Sergio González Soriano
Encyclopedia
Sergio González Soriano (born 10 November 1976 in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
, Barcelona, Catalonia
), simply Sergio, is a Spanish
footballer.
He is a hard-working central midfielder, adept at both defence and playmaking, and spent nearly one decade as a professional at Deportivo de La Coruña
, his main club. Over the course of 14 La Liga
seasons, he amassed totals of 418 games and 34 goals.
Sergio represented the Spanish national team
in the 2002 World Cup
.
neighbours RCD Espanyol
, going on to spend nearly three years with its reserves
, in the third division
. He played his first La Liga
match on 10 April 1998, in a 2–0 home win against CD Tenerife
, and was an undisputed starter in the next three seasons, totalling 104 matches.
Looking for greater challenges, Sergio accepted a move to Deportivo de La Coruña
in the summer of 2001. In his first season with the Galicia outfit, he played all 38 matches and added four goals, as Depor finished runner-up and won the Spanish Cup
- in the final, he scored the opener in a 2–1 win over Real Madrid
in its homeground
, as the opposing club was celebrating its 100th anniversary (the play was dubbed Centenariazo).
Sergio went on to only miss eight league matches in the following four seasons combined, amassing over 300 overall appearances during his stint. He only failed to score at least one goal in the 2009–10 season
, in which he appeared in 24 matches.
In mid-July 2010, after nearly one full decade with Deportivo, 33-year old Sergio moved to Levante UD
, freshly returned to the top level
. After three losses, he was essential as the Valencian
won in the fourth round of the season
, scoring the only goal at UD Almería
, on 22 September; he was released by the club after an injury-ravaged season.
on 24 March 2001, coming on as a substitute for Josep Guardiola
in a 5–0 win against Liechtenstein
for the 2002 FIFA World Cup
qualifiers
. Selected for the finals in Japan
and South Korea
, he appeared in a 3–2 group stage defeat of South Africa
, replacing David Albelda
.
Since 1999, Sergio represented the Catalonia unofficial team
, making his debut on 23 December in a 1–0 friendly win with Yugoslavia
, and scoring his first goal nearly ten years later, in a 4–2 friendly against Argentina
.
|1994–95||rowspan="1"|L'Hospitalet||rowspan="4"|Segunda División B
||11||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||11||2
|-
|1995–96||rowspan="3"|Espanyol B
||36||4||0||0||0||0||0||0||36||4
|-
|1996–97||34||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||34||2
|-
|1997–98||30||5||0||0||0||0||0||0||30||5
|-
|1997–98||rowspan="4"|Espanyol
||rowspan="14"|La Liga
||6||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||6||1
|-
|1998–99||34||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||34||0
|-
|1999–00||30||5||0||0||0||0||0||0||30||5
|-
|2000–01||37||4||0||0||0||0||0||0||37||4
|-
|2001–02||rowspan="9"|Deportivo
||38||4||0||0||0||0||0||0||38||4
|-
|2002–03||37||3||0||0||0||0||0||0||37||3
|-
|2003–04||37||3||0||0||0||0||0||0||37||3
|-
|2004–05
||34||3||0||0||0||0||0||0||34||3
|-
|2005–06
||36||4||0||0||0||0||0||0||36||4
|-
|2006–07||28||2||1||0||0||0||0||0||29||2
|-
|2007–08||32||5||0||0||0||0||0||0||32||5
|-
|2008–09||28||4||0||0||0||0||8||1||36||5
|-
|2009–10
||24||0||3||0||0||0||0||0||27||0
|-
|2010–11
||rowspan="1"|Levante
||14||2||2||1||0||0||0||0||16||3
|-
526||53||6||0||0||0||8||1||540||55
526||53||6||1||0||0||8||1||540||55
|2001||3||0
|-
|2002||4||0
|-
|2003||3||0
|-
|2004||0||0
|-
|2005||1||0
|-
!Total||11||0
|}
|-
|1999||1||0
|-
|2000||1||0
|-
|2001||1||0
|-
|2002||1||0
|-
|2003||1||0
|-
|2004||2||0
|-
|2005||1||0
|-
|2006||1||0
|-
|2007||1||0
|-
|2008||2||0
|-
|2009||1||1
|-
|2010||1||0
|-
|2011||0||0
|-
!Total||14||1
|}
Deportivo
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat or briefly L'Hospitalet is a city to the immediate southwest of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain, and the second largest in Catalonia by population...
, Barcelona, Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
), simply Sergio, 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.
He is a hard-working central midfielder, adept at both defence and playmaking, and spent nearly one decade as a professional at 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...
, his main club. Over the course of 14 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...
seasons, he amassed totals of 418 games and 34 goals.
Sergio represented 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...
in the 2002 World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
.
Club career
After starting out at local CE L'Hospitalet, Sergio moved to CataloniaCatalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
neighbours RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
, going on to spend nearly three years with its reserves
RCD Espanyol B
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona B, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Barcelona, in the autonomous community of Catalonia. Founded in 1981, it is the reserve team of RCD Espanyol and plays in Tercera División, holding home matches at Ciutat Esportiva de Sant Adrià, with a...
, in the third division
Segunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
. He played his first 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...
match on 10 April 1998, in a 2–0 home win against 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...
, and was an undisputed starter in the next three seasons, totalling 104 matches.
Looking for greater challenges, Sergio accepted a move 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...
in the summer of 2001. In his first season with the Galicia outfit, he played all 38 matches and added four goals, as Depor finished runner-up and won the 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 ....
- in the final, he scored the opener in a 2–1 win over Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
in its homeground
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is an all-seater football stadium in Madrid, Spain. It was inaugurated on 14 December 1947 and is owned by Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. It has a current capacity of 85,454 spectators....
, as the opposing club was celebrating its 100th anniversary (the play was dubbed Centenariazo).
Sergio went on to only miss eight league matches in the following four seasons combined, amassing over 300 overall appearances during his stint. He only failed to score at least one goal in the 2009–10 season
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;"|...
, in which he appeared in 24 matches.
In mid-July 2010, after nearly one full decade with Deportivo, 33-year old Sergio moved to Levante UD
Levante UD
Levante Unión Deportiva, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, in the namesake community.Founded in 1909, it plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadi Ciutat de València.-Early years:...
, freshly returned to the top level
2009–10 Segunda División
The 2009–10 Segunda División was made up of the following teams:-League table:||rowspan=15 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|-2009–10 Results:To read this table, the home team is listed in the left-hand column....
. After three losses, he was essential as the Valencian
Valencian Community
The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia...
won in the fourth round 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...
, scoring the only goal at 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...
, on 22 September; he was released by the club after an injury-ravaged season.
International career
Sergio made his debut 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...
on 24 March 2001, coming on as a substitute for Josep Guardiola
Josep Guardiola
Josep "Pep" Guardiola i Sala , is a Spanish football manager and former player. Guardiola played as a defensive midfielder and spent the majority of his playing career with FC Barcelona, whom he currently manages. He was part of Johan Cruyff's dream team that won Barcelona's first European Cup....
in a 5–0 win against Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein national football team
The Liechtenstein national football team is the national football team of Liechtenstein and is controlled by the Liechtenstein Football Association. The organisation is known as the Liechtensteiner Fussballverband in German. The team's first match was an unofficial match against Malta in Seoul, a...
for the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
qualifiers
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the European zone . For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification....
. Selected for the finals in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, he appeared in a 3–2 group stage defeat of South Africa
South Africa national football team
The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
, replacing David Albelda
David Albelda
David Albelda Aliqués is a Spanish footballer who plays for Valencia CF as a defensive midfielder.He played mainly for local Valencia during his extensive professional career, being team captain for over a decade....
.
Since 1999, Sergio represented the Catalonia unofficial team
Catalonia national football team
Catalonia national football team is the official football team of Catalonia. It is organized by the Catalonia Football Federation. The team has been referred to by various names including Selecció Catalana, Selecció de Barcelona and the Catalan XI...
, making his debut on 23 December in a 1–0 friendly win with Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia national football team
The Yugoslavia national football team represented the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in association football. It enjoyed a modicum of success in international competition. In 1992, during the Yugoslav wars, the team was suspended from international...
, and scoring his first goal nearly ten years later, in a 4–2 friendly against 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...
.
Club
|-|1994–95||rowspan="1"|L'Hospitalet||rowspan="4"|Segunda División B
Segunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
||11||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||11||2
|-
|1995–96||rowspan="3"|Espanyol B
RCD Espanyol B
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona B, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Barcelona, in the autonomous community of Catalonia. Founded in 1981, it is the reserve team of RCD Espanyol and plays in Tercera División, holding home matches at Ciutat Esportiva de Sant Adrià, with a...
||36||4||0||0||0||0||0||0||36||4
|-
|1996–97||34||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||34||2
|-
|1997–98||30||5||0||0||0||0||0||0||30||5
|-
|1997–98||rowspan="4"|Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
||rowspan="14"|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...
||6||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||6||1
|-
|1998–99||34||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||34||0
|-
|1999–00||30||5||0||0||0||0||0||0||30||5
|-
|2000–01||37||4||0||0||0||0||0||0||37||4
|-
|2001–02||rowspan="9"|Deportivo
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...
||38||4||0||0||0||0||0||0||38||4
|-
|2002–03||37||3||0||0||0||0||0||0||37||3
|-
|2003–04||37||3||0||0||0||0||0||0||37||3
|-
|2004–05
2004–05 La Liga
2004–05 season was composed of the following clubs:* Albacete Balompié* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Real Betis* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Levante UD* Málaga CF* Real Mallorca* CD Numancia* CA Osasuna...
||34||3||0||0||0||0||0||0||34||3
|-
|2005–06
2005–06 La Liga
* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC...
||36||4||0||0||0||0||0||0||36||4
|-
|2006–07||28||2||1||0||0||0||0||0||29||2
|-
|2007–08||32||5||0||0||0||0||0||0||32||5
|-
|2008–09||28||4||0||0||0||0||8||1||36||5
|-
|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;"|...
||24||0||3||0||0||0||0||0||27||0
|-
|2010–11
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...
||rowspan="1"|Levante
Levante UD
Levante Unión Deportiva, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, in the namesake community.Founded in 1909, it plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadi Ciutat de València.-Early years:...
||14||2||2||1||0||0||0||0||16||3
|-
526||53||6||0||0||0||8||1||540||55
526||53||6||1||0||0||8||1||540||55
International
|-|2001||3||0
|-
|2002||4||0
|-
|2003||3||0
|-
|2004||0||0
|-
|2005||1||0
|-
!Total||11||0
|}
|-
|1999||1||0
|-
|2000||1||0
|-
|2001||1||0
|-
|2002||1||0
|-
|2003||1||0
|-
|2004||2||0
|-
|2005||1||0
|-
|2006||1||0
|-
|2007||1||0
|-
|2008||2||0
|-
|2009||1||1
|-
|2010||1||0
|-
|2011||0||0
|-
!Total||14||1
|}
International goals
- Scores and results list Catalonia's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 22 December 2009 Camp Nou Camp NouCamp Nou , sometimes called "the Nou Camp" in English, is a football stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The stadium, located in the west of the city, has been the home of FC Barcelona since its construction in 1957....
, Barcelona3–1 4–2 Friendly Exhibition gameAn exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
Honours
Espanyol- 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 ....
: 1999–2000
Deportivo
- 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...
: 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:...