Ezequiel Garay
Encyclopedia
Ezequiel Marcelo Garay is an Argentine
footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal
, as a central defender.
, in the Argentine top division. His first match was against Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata
, as the Rosario side eventually clinched the Apertura
championship.
Garay made another 12 league appearances for Newell's, scoring his first and only goal for the club in the local derby
against Rosario Central
, a 2–1 win.
side Racing de Santander
, helping with seven complete matches as the Cantabria
side barely avoided relegation
(17th). His first full season was nothing short of spectacular, as he netted nine league goals in 31 matches, being the second top scorer in his position in Europe
's major leagues, only behind F.C. Internazionale Milano
's Marco Materazzi
(ten); against Real Madrid
only, he found the net three times - 2–1 home win (both through penalties
, as well as five other goals) and 1–3 away loss, as Racing eventually finished 10th, the club's best since returning to the top flight in 2002.
On 19 March 2008, in the Copa del Rey
semifinal match against Getafe CF
, Garay suffered a serious leg injury which put him out of action for the remainder of the season. He still scored three times in 22 games, with his club finishing in a best-ever sixth position, qualifying for the first time to the UEFA Cup - one of those came on 30 September 2007, in a 1–0 win at UD Almería
.
against Deportivo de La Coruña
, a 3–2 home win. On 12 December, after replacing severely injured Pepe, he scored his first goal for the club, heading in a Xabi Alonso
free kick
to make it 3–2 at Valencia CF
, six minutes from time.
Garay was only fourth-choice stopper in 2010–11
, under new manager José Mourinho
, only appearing in five league matches, adding two in the season's Spanish Cup
(including one minute in the final
against FC Barcelona
, a 1–0 overtime
win).
, for a fee of €
5,5 million. for his services, and he signed a four-year contract - initially a part of the deal that sent Fábio Coentrão
in the opposite direction, he eventually signed a separate deal. Real Madrid also remained eligible for 50% of any transfer fee Benfica received in the future.
, Garay helped the Argentine under-20
win the FIFA U-20 World Cup
in the Netherlands
. That side also included Sergio Agüero
, Fernando Gago, Lionel Messi
and Oscar Ustari
.
Garay earned his first cap
for the senior team
cap in a 22 August 2007 friendly against Norway
, a 1–2 loss. He had previously been called in May by coach Alfio Basile
to a series of friendlies prior to the 2007 Copa América, but injury prevented him from appearing in those matches and the official competition.
Garay was selected by new national team manager Sergio Batista
to the 2011 Copa América
.
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 S.L. Benfica in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, as a central defender.
Early years
At the early age of 18, Garay made his professional debut for hometown club Newell's Old BoysNewell's Old Boys
Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys is an Argentine sports club based in Rosario. The club was founded on November 3, 1903, and is named after Isaac Newell, one of the pioneers of Argentine football...
, in the Argentine top division. His first match was against Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata
Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata
Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata Gimnasia y Esgrima was promoted to the first division after becoming champions of the División Intermedia of Argentine football in 1915. Later, in 1929, the club would become champions of the Primera División...
, as the Rosario side eventually clinched the Apertura
Apertura and Clausura
The Apertura and Clausura tournaments are a relatively recent innovation for many Latin American football leagues in which the traditional European football season from August to May is divided in two sections per season, each with its own champion. Apertura and Clausura are the Spanish words for...
championship.
Garay made another 12 league appearances for Newell's, scoring his first and only goal for the club in the local derby
Rosario derby
The Rosario derby is one of the most fiercely contested football rivalries in Argentine football. It is played between the two main teams from Rosario; Newell's Old Boys and Rosario Central...
against 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....
, a 2–1 win.
Racing Santander
In December 2005, Garay joined La LigaLa 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...
side 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....
, helping with seven complete matches as the Cantabria
Cantabria
Cantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
side barely avoided relegation
2005–06 La Liga
* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC...
(17th). His first full season was nothing short of spectacular, as he netted nine league goals in 31 matches, being the second top scorer in his position in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
's major leagues, only behind F.C. Internazionale Milano
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
's Marco Materazzi
Marco Materazzi
Marco Materazzi , is an Italian footballer who plays as a defender, and is currently a free agent.At the beginning of his career, Materazzi played with various Italian teams in Serie B and Serie C, and with Premier League side Everton. He spent two periods with Perugia and signed for...
(ten); against Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
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...
only, he found the net three times - 2–1 home win (both through penalties
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
, as well as five other goals) and 1–3 away loss, as Racing eventually finished 10th, the club's best since returning to the top flight in 2002.
On 19 March 2008, in the 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 ....
semifinal match against Getafe CF
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
, Garay suffered a serious leg injury which put him out of action for the remainder of the season. He still scored three times in 22 games, with his club finishing in a best-ever sixth position, qualifying for the first time to the UEFA Cup - one of those came on 30 September 2007, in a 1–0 win at UD Almería
UD Almería
Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1989 as Almería Club de Fútbol, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, with a 22,000-seat...
.
Real Madrid
On 18 May 2008, Racing sold Garay to Real Madrid, but received the player again, in a season-long loan. Returned in July 2009, he made his league debut for the Merengues on 29 August, in the opening game of the season2009–10 La Liga
- Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|...
against Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
, a 3–2 home win. On 12 December, after replacing severely injured Pepe, he scored his first goal for the club, heading in a Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso
Xabier "Xabi" Alonso Olano is a Spanish World Cup-winning footballer who plays for Real Madrid as a midfielder.Alonso began his career at Real Sociedad, the main team of his home region Gipuzkoa. After a brief loan period at Eibar he returned to Sociedad where then manager John Toshack appointed...
free kick
Set piece (football)
The term set piece or set play is used in association football and rugby to refer to a situation when the ball is returned to open play following a stoppage, particularly in a forward area of the pitch. Most often, the term is used to refer to free kicks and corners, but sometimes throw-ins. Many...
to make it 3–2 at Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
, six minutes from time.
Garay was only fourth-choice stopper in 2010–11
2010–11 La Liga
The 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División...
, under new manager José Mourinho
José Mourinho
José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho is a Portuguese football manager and the current manager of Real Madrid. He is commonly known as "The Special One".Mourinho is regarded by some players, coaches and critics as the best ever coach in football....
, only appearing in five league matches, adding two in the season's Spanish Cup
2010–11 Copa del Rey
The 2010–11 Copa del Rey was the 107th staging of the Copa del Rey. The competition began on August 21, 2010 and ended on April 20, 2011 with the final, held at the Estadio Mestalla in Valencia, in which Real Madrid lifted the trophy for the eighteenth time in their history with a 1–0 victory over...
(including one minute in the final
2011 Copa del Rey Final
-Aftermath:Real Madrid players celebrated their victory that evening by riding a double-decker bus through Madrid where they were greeted by cheering crowds. While holding the trophy aloft, Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos dropped the cup in front of the bus, where it was crushed. Ramos later...
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....
, a 1–0 overtime
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
win).
Benfica
On 5 July 2011, Garay transferred to S.L. Benfica in PortugalPortugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, for a fee of €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
5,5 million. for his services, and he signed a four-year contract - initially a part of the deal that sent Fábio Coentrão
Fábio Coentrão
Fábio Alexandre da Silva Coentrão is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Real Madrid in Spain, and the Portuguese national team.Mainly a left back, he can also operate as a left winger, and occasionally as a central midfielder....
in the opposite direction, he eventually signed a separate deal. Real Madrid also remained eligible for 50% of any transfer fee Benfica received in the future.
International career
In 20052005 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in The Netherlands between 10 June and 2 July 2005. The 2005 championship was the 15th contested.- Venues :- Qualification :The following 24 teams qualified for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship...
, Garay helped the Argentine under-20
Argentina national under-20 football team
The Argentina national under-20 football team is the representative of Argentina in FIFA sponsored tournaments that pertain to that age level....
win the FIFA U-20 World Cup
FIFA U-20 World Cup
The FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. That side also included Sergio Agüero
Sergio Agüero
Sergio Leonel "Kun" Agüero del Castillo is an Argentine footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester City in England's Premier League and the Argentine national team....
, Fernando Gago, 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 Oscar Ustari
Oscar Ustari
Oscar Alfredo Ustari is an Argentine professional footballer who plays for Getafe CF in Spain, as a goalkeeper.-Club career:Ustari arrived in Club Atlético Independiente's youth system at the age of 14...
.
Garay earned his first cap
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for the senior team
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
cap in a 22 August 2007 friendly against Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
, a 1–2 loss. He had previously been called in May by coach Alfio Basile
Alfio Basile
Alfio Basile , known as Coco, is an Argentine football coach and former player.-Playing career:Basile started his playing career at the Bella Vista club in his home city. From 1964 to 1970 he played for Racing Club, and then for Huracán, where he was a mainstay of the 1973 Metropolitano champions...
to a series of friendlies prior to the 2007 Copa América, but injury prevented him from appearing in those matches and the official competition.
Garay was selected by new national team manager Sergio Batista
Sergio Batista
Sergio Daniel "Checho" Batista is an Argentine football manager and former footballer. He played as a midfielder, and represented his national team 39 times between 1985 and 1990. He was head coach of Argentina national football team from July 2010 to July 2011.-Club:Batista played youth football...
to the 2011 Copa América
2011 Copa América
The 2011 Campeonato Sudamericano Copa América, better known as the 2011 Copa América or the Copa América Argentina 2011, was the 43rd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for national teams in South America...
.
Club statistics
- Accurate as of 18 October 2011.
Club Season League Cup Continental Total Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Newell's Old Boys Newell's Old BoysClub Atlético Newell's Old Boys is an Argentine sports club based in Rosario. The club was founded on November 3, 1903, and is named after Isaac Newell, one of the pioneers of Argentine football...2004–05 1 0 — — 1 0 2005–06 12 1 — — 12 1 Total 13 1 |— 13 1 Racing Santander Racing de SantanderReal 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....2005–06 2005–06 La Liga* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC...7 0 0 0 — 7 0 2006–07 31 9 1 0 — 32 9 2007–08 22 3 7 2 — 29 5 2008–09 24 2 2 0 4 0 30 2 Total 84 14 10 2 4 0 98 16 Real Madrid Real Madrid C.F.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...2009–10 2009–10 La Liga- Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|...20 1 0 0 3 0 23 1 2010–11 2010–11 La LigaThe 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División...5 0 2 0 1 0 8 0 Total 25 1 2 0 4 0 31 1 Benfica 2011–12 2011–12 Primeira Liga-Personnel and kits:Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and Managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.-Managerial changes:-League table:-Positions by round:...6 0 1 0 6 0 13 0 Total 6 0 1 0 6 0 13 0 Career totals 128 16 13 2 14 0 155 18
Country
- FIFA U-20 World CupFIFA U-20 World CupThe FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
: 20052005 FIFA World Youth ChampionshipThe 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in The Netherlands between 10 June and 2 July 2005. The 2005 championship was the 15th contested.- Venues :- Qualification :The following 24 teams qualified for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship... - Summer Olympic GamesSummer Olympic GamesThe Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
: 2008Football at the 2008 Summer OlympicsFootball at the 2008 Summer Olympics was held in Beijing and several other cities in the People's Republic of China from 6 August to 23 August. Associations affiliated with FIFA were invited to send their full women's national teams and men's U-23 teams to participate...