Martín Astudillo
Encyclopedia
Martín Mauricio Astudillo (born 11 October 1977 in Mendoza
) is an Argentine
footballer who plays for Rosario Central
as a defensive midfielder.
He played during one full decade in Spain
with Alavés
, appearing in 149 games in La Liga
and 162 in Segunda División
.
of Mendoza Province
, in 1995. In 1997 he was signed by Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy
of the Primera División, and two years later moved to Deportivo Alavés
, in La Liga
.
An instant first-choice, Astudillo netted four league goals in his first season, and was instrumental in the Basque
side's UEFA Cup runner-up spot in 2001. In the next league campaign, he only missed one match and scored on five occasions, as Alavés finished 7th.
Astudillo remained loyal to the Basque squad throughout his entire Spanish
stint, playing in the first and second levels
, as Alavés were twice relegated from the former category (in 2003–04's second division, he collected a season-worst 19 yellow cards). However, in January 2008, he rejoined the top flight, signing on loan with CA Osasuna
, who had lost another central midfielder, Javad Nekounam
, severely injured in preseason.
During the season, Astudillo was instrumental in helping the Navarre
se barely escape relegation, as he also netted the game's only goal at RCD Espanyol
, on 13 April 2008.
In August 2009, after Alavés suffered relegation to the third division
, Astudillo bought out the remainder of his contract and returned to his country after 10 years, joining Rosario Central
. He appeared in more than 400 overall official matches for Alavés, the most.
Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza is the capital city of Mendoza Province, in Argentina. It is located in the northern-central part of the province, in a region of foothills and high plains, on the eastern side of the Andes. As of the , Mendoza's population was 110,993...
) is an Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
footballer who plays for Rosario Central
Rosario Central
Club Atlético Rosario Central is a sports club based in Rosario, Argentina. Its football team currently plays in the Primera B Nacional, the second tier of the Argentine football league system, after being relegated in the 2009-10 season....
as a defensive midfielder.
He played during one full decade in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
with Alavés
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
, appearing in 149 games in 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...
and 162 in Segunda División
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
.
Football career
Astudillo started his career in the Argentine second division, with Godoy Cruz Antonio TombaGodoy Cruz Antonio Tomba
Club Deportivo Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba, known simply as Godoy Cruz, is a sports club from Godoy Cruz, Mendoza Province, Argentina. The club is best known for their football team, that plays in the Primera División, the top level of the Argentine football league system.-History:The club was founded...
of Mendoza Province
Mendoza Province
The Province of Mendoza is a province of Argentina, located in the western central part of the country in the Cuyo region. It borders to the north with San Juan, the south with La Pampa and Neuquén, the east with San Luis, and to the west with the republic of Chile; the international limit is...
, in 1995. In 1997 he was signed by Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy
Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy
Club Atlético Gimnasia y Esgrima is an Argentine sports club based in San Salvador, Jujuy Province...
of the Primera División, and two years later moved to Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
, in 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...
.
An instant first-choice, Astudillo netted four league goals in his first season, and was instrumental in the Basque
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
side's UEFA Cup runner-up spot in 2001. In the next league campaign, he only missed one match and scored on five occasions, as Alavés finished 7th.
Astudillo remained loyal to the Basque squad throughout his entire Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
stint, playing in the first and second levels
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
, as Alavés were twice relegated from the former category (in 2003–04's second division, he collected a season-worst 19 yellow cards). However, in January 2008, he rejoined the top flight, signing on loan with CA Osasuna
CA Osasuna
Club Atlético Osasuna, known as Osasuna, is a Spanish football team based in Iruñea-Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre.Founded in 1920, it currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at the 19,553-capacity Estadio Reyno de Navarra...
, who had lost another central midfielder, Javad Nekounam
Javad Nekounam
Javad Nekounam is an Iranian footballer who plays for CA Osasuna in La Liga.Usually playing as a central midfielder, he is known for his passing ability, defensive acumen, ball distribution and powerful long-range shots. He represented his national team over 120 times.-Early years / UAE:Having...
, severely injured in preseason.
During the season, Astudillo was instrumental in helping the Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
se barely escape relegation, as he also netted the game's only goal at RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
, on 13 April 2008.
In August 2009, after Alavés suffered relegation to the third division
Segunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
, Astudillo bought out the remainder of his contract and returned to his country after 10 years, joining Rosario Central
Rosario Central
Club Atlético Rosario Central is a sports club based in Rosario, Argentina. Its football team currently plays in the Primera B Nacional, the second tier of the Argentine football league system, after being relegated in the 2009-10 season....
. He appeared in more than 400 overall official matches for Alavés, the most.