Mariano Pernía

Mariano Andrés Pernía (born 4 May, 1977) is an Argentina-Spain Football (soccer) player.

Career profile

Early years

Pernía was born in Buenos Aires where he came through the ranks at Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro, although was never in the first team. Son of footballer Vicente Pernía (who was ironically left controversially out of the 1978 Argentina World Cup squad), he got his chance at professional football when he moved to Club Atlético Independiente, but found himself moving in and out of the first team. The beginning of 2003 saw his move to Spain club Recreativo de Huelva, where he made somewhat of an impact. Pernía started in the Copa del Rey final loss to RCD Mallorca, but Recreativo de Huelva were relegated that season. He played the 2003/2004 season in the Segunda División.

2004/05

Although Pernía was 26 and yet to break into regular top-flight football, he made the most of his opportunity when he moved to newly promoted La Liga side Getafe CF in 2004. Pernía made an immediate impact on La Liga as an offensive defender with a killer left foot. He scored three goals in his debut season with Getafe, including a 40-metre effort against Real Betis. He was a major part of the underrated side that survived their first season in La Liga, defying the expectations of several football pundits.

2005/06

The 2006 season saw Pernía start 35 out of 38 games for Getafe CF in La Liga, and he finished the season with 10 goals and 2 assists, becoming the highest scoring defender in a season for 20 years. With such good form, Pernía’s future was the source of much speculation. Despite a bid from Valencia CF, Pernía signed a four year contract with Atlético Madrid starting from 2006/2007, battling with fellow Spanish left-back Antonio López Guerrero for that position. Unfortunately for Pernía, he was sent off in his last ever match for Getafe CF, in the final game of the season against Celta Vigo.

World Cup 2006

Pernía’s excellent form also made him a contender for international selection in Argentina, and somewhat belatedly, Spain. Although born in Argentina, Pernía was granted Spanish citizenship in May 2006. Luis Aragonés opted not to pick Pernía for the Spain national football team to the 2006 FIFA World Cup - his reasoning was entirely legal and explained under current FIFA rules on squad selection. Asier del Horno remained the selected leftback for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. However, an ankle injury sustained by Del Horno in the build-up to the tournament saw Pernía controversially called up as his replacement. In the last friendly match before the World Cup, Pernía made his debut against Croatia national football team, and scored from a free-kick. Surprisingly, he replaced Antonio López Guerrero as the starting left-back in group wins against Ukraine national football team and Tunisia national football team, and also in their Round of 16 loss to France national football team.

2006/07

Pernía started the new season with high expectations after moving to a bigger and better club. In reality his season was argubly the worst of his career, with patchy form disappointing Atlético Madrid coach Javier Aguirre, and he spent much of the season on the bench. His tussle with Antonio López Guerrero for the Atlético Madrid and Spain national football team left-back spot did not eventuate, as Javier Aguirre favoured Antonio López Guerrero throughout the season and Luis Aragonés dropped Pernía shortly after the 2006 FIFA World Cup due to lack of game time. At the conclusion of the season, speculation was rife that Pernía would return to Getafe CF, following the departure of left back Javier Paredes, however he eventually committed himself to Atlético Madrid.

Personal Life

Pernía has football in his family. He is the son of famous Argentina player Vicente Pernía, to whom Pernía dedicated his 2006 FIFA World Cup call-up to. Pernía's mother is Olga Susana Molina. He has four brothers and a sister. His eldest brother, Gaston Pernía, is currently playing for the Chicago Storm in the Major Indoor Soccer League. Another brother, Leonel (Leo) Adrian Pernía, has also played for the Storm, and is now racing cars in Argentina. Pernía's other siblings are Emilio Augustine Pernía, Julian Alejo Pernía and Gianna Abigail Pernía. Pernía has a wife and a young daughter, who was born in Spain. Pernía was on holiday in Tandil, Argentina, with his family upon getting the call from Luis Aragonés, and he subsequently had to delay his June 20 wedding in order to play in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Pernía said of the call-up:

"My wife's happy for me although a bit disappointed about having to postpone the wedding."

Pernía's great-grandparents are also Spain.

Career Statistics

Titles