Gary Medel
Encyclopedia
Gary Alexis Medel Soto (born 3 August 1987 in Conchalí
, Santiago), known as Gary Medel, is a Chile
an football player who plays as defensive midfielder for La Liga
club Sevilla FC
.
His nickname is "Pitbull" or also "The Chilean Gattuso", because of his similarities with the Italian star Gennaro Ivan Gattuso. Medel was named Chilean Footballer of the Year
in 2008, ahead of the Paraguayan striker Lucas Barrios
.
Medel was member of the Chile U-20
that achieved the third place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2007.
youth ranks at a very early age. In 2006, he was promoted to the first team and he made his debut in the University derby against Universidad de Chile, where he received his first yellow card.
After a successful participation in the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2007 in Canada, he became a popular player and was nicknamed "Pitbull
and "Chilean Gattuso
" by the media, because of his strong performance and short temper. On 28 July 2007, Medel scored his first goal for Católica
against Deportes La Serena in a 3−1 victory. On 26 August 2007, at Estadio Nacional
, Medel scored two goals for Católica against his classic rival Universidad de Chile, in a 2−1 victory.
He had a great season in 2008, being a key player for Católica and the national team. On 17 April 2008, he scored his first Copa Libertadores goal against América
in a 2−0 victory at San Carlos de Apoquindo
. However Católica failed to go through the second stage. Shortly after, he scored again.
signed Medel on a 1 year loan deal, along with Federico Insúa
. Medel stated upon his arrival that moving to Boca was "a dream come true. It is a very important club and they have players who I admire a lot, Roman
, Palermo
and Battaglia
, who is my idol and I look forward to playing alongside him."
He scored his first goal against Godoy Cruz in a match where he also saw his first red card in Argentinian soil.
In March 2010, he scored a brace in the Argentinian Superclásico
against fierce rivals River Plate
, leading Boca to a very important win in that tournament (2–0), in a time when they were submerged in a sport crisis
.
After good performances as a Central midfielder, showing his temper (he got sent out several times) and sacrifice, plus prominent featuring in the 2010 FIFA World Cup
held in South Africa
, he was tented by European clubs, but he stated that he was going to stay at the Bombonera for another year, being coached by his (now in 2011) Chile National football team
coach Claudio Borghi
, who was hired at the time to be the new Boca coach after obtaining the Argentinian championship title with Argentinos Juniors
.
. Borghi successor Julio César Falcioni
stated that he wanted Medel to stay in Boca for the 2011 campaign, but that he wouldn't jeopardize or interfere in Medel's future, thus approving the move.
His debut in Spanish soil was against Real Madrid
, in a Copa del Rey
0–2 loss. He only played the last 4 minutes of the match. On 13 February 2011 he made his Liga BBVA debut against Racing de Santander
, this time playing the whole match. A month later, Sevilla played against FC Barcelona
where Medel made his best performance so far, annulling Lionel Messi
and saving Sevilla's goalkeeper Javi Varas
a couple of times. The match ended 1–1.
Conchalí
Conchalí is a commune of Chile located in Santiago Province, Santiago Metropolitan Region. It is a northwestern suburb of Santiago.-Demographics:...
, Santiago), known as Gary Medel, is a Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an football player who plays as defensive midfielder for La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
club Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
.
His nickname is "Pitbull" or also "The Chilean Gattuso", because of his similarities with the Italian star Gennaro Ivan Gattuso. Medel was named Chilean Footballer of the Year
Chilean Footballer of the Year
Chilean Footballer of the Year is an award that the Circulo de Periodistas de Chile annually grants, to those Chilean soccer players who during the season of Primera División de Chile have obtained the greater amount of points, in agreement with the opinion of the editors of the agency.- Chilean...
in 2008, ahead of the Paraguayan striker Lucas Barrios
Lucas Barrios
Lucas Ramón Barrios Cáceres is an Argentine-born Paraguayan footballer. He currently plays as a striker for Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga. Barrios is known for his effectiveness in the target area...
.
Medel was member of the Chile U-20
Chile national under-20 football team
Chile national U-20 football team, also known as Chile Sub-20 or La Rojita, is part of the Federación de Fútbol de Chile. The U-20 team is considered to be the breeding ground for future Chile national soccer team players...
that achieved the third place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2007.
Universidad Católica
Medel joined the Universidad CatólicaClub Deportivo Universidad Católica
Club Deportivo Universidad Católica is a professional football club based in Santiago, Chile, which plays in the Primera División.Universidad Católica is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in Chile and considered one of the three "big teams"...
youth ranks at a very early age. In 2006, he was promoted to the first team and he made his debut in the University derby against Universidad de Chile, where he received his first yellow card.
After a successful participation in the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2007 in Canada, he became a popular player and was nicknamed "Pitbull
Pit bull
A Pit bull is any of several breeds of dog in the molosser breed group.Many jurisdictions that restrict pit bulls, including Ontario, Canada,, Miami, Florida, U.S...
and "Chilean Gattuso
Gennaro Gattuso
Gennaro Ivan Gattuso, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian footballer, who plays for Serie A club Milan. He mainly plays as a defensive midfielder. Gattuso is an aggressive, hard tackling player and in his prime, was widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world...
" by the media, because of his strong performance and short temper. On 28 July 2007, Medel scored his first goal for Católica
Universidad Católica
Universidad Católica is Spanish for "Catholic university". There are a number of Catholic universities in Spanish-speaking countries that use this term in their names, such as:* In Argentina:** Universidad Católica Argentina, in Buenos Aires...
against Deportes La Serena in a 3−1 victory. On 26 August 2007, at Estadio Nacional
Estadio Nacional de Chile
The Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos is the national stadium of Chile, and is located in the Ñuñoa district of Santiago). It is the largest stadium in Chile with an official capacity of 47,000, and is part of a 62 ha sporting complex which also features tennis courts, an aquatics center, a...
, Medel scored two goals for Católica against his classic rival Universidad de Chile, in a 2−1 victory.
He had a great season in 2008, being a key player for Católica and the national team. On 17 April 2008, he scored his first Copa Libertadores goal against América
Club América
Club América is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Primera División, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas ....
in a 2−0 victory at San Carlos de Apoquindo
Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo
Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo is a multi-purpose stadium, in Santiago, Chile. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Club Deportivo Universidad Católica...
. However Católica failed to go through the second stage. Shortly after, he scored again.
Boca Juniors
In July 2009, Argentinian Powerhouse Boca JuniorsBoca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
signed Medel on a 1 year loan deal, along with Federico Insúa
Federico Insúa
Federico Insúa is an Argentine footballer currently playing for Bursaspor.-Career:Nicknamed El Pocho, Insúa grew up in a middle class family in Buenos Aires. He moved to the youth teams of Argentinos Juniors from the Club Parque football school, and debuted professionally on November 18, 1997...
. Medel stated upon his arrival that moving to Boca was "a dream come true. It is a very important club and they have players who I admire a lot, Roman
Juan Román Riquelme
Juan Román Riquelme is an Argentine footballer who plays for Boca Juniors. A longtime Argentine international, Riquelme is best known for his spells with Boca Juniors and Villarreal...
, Palermo
Martín Palermo
Martín Palermo is a retired Argentine footballer who formerly played for Boca Juniors of Argentina, and the Argentina national team...
and Battaglia
Sebastián Battaglia
Sebastián Alejandro Battaglia is an Argentine football midfielder who currently plays with Argentine club Boca Juniors.-Career:...
, who is my idol and I look forward to playing alongside him."
He scored his first goal against Godoy Cruz in a match where he also saw his first red card in Argentinian soil.
In March 2010, he scored a brace in the Argentinian Superclásico
Superclásico
Superclásico is the name used to describe the football match in Argentina between Buenos Aires rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate. It derives from the Spanish usage of "clásico" to mean derby, with the prefix "super" used as the two clubs are the most popular and successful clubs in Argentine...
against fierce rivals River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
, leading Boca to a very important win in that tournament (2–0), in a time when they were submerged in a sport crisis
Crisis
A crisis is any event that is, or expected to lead to, an unstable and dangerous situation affecting an individual, group, community or whole society...
.
After good performances as a Central midfielder, showing his temper (he got sent out several times) and sacrifice, plus prominent featuring in the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
held in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, he was tented by European clubs, but he stated that he was going to stay at the Bombonera for another year, being coached by his (now in 2011) Chile National football team
National team
A National sports team , is a team that represents a nation, rather than a particular club or region, in a sport....
coach Claudio Borghi
Claudio Borghi
Claudio Daniel Borghi Bidos, , nicknamed Bichi, is an Argentine former footballer and current football manager of Chile.-Club:Borghi started his career as an Attacking midfielder for Argentinos Juniors in the early 1980s...
, who was hired at the time to be the new Boca coach after obtaining the Argentinian championship title with Argentinos Juniors
Argentinos Juniors
Asociación Atlética Argentinos Juniors is an Argentine football club based in La Paternal, Buenos Aires. Founded on August 15, 1904, the club was originally called the “Martyrs of Chicago”, in homage to the eight anarchists imprisoned or hanged after the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago.-Early...
.
Sevilla FC
In January 2011, after several months being scouted by important Spanish team Sevilla FCSevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
. Borghi successor Julio César Falcioni
Julio César Falcioni
Julio César Falcioni is an Argentine football manager and former goalkeeper. He currently works as the manager of Boca Juniors in Argentina.-Club career:...
stated that he wanted Medel to stay in Boca for the 2011 campaign, but that he wouldn't jeopardize or interfere in Medel's future, thus approving the move.
His debut in Spanish soil was against Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
, in a Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
0–2 loss. He only played the last 4 minutes of the match. On 13 February 2011 he made his Liga BBVA debut against Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
, this time playing the whole match. A month later, Sevilla played against FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
where Medel made his best performance so far, annulling Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and captains the Argentina national team, mainly as a striker. Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21, and won in 2009 and 2010...
and saving Sevilla's goalkeeper Javi Varas
Javi Varas
Javier 'Javi' Varas Herrera is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Sevilla FC as a goalkeeper.-Football career:...
a couple of times. The match ended 1–1.
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 15 June 2008 | Estadio Atanasio Girardot Estadio Atanasio Girardot Estadio Atanasio Girardot is a multi-purpose stadium in Medellín, Colombia. It is currently used mostly for football matches by two local teams, Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín. It is part of the Unidad Deportiva Atanasio Girardot, which also contains other sports facilities... , La Paz La Paz Nuestra Señora de La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, as well as the departmental capital of the La Paz Department, and the second largest city in the country after Santa Cruz de la Sierra... , Bolivia Bolivia Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America... |
0–1 | 0–2 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL... |
|
| 2. | 15 June 2008 | Estadio Atanasio Girardot Estadio Atanasio Girardot Estadio Atanasio Girardot is a multi-purpose stadium in Medellín, Colombia. It is currently used mostly for football matches by two local teams, Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín. It is part of the Unidad Deportiva Atanasio Girardot, which also contains other sports facilities... , La Paz La Paz Nuestra Señora de La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, as well as the departmental capital of the La Paz Department, and the second largest city in the country after Santa Cruz de la Sierra... , Bolivia Bolivia Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America... |
0–2 | 0–2 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL... |
|
| 3. | 29 May 2009 | Fukuda Denshi Arena Fukuda Denshi Arena , known commonly as Fuku-Ari , is a football stadium in Chiba, Japan. It was completed in 2005 and is home to the J. League club JEF United Ichihara Chiba following their move from the Ichihara Seaside Stadium. This stadium has 18,500 seats and 1,281 standings... , Chiba Chiba, Chiba is the capital city of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is located approximately 40 km east of the center of Tokyo on Tokyo Bay. Chiba City became a government designated city in 1992. Its population as of 2008 is approximately 960,000.... , Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
1–1 | 1–1 | Friendly | |
| 4. | 11 October 2011 | Estadio Monumental Estadio Monumental David Arellano Estadio Monumental is a football stadium in Santiago, Chile. Completed in 1989, the stadium has a current spectator capacity of 45,000. Originally, the stadium could hold up to 65,000 spectators but that was dramatically reduced for security reasons... , Santiago, Chile Chile Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far... |
3–0 | 4–2 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) The South American Zone of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification sees nine teams competing for places in the finals which are to be held in Brazil.-Format:The format for CONMEBOL's 2014 World Cup qualifying tournament is identical to the previous four editions... |
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