Santiago Muñez
Encyclopedia
Santiago Muñez is a fictional character in the Goal! series of film
s and has recently retired. He is the main character in Goal!
and Goal II: Living the Dream, and he is a supporting character in Goal III: Taking on the World. Muñez is portrayed by actor Kuno Becker
. His playing style has been compared to that of David Silva
and Kaká
.
, Santiago's inhaler
was stepped on and crushed by a fellow Newcastle player. Without his inhaler, he struggled through the match due to lack of oxygen. With the poor performance in the match and in training, Santiago was sacked by the club and intended to return to Los Angeles.
The following day, Gavin Harris , a fellow Newcastle player, was late for practice due to his car being vandalised by the wheels being removed. Harris calling for a taxi
, and later shared it with Santiago, who had been planning to head to the airport. After informing him of the situation, Harris spoke to Dornhelm and asked that Santiago was given another chance, while also informing Dornhelm of Santiago's asthma.
After being given a second chance with Newcastle, Santiago was placed back into the reserves lineup. In the following game, he scored his first goal for the club, which, along with training, prompted Dornhelm to place him on the bench for the first team's next match. Santiago made his debut in a Premier League game versus Fulham
, coming on as a substitute and becoming Newcastle's youngest ever player (according to Martin Tyler
). After some time in the game, Santiago was fouled in the penalty area, giving Newcastle a penalty kick
, which Harris converted. In the following game against Liverpool
at St James' Park
, he assisted in a goal, while scoring from a direct free kick
shortly before the end of the game. His late goal gave Newcastle a 3–2 win, which pushed the club to fourth place in the standings and earned Newcastle a place in the Champions League
for the following season.
team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
, but after being involved in a car accident during a pre-tournament trip to Romania
, he suffers serious injuries and is unable to play. He does, however, still go to the World Cup to cheer on team-mates, and good friends, Charlie Braithwaite and Liam Adams, who are chosen in the England
squad. His friend Gavin Harris did not end up making the squad. Santiago eventually makes his Mexico debut against New Zealand in september 2006 and scores . He becomes a Mexico regular during his time at Tottenham and is selected in the last 23 man Mexico national football team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
. Munez makes his World Cup debut against South Africa and assists a goal for Rafael Marquez in a 1-1 draw. He follows this with a hat-trick in a 4-0 drubbing of France. Mexico finish second in Group A but bow out to Argentina 3-1 in the Second Round.
Tottenham Hotspur
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
s and has recently retired. He is the main character in Goal!
Goal! (film)
Goal! is a 2005 film directed by Danny Cannon. It is the first installment of a trilogy also named Goal!. This film was made with full cooperation from FIFA, which is one of the reasons actual teams and players are used throughout the film...
and Goal II: Living the Dream, and he is a supporting character in Goal III: Taking on the World. Muñez is portrayed by actor Kuno Becker
Kuno Becker
Eduardo Kuno Becker Paz is a Mexican actor who has worked in telenovelas, Mexican cinema and U.S. cinema, but is best known for his portrayal of Ruben Berrizabal in Soñadoras and Santiago Muñez in the football movie Goal! and following sequels.-Early years:Becker was born in Mexico City to Manuel...
. His playing style has been compared to that of David Silva
David Silva
David Josué Jiménez Silva is a Spanish footballer who plays for Manchester City and the Spanish national team. Silva is capable of playing on the wing, as a traditional number 10 and sometimes as a supporting striker...
and Kaká
Kaká
Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite , commonly known as Kaká , is a Brazilian football attacking midfielder who currently plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team. Kaká started his footballing career at the age of eight, when he began playing for a local club...
.
Newcastle United
Prior to his debut whilst playing for Newcastle reserves playing against Manchester United F.C. Reserves and AcademyManchester United F.C. Reserves and Academy
Manchester United Football Club Reserves are the reserve team of Manchester United F.C. They play in the North section of the Premier Reserve League. They have been champions four times since the league's inauguration in 1999; in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2010...
, Santiago's inhaler
Inhaler
An inhaler or puffer is a medical device used for delivering medication into the body via the lungs. It is mainly used in the treatment of asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease . Zanamivir , used to treat influenza, must be administered via inhaler...
was stepped on and crushed by a fellow Newcastle player. Without his inhaler, he struggled through the match due to lack of oxygen. With the poor performance in the match and in training, Santiago was sacked by the club and intended to return to Los Angeles.
The following day, Gavin Harris , a fellow Newcastle player, was late for practice due to his car being vandalised by the wheels being removed. Harris calling for a taxi
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
, and later shared it with Santiago, who had been planning to head to the airport. After informing him of the situation, Harris spoke to Dornhelm and asked that Santiago was given another chance, while also informing Dornhelm of Santiago's asthma.
After being given a second chance with Newcastle, Santiago was placed back into the reserves lineup. In the following game, he scored his first goal for the club, which, along with training, prompted Dornhelm to place him on the bench for the first team's next match. Santiago made his debut in a Premier League game versus Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
, coming on as a substitute and becoming Newcastle's youngest ever player (according to Martin Tyler
Martin Tyler
Martin Tyler is an English football commentator who was voted as the FA Premier League Commentator of The Decade...
). After some time in the game, Santiago was fouled in the penalty area, giving Newcastle a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
, which Harris converted. In the following game against 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...
at St James' Park
St James' Park
St James' Park, known for sponsorship reasons as the Sports Direct Arena, is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Newcastle United Football Club and is the sixth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of between 52,387 and 52,409.St James'...
, he assisted in a goal, while scoring from a direct free kick
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
shortly before the end of the game. His late goal gave Newcastle a 3–2 win, which pushed the club to fourth place in the standings and earned Newcastle a place in the 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...
for the following season.
Real Madrid
In August 2005, Santiago received the news from his agent that Real Madrid were keen on his services. A 15 million pound fee was agreed with Michael Owen heading to Newcastle as part of the deal. Santiago is presented to the Bernabeu faithful the day he signs. Over 40,000 arrived to greet him. Huge expectation arrived with Santiago to the Spanish capital, with pundits going as far as claiming he was the next best player in the world. Santiago was going to make his debut on the opening day of the 2005-06 La Liga season after being named in the starting line-up against Vallodolid but a knee injury sustained in the training session before the match went his long awaited debut would have to be postponed for 3 weeks. Santiago eventually made his debut on September 14 in a Champions League match against Olympiacos. Having started on the bench and with a team of world-class players playing in front of him, Santiago could have been forgiven for thinking that this might not be his day. But a series of shocking misses by good friend and former Newcastle teammate Gavin Harris paved the way for his debut in front of a roaring and frustrated Bernabeu. With time running out, Santiago scores a wonderful 25 yard blast to steal the 3 points for Real Madrid. He eventually makes his La Liga debut against Valencia but gets shamefully sent off for a terrible lunge on Joaquin. His blushes are somewhat spared, however, as Real Madrid win the match thanks to a goal from Gavin Harris, his first goal for the club. Santiago eventually forces his way into the side, mainly thanks to some awful form from Gavin Harris and some dazzling goals in the Champions League against Rosenborg and Olympiacos. He gradually begins to find his feet in Spain, getting some league matches under his belt and scoring his first La Liga goal at home to Osasuna. He follows this match up by producing a man-of-the-match performance against city rivals Atletico de Madrid. After opening the scoring with a 30 yard rocket, he assists three more goals as Real cruise to a 4-1 win. Santiago seems to be finding his feet and fulfilling his potential when all of a sudden he is involved in a car accident. He is ruled out for 4 months. He makes his comeback against Mallorca in early March but struggles and is replaced 18 minutes after coming off the bench. Personal problems overshadow most of his season as Santiago is simply unable to focus solely on his football and put in good performances on a consistent basis. He is dropped from the side but an injury to Ronaldo leads to him being recalled for a tough match against Villareal. Villareal take the game to Madrid and open the scoring through Riquelme but Beckham levels the match with a trademark free kick. With twelve minutes to go, Santiago makes his mark. He collects the ball at the halfway line and charges past three opponents. He then exchanges passes with Zidane before firing the ball into the roof of the net from 18 yards. That goal leads to the Real Madrid manager saying that Santiago is on his way to becoming one of the best players in the world. Munez's performance against Villareal grants him a place on the bench for the Champions League semi-final first leg against Lyon in France. However, Santiago falls ill and misses the match. Instead he is placed on the bench for the return leg and comes on for Gavin Harris with 5 minutes left to play and Real Madrid leading 1-0 thanks to a goal from Harris. Santiago leaves his mark on the match thanks to a fantastic goal in injury time. Real Madrid win 2-0 on the night and 2-0 on aggregate. Santiago forces his way back into the Real Madrid side and is placed on the bench for the Champions League Final against Arsenal. Having watched Arsenal take a 1-0 halftime lead at the Bernabeu, he is introduced at the break to partner Gavin Harris. This is the first time this season that they were put up front together. That tactic looks to have backfired when Arsenal score again through Thierry Henry. And Real look buried after Arsenal win a penalty and look to make it 3-0. However, they miss the spot kick and Santiago finds Harris who scores a wonderful goal to make it 2-1. Santiago then equalizes with two minutes to go before Beckham wins it in injury time with a free kick. Real Madrid win their 10th Champions League title and set a new record in competition wins. However, they lose out on the league to bitter rivals Barcelona.Mexico
Santiago was named in the MexicoMexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
team 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...
, but after being involved in a car accident during a pre-tournament trip to Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, he suffers serious injuries and is unable to play. He does, however, still go to the World Cup to cheer on team-mates, and good friends, Charlie Braithwaite and Liam Adams, who are chosen in the England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
squad. His friend Gavin Harris did not end up making the squad. Santiago eventually makes his Mexico debut against New Zealand in september 2006 and scores . He becomes a Mexico regular during his time at Tottenham and is selected in the last 23 man Mexico national football team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
. Munez makes his World Cup debut against South Africa and assists a goal for Rafael Marquez in a 1-1 draw. He follows this with a hat-trick in a 4-0 drubbing of France. Mexico finish second in Group A but bow out to Argentina 3-1 in the Second Round.
Club
Real Madrid- 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...
(1): 2005–062006 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 2006 UEFA Champions League Final was the final match of the 2005–06 UEFA Champions League, Europe's primary club football competition. The showpiece event was contested between Barcelona of Spain and Arsenal of England at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, France, on Wednesday, 17...
Tottenham Hotspur
- Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
(1): 2007–082008 Football League Cup FinalThe 2008 Carling Cup Final was a football match played on 24 February 2008. It was the first League Cup Final to be played at the new Wembley Stadium, and the first to be played in England since the old Wembley was demolished in 2000. The defending champions were Chelsea, who beat Arsenal in the...
Individual
- FA Premier League Player of the Month:(6) October 2006, August 2007, March 2008, April 2009, March 2009, April 2010
- Premier League Golden BootPremier League Golden BootThe Premier League Golden Boot, known for sponsorship reasons as the Barclays Golden Boot, is an annual English association football award given to the top goalscorer at the end of the Premier League season, the top domestic league competition in club football in England, since its creation in 1992...
: 2008-09 - PFA Team of the YearPFA Team of the YearThe Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
: 2008, 2009, 2010 - Tottenham Hotspur Football Club 'Player Of The Season':2009-10
- FIFA World Player Of The Year :2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10