Rafael Berges
Encyclopedia
Rafael Bergés Martín (born 21 January 1971 in Córdoba
, Andalusia
) is a retired Spanish
footballer who played as a left defender, and a current coach
.
, then in the lower leagues. In 1991–92, he joined CD Tenerife
for two seasons in the top division
.
Moving to Celta de Vigo
in 1993, Berges went on to amass nearly 200 overall appearances, with seven league goals, although he played in no contests in his final two seasons, due to recurrent injuries.
In 2001–02, Berges retired with his first club, Córdoba, now in the second level
, but his second spell was cut short, again to recurrent physical problems. He took up coaching in 2004, starting with Córdoba CF B
. Amongst other lowly outfits, he would also manage UD Almería
's B team
.
, Berges was the first-choice at the 1992 Summer Olympics
, as the nation won the gold medal on home soil. He scored twice, including in the 2–0 semifinal win over Ghana
.
Córdoba, Spain
-History:The first trace of human presence in the area are remains of a Neanderthal Man, dating to c. 32,000 BC. In the 8th century BC, during the ancient Tartessos period, a pre-urban settlement existed. The population gradually learned copper and silver metallurgy...
, Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
) is a retired 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 played as a left defender, and a current coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
.
Club career
Berges started playing for local side Córdoba CFCórdoba CF
Córdoba Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Córdoba, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1954, it plays in Segunda División, holding home matches at Estadio Nuevo Arcángel, with a capacity of 18,280 seats....
, then in the lower leagues. In 1991–92, he joined 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...
for two seasons in the top division
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...
.
Moving to 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 1993, Berges went on to amass nearly 200 overall appearances, with seven league goals, although he played in no contests in his final two seasons, due to recurrent injuries.
In 2001–02, Berges retired with his first club, Córdoba, now in the second level
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:...
, but his second spell was cut short, again to recurrent physical problems. He took up coaching in 2004, starting with Córdoba CF B
Córdoba CF B
Córdoba Club de Fútbol B, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Córdoba in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1997. Is the reserve team of Córdoba CF.-Season to season:----*10 seasons in Tercera División-External links:*...
. Amongst other lowly outfits, he would also manage 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...
's B team
UD Almería B
Unión Deportiva Almería B, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 2001, it is the reserve team of UD Almería, and currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home games at Estadio Municipal Juan Rojas, with a 13,000-seat...
.
International career
For SpainSpain 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...
, Berges was the first-choice at the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
, as the nation won the gold medal on home soil. He scored twice, including in the 2–0 semifinal win over Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
.