Argentine football player

Osvaldo Fabián Nicolás “ Nico “ Gaitán ( spanish pronunciation : [ ozˈβaldo nikoˈlas faˈβjan ˈniko ɣajˈtan ] ; [ a ] natural 23 February 1988 ) is an Argentine professional football player who plays for the Argentina national team, chiefly as an attacking midfielder. A product of Boca Juniors, he joined Benfica in Portugal, where he won three Primeira Liga titles, one Taça de Portugal, five Taça district attorney Liga and one Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira in six seasons.

Club career [edit ]

Boca Juniors [edit ]

Born in San Martín, Buenos Aires, Gaitán rose from the ranks at Boca Juniors, having entered its youth system at the historic period of 13 in hurt of doubts regarding his future ascribable to his humble skeleton. [ 1 ] He made his competitive debut with the cabaret on 1 June 2008 in a 3–1 win against Arsenal de Sarandí, [ 2 ] and scored his first two Primera División goals two months later in a 3–0 success at Huracán. [ 3 ] On 23 September 2008 Gaitán netted his beginning goal in an international tournament, that year ‘s Copa Sudamericana, against Liga de Quito. Two days late he again made the scoresheet, in the 4–2 win over Newell ‘s Old Boys where he besides set up Lucas Viatri for his slope ‘s final examination goal. [ 4 ] Gaitán scored seven times in 33 games in his stopping point season with Boca, who lone managed to finish 11th in the Apertura and 16th in the Clausura .

Benfica [edit ]

On 3 May 2010, Portugal ‘s Benfica confirmed they had reached an agreement to sign Gaitán for €8.4 million, [ 5 ] as a refilling for countryman Ángel Di María who had just been sold to Real Madrid. [ 6 ] He made his official debut for his new team by starting and playing 66 minutes in a 1–2 away loss to Nacional, opening his marking account besides with a brace, at home against Naval on 14 November ( 4–0 ). Gaitán finished his inaugural class with the Lisbon side with 48 appearances all competitions comprised, scoring nine times as it finished moment in the league and won the domestic league cup. For his performances, he was named Portuguese League Breakthrough Player of the Year. [ 7 ] In the 2011–12 campaign Gaitán led the UEFA Champions League assists board, until the smasher stage. [ 8 ] In 2013–14 he contributed with eight goals overall as his team conquered the soprano, including the crippled ‘s lone finish in the Portuguese Cup ‘s decisive couple against Rio Ave on 18 May 2014 ; [ 9 ] His performances were praised throughout the season. [ 10 ] [ 11 ] On 31 August 2014, Gaitán scored his beginning goal of the temper against Sporting CP, while besides being named ‘Man of the Match ‘. [ 12 ] On 11 November 2014, he extended his shrink with Benfica until 30 June 2018 and set a release article of €35 million. [ 13 ] On 30 September 2015, Gaitán scored a goal and late assisted the second goal in a win at Atlético Madrid ( 1–2 ) in the UEFA Champions League. [ 14 ] On 9 December 2015, he signed an improved narrow through June 2019, increasing his passing clause to €45 million. [ 15 ] [ 16 ] On 9 March, Gaitán scored his fourth goal of the temper in the Champions League, against Zenit Saint Petersburg in the second leg of the round of 16, helping Benfica to reach the quarter-finals of the competition with a 3–1 aggregate score, after a 2–1 gain in Russia. [ 17 ] [ 18 ] On 15 May, he scored twice in a 4–1 home win against Nacional, helping Benfica to secure the league deed for the one-third back-to-back season. [ 19 ] Five days late, he scored Benfica ‘s one-fourth goal in a 6–2 gain over Marítimo in the Taça district attorney Liga final examination. A infinitesimal later, he was substituted and received a standing ovation while leaving the pitch in tears. After the final examination whistle, he said it was credibly his last match with Benfica. [ 20 ] [ 21 ]

Atlético Madrid [edit ]

On 16 June 2016, Benfica and Atlético Madrid agreed on the transfer of Gaitán for €25 million, with the abridge to be signed after medical exams in July. [ 22 ] [ 23 ] [ 24 ] His official presentation for the spanish side was held on 19 July at the Vicente Calderón stadium. [ 25 ]

dalian Yifang [edit ]

On 26 February 2018, along with teammate Yannick Carrasco, Gaitán joined chinese Super League newcomers Dalian Yifang, which was besides hold by Atlético Madrid ‘s partial derivative owner Wanda Group. [ 26 ] On 3 March, he made his chinese league introduction in an 8–0 away passing to Shanghai SIPG. [ 27 ] [ 28 ] He temporarily lost consciousness and was taken to hospital following an elbowing from Li Lei during a league match against Beijing Guoan on 16 March 2018. [ 29 ] On 7 April 2018, he scored his first finish in China deoxyadenosine monophosphate well as assisted Wang Jinxian ‘s goal in a 2–2 home draw with Chongqing Dangdai Lifan. [ 30 ]

later career [edit ]

On 14 March 2019, Gaitán signed for MLS side Chicago Fire on a unblock transmit for one season, with a clubhouse choice until 2020. [ 31 ] On 31 January 2020, Gaitán joined Lille in France on a six-month narrow until the end of the season. [ 32 ] Gaitán left the Lille in June, having played only four games before the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. [ 33 ] On 11 August 2020, Gaitán signed for Portuguese club Braga on a annual batch with an choice for a far year. [ 33 ]

International career [edit ]

Gaitán made his external debut for Argentina on 13 October 2009, as a substitute in a 2–0 friendly win over Ghana, [ 34 ] and he made his first begin in a 3–2 success against Costa Rica on 26 January of the following class. [ 35 ] During Sergio Batista condition, he made three appearances, playing against Costa Rica, [ 36 ] Nigeria [ 37 ] and Poland. [ 38 ] With Sabella, Gaitán did not make an appearance but with the appointment of Gerardo Martino, he returned after a biennial absence, playing the final minutes, after replacing Sergio Agüero on 3 September 2014 in an away winnings against Germany. [ 39 ]

style of gambling [edit ]

Gaitán began playing as a midfielder, sometimes leaning to the left. After moving to Benfica he assumed a more promote role, where he seemed more comfortable. A left-footer who is besides able to play on the right, with dear dribble skills and finale operate, Gaitán ‘s main asset is ball distribution as he is able to cross from either flank, and while on the right he possesses the vision to pick holes when cutting inside. [ 40 ] [ 41 ]

career statistics [edit ]

club [edit ]

As of match played 23 May 2021[42][43]

International [edit ]

As of match played 18 June 2016[44]
National team Year Apps Goals
Argentina 2009 1 0
2010 2 0
2011 3 0
2014 3 2
2015 3 0
2016 4 0
Total 16 2

International goals [edit ]

Scores and results list Argentina’s goal tally first.[44]
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 14 October 2014 Hong Kong Stadium, Wanchai, Hong Kong  Hong Kong 3–0 7–0 Friendly
2. 6–0

Honours [edit ]

club [edit ]

Boca Juniors
Benfica
Atlético Madrid
Braga
Peñarol

International [edit ]

Argentina

individual [edit ]

Notes [edit ]

References [edit ]