- published: 27 Nov 2015
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Nicolás Hernán Gonzalo Otamendi (born 12 February 1988) is an Argentine football centre back who plays for F.C. Porto in the Portuguese Liga.
Otamendi made his debut for Vélez Sársfield on May 10, 2008 on a 2-1 home victory against Rosario Central for the 2008 Clausura tournament, under the guidance of head coach Hugo Tocalli. During Tocalli's time, Otamendi was the fifth choice as central defender, behind Mariano Uglessich, Waldo Ponce, Fernando Tobio and Marco Torsiglieri. However, his role in the first team changed during Ricardo Gareca's first season as the club's head coach, the 2009 Clausura. Otamendi replaced Waldo Ponce as the team's centre back for the third game of the tournament, after the Chilean footballer was injured while playing for his national team. Otamendi won a place as a regular starter along Sebastián Domínguez in the defense. He ended up playing 17 of the 19 games in Vélez' 2009 Clausura winning campaign.
The defender scored his first professional goal during the 2009 Apertura, in Vélez' 3-1 victory over Arsenal de Sarandí. During that season, he also debuted on an international club competition, playing the Copa Sudamericana. In recognition of his performances throughout 2009, he was chosen for the South American Team of the Year, in a traditional continent-wide journalists' poll conducted by the newspaper El País.
Javier 'Javi' Fuego Martínez (born 4 January 1984 in Pola de Siero, Asturias) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, as a defensive midfielder.
Fuego started playing professional football for Sporting de Gijón, representing the Asturias side during six second division seasons, being first-choice from 2004–07.
In 2007–08, he joined La Liga strugglers Levante UD, but was one of many players to leave the squad upon relegation and serious financial problems. In August 2008, Fuego signed a three-year deal (€140.000) with Andalusia's Recreativo de Huelva, appearing regularly as a starter during two years, but being relegated from the top flight in his first season.
For the 2010–11 season, Fuego joined second division side Rayo Vallecano, quickly establishing himself as first-choice for the Madrid club, and helping it to a second-place finish and subsequent top level promotion.
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.
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) and Real Madrid (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. He was the only Spanish player brought in during Florentino Pérez first stint as Real Madrid president.