Gonzalo Javier Rodríguez
Encyclopedia
Gonzalo Javier Rodríguez, sometimes just Gonzalo (ɡonˈsalo ro'ðɾiɣes; born 10 April 1984), is an Argentine
footballer who plays for Villarreal CF
in La Liga
, as a central defender.
, Gonzalo started his professional career at Argentina's first division Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro in 2002. At age 20, he had already represented Argentina
, previously having appeared at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
with the under-20s
.
In July 2004, Rodríguez joined Spain
's Villarreal CF
, being an undisputed starter in his first two seasons, and renewing his link for a further five years. However, after the surprise UEFA Intertoto Cup
elimination at the hands of NK Maribor
, in which he was sent off
, and a mere month into the league season, he suffered a serious injury, tearing the cruciate ligament
in his right knee. After returning to activity in April 2007, he suffered the same injury two months later.
In 2008–09, Rodríguez returned to good form, often partnering with Uruguay
an Diego Godín
, and appearing in 48 La Liga
games in two seasons combined, with Villarreal always qualifying to the UEFA Europa League, finishing fifth and seventh
respectively. On 7 April 2011, in the Europa League's quarterfinals against FC Twente
, he broke his fibula after a tough challenge by Marc Janko
, being rushed to hospital in an ambulance and lost for the remainder of the season
.
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 Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
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...
, as a central defender.
Club career
Born in Buenos AiresBuenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, Gonzalo started his professional career at Argentina's first division Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro in 2002. At age 20, he had already represented Argentina
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...
, previously having appeared at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in United Arab Emirates between November 27 and December 19, 2003. The 2003 championship was the 14th contested...
with the under-20s
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....
.
In July 2004, Rodríguez joined 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...
's Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
, being an undisputed starter in his first two seasons, and renewing his link for a further five years. However, after the surprise UEFA Intertoto Cup
UEFA Intertoto Cup
The UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
elimination at the hands of NK Maribor
NK Maribor
Nogometni Klub Maribor , commonly referred to as NK Maribor or simply Maribor, is a professional association football club based in the city of Maribor, Slovenia. Founded on 12 December, 1960, Maribor is one of only three football clubs in the country who have never been relegated from...
, in which he was sent off
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
, and a mere month into the league season, he suffered a serious injury, tearing the cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligaments are pairs of ligaments arranged like a letter X. They occur in several joints of the body, such as the knee...
in his right knee. After returning to activity in April 2007, he suffered the same injury two months later.
In 2008–09, Rodríguez returned to good form, often partnering with Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
an Diego Godín
Diego Godín
Diego Roberto Godín Leal is a Uruguayan footballer who plays for Atlético Madrid in La Liga, as a central defender.A fast and composed defender, he combines physical presence with an ability to play the ball comfortably from behind.-Club career:...
, and appearing in 48 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...
games in two seasons combined, with Villarreal always qualifying to the UEFA Europa League, finishing fifth and seventh
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;"|...
respectively. On 7 April 2011, in the Europa League's quarterfinals against FC Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
, he broke his fibula after a tough challenge by Marc Janko
Marc Janko
Marc Janko is an Austrian football player, who currently plays for Dutch Eredivisie side FC Twente.Janko has in various seasons been known as a goal-getter, scoring 77 goals in 121 Austrian Bundesliga matches...
, being rushed to hospital in an ambulance and lost for the remainder 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...
.