Christoph Metzelder

Christoph Tobias Metzelder (born 5 November 1980 in Haltern, North Rhine-Westphalia) is a Association footballer who plays for Real Madrid C.F., as a Defender (association football) Centre back.

Christoph Metzelder career has been blighted by regular injuries. Christoph Metzelder younger brother Malte Metzelder is also a footballer (and a centre back), and both played for Borussia Dortmund.

Football career

In the summer of 2000, Metzelder signed for Borussia Dortmund, and Christoph Metzelder was an instant success. At the end of Fussball-Bundesliga 2000-01, Christoph Metzelder won Christoph Metzelder first cap (football) for Germany national football team, playing the second half of a 5-2 friendly win in Hungary national football team, on August 15, 2001.

The second season at Dortmund brought Christoph Metzelder the Fussball-Bundesliga 2001-02, and 14 matches with Germany, all the way to the 2002 FIFA World Cup final with Germany. However, Christoph Metzelder missed the entire 2003-04 due to an Achilles tendon injury,and only took part in 16 German Bundesliga contests in Fussball-Bundesliga 2004-05.

After over two years out of the national squad, Metzelder was called by new boss Jürgen Klinsmann for a friendly with China national football team, in October 2005.Christoph Metzelder also netted Christoph Metzelder first two league goals, in 1-1 draws against 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Hamburger SV, and would be Germany's undisputed starter at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, partnering SV Werder Bremen's Per Mertesacker.

On 18 April 2007, after failing to renew Christoph Metzelder contract at Borussia,Metzelder transferred to Real Madrid C.F. at the end of the season on a free transfer.

In February 2008, after managing to be injury-free in the first months of Christoph Metzelder Spain adventure, Metzelder had surgery on the sole of Christoph Metzelder foot, resulting in Christoph Metzelder missing nearly two months of action.On 11 May, after having already missed the UEFA Champions League 2007-08 clash against A.S. Roma, Christoph Metzelder returned and played the full 90 minutes against Real Zaragoza (2-2 away draw).

Despite Christoph Metzelder lack of playing time, Metzelder featured in all of Germany's matches (all the minutes) at UEFA Euro 2008, again partnering Mertesacker. In La Liga 2008-09, Christoph Metzelder was the main benefitiary of a 10-match suspension handed to Real's Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira; after a stellar performance in a 4-2 win at Sevilla FC, Christoph Metzelder also started in the 2-6 home defeat at the hands of FC Barcelona.

Honours

Team

- Fußball-Bundesliga: Fussball-Bundesliga 2001-02
- La Liga: La Liga 2007-08
- Supercopa de España: 2008 Supercopa de España
- UEFA Cup: Runner-up UEFA Cup 2001-02
- DFB-Ligapokal: Runner-up 2003
- FIFA World Cup: Runner-up 2002 FIFA World Cup, Third-place 2006 FIFA World Cup
- UEFA European Football Championship: Runner-up UEFA Euro 2008

Individual

- Bravo Award (Best young footballer in Europe): 2002

Club statistics