Gabriel Heinze

Iván Gabriel Heinze (born 19 March 1978 in Crespo, Entre Ríos, Entre Ríos Province) is an Argentina football (soccer)er who currently plays for Real Madrid as a defender (football).

Club career

Earlier clubs

Heinze began his career in his home country with Newell's Old Boys in Rosario. Following attention from various European clubs, he then signed for Real Valladolid. After just one season with the Spanish club, he was loaned to Sporting Clube de Portugal in Portugal, though he would return and spend a further two years in Spain.

At the close of the 2001 in football (soccer) season, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain FC and here he enjoyed over 119 appearances and 19 goals in the three years he stayed, winning the French Cup in 2004.

Manchester United

He marked his debut for United in September 2004 with a goal in the 2-2 draw against Bolton Wanderers F.C. and immediately established himself as United's first choice left-back. The Manchester United fans took to the Argentine for his exemplary attitude, showing fierce determination on the pitch. Heinze's impressive play was regularly lauded by United fans with the familiar chant of "Ar-gen-tina!" Heinze was voted Manchester United fans' player of the year for the 2004-05 in English football season (unusually rare for a player to be voted in the first season in the club, even more so as a defender), beating top-scorer Wayne Rooney, and is the first South American to do so.

Heinze was injured in a UEFA Champions League match with Villarreal CF on 13 September and was out of first-team action for the rest of the 2005-06 in English football. United suffered a dip in form in Heinze's absence, further highlighting the Argentine's importance to the Manchester club. Kieran Richardson, John O'Shea and new arrival Patrice Evra all tried and ultimately failed to impose themselves in Heinze's left-back position, and while Mikaël Silvestre brought some stability to the position towards the end of the season, Ferguson said that his team missed Heinze's experience and leadership. Gabriel made a comeback of sorts for the reserve team in April, but a minor injury picked up in his third game back prevented him making a first-team appearance before the end of the campaign, and this appeared to have ended his chances of representing Argentina national football team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. However, national coach José Pekerman showed great faith in Heinze and called him up into his 23-man squad for the finals.

Heinze returned to action for United in the 2006-07 in English football. He scored his first goal of the season in the FA Cup 5th round replay against Reading F.C., in a 3-2 win to United on 27 February 2007. Due to United's injury problems, with the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidić and Gary Neville being unavailable, Heinze was used as a centre-back partnering Wes Brown where he has struggled to live up to the standard required for the position. Heinze was made captain of United for their last two games of the 2006-07 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, amid complaints by Sir Alex Ferguson as to the conduct of the player's agent and unwillingness to sell to a club perceived as a rival. Heinze appealed to the Premier League for arbitration but his case was dismissed on 21 August 2007 by the tribunal, which ruled that Manchester United were not obliged to sell the player to Liverpool.

Real Madrid

On 22 August 2007, Heinze joined Real Madrid on a four year deal, for a reported £8 million fee. He debuted on September 2 against Villarreal coming as a substitute for Raúl González Blanco.

International career

In total, Heinze has won 40 caps for his country, first representing them in April 2003 against Libya national football team. His late arrival can be somewhat attributed to his leaving Argentina before establishing himself as a player. He won a gold medal in the Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics with the Argentina national football team team.

He appeared in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, following an injury earlier that year. This ended in penalty heartache against Germany, however. Argentina made it through to the quarter-finals, but were unable to capitalize on their 1-0 lead, and Germany equalized with just minutes to go to take it to Extra-time and penalties. Heinze did not take a penalty, but could only sit in tears as Jens Lehmann saved Roberto Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso's penalties.

He played for Argentina in Copa América 2007. He scored a goal off a Juan Román Riquelme free kick in the semi-final against Mexico national football team helping his team win 3-0 and continuing to the final match loss against Brazil national football team.

Honours

Club

Manchester United

- Premier League: Premier League 2006-07
- Football League Cup: 2006 Football League Cup Final
- FA Cup Runner-up: FA Cup Final 2005, FA Cup Final 2007

Playing career (all competitions)