of the tournament, his first international goal, against Ukraine on 14 June 2006.[80] Despite a successful group phase, where Spain won all their games, Alonso did not achieve international glory as the team were beaten by the eventual finalists France in the first knockout stage of the tournament.[81]
Liverpool's 2007–08 season finished trophyless but the opportunity to win honours awaited Alonso in the form of the Euro 2008 tournament. Alonso featured mainly as a substitute but, with key players resting, he captained Spain in the final group game against Greece, earning the man of the match award.[82] Despite a strong performance, he could not attain a starting position in the team, highlighting Spain's strength in depth.[83] Spain went on to win the tournament and he featured in four of Spain's six matches.[84] Speaking to Guillem Balague, he said that Spain's victory was deserved and the players' teamwork had been crucial to the team's undefeated run in the tournament. The Basque was ecstatic at the achievement, declaring "Right now, we're all just living the moment. It's incredible and we're all walking around in a dream. It's fantastic".[85] Alonso's international success continued as he scored twice in a 3–0 win in a friendly against Denmark in August.[86]
Xabi Alonso started every game for Spain during the 2010 tournament, playing alongside Sergio Busquets and Xavi in midfield and helping his side to lift their first ever World Cup trophy.[87] In the 28th minute of the final against the Netherlands he received a Kung fu-style kick to the chest from Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong, this left Alonso in pain and in fear of a broken rib.[88] Despite this pain, he continued playing on for another hour.
Alonso made his debut for the Basque Country official football team in a friendly against Ghana on 29 December 2001[89] and receives regular call ups since, while – due to his busy club schedule – not always being able to appear. Most recently, Alonso appeared for Euskal Selekzioa on 28 December, 2011 [90] in a 0-2 loss to Tunisia[91]
Alonso was regarded as a quiet and friendly person by his former teammates at Liverpool.[92] He is married to Nagore Aramburu and the couple have 2 children: Jontxu and Ane. Alonso stayed in Merseyside to be at her side while she gave birth, later saying: "It was a little frustrating to miss the match against Inter but I have to be with my family at times like these."[93] His decision to place his family ahead of an Champions League tie caused much friction with manager Rafa Benítez.[94][95][96] On 30 March 2010 they had their second child; a girl named Ane Alonso Aranburu .[97]
Alonso and Arsenal player Mikel Arteta were neighbours on the same street while growing up in San Sebastián and also lived near each other in Liverpool.[98] Alonso convinced Arteta to transfer to Everton after he told him how happy he was living in Liverpool.[99] Alonso also helped persuade former Real Sociedad team mate Juan Ugarte to make a move to Wales by joining Wrexham in 2004.[100]
His brother, Mikel Alonso plays for English team Charlton Athletic, having previously spent a season on loan at Bolton Wanderers in the 2007–08 season with an option for a permanent deal.[101][102] However, the team opted not to extend the loan deal and he returned to Spain to train with Xabi Alonso's former club, Real Sociedad.[103] Alonso also has another brother involved in football, Jon, who works as a referee.[104]
Alonso is a Meath Gaelic football supporter. His interest in the Irish sport stems from the age of 15 when he went to the Irish town of Kells, County Meath on a school exchange programme to learn English, where he played it in his spare time.
Even while playing at Real Madrid, Alonso has declared himself a Liverpool supporter and returns to watch games at Anfield when his schedule allows. He was quoted in The Times Online in 2011 as saying: "I am still a Liverpool fan and will be forever, absolutely" and that he will raise his Liverpool-born son as a Red supporter.[105]
Alonso is also the Director of Communications at Laspalmas.dk, a Danish supporter club for the Spanish club Las Palmas, who currently plays in the Segunda División.[106]
Club | Season | League | Cup1 | League Cup | Europe | Other2 | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Real Sociedad | 1999–2000 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 6 | 0 | ||
Total | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 6 | 0 | |||
Eibar | 2000–01 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 14 | 0 | ||
Total | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 14 | 0 | |||
Real Sociedad | 2000–01 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 18 | 0 | ||
2001–02 | 29 | 3 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 29 | 3 | |||
2002–03 | 33 | 3 | 1 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 34 | 3 | |||
2003–04 | 34 | 3 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 | 1 | – | 42 | 4 | |||
Total | 114 | 9 | 1 | 0 | – | 8 | 1 | – | 123 | 10 | |||
Liverpool | 2004–05 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | – | 32 | 3 | |
2005–06 | 35 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 53 | 5 | |
2006–07 | 32 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 51 | 4 | |
2007–08 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | – | 27 | 2 | ||
2008–09 | 33 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | – | 47 | 5 | ||
Total | 143 | 15 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 47 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 210 | 19 | |
Real Madrid | 2009–10 | 34 | 3 | 0 | 0 | – | 7 | 0 | – | 41 | 3 | ||
2010–11 | 34 | 0 | 7 | 1 | – | 11 | 0 | – | 52 | 1 | |||
2011–12 | 36 | 1 | 4 | 0 | – | 10 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 52 | 2 | ||
Total | 104 | 4 | 11 | 1 | – | 28 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 145 | 6 | ||
Career total | 380 | 28 | 25 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 83 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 498 | 35 |
National team | Season | Apps | Goals | Assists |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spain | ||||
2002–03 | 5 | 0 | - | |
2003–04 | 11 | 0 | - | |
2004–05 | 6 | 0 | - | |
2005–06 | 11 | 1 | - | |
2006–07 | 6 | 0 | - | |
2007–08 | 14 | 2 | - | |
2008–09 | 12 | 4 | 3 | |
2009–10 | 13 | 3 | 2 | |
2010–11 | 14 | 1 | 2 | |
2011–12 | 13 | 3 | 1 | |
2012–13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Career total | 92 | 14 | 8 |
Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 14 June 2006 | Zentralstadion, Leipzig, Germany | Ukraine | 1 – 0 | 4 – 0 | 2006 FIFA World Cup |
2. | 20 August 2008 | Parken Stadium, Denmark | Denmark | 1 – 0 | 3 – 0 | Friendly |
3. | 20 August 2008 | Parken Stadium, Denmark | Denmark | 3 – 0 | 3 – 0 | Friendly |
4. | 1 April 2009 | Ali Sami Yen Stadium, Turkey | Turkey | 1 – 1 | 2 – 1 | 2010 World Cup Qualifier |
5. | 28 June 2009 | Royal Bafokeng Stadium, South Africa | South Africa | 3 – 2 | 3 – 2 | 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup |
6. | 14 November 2009 | Vicente Calderon Stadium, Spain | Argentina | 1 – 0 | 2 – 1 | Friendly |
7. | 14 November 2009 | Vicente Calderon Stadium, Spain | Argentina | 2 – 1 | 2 – 1 | Friendly |
8. | 29 May 2010 | Tivoli Nuevo Stadium, Austria | Saudi Arabia | 2 – 1 | 3 – 2 | Friendly |
9. | 8 June 2010 | Estadio Nueva Condomina, Spain | Poland | 3 – 0 | 6 – 0 | Friendly |
10. | 7 June 2011 | Estadio José Antonio Anzoátegui, Venezuela | Venezuela | 0 – 3 | 0 - 3 | Friendly |
11. | 10 August 2011 | Stadio San Nicola, Italy | Italy | 1 – 1 | 2 - 1 | Friendly |
12. | 7 October 2011 | Generali Arena, Czech Republic | Czech Republic | 0 – 2 | 0 - 2 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
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