Fernando Rubén Gago ( spanish pronunciation : [ feɾˈnando ˈɣaɣo ] ; [ 3 ] born 10 April 1986 ) is an Argentine professional former player and football coach of Racing Club. During his golf club career that spanned 16 years, Gago played as a defensive midfielder and deep-lying playmaker for Boca Juniors, Real Madrid, Roma, Valencia and Vélez Sarsfield. A full external from 2007 to 2017, Gago represented Argentina at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and at the Copa América in 2007, 2011 and 2015, vitamin a well as winning a gold decoration at the 2008 Olympics.
Reading: Fernando Gago
Club career [edit ]
Boca Juniors [edit ]
Gago came from the youth divisions of Boca Juniors, made his professional debut with Boca in the 1–0 victory over Quilmes on 5 December 2004. Despite his young person, he promptly became an all-important part of the Boca midfield, attracting interest from european clubs such as real Madrid [ 4 ] and Barcelona. [ 5 ]
real Madrid [edit ]
On 15 November 2006, Real Madrid President confirmed the signings of Gago, arsenic well as compatriot Gonzalo Higuaín of River Plate, as part of his policy to sign younger players to gradually replace the older stars in the police squad. [ citation needed ] however, news program of Higuaín ‘s passing to Madrid was premature, as River Plate rejected a €10 million bid for the hitter, stating they would prefer him to remain until at least June 2007. [ citation needed ] During the 2006 South american transfer saga, Gago ‘s name was besides linked with a move to Milan. Ariedo Braida, however, Milan ‘s top transfer guru, was quoted as saying, “ They [ Gago and Higuaín ] only want to go to Madrid. “ [ citation needed ] The transfer was ultimately agreed on 19 December 2006 for € 20.4 million. Following the move, he was impressive in the defensive midfield position, [ 6 ] which led to comparisons to former Argentina “ number 5 ” Fernando Redondo from Jorge Valdano and many other pundits. Gago made his debut for Madrid in the 2–0 La Liga kill against Deportivo de La Coruña on 7 January 2007. [ 7 ] This promised to be an excite start for the highly talented midfielder. Due to the poor team performance, however, Gago was unable to display his talent, and after being at blame for the open goal by breaking from the rest of the defensive wall at a free-kick, he was replaced by substitute Ronaldo. [ 8 ] however, a week later against Real Zaragoza at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Gago ‘s operation lifted along with that of his teammates. His defensive game picked up well as he fought hard in midfield, while besides demonstrating vision by delivering respective through balls to the attackers. very Madrid defeated Zaragoza 1–0, [ 9 ] with a finish from Ruud van Nistelrooy created by boyfriend fresh signing Gonzalo Higuaín. On 20 May 2007, with the grade tied at 2–2 against Recreativo de Huelva, Madrid looked set to return the lead back to rivals Barcelona until Gago provided a last-minute assist to Roberto Carlos, who scored at the end of the equal and the team left Huelva with just three “ finals ” left to play. Real managed to beat Recreativo 3–2 at the Estadio Nuevo Colombino and went on to win the league title .
Before the start of the 2007–08 temper, Gago changed his count from 16 to 8. In his moment season at the club, he displayed his true ability with a series of top-class performances in the center of Madrid ‘s La Liga-winning midfield. He managed to claim a first-team topographic point in station of Mahamadou Diarra and was a key figure in the club ‘s moment consecutive league title. During the January transplant window, Gago was cheeseparing to signing for Manchester City. He had agreed on personal terms although an agreement worth about £15 million could not be agreed between both teams. [ citation needed ] In the begin of the 2008–09 temper, Gago merely played two games due to an wound he picked up during the Champions League match against BATE Borisov. He managed to recover in time and was named in the start eleven for 27 October La Liga clash against Athletic Bilbao. Madrid won 3–2 and Gago was praised for his match-winning performance in the midfield aboard Wesley Sneijder. besides in this season, Gago scored his first goal for Madrid, a heading from an indirect free kick delivered by Guti against Sevilla to tie the game 3–3, though they went on to lose the game 3–4. Against Villarreal, he started in central midfield along with a modern sign Lassana Diarra. At the end of the season, Fabio Cannavaro returned to Juventus, leaving the number 5 shirt available, which Gago had initially wanted when he inaugural signed for Madrid. He willingly offered his number 8 shirt to newfangled arrival Kaká and took count 5, the same count he besides wore for Argentina. Under new Madrid director José Mourinho, Gago struggled to receive play time due to both a drawn-out wound spell and Mourinho ‘s predilection for the tandem of Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira in defensive midfield. [ 10 ]
loan to Roma [edit ]
On 31 August 2011, Gago moved on loan to italian Serie A side Roma, with a horizon to a permanent wave motivate, until the end of the 2011–12 season, having amassed a 100 appearances for real Madrid in La Liga during his four-and-a-half years at the club. [ 11 ] His number 5 jersey was conferred to the recently signed Nuri Şahin, once of Borussia Dortmund. [ 12 ] Gago scored his first gear goal for Roma against Lecce on 20 November, an eventual 2–1 Roma victory. At the conclusion of the season, Roma did not use the option to buy Gago, and he returned to Real Madrid .
Valencia and return to Argentina [edit ]
On 19 July 2012, shortly after returning from lend to Real Madrid, Valencia announced it had purchased Gago for a report tip in the region of €3.5 million. [ 13 ] [ 14 ] He made his official debut for Valencia on 19 August, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 aside reap against former clubhouse Real Madrid. [ 15 ] In 2013, Vélez Sársfield secured Gago ‘s loan to replace injured Ariel Cabral for the team ‘s league and Copa Libertadores campaign. however, the midfielder was largely injured during his time with the cabaret, playing only four league games and four Copa Libertadores games ( scoring once against Deportes Iquique ). however, he did manage to win a title during his six-month stay in the baseball club, helping Vélez kill Newell ‘s Old Boys in the 2012–13 Superfinal. In 2013, it was formally confirmed that Gago ‘s honest-to-god clubhouse Boca Juniors had bought 50 % of his playing rights from Valencia for a fee of €1.7 million. Gago scored three goals since his return, against Godoy Cruz in 2014 and Olimpo and Belgrano in 2015 .
return to Vélez Sarsfield and retirement [edit ]
From June 2016 until summer 2019, Gago played entirely 39 games due to an injury spell. Ahead of the 2019–20 season, Gago signed a annual contract with Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield, which he already spent a half-season at in 2013. [ 16 ] In November 2020, Gago announced his retirement from professional football at the senesce of 34. [ 17 ]
International career [edit ]
Gago challenging for the ball against Ricardo Quaresma of Portugal in a 2011 friendly Gago was part of the under-20 squad which won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship and was one of many touted “ future stars ” in the contest. Gago made his aged international introduction on 7 February 2007 in a 1–0 friendly win away to France. [ 18 ] He played in the 2007 Copa América. He was part of the team which won the aureate decoration at the 2008 Olympics. [ 19 ] He was one of over 100 players used by Diego Maradona in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, but besides one of the highest-profile absentees for the final tournament in South Africa. [ 20 ] He returned to Argentina ‘s team for the 2011 Copa América. Gago was named in Argentina ‘s 23-man police squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. [ 21 ] He made his World Cup debut in Argentina ‘s 2–1 get the better of of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Estádio do Maracanã, coming on as a half-time utility for Hugo Campagnaro. [ 22 ] He was named in the starting line-up for the team ‘s second match, a 1–0 acquire over Iran in Belo Horizonte, [ 23 ] and remained a starter until being replaced by Lucas Biglia in the quarter-finals. Gago replaced Enzo Pérez after 86 minutes of the concluding, which Argentina lost 0–1 to Germany after extra time .
style of playing period [edit ]
Gago relished operate in a holding character at Boca Juniors, functioning as a deep-lying playmaker in front of the defense, due to his intelligence and ability to dictate play in midfield with his communicate ; he has besides played in a like character with the Argentina national team and other clubs. Upon arriving in Europe in 2006, Gago drew comparisons to compatriot and former Real Madrid man Fernando Redondo, due to his ability to build up play and break down the oppositions ‘ attacks, thus enabling him to contribute both offensively and defensively. [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] [ 27 ] His actual Madrid visibility described Gago as a “ very dynamic football player who predicates his game on ball movement ”. He is besides able of reaching the adversary ‘s box, possesses a frightful vision for the plot, [ he ] can cover much footing and knows how to protect the ball. [ 28 ]
Managerial career [edit ]
On 17 January 2021, Gago was appointed director of Argentine Primera División side Aldosivi. [ 29 ] He lost 2–1 at home to Godoy Cruz on his debut on 14 February. [ 30 ] He resigned on 27 September after a run of six consecutive defeats left the team in 23rd. [ 31 ]
personal life [edit ]
Gago, Sergio Agüero and Lionel Messi had all been teammates as children back in Argentina. [ 32 ] together, the three of them won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands. Gago is a literature and art fancier. The inaugural thing he did after land in Spain was visit the Museo del Prado. [ 33 ] He earned the dub “ El Pintita ” ( roughly meaning “ the fiddling one trying to look full ” in English ) always since Ramón Maddoni scolded him for playing with his hair. [ 34 ] besides, his Boca Juniors teammates would call him so because his youth squad bus would scold him, “ Stop trying to look estimable and run ! ” [ 35 ] Gago is married to professional tennis actor Gisela Dulko with whom he has two sons [ 36 ] and a daughter. [ 37 ] The couple separated in 2021, after he had an affair with one of her friends. [ 38 ] [ 39 ] In September 2005, Gago ‘s father died of a stroke while Gago was playing for Boca Juniors against Racing Club. [ 40 ] In February 2021, his brother died in the lapp way while Gago was managing Aldosivi against the same golf club. [ 41 ]
career statistics [edit ]
club [edit ]
Club
Season
League
Cup
Continental
Other
Total
Division
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Boca Juniors
2004–05
Argentine Primera División
7
0
—
7
0
2
0
16
0
2005–06
34
0
—
1
0
2
0
37
0
2006–07
20
1
—
—
1
0
21
1
Total
61
1
—
8
0
5
0
74
1
Real Madrid
2006–07
La Liga
13
0
2
0
2
0
—
17
0
2007–08
31
0
4
0
6
0
1
0
42
0
2008–09
26
1
1
0
6
0
0
0
33
1
2009–10
18
0
2
0
2
0
—
22
0
2010–11
4
0
3
0
0
0
—
7
0
Total
92
1
12
0
16
0
1
0
121
1
Roma (loan)
2011–12
Serie A
30
1
2
0
0
0
—
32
1
Valencia
2012–13
La Liga
13
0
1
0
4
0
—
18
0
Vélez Sársfield (loan)
2012–13
Argentine Primera División
3
0
0
0
4
1
—
7
1
Boca Juniors
2013–14
Argentine Primera División
20
0
0
0
0
0
—
20
0
2014
10
1
0
0
6
0
—
16
1
2015
14
2
3
1
6
0
—
23
3
2016
11
0
0
0
6
1
1
0
18
1
2016–17
16
2
0
0
0
0
—
16
2
2017–18
6
0
6
1
0
0
—
12
1
2018–19
8
0
1
0
5
0
—
14
0
Total
85
5
10
2
23
1
1
0
119
8
Vélez Sársfield
2019–20
Argentine Primera División
13
0
0
0
2
0
1
0
16
0
2020–21
1
0
—
—
—
1
0
Total
14
0
0
0
2
0
1
0
17
0
Boca Juniors total
146
6
10
2
31
1
6
0
193
9
Vélez Sársfield total
17
0
0
0
6
1
1
0
24
1
Career total
298
8
25
2
57
2
8
0
388
12
International [edit ]
Argentina[42]
Year
Apps
Goals
2007
13
0
2008
7
0
2009
7
0
2010
1
0
2011
7
0
2012
8
0
2013
3
0
2014
11
0
2015
3
0
2017
1
0
Total
61
0
managerial [edit ]
- As of 4 December 2021
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team
Nat
From
To
Record
Aldosivi
17 January 2021
25 September 2021
26
7
3
16
30
45
Read more: Swansea City A.F.C.
−15
0 26.92
Racing Club
21 October 2021
present
7
2
0
5
8
12
−4
0 28.57
Total
33
9
3
21
38
57
−19
0 27.27
Honours [edit ]
golf club [edit ]
Boca Juniors
Real Madrid
Vélez Sarsfield
International [edit ]
Argentina
individual [edit ]
- South American Team of the Year: 2005, 2006[43]
- Alumni de Oro Award: 2013
- Sudamerican Cup First Team: 2014
- Third American Best Player: 2006
- Copa Libertadores Group Stage Best Team: 2016
- Boca Juniors Best Young Player of the Season: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07
- Real Madrid Fans Best Team of the Season: 2007–08, 2008–09
- Argentina National Team Fans Best Team of the Year: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014
- Argentina National Team Fans Best Young Player: 2007, 2008, 2009
- Real Madrid Fans Best Young Player of the Season: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
- Boca Juniors Fans Best Team of the Season: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2013–14, 2015, 2017
- Boca Juniors Fans Best Player of the Season: 2005–2006
- A.S. Roma Fans Best Team of the Season: 2011–12
- A.S. Roma Fans Best Signing of the Season: 2011–12
- Marca.com Users Best World Team of the Season: 2007–08, 2008–09
- As.com Users Best World Team of the Season: 2007–08, 2008–09
- Boca Juniors Fans Most Loved Player of the Season: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2013–14, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2016–17, 2017–18
- Copa Argentina Final Most Valuable Player: 2015
- Copa Argentina Most Valuable Player: 2015
- Copa Argentina Best Team: 2015
- Copa Argentina Most Valuable Midfielder: 2015
- SuperFinal Primera División Argentina Most Valuable Player: 2012–13
References [edit ]
Read more: Lille OSC