Esteban Cambiasso

Esteban Matías Cambiasso Deleau (born 18 August 1980 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentina association football who currently plays as a midfielder for Italy Serie A club F.C. Internazionale Milano and the Argentina national football team. Esteban Cambiasso is nicknamed Cuchu.

Club career

Early career

Cambiasso started Esteban Cambiasso professional career with Argentinos Juniors in 1995, moving to Real Madrid Castilla in 1996.

In 1998, Esteban Cambiasso moved back to Argentina where Esteban Cambiasso played for three years with Club Atlético Independiente and one with Club Atlético River Plate. During this time, Esteban Cambiasso earned Esteban Cambiasso nickname "Egg in a bun." With some good experience under Esteban Cambiasso belt, Esteban Cambiasso returned to Real Madrid C.F. in 2002. Esteban Cambiasso helped Galáctico win the UEFA Super Cup in 2002, La Liga, and the Intercontinental Cup (football) in 2003, and the Supercopa de España in 2004.

Internazionale

In July 2004, Cambiasso signed with F.C. Internazionale Milano after Esteban Cambiasso contract with Real Madrid expired in June 2004. Esteban Cambiasso helped Internazionale win the Italian Cup in Esteban Cambiasso first season with the club, playing regularly as a defensive midfielder, partnered in the middle of Inter's midfield with fellow Argentinian Juan Sebastián Verón. In Italy, Esteban Cambiasso became known as one of the outstanding players of the 2004-05 season, along with A.C. Milan's Kaká.

During the return match for the final of the 2006 Coppa Italia, Cambiasso scored an impressive goal, the first of the match, for the 3-1 victory over A.S. Roma. On 30 September 2006, Esteban Cambiasso scored twice in the opening game of the season, with Inter defeating ACF Fiorentina 3-2. On 7 November 2007, Esteban Cambiasso along with Zlatan Ibrahimović scored a brace a piece to defeat PFC CSKA Moscow 4-2 in the UEFA Champions League. On 23 March 2009, it was announced that Inter and Cambiasso had come to terms about a contract renewal which now expires in 2014.

Over Esteban Cambiasso five seasons at Inter, Cambiasso has established himself as a key member of the team, and has consistently been among Serie A's finest midfielders. Many Inter fans regard Esteban Cambiasso as the next captain of the club, following fellow Argentine Javier Zanetti.

International career

Cambiasso first represented Argentina national football team in the youth squads, along with national teammates Juan Román Riquelme, Pablo Aimar, Walter Samuel and others. Esteban Cambiasso was in the squads for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship, where Esteban Cambiasso scored the first goal in the final even though Esteban Cambiasso was the youngest player on the squad, and captained the team during the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Cambiasso made Esteban Cambiasso senior national debut in 2000 for Argentina national football team. On 15 May 2006, Esteban Cambiasso was named in the Argentinian national team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and on 16 June, Esteban Cambiasso capped a 24 pass move with a finish to score the second goal in a 6-0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro national football team. In the quarter-finals match against Germany national football team on 30 June 2006, the match went into penalties, where Cambiasso had Esteban Cambiasso penalty kick saved, resulting in Argentina losing 4-2 and Germany progressing to the semi-final.

Since Diego Maradona took over as Argentina coach, Cambiasso has not been called-up to the national team, despite continuing to play a vital role for Inter and affirming Esteban Cambiasso status as one of Europe's best central midfielders.

Playing style

Cambiasso is a defensive midfielder. At club level Esteban Cambiasso is deployed in the holding role often accompanied by another like minded central midfielder, however at international level Esteban Cambiasso has most prominently featured in a more advanced position in front of a holding midfielder such as Argentine captain Javier Mascherano. This enables Esteban Cambiasso to fulfill a more creative role in midfield.

Personal life

Cambiasso was once married and still is but no longer has any contact with Esteban Cambiasso ex-wife. On 22 November 2008, Esteban Cambiasso ex-wife gave birth to their daughter Victoria before Cambiasso's match against Juventus F.C.. After Inter won the Derby d'Italia, Cambiasso dedicated the win to Esteban Cambiasso daughter.

Along with Esteban Cambiasso compatriot and current teammate at Inter, Javier Zanetti, Cambiasso unveiled the Leoni di Potrero charity association to help coach young children with social isolation problems and motor coordination difficulties.

Honours

River Plate

- Primera División Argentina Clausura: 2002-2003 in Argentine football Torneo Clausura ("Closing" Tournament)

Real Madrid

- La Liga: 2002-03
- Intercontinental Cup (football): 2002
- UEFA Super Cup: 2003
- Spanish Super Cup: 2003

Internazionale

- Serie A: 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09
- Coppa Italia: 2005, 2006
- Italian Super Cup: 2005, 2006, 2008

International

- South American Youth Championship: 1997
- FIFA World Youth Championship: 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship
- South American Youth Championship: 1999