Leonardo Ponzio
Encyclopedia
Leonardo Daniel Ponzio is an Argentine
footballer who plays for Real Zaragoza
in Spain
, mainly as a defensive midfielder.
, Ponzio started his career in the youth system of Newell's Old Boys
, in Rosario
, going on to collect more than 100 official appearances for the club. At only 21, he was signed by Spanish
side Real Zaragoza
for the 2003–04 season, for €
3 million. After making his La Liga
debut on 31 August 2003, in a 0–1 home loss to Deportivo de La Coruña
, he went on to become an essential midfield figure for the Aragon
ese, only missing 11 games combined in three seasons.
However, when Zaragoza finished sixth in 2006–07 and returned to the UEFA Cup, Ponzio had already left the club, moving in January 2007 to Club Atlético River Plate
. He scored his first goal for the club in the 2007 Libertadores Cup, against Chile
's Colo-Colo
.
In January 2009, Ponzio returned to Zaragoza signing a four 1/2-year contract, with the club now in the second division
. He contributed regularly as the team returned to the top flight immediately.
Ponzio was an everpresent defensive figure for Zaragoza in 2009–10
, inclusively featuring at right and left-back, while collecting 15 yellow cards. On 3 April 2010, he scored his only goal of the season, striking from long range in a 2–0 home success against Málaga CF
.
at under-17 and under-20
levels, and received his first full cap
in 2003.
In 2001
, he played all seven matches (five complete) as the national team won the FIFA U-20 World Cup
, on home soil.
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 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 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...
, mainly as a defensive midfielder.
Club career
Born in Las Rosas, Santa FeLas Rosas, Santa Fe
Las Rosas is a city in the southwest of the , located from the provincial capital. It has about 12,600 inhabitants as per the , and it is the head town of the Belgrano Department, which also comprises the municipalities of Armstrong, Bouquet, Las Parejas, Montes de Oca, and Tortugas.Las Rosas was...
, Ponzio started his career in the youth system of Newell's Old Boys
Newell'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 Rosario
Rosario
Rosario is the largest city in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina. It is located northwest of Buenos Aires, on the western shore of the Paraná River and has 1,159,004 residents as of the ....
, going on to collect more than 100 official appearances for the club. At only 21, he was signed by 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...
side 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...
for the 2003–04 season, 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,...
3 million. After making his 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...
debut on 31 August 2003, in a 0–1 home loss to 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...
, he went on to become an essential midfield figure for 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, only missing 11 games combined in three seasons.
However, when Zaragoza finished sixth in 2006–07 and returned to the UEFA Cup, Ponzio had already left the club, moving in January 2007 to Club Atlético 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....
. He scored his first goal for the club in the 2007 Libertadores Cup, against 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...
's Colo-Colo
Colo-Colo
Club Social y Deportivo Colo-Colo is a Chilean football club based in the commune of Macul, Santiago. It competes in the Primera División, the top-flight football league in the country, from which they have never been relegated. Their home ground is the Estadio Monumental David Arellano.Colo-Colo...
.
In January 2009, Ponzio returned to Zaragoza signing a four 1/2-year contract, with the club now in the second division
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:...
. He contributed regularly as the team returned to the top flight immediately.
Ponzio was an everpresent defensive figure for Zaragoza in 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;"|...
, inclusively featuring at right and left-back, while collecting 15 yellow cards. On 3 April 2010, he scored his only goal of the season, striking from long range in a 2–0 home success against Málaga CF
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
.
International career
Ponzio played for ArgentinaArgentina 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...
at under-17 and 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....
levels, and received his first full 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...
in 2003.
In 2001
2001 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Argentina between June 17 and July 8, 2001. The 2001 championship was the 13th contested. The tournament took part in six cities, Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza, Rosario, Salta, and Mar del Plata...
, he played all seven matches (five complete) as the national team won 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...
, on home soil.
Honours
| Season | Club | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship The 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Argentina between June 17 and July 8, 2001. The 2001 championship was the 13th contested. The tournament took part in six cities, Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza, Rosario, Salta, and Mar del Plata... |
 Argentina U-20 |
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... |
| 2003–04 |  ZaragozaReal 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... |
Spanish Cup 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 .... |
| Clausura 2008 | 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.... |
Argentine League |