Gabriel Heinze

Gabriel Iván Heinze (born 19 April 1978 in Crespo, Entre Ríos, Entre Ríos Province) is an Argentina football (soccer) Defender (football) of Germany and Italy descent who plays for Spanish club Real Madrid C.F.. Heinze holds dual Argentine-German nationality. Gabriel Heinze usually plays as left or centre back.

Club career

Early career

Heinze began Gabriel Heinze career in Gabriel Heinze home country with Newell's Old Boys. Following attention from various European clubs, Gabriel Heinze then signed for Spanish La Liga outfit Real Valladolid, where Gabriel Heinze did not manage one single appearance in Gabriel Heinze first season. After that, Heinze was loaned to Sporting Clube de Portugal, going unnoticed throughout the season, after which Gabriel Heinze returned for a further two Valladolid years. At the close of the 2001 season, Heinze moved to Paris Saint-Germain F.C., where Gabriel Heinze amassed over 100 overall appearances in three seasons, also helping the Paris side to the Coupe de France 2003-04.

Manchester United

In June 2004, Heinze joined Manchester United F.C. for a fee of £6.9 million.Gabriel Heinze marked Gabriel Heinze debut for United in September 2004 with a goal in a 2–2 draw against Bolton Wanderers F.C., and immediately established himself as United's first choice left-back. Heinze's play was regularly lauded by United fans with the chant of "Ar-gen-tina!"

Heinze was injured in a UEFA Champions League match with Villarreal CF on 14 September 2005, and was out of first-team action for the rest of 2005-06 in English football. Previous to the Villarreal match, Gabriel Heinze had scored two goals in the 3–0 second-leg qualifier win over Debreceni VSC. Gabriel Heinze made a comeback with the Manchester United F.C. Reserves in April 2006, but a minor injury picked up in Gabriel Heinze third game back prevented Gabriel Heinze making a first-team appearance before the end of the campaign. The consequence of Heinze's injury was Manchester United's signing of Patrice Evra as Gabriel Heinze left-back replacement. Heinze's last season with Manchester United was the 2006-07 in English football. Gabriel Heinze scored Gabriel Heinze first goal of the season in the FA Cup fifth round replay against Reading F.C., in a 3–2 win on 27 February 2007.Due to United's injury problems, Heinze was used as a Defender (association football) Centre back, partnering Wes Brown. Gabriel Heinze was made captain for their last two games of the season, away to Chelsea F.C., and at home to West Ham United F.C.. On 21 July 2007, a bid in the region of £6.8 million from Liverpool F.C. was rejected by United.

Real Madrid

On 22 August 2007, Heinze joined Real Madrid C.F. on a four-year deal, becoming the third United player to join Real (after David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy), for a reported £8 million fee. Gabriel Heinze debuted on September 2 against Villarreal, coming on as a substitute for Raúl González. On 30 March 2008, Gabriel Heinze netted Gabriel Heinze first goal for Madrid in a 3-1 home win against Sevilla FC. In Gabriel Heinze first season with Real Gabriel Heinze won La Liga and the Supercopa de España.

International career

Heinze first represented Argentina national football team on 30 April 2003, in a friendly away win against Libya national football team. The following year, Gabriel Heinze won a gold medal in the Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Despite missing most of 2005-06 due to injury, Heinze was called up for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals. In the quarter-final clash against Germany national football team Heinze could only watch from the sidelines as Argentina lost out on penalties (he did not take a shot).

Heinze participated in the Copa América 2007, and scored Gabriel Heinze only goal from a free kick in the semifinals against Mexico national football team in a 3-0 win. Argentina lost to Brazil national football team in the final.

Honours

Club

Paris Saint-Germain

- Coupe de France: Coupe de France 2003-04

Manchester United

- Premier League: FA Premier League 2006–07

Real Madrid

- La Liga: La Liga 2007–08
- Supercopa de España: 2008 Supercopa de España

International

- 2004 Summer Olympics: Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Individual

- Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year: 2004–05