Nicolás Gaitán

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Nicolás Gaitán
File:Benf-Zen 2016 (4).jpg
Gaitán playing for Benfica in 2016
Personal information
Full name Osvaldo Nicolás Fabián Gaitán
Date of birth (1988-02-23) 23 February 1988 (age 37)
Place of birth San Martín, Argentina
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Position(s) Attacking midfielder / Winger
Team information
Current team
 Atlético Madrid
Number 11
Youth career
2001–2008 Boca Juniors
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 Boca Juniors 66 (12)
2010–2016 Benfica 152 (25)
2016– Atlético Madrid 0 (0)
International career‡
2009– Argentina 12 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 May 2016
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 October 2015

Osvaldo Nicolás Fabián "Nico" Gaitán (born 23 February 1988) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays for Portuguese club Benfica and the Argentina national team, mainly as an attacking midfielder.

Club career

Boca Juniors

Born in San Martín, Buenos Aires, Gaitán rose from the ranks at Boca Juniors, having entered its youth system at the age of 13 in spite of doubts regarding his future due to his small frame.[1] He made his competitive debut with the club on 1 June 2008 in a 3–1 win against Arsenal de Sarandí,[2] and scored his first two Primera División goals two months later in a 3–0 success at Huracán.[3]

On 23 September 2008 Gaitán netted his first goal in an international tournament, that year's Copa Sudamericana, against Liga de Quito. Two days later he again made the scoresheet, in the 4–2 win over Newell's Old Boys where he also set up Lucas Viatri for his side's final goal.[4]

Gaitán scored seven times in 33 games in his last season with Boca, who only managed to finish 11th in the Apertura and 16th in the Clausura.

Benfica

On 3 May 2010, Portugal's Benfica confirmed they had reached an agreement to sign Gaitán for €8.4 million,[5] as a replacement for countryman Ángel Di María who had just been sold to Real Madrid[6] – his move, after the transfer of Óscar Cardozo for €11.6 million, was the second most expensive purchase in the club's history. He made his official debut for his new team by starting and playing 66 minutes in a 1–2 away loss to Nacional, opening his scoring account also with a brace, at home against Naval on 14 November (4–0).

Gaitán finished his first year with the Lisbon side with 48 appearances all competitions comprised, scoring nine times as it finished second in the league and won the domestic league cup. For his performances, he was named Portuguese League Breakthrough Player of the Year.[7]

In the 2011–12 campaign Gaitán led the UEFA Champions League assists table, until the knockout stage.[8] In 2013–14 he contributed with eight goals overall as his team conquered the treble, including the game's only goal in the Portuguese Cup's decisive match against Rio Ave on 18 May 2014;[9] His performances were praised throughout the season.[10][11] On 31 August 2014, Gaitán scored his first goal of the season against Sporting CP, while also being named 'Man of the Match'.[12]

On 11 November 2014, he extended his contract with Benfica until 30 June 2018 and set a release clause of €35 million.[13] On 30 September 2015, Gaitán scored a goal and later assisted the second goal in a win at Atlético Madrid (1–2) in the UEFA Champions League.[14] On 9 December 2015, he signed an improved contract through June 2019, increasing his release clause to €45 million.[15][16] On 9 March, Gaitán scored his fourth goal of the season in the Champions League, against Zenit Saint Petersburg in the second leg of the round of 16, helping Benfica to reach the quarter-finals of the competition with a 3–1 aggregate score, after a 2–1 win in Russia.[17][18] On 15 May, he scored twice in a 4–1 home win against Nacional, helping Benfica to secure the league title for the third consecutive season.[19] On 25 May 2016 Gaitan joins Atlético Madrid for 25 milion €.

International career

Gaitán made his international debut for Argentina on 30 September 2009, as a substitute in a 2–0 friendly win with Ghana,[20] and he made his first start in a 3–2 success against Costa Rica on 26 January of the following year.[21] During Sergio Batista term, he made three appearances, playing against Costa Rica,[22] Nigeria[23] and Poland.[24] With Sabella, Gaitán did not make an appearance but with the appointment of Gerardo Martino, he returned after a 2-year absence, playing the final minutes, after replacing Sergio Agüero on 3 September 2014 in an away win against Germany.[25]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 20 May 2016[26][27]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Other[nb 1] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Boca Juniors 2007–08 1 0 — — 0 0 — 1 0
2008–09 32 5 — — 11 1 — 43 6
2009–10 33 7 — — 2 0 — 35 7
Total 66 12 — — 13 1 — 79 13
Benfica 2010–11 26 7 5 1 3 0 13 1 1 0 48 9
2011–12 25 3 1 0 4 0 14 1 — 44 4
2012–13 23 3 6 1 2 0 13 1 — 44 5
2013–14 26 4 5 1 2 1 10 2 — 43 8
2014–15 27 4 2 0 2 0 5 0 1 0 37 4
2015–16 25 4 1 0 2 3 8 4 1 0 37 11
Total 152 25 20 3 15 4 63 9 3 0 253 41
Career total 218 37 20 3 15 4 76 10 3 0 332 54

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International

As of 13 February 2016[28]
National team Year Apps Goals
Argentina 2009 1 0
2010 2 0
2011 3 0
2014 3 2
2015 3 0
Total 12 2

Style of play

Gaitán began playing as a midfielder, sometimes leaning to the left. After moving to Benfica he assumed a more advanced role, where he seemed more comfortable.

A left-footer who is also able to play on the right, with good dribbling skills and close control, Gaitán's main asset is ball distribution as he is able to cross from either flank, and while on the right he possesses the vision to pick holes when cutting inside.[29][30]

Honours

Club

Boca Juniors
Benfica

Individual

References

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External links

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Nico Gaitán renewed contract with SL Benfica until 2018
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ http://www.slbenfica.pt/noticias/detalhedenoticia/tabid/2788/ArticleId/43987/language/pt-PT/.aspx
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Nicolás Gaitán at National-Football-Teams.comLua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 28: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.


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