Gabriel Milito
Encyclopedia
Gabriel Alejandro Milito (born 7 September 1980) is an Argentine
footballer who plays for Club Atlético Independiente
as a central defender.
He spent most of his professional career in Spain
, representing two different teams – Real Zaragoza
and FC Barcelona
– also appearing with the Argentine national team
in three major tournaments, including the 2006 World Cup
.
, Buenos Aires Province
, Milito started playing professionally with first division side Club Atlético Independiente
in 1997. During that time, he often faced his older brother Diego
, who played for Independiente's arch-rivals Racing Club de Avellaneda
.
In July 2003, Milito was due to be transferred to Real Madrid
, but the Spanish
team rejected the player after medical results showed, according to the club, a not-fully-recovered knee injury. To many, it was a political move against Madrid's football director Jorge Valdano, who wanted the player on the team. Milito decided to stay in Spain and signed for Real Zaragoza
.
In his four seasons with the Aragon
ese side, Milito was an automatic first-choice (never played in less than 33 La Liga
matches), and rejoined brother Diego in 2005. On 10 July 2007, Zaragoza reached a transfer agreement with FC Barcelona
for €
18.5million (£
13.9 million) and on 19 July, Milito passed his medical and signed a four-year deal with the club, worth €4 million (£2.7 million) a year. He was given the number 3 shirt, which was formerly worn by Thiago Motta
.
. He scored his first competitive goal for the Catalans
on 24 November, in a league match against Recreativo de Huelva
.
On 5 May 2008, it was announced that Milito had damage to the ACL
in his right knee
; this rendered him ineligible for the entire 2008–09 campaign, which ended in a treble.
After being sidelined for almost two years (602 days), Milito finally returned to action when he played in a friendly
against Kazma Sporting Club in Kuwait
. On 5 January 2010, he made his return to competitive football, appearing in the first leg
of the season
's Copa del Rey
, a 1–2 home loss against Sevilla FC
; five days later, he reappeared in the domestic league, replacing Carles Puyol
for the final seven minutes of the 5–0 win over CD Tenerife
.
On 11 November 2010, Milito contributed with one goal to Barcelona's 5–1 home win against AD Ceuta
, for the season's domestic cup
(7–1 on aggregate), but had to leave the game injured. On 30 April 2011, starting in a league match at Real Sociedad
, he had a goal wrongfully ruled out for offside, with the score at 1–1, as the hosts went on to win it 2–1. As a result of his offensive action, he also tore a calf
muscle, being sidelined for the rest of the season
, having contributed with ten appearances for the eventual champions.
and was part of the squad which qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
, performing well in his only appearance, the first-round match against the Netherlands
, which ended in a 0–0 draw.
On 20 August 2010, national team coach Sergio Batista
recalled Milito for a friendly with Spain
, the player's first international appearance in more than three years and was handed the squad number 6. During the 2011 Copa America in host nation Argentina, Milito started all of Argentina's games at center back alongside Nicolas Burdisso
.
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, is also a footballer. A striker, he played with individual and team success for Internazionale
, and they both represented Real Zaragoza and the national team.
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 Club Atlético Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División....
as a central defender.
He spent most of his professional career 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...
, representing two different teams – Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
and 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....
– also appearing with the Argentine national 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...
in three major tournaments, including the 2006 World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
.
Early years / Zaragoza
Born in BernalBernal, Argentina
Bernal is a city located in the northeast of Quilmes in the province of Buenos Aires, approximately 10 miles south of the city of Buenos Aires. It is the second largest and most populated city in the Partido of Quilmes...
, Buenos Aires Province
Buenos Aires Province
The Province of Buenos Aires is the largest and most populous province of Argentina. It takes the name from the city of Buenos Aires, which used to be the provincial capital until it was federalized in 1880...
, Milito started playing professionally with first division side Club Atlético Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División....
in 1997. During that time, he often faced his older brother Diego
Diego Milito
Diego Alberto Milito is an Argentine footballer who plays as a striker for the Italian Serie A team Internazionale. He also plays for the Argentine national team. A prolific and consistent center-forward, Milito has statistically averaged just over a goal every two appearances, over the course of...
, who played for Independiente's arch-rivals Racing Club de Avellaneda
Racing Club de Avellaneda
Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football...
.
In July 2003, Milito was due to be transferred to 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...
, but the 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...
team rejected the player after medical results showed, according to the club, a not-fully-recovered knee injury. To many, it was a political move against Madrid's football director Jorge Valdano, who wanted the player on the team. Milito decided to stay in Spain and signed for Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
.
In his four seasons with the Aragon
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...
ese side, Milito was an automatic first-choice (never played in less than 33 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...
matches), and rejoined brother Diego in 2005. On 10 July 2007, Zaragoza reached a transfer agreement with 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....
for €
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,...
18.5million (£
Pound sign
The pound sign is the symbol for the pound sterling—the currency of the United Kingdom . The same symbol is used for similarly named currencies in some other countries and territories, such as the Irish pound, Gibraltar pound, Australian pound and the Italian lira...
13.9 million) and on 19 July, Milito passed his medical and signed a four-year deal with the club, worth €4 million (£2.7 million) a year. He was given the number 3 shirt, which was formerly worn by Thiago Motta
Thiago Motta
Thiago Motta Santon Olivares , known as Thiago Motta, is a Brazilian-born Italian footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Serie A club Internazionale....
.
Barcelona
Milito made his competitive debut for Barcelona on 2 September 2007 in a game against Athletic BilbaoAthletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
. He scored his first competitive goal for the Catalans
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
on 24 November, in a league match against Recreativo de Huelva
Recreativo de Huelva
Real Club Recreativo de Huelva, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Huelva, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 23 December 1889, it is the oldest football team in Spain, and currently plays in the second division, holding home games at Estadio Nuevo Colombino, which has a...
.
On 5 May 2008, it was announced that Milito had damage to the ACL
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
in his right knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
; this rendered him ineligible for the entire 2008–09 campaign, which ended in a treble.
After being sidelined for almost two years (602 days), Milito finally returned to action when he played in a friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
against Kazma Sporting Club in Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
. On 5 January 2010, he made his return to competitive football, appearing in the first leg
2009–10 Copa del Rey
The 2009–10 Copa del Rey was the 106th staging of the Copa del Rey. The competition began on August 22, 2009 and concluded on May 19, 2010 with the final held at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, in which Sevilla FC lifted the trophy for the fifth time in their history with a 2–0 victory over...
of the season
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;"|...
's 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 ....
, a 1–2 home loss against 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...
; five days later, he reappeared in the domestic league, replacing Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol i Saforcada is a Spanish footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team.Mainly a central defender, he can also play on either flank, especially as a right back...
for the final seven minutes of the 5–0 win over CD Tenerife
CD Tenerife
Club Deportivo Tenerife, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in Tenerife . Founded in 1922, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, with a 24,000-seat capacity.-History:Club Deportivo Tenerife was founded in...
.
On 11 November 2010, Milito contributed with one goal to Barcelona's 5–1 home win against AD Ceuta
AD Ceuta
Asociación Deportiva Ceuta is a Spanish football team based in the autonomous city of Ceuta. Founded in 1996, it plays in Segunda División B – Group 4, holding home matches at Estadio Alfonso Murube, with a capacity of 6,500.-History:...
, for the season's domestic 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...
(7–1 on aggregate), but had to leave the game injured. On 30 April 2011, starting in a league match at Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
, he had a goal wrongfully ruled out for offside, with the score at 1–1, as the hosts went on to win it 2–1. As a result of his offensive action, he also tore a calf
Calf (anatomy)
In human anatomy the calf is the back portion of the lower leg . In terms of muscle systems, the calf corresponds to the posterior compartment of the leg. Within the posterior compartment, the two largest muscles are known together as the calf muscle and attach to the heel via the Achilles tendon...
muscle, being sidelined for the rest of the season
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...
, having contributed with ten appearances for the eventual champions.
Return to Independiente
In early August 2011, 30-year-old Milito was released from the last year of his contract with Barcelona, and signed shortly after with former team Independiente.International career
With the Argentine national team, Milito participated in the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup2005 FIFA Confederations Cup
-Group B:---------------------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Third place playoff:-Final:-Awards:-Goal scorers:5 goals Adriano4 goals Luciano Figueroa John Aloisi Michael Ballack...
and was part of the squad which qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
, performing well in his only appearance, the first-round match against the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
, which ended in a 0–0 draw.
On 20 August 2010, national team coach 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...
recalled Milito for a friendly with Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
, the player's first international appearance in more than three years and was handed the squad number 6. During the 2011 Copa America in host nation Argentina, Milito started all of Argentina's games at center back alongside Nicolas Burdisso
Nicolás Burdisso
Nicolás Andrés Burdisso is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a central or right defender for A.S. Roma. He also holds European Union nationality.-Boca Juniors:...
.
International goals
Club
As of 1 May 2011| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Independiente Club Atlético Independiente Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División.... |
1997–98 | 2 | 0 | – | 2 | 0 | |||
| 1998–99 | 25 | 0 | – | 25 | 0 | ||||
| 1999–00 | 34 | 2 | – | 34 | 2 | ||||
| 2000–01 | 25 | 1 | – | 25 | 1 | ||||
| 2001–02 | 3 | 0 | – | 3 | 0 | ||||
| 2002–03 | 34 | 0 | – | 34 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 123 | 3 | |– | 123 | 3 | ||||
| Zaragoza Real Zaragoza Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points... |
2003–04 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 |
| 2004–05 | 33 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 43 | 3 | |
| 2005–06 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 1 | |
| 2006–07 | 35 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 1 | |
| Total | 137 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 151 | 5 | |
| Barcelona FC Barcelona Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.... |
2007–08 FC Barcelona season 2007-08 Though it did not produce silverware, Futbol Club Barcelonas 2007-08 season would mark a period of change within the club, having many firsts and lasts. Most importantly, this would be Ronaldinho's last season with the club that had made him famous, being displaced by the coming of Arsenal legend... |
27 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 42 | 1 |
| 2008–09 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
| 2010-11 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 1 | |
| Total | 48 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 75 | 2 | |
| Career totals | 308 | 9 | 15 | 1 | 26 | 0 | 349 | 10 | |
International
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Independiente
- Argentine League: (1) Apertura 2002
Zaragoza
- Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe 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 ....
: (1) 2003–04 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: (1) 20042004 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2004 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 24 August and 27 August 2003. It contested by Real Zaragoza, who were Spanish Cup winners in 2003–04, and Valencia CF, who won the 2003–04 Spanish League. Real Zaragoza won 3–2 on aggregate.-First leg:-Second...
Barcelona
- UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: (2) 2008–09, 2010–11 - UEFA Super Cup: (1) 20092009 UEFA Super CupThe 2009 UEFA Super Cup was the 34th UEFA Super Cup, an annual football match between the winners of the previous season's UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup competitions...
- FIFA Club World CupFIFA Club World CupThe FIFA Club World Cup is a football competition between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations.The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in January 2000...
: (1) 20092009 FIFA Club World Cup-Play-off for Quarter-finals:-Quarter-finals:-----Semi-finals:-----Match for fifth place:-Match for third place:-Final:-Scorers:4 goals Denilson... - Spanish LeagueLa LigaThe 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...
: (3) 2008–09, 2009–102009–10 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;"|...
, 2010–112010–11 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... - Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe 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 ....
: (1) 2008–09; Runner-up 2010–112010–11 Copa del ReyThe 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... - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: (2) 20092009 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2009 Supercopa de España was two-legged Spanish football match-up played on 16 August and 23 August 2009. It was contested by Athletic Bilbao, the 2008–09 Copa del Rey runners-up, and FC Barcelona, the 2008–09 Primera División Winners....
, 20102010 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2010 Supercopa de España was a two-legged Spanish football match-up played on 14 August and 21 August 2010. It was contested by Sevilla, the 2009–10 Copa del Rey winners, and Barcelona, the 2009–10 Primera División winners....
Personal
Milito's older brother, DiegoDiego Milito
Diego Alberto Milito is an Argentine footballer who plays as a striker for the Italian Serie A team Internazionale. He also plays for the Argentine national team. A prolific and consistent center-forward, Milito has statistically averaged just over a goal every two appearances, over the course of...
, is also a footballer. A striker, he played with individual and team success for Internazionale
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...
, and they both represented Real Zaragoza and the national team.