Manuel Pablo
Encyclopedia
Manuel Pablo García Díaz, known as Manuel Pablo (born January 25, 1976 in Arucas, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
, Canary Islands
), is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Deportivo de La Coruña
as a right defender.
With incredible speed and stamina as his main assets, he also represented Spain
on 13 occasions.
Manuel Pablo was only 22, when he joined Deportivo de La Coruña
from hometown UD Las Palmas
in the summer of 1998. He was signed together with Argentine
striker Turu Flores
, but was more or less considered a ‘bonus’ in this package deal. Pablo made his La Liga
debut on 15 November 1998, a 2–2 draw at home against Deportivo Alavés
, but faced serious competition from Armando that season. He played a total of 14 league matches, but displayed enough promise to prompt Deportivo to release Armando at the end of 1998–99.
He played 74 league matches from 1999–2001 and was a vital part of Depors defense, as the Galicians were crowned league champions for the first time in their history. His performances earned him a debut in the Spanish national team
on 16 August 2000, in a 1–4 away friendly defeat to Germany
.
In his fourth season at La Coruña, disaster struck: on 30 September 2001, Pablo sustained an horrific tibia
injury during the Galician derby against Celta de Vigo
, in a televised match, after an unlucky tackle by Brazil
ian Everton Giovanella
. Eventually, he missed the rest of that season.
One year later, he returned, playing 90 minutes against CD Corralejo
in a Copa del Rey
outing. On 6 October 2002, Pablo was offered a league return by then-coach Javier Irureta
, playing the dying minutes of a 0–2 home loss against Racing de Santander
.
In 2003–04's closing stages, Pablo proved he was fully recovered, as displayed in an excellent individual display on 7 April 2004, in a 4–0 second leg quarterfinal crushing of A.C. Milan
in the UEFA Champions League
. From 2004–05 on, he was the undisputed right-back at Riazor (although he faced stiff competition from Álvaro Arbeloa in 2006–07, until the latter departed for Liverpool
in January 2007).
In the following two seasons, Pablo remained first-choice at his position, although he faced stiff competition from Laure
in 2008–09. After lengthy negotiations, the 33-year old renewed his Depor link in a 2+1 deal, in mid-May 2009.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria commonly known as Las Palmas is the political capital, jointly with Santa Cruz, the most populous city in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands and the ninth largest city in Spain, with a population of 383,308 in 2010. Nearly half of the people of the island...
, Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
), is a 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...
footballer who plays for 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...
as a right defender.
With incredible speed and stamina as his main assets, he also represented 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...
on 13 occasions.
Football career
CanarianCanary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
Manuel Pablo was only 22, when he joined 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...
from hometown UD Las Palmas
UD Las Palmas
Unión Deportiva Las Palmas, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in the autonomous community of Canary Islands...
in the summer of 1998. He was signed together with 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...
striker Turu Flores
José Oscar Flores
José Oscar "Turu" Flores is a retired Argentine footballer who played as a striker, and the current assistant manager at Vélez Sársfield....
, but was more or less considered a ‘bonus’ in this package deal. Pablo made 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 15 November 1998, a 2–2 draw at home against 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....
, but faced serious competition from Armando that season. He played a total of 14 league matches, but displayed enough promise to prompt Deportivo to release Armando at the end of 1998–99.
He played 74 league matches from 1999–2001 and was a vital part of Depors defense, as the Galicians were crowned league champions for the first time in their history. His performances earned him a debut in the Spanish national team
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...
on 16 August 2000, in a 1–4 away friendly defeat to Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
.
In his fourth season at La Coruña, disaster struck: on 30 September 2001, Pablo sustained an horrific tibia
Tibia
The tibia , shinbone, or shankbone is the larger and stronger of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates , and connects the knee with the ankle bones....
injury during the Galician derby against Celta de Vigo
Celta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
, in a televised match, after an unlucky tackle by Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian Everton Giovanella
Everton Giovanella
Everton Giovanella is a retired Brazilian-Spanish footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.He was best known for tireless physical display, and played most of his professional career in Spain - one full decade - namely being an important part in Celta de Vigo's domestic and European...
. Eventually, he missed the rest of that season.
One year later, he returned, playing 90 minutes against CD Corralejo
CD Corralejo
Club Deportivo Corralejo is a Spanish football club based in Corralejo, Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands.-History:*for other "Corralejo", see Corralejo....
in a 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 ....
outing. On 6 October 2002, Pablo was offered a league return by then-coach Javier Irureta
Javier Irureta
Javier Iruretagoyena Amiano , Irureta for short, is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a forward, and a current manager....
, playing the dying minutes of a 0–2 home loss against 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....
.
In 2003–04's closing stages, Pablo proved he was fully recovered, as displayed in an excellent individual display on 7 April 2004, in a 4–0 second leg quarterfinal crushing of A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The 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...
. From 2004–05 on, he was the undisputed right-back at Riazor (although he faced stiff competition from Álvaro Arbeloa in 2006–07, until the latter departed for Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
in January 2007).
In the following two seasons, Pablo remained first-choice at his position, although he faced stiff competition from Laure
Laureano Sanabria Ruiz
Laureano Sanabria Ruiz , aka Laure, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Deportivo de La Coruña mainly as a right defender.-Club career:...
in 2008–09. After lengthy negotiations, the 33-year old renewed his Depor link in a 2+1 deal, in mid-May 2009.
Honours
Deportivo- 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...
: 1999–2000 - 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 ....
: 2001–02 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 20002000 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2000 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 20 August and 27 August 2000. It contested by RCD Espanyol, who were Spanish Cup winners in 1999–00, and RC Deportivo, who won the 1999–00 Spanish League.-First leg:-Second leg:...
, 20022002 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2002 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 18 August and 25 August 2002. It contested by RCD de la Coruña, who were Spanish Cup winners in 2001–02, and Valencia CF, who won the 2001–02 Spanish League.-First leg:-Second leg:... - UEFA Intertoto CupUEFA Intertoto CupThe 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...
: 2008