Sergio García (footballer, born 1983)

Sergio García de la Fuente (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈseɾxjo ɣaɾˈθi.a];[upper-alpha 1] born 9 June 1983) is a Spanish former professional footballer. Mainly a forward, he could also appear as a winger, preferably on the right.

For other people named Sergio García, see Sergio García (disambiguation).
For another Spanish footballer, see Sergio García (footballer, born 1989).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is García and the second or maternal family name is De la Fuente.

Sergio García
García playing for Espanyol in 2012
Personal information
Full name Sergio García de la Fuente[1]
Date of birth (1983-06-09) 9 June 1983[1]
Place of birth Barcelona, Spain
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward, winger
Youth career
1989–1993 Bon Pastor
1993–1995 Damm
1995–2002 Barcelona
1997–1999 → Damm (loan)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2002 Barcelona C 22 (11)
2002–2004 Barcelona B 60 (34)
2002–2005 Barcelona 4 (0)
2004–2005 → Levante (loan) 31 (7)
2005–2008 Zaragoza 90 (14)
2008–2010 Betis 62 (21)
2010–2015 Espanyol 145 (41)
2015–2017 Al-Rayyan 49 (27)
2017–2019 Espanyol 62 (4)
2020–2021 Montañesa 8 (3)
Total 533 (162)
International career
1999 Spain U16 2 (1)
2001 Spain U17 3 (1)
2001–2002 Spain U19 9 (7)
2003 Spain U20 11 (7)
2004–2005 Spain U21 11 (4)
2008 Spain 2 (0)
2003–2019 Catalonia 16 (9)
Medal record
Representing  Spain
Men's football
UEFA European Championship
Winner2008 Austria–Switzerland
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

After starting out at Barcelona, he went on to represent mainly Zaragoza and Espanyol, serving as captain of the latter. Over 14 seasons, he amassed La Liga totals of 360 matches and 75 goals.

García appeared for Spain at Euro 2008, winning the tournament. He also played for the Catalonia national team in unofficial matches.

Club career

Barcelona

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, García rose through the ranks of FC Barcelona, finding however opportunities almost non-existent in the senior squad.[2] A frequent goalscorer for the reserves in the Segunda División B, he made his first-team debut on 29 October 2002, coming on as a substitute for Geovanni for the final 28 minutes of a 2–0 away win against Club Brugge KV in that season's UEFA Champions League;[3] he made another cameo in that competition the following 19 March, in a 2–0 victory at Newcastle United in the second group phase.[4]

On 3 September 2003, García started in his La Liga debut in his first match at the Camp Nou, a 1–1 draw with Sevilla FC.[5] On 1 March of the following year, he signed a three-year contract extension.[6]

García was loaned to Levante UD on 21 July 2004, ahead of the upcoming top-flight campaign.[7] He scored his first goal in the competition on 3 October to complete a 2–0 win over RCD Mallorca at the Estadi Ciutat de València,[8] ranking team top scorer as the Valencians were relegated; his last goal came on 5 May 2004 in a 3–1 away loss to Albacete Balompié, where he was sent off moments later for fighting with Santi.[9]

Zaragoza

Garcia played all 38 matches for Real Zaragoza in 2007–08, as they were eventually relegated from the top tier. At the beginning of the following season, he was linked with a number of Premier League clubs including Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Stoke City, along with teammate Diego Milito. Rumours that he would leave Zaragoza had been further fuelled after the club's relegation, as he was thrown out of a side pre-season training session by manager Marcelino García Toral and was then left out of their opening day defeat against Levante.[10]

Betis

On 1 September 2008, in the dying seconds of the transfer window, after continuous rumours, García signed for Real Betis,[11][12] for a fee close to €10 million. He scored his first goal for his new club on 27 September in the team's home game against Real Madrid (1–2 loss), following up on his own saved penalty.[13] On 16 November he netted a brace in at 3–1 home win over Racing de Santander[14] and, on 18 January of the following year, added another in the 3–1 away defeat of Real Valladolid in which he also assisted the other goal.[15]

García was sent off three times in the first half of the season.[16][17] On 7 February 2009, he helped Betis achieve a landmark victory at neighbouring Sevilla, scoring in a 2–1 win.[18] In form, he was struck with a knee injury after celebrating his goal against CD Numancia, a 3–3 home draw on 4 April,[19][20] eventually missing a month of competition – with the team struggling during this time – and eventually dropping down a level at the end.[21]

García scored 12 goals in the 2009–10 campaign, but the Andalusians failed to win promotion.[22]

Espanyol

In August 2010, García signed a five-year contract with RCD Espanyol, moving to the club as a replacement to veteran Raúl Tamudo who left after nearly 20 years of service. He did not score in his first 15 games for Mauricio Pochettino's team, ending the drought on 9 January 2011 when as a substitute he concluded a 4–0 home victory over former team Zaragoza, assisted by his namesake Luis.[23]

On 24 November 2013, García scored his first hat-trick for the Pericos in a 4–1 win at Rayo Vallecano – two of his three goals came from the penalty spot.[24] The following season, he netted a career-best (in Spain) 14 league goals.[25]

Al-Rayyan

García turned down an offer to join Qatar's Al Sadd SC, who had recently signed Barcelona's Xavi.[26] On 29 June, however, he joined Al-Rayyan SC in the same country.[27] He made his debut on 11 September, starting in a 4–0 Stars League home win against Al-Sailiya SC, and scored his first goal on 2 October when he confirmed a 2–0 victory over Al-Mesaimeer Sports Club at the Thani bin Jassim Stadium; on 22 November, he scored twice and assisted one of Rodrigo Tabata's four goals in a league record 9–0 rout at Qatar SC.[28]

On 5 March 2016, García netted once in a 5–0 win at Al-Wakrah Sport Club that handed his team their first league title in 21 years, and with five games to spare.[29]

Later career

On 16 June 2017, aged 34, García returned to Espanyol after agreeing to a one-year contract.[30] Exactly two years later, he left.[31]

In November 2020, García returned to football at Nou Barris-based CF Montañesa of the Tercera División, signing alongside his former Barcelona and Espanyol teammate Joan Verdú.[32]

International career
García in action for Catalonia in 2013

García was part of the Spain under-19 team that won the 2002 UEFA European Championship in Norway, equalising in the 3–1 win over Slovakia in their final group game in Drammen.[33] On 22 October 2003, against the same country but at under-20 level, he netted a hat-trick in a 4–0 win in preparation for the FIFA World Youth Championship.[34] During the tournament in the United Arab Emirates, he scored against Mali in the group and netted the only goal against Paraguay in the last 16,[35] as the nation finished as runners-up.[36]

Without having been previously capped, García made the Spanish final squad-of-23 for UEFA Euro 2008 (which Spain went on to win) as a replacement for Barcelona's Bojan Krkić.[37] He made his debut for the national side on 31 May 2008, coming on as an 83rd-minute substitute for David Silva in a 2–1 friendly win against Peru in Huelva.[38] He made his debut on 18 June, playing for the full 90 minutes against Greece in Spain's third and final group D game in Euro 2008: in the 88th minute, he delivered a pinpoint left-footed cross for Dani Güiza to head home the 2–1 winner.[39]

García also represented Spain at all youth levels, as well as appearing frequently for the unofficial Catalan national team. On 22 December 2009, he scored the side's first goal in a 4–2 defeat of Argentina and, on 30 December 2013, he netted twice in a 4–1 victory over Cape Verde.[40] In March 2019, he played his 16th game against Venezuela in Girona, and surpassed Sergio González as the most capped player in its history.[41]

Career statistics

Club
As of 18 May 2019
Club Season League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Barcelona 2002–03[42] La Liga 00002[lower-alpha 1]020
2003–04[42] 40201[lower-alpha 2]070
Total 40203090
Levante (loan) 2004–05[42] La Liga 31710—327
Zaragoza 2005–06[42] La Liga 19460—254
2006–07[42] 33662—398
2007–08[42] 384412[lower-alpha 2]0445
Total 90141632010817
Betis 2008–09[42] La Liga 28941—3210
2009–10[42] Segunda División 341210—3512
Total 622151—6722
Espanyol 2010–11[42] La Liga 21340—253
2011–12[42] 24532—277
2012–13[42] 28700—287
2013–14[42] 371241—4113
2014–15[43] 351461—4115
Total 14541174—16245
Al-Rayyan 2015–16[43] Qatar Stars League 241600—2416
2016–17[43] 251100633114
Total 492700635530
Espanyol 2017–18[43] La Liga 33251—383
2018–19[43] 29220—312
Total 62471—695
Career total 443114489113500126
  1. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. Appearances in UEFA Cup

Honours

Al-Rayan

Spain

Spain U19

Spain U20

Notes
  1. In isolation, García is pronounced [ɡaɾˈθi.a].

References
  1. "Sergio García". Diario AS. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  2. "Debe ser el número 23" [Must be number 23] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 18 November 2006. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  3. "Barcelona dent Brugge hopes". UEFA. 29 October 2002. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  4. Glendenning, Barry (19 March 2003). "Newcastle 0–2 Barcelona". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  5. "Ronaldinho da sentido a la 'madrugá' catalana" [Ronaldinho gives meaning to the Catalan 'early getup']. El Mundo (in Spanish). 3 September 2003. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  6. "Sergio García signs new deal". UEFA. 1 March 2004. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  7. "Sergio Garcia jugará en el Levante UD esta temporada" [Sergio García will play for Levante UD this season] (in Spanish). Levante UD. 21 July 2004. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  8. "El Levante cumple ante su afición tras vencer al Mallorca" [Levante get job done in front of their fans by beating Mallorca]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 3 October 2004. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  9. "El Albacete condena al Levante a sufrir hasta el final" [Albacete condemn Levante to suffer until the end]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 8 May 2005. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  10. "Marcelino echa del entrenamiento a Sergio García" [Marcelino throws Sergio García out of training session] (in Spanish). Periodista Digital. 4 August 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2008.
  11. "Betis build with Sergio García". UEFA. 1 September 2008. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  12. "Sergio García: "Poco a poco se puede estar más arriba"" [García: "Little by little we can move up in the ranks"]. Marca (in Spanish). 3 September 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2008.
  13. "Real Betis 1–2 Real Madrid". ESPN Soccernet. 27 September 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  14. "Real Betis 3–1 Racing Santander". ESPN Soccernet. 16 November 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  15. "Valladolid 1–3 Real Betis". ESPN Soccernet. 18 January 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  16. "Madrid sting Betis with late Ruud strike". Goal. 27 September 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  17. "Depor shock Betis for first away win". Goal. 2 November 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  18. "Sevilla FC 1–2 Real Betis". ESPN Soccernet. 7 February 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  19. "Real Betis 3–3 Numancia". ESPN Soccernet. 4 April 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  20. "Sergio García se lesiona celebrando un gol" [Sergio García injures himself celebrating a goal]. Marca (in Spanish). 5 April 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  21. Rincón, Jaime (31 May 2009). "La montaña rusa del descenso acaba con el Betis" [The relegation roller coaster finishes Betis]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  22. Arbide, Juan (27 October 2017). "Pasado, presente y futuro en el gol del Betis" [Past, present and future in Betis' goal]. ABC (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  23. Quixano, Jordi (10 January 2011). "El Espanyol baila al Zaragoza" [Espanyol dance against Zaragoza]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  24. "El Espanyol golea al Rayo con un triplete de Sergio García" [Espanyol thrash Rayo with a hat-trick from Sergio García]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 24 November 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  25. Torres, Mari Carmen (10 May 2015). "Sergio García, de leyenda" [Sergio García, like a legend]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  26. Juárez, María Carmen (27 May 2015). "Sergio García da marcha atrás y dice 'no' al fútbol qatarí" [Sergio García makes a U-turn and says 'no' to Qatari football]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  27. "Sergio García marxarà al Qatar" [Sergio García will go to Qatar] (in Catalan). RCD Espanyol. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  28. "Al Rayyan thrash Qatar SC 9–0 to register record win". Gulf Times. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  29. "Al Rayyan crowned QSL champions, end 21 years wait". Qatar Football Association. 5 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  30. "¡Vuelve Sergio García!" [Sergio García returns!] (in Spanish). RCD Espanyol. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  31. Brennan, Feargal (16 June 2019). "Sergio Garcia leaves Espanyol". Football España. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  32. "La Montañesa firma a los expericos Joan Verdú y Sergio García" [Montañesa sign former pericos Joan Verdú and Sergio García]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 6 November 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  33. "España se mete en la final de la mano de Fernando Torres" [Spain advance to the finals at the hand of Fernando Torres]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 26 July 2002. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  34. "Sergio García da el triunfo" [Sergio García gives triumph]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 22 October 2003. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  35. "España se clasifica al vencer 1–0 a Paraguay" [Spain qualify by beating Paraguay 1–0]. El Universo (in Spanish). 9 December 2003. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  36. "Spain denied at final hurdle". UEFA. 19 December 2003. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  37. Macdonald, Ewan (17 May 2008). "Raúl out, Sergio García in Spain Euro 2008 squad". Goal. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  38. "España-Perú (2–1): Un ensayo poco convincente" [Spain-Peru (2–1): A hardly convincing trial] (in Spanish). Huelva Información. 1 June 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  39. McKenzie, Andrew (18 June 2008). "Russia 2–0 Sweden & Greece 1–2 Spain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  40. "Catalonia – Cape Verde: Catalonia claim victory with eight FC Barcelona players (4–1)". FC Barcelona. 30 December 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  41. Melgar, Blai (25 March 2019). "Sergio García fa història amb la selecció catalana" [Sergio García makes history with the Catalan national team]. El Món (in Catalan). Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  42. "Sergio García: Sergio García de la Fuente". BDFutbol. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  43. "Sergio García". Soccerway. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  44. "España vence a Alemania y se proclama campeona de Europa Sub-19" [Spain beat Germany and are crowned Under-19 European champions]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 28 July 2002. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
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