Wikipedia

Luis García (footballer, born 1978)

(Redirected fromLuis García Sanz)
For other people named Luis García, seeLuis García (disambiguation).
In thisSpanish name,the first or paternalsurnameisGarcíaand the second or maternal family name isSanz.

Luis Javier García Sanz(born 24 June 1978) is a Spanish former professionalfootballerwho played as awinger.

Luis García
García in 2024
Personal information
Full name Luis Javier García Sanz[1]
Date of birth (1978-06-24)24 June 1978(age 46)[1]
Place of birth Badalona,Spain[1]
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Winger,attacking midfielder
Youth career
1984–1988 Badalona
1988–1990 Sant Gabriel
1990–1997 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2002 Barcelona B 73 (25)
1998–2002 Barcelona 0 (0)
1999–2000 →Valladolid(loan) 6 (0)
2000 →Toledo(loan) 17 (4)
2000–2001 →Tenerife(loan) 40 (16)
2001–2002 →Valladolid(loan) 25 (7)
2002–2003 Atlético Madrid 30 (9)
2003–2004 Barcelona 25 (4)
2004–2007 Liverpool 77 (18)
2007–2009 Atlético Madrid 49 (2)
2009–2010 Racing Santander 15 (0)
2010–2011 Panathinaikos 18 (2)
2011–2012 Puebla 33 (14)
2012–2013 UNAM 35 (4)
2014 Atlético Kolkata 13 (2)
2016 Central Coast Mariners 10 (2)
Total 466 (109)
International career
2005–2008 Spain 18 (4)
2001–2008 Catalonia 5 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He played professionally forBarcelonaandAtlético Madridin his homeland, amongst others – being brought up in the former's youth ranks – appearing abroad forLiverpool,with whom he won the2005 Champions Leagueand the2006 FA Cup.Over the course of eight seasons, he amassedLa Ligatotals of 150 games and 22 goals.

ASpain internationalfor three years, García earned 18capsand represented the nation at the2006 World Cup.

Club career

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Barcelona

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Born inBadalona,Barcelona,Catalonia,García began playing football with localBadalonaat the age of 6, arriving atBarcelona'sacademysix years later from neighboursSant Gabriel.[3]After two successful seasons withtheir reserves,he left on loan forReal Valladolid,[4]where he made hisLa Ligadebut on 22 August 1999 in a 1–0 away loss againstNumancia.[5]He finished the campaign atSegunda División'sToledoalso on loan, his four goals not being enough to preventrelegationfor theCastilla–La Manchaside;[6]on 18 August 1998, he had made his first competitive appearance for theBlaugrana,coming on as 78th-minutesubstituteforBoudewijn Zendenin a2–1 defeatatMallorcain theSupercopa de España.[7]

Subsequently, García played another year in the second tier, being instrumental inTenerife'spromotionby scoring 16 league goals under the guidance of managerRafael Benítez.[8]Loaned for the fourth time by Barcelona, he returned to Valladolid for2001–02,netting seven top-division goals in 25 matches, including two in a 5–1 away victory over Tenerife.[9]

Atlético Madrid

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In the2002–03 season,García was sold toAtlético Madridfor€3.6 million but, after a highly successful individual campaign (nine league goals), Barcelona activated a clause which allowed the player's return for an additional €1.4 million.[10]He had another good year at theCamp Nou,helping the team to thesecond place in the league,five points behind championsValencia.[11]

Liverpool

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García was signed by former Tenerife coach Benítez forLiverpoolon 20 August 2004, on a five-year contract for a fee of£6 million. He was the fourth Spaniard the club acquired that summer[12]and, nine days after arriving, made hisPremier Leaguedebut in a 1–0 away loss toBolton Wanderers,where he had an apparently legitimate goal ruled out foroffside.[13]His first goal with his new club concluded a 3–0 victory overWest Bromwich AlbionatAnfieldon 11 September,[14]and he went on to net seven more times in the leaguethat season,including theheadedwinner in theMerseyside derbyagainstEvertonon 20 March 2005.[15]

García was also a key player in Liverpool'ssuccessful campaignin theUEFA Champions League,scoring winning goals againstJuventusandChelsea(a controversial one in the fourth minute, dubbed a "ghost goal"by Chelsea managerJosé Mourinho),[16]in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively. Having appeared inthe finalagainstAC Milan,he finished his first season inEnglish footballwith 13 goals in all competitions.[17]

García duringJamie Carragher's testimonial match (2010)

García did not make so much of an impact in the2005–06 campaign,although he weighed in with some vital goals, including one against Chelsea to put them out of theFA Cupinthe semi-finals.[18]He was suspended forthe finalvictory overWest Ham United,having beensent offin a league game just days after his semi-final winner, against the same opposition.[19]Early into the season, he also scored the third goal in theReds'2005 UEFA Super Cup3–1 final defeat ofCSKA Moscow.[20]

On 10 January 2007, following the6–3 defeattoArsenalin theLeague Cupwhich was his final game for Liverpool, it was announced that García had ruptured theanterior cruciate ligamentin his right knee during the game. He would be out for at least six months.[21]

His positive relationship with the fans was in great measure due to his decisive goals against Chelsea. It was further underlined by the song frequently sung in his honour, to the tune of "You Are My Sunshine":"Luis García, he drinksSangria/he came from Barça to bring us joy!/He's five-foot seven, he's football heaven/So please don't take our Luis away! "In the 2013 poll of the100 Players Who Shook the Kop,García ranked 34th.[22]He totalled 30 goals in 122 competitive appearances during his tenure, with ten coming in the Champions League, five in the knockout stages of the 2005 triumph.[23]

Return to Spain

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In early July 2007, García joined his former team Atlético Madrid for around £4 million, with his transfer being negotiated between the two clubs around the same time that they were arranging a deal forFernando Torresin the opposite direction. Nonetheless, these deals were conducted separately.[24]

García managed 30 appearances in hisfirst season,acting mainly as backup to Portugal'sSimão Sabrosa.[25]He played both matches against his former side Liverpool in thefollowing campaign's Champions League group stage;on 4 November 2008, he came on as a late substitute at Anfield to appreciative applause.[26]Duringthe league,however, he fell out of favour, sometimes not even making the list of 18.[27]

On 11 August 2009, García reached an agreement withRacing de Santander.[28]His seasonwas quite unassuming, as he took part in just 18 games without scoring and theCantabriansnarrowly avoided relegation.[29]

Later years

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García signed a one-year contract with Greek clubPanathinaikoson 28 August 2010.[30]On 4 September, he flew back to Anfield to take part in Carragher'stestimonial match,scoring a goal in the second minute.[31]He returned to the Camp Nou ten days later, playing the last 20 minutes of a 5–1 loss in theChampions League group phase.[32][33]

García playing forPueblain 2011

On 1 July 2011, the 33-year-old García moved to Mexican teamPuebla.[34]He scored his first goal forLa Franjaon the 24th, through apenalty kickaway toAtlas(1–0).[35]

In early June 2012, García signed for another side in theLiga MX,UNAM,joining alongsideMartín Romagnolifor an undisclosed fee.[36]He made his official debut against Atlas, playing 34 minutes from the bench.[37]

García announced his retirement from football on 14 January 2014, aged 35. He made the announcement on his official website, saying, "Today I've decided to retire as a professional footballer, thanks for the interest from the teams that spoke with me in recent weeks, but I think the time has come to end this important chapter in my life and move to the next page."[38]

García came out of retirement in July 2014, joining newly formedIndian Super LeaguefranchiseAtlético de Kolkataas theirmarquee playerahead of the league'sinaugural season,the first of such players to join the league.[39]He started in the league's opening match, as his new team won 3–0 at home againstMumbai City.[40]On 21 November he had a wrongly disallowed goal in an eventual 2–1 loss atKerala Blasters[41]but, despite finishing the regular season in third, Kolkata won theleague finalagainst the same adversary, although he was an unused substitute;[42]he also won the league's Manyavar Most Exciting Player award.[43]

Due to concerns over his injury record, García was not retained for the2015 campaign.[44]On 16 January 2016, he signed forCentral Coast Marinersinitially until the end ofthe campaign.[45]He made hisA-Leaguedebut one week later, coming off the bench and playing a role in his team's goal in a 2–1 home defeat toWestern Sydney Wanderers.[46]In the next match, againstWellington Phoenix,he was again brought in as a replacement, scoring once andsetting uptwo more in the 3–1 win.[47]

International career

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After a productive first season with Liverpool, García made his debut for theSpain national teamon 26 March 2005, appearing in a 3–0friendlydefeat ofChinainSalamanca.[48]On 12 November that year, he scored ahat-trickin a 5–1 home win overSlovakiafor the2006 FIFA World Cupqualification play-offs.[49]

García was then chosen as part of the nation's squad-of-23 for the finals in Germany. He started in victories againstUkraine[50]andTunisia,[51]and was used as a substitute in theround-of-163–1 loss toFrance.[52]

Style of play

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Although naturally left-footed, García was skilled with both feet and had a good aerial game despite a small frame. He was also often deployed as asecond striker.[53]

Post-retirement

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After retiring, García worked as pundit forESPNandbeIN Sports,notably coveringUEFA Euro 2016for the latter channel.[54][55]

Career statistics

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Club

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[56][57]

Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barcelona B 1997–98 Segunda División B 36 15 — — 6[a] 3 42 18
1998–99 Segunda División 37 10 — — — 37 10
Total 73 25 0 0 0 0 6 3 79 28
Barcelona 1998–99 La Liga 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[b] 0 1 0
Valladolid(loan) 1999–2000 La Liga 6 0 2 0 — — 8 0
Toledo(loan) 1999–2000 Segunda División 17 4 0 0 — — 17 4
Tenerife(loan) 2000–01 Segunda División 40 16 1 0 — — 41 16
Valladolid(loan) 2001–02 La Liga 25 7 4 3 — — 29 10
Atlético Madrid 2002–03 La Liga 30 9 2 0 — — 32 9
Barcelona 2003–04 La Liga 25 4 6 1 7[c] 3 — 38 8
Liverpool 2004–05 Premier League 29 8 3 0 12[d] 5 — 44 13
2005–06 Premier League 31 7 4 1 13[d] 2 3[e] 1 51 11
2006–07 Premier League 17 3 2 0 7[d] 3 1[f] 0 27 6
Total 77 18 9 1 32 10 4 1 122 30
Atlético Madrid 2007–08 La Liga 30 2 6 0 9[c] 4 — 45 6
2008–09 La Liga 19 0 3 0 7[d] 1 — 29 1
Total 49 2 9 0 16 5 0 0 74 7
Racing Santander 2009–10 La Liga 15 0 3 0 — — 18 0
Panathinaikos 2010–11 Super League Greece 18 2 1 0 6[d] 0 — 25 2
Puebla 2011–12 Liga MX 33 14 0 0 — — 33 14
UNAM 2012–13 Liga MX 20 2 7 4 — — 27 6
2013–14 Liga MX 15 2 5 0 — — 20 2
Total 35 4 12 4 0 0 0 0 47 8
Atlético Kolkata 2014 Indian Super League 13 2 — — — 13 2
Central Coast Mariners 2015–16 A-League 10 2 — — — 10 2
Career total 466 109 49 9 61 18 11 4 587 140
  1. ^Appearances in Promotion play-offs
  2. ^Appearances inSupercopa de Espana
  3. ^abAppearances inUEFA Cup
  4. ^abcdeAppearances inUEFA Champions League
  5. ^Appearances inUEFA Super CupandFIFA Club World Cup
  6. ^Appearance inFA Community Shield

International

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Spain[58]
Year Apps Goals
2005 6 3
2006 12 1
Total 18 4

International goals

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# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 12 November 2005 Vicente Calderón,Madrid,Spain Slovakia 1–0 5–1 2006 World Cup qualification[49]
2. 2–0
3. 4–1
4. 2 September 2006 Nuevo Vivero,Badajoz,Spain Liechtenstein 4–0 4–0 Euro 2008 qualifying[59]

Honours

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Liverpool

Atlético Kolkata

Individual

References

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  1. ^abcLuis Garcíaat WorldFootball.net
  2. ^"FIFA Club World Championship Japan 2005 – Official Rosters".FIFA. 4 December 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 19 December 2005.Retrieved23 December2022.
  3. ^"Luis García Sanz anuncia retirada:" Llegó un momento inevitable para todos ""[Luis García Sanz announces retirement: "A moment that everyone must face has come" ].La Información(in Spanish). 14 January 2014.Retrieved4 April2023.
  4. ^Hidalgo Chacel, Santiago (29 May 2016)."Luis García: De Pucela al mundo"[Luis García: From Pucela to the world].El Norte de Castilla(in Spanish).Retrieved4 April2023.
  5. ^Tomeo, Carlos (23 August 1999)."El Numancia sigue haciendo historia y se estrena con un triunfo"[Numancia continue to make history and have winning debut].El País(in Spanish).Retrieved6 November2015.
  6. ^Picos, Sergio (26 March 2018)."¿Qué fue de Luis García?: uno de los héroes del 'Spanish' Liverpool"[What happened to Luis García?: one of the heroes of Spanish Liverpool].Diario AS(in Spanish).Retrieved4 April2023.
  7. ^López, José Luis (19 August 1998)."Sólo Xavi aprueba el primer examen"[Only Xavi passes first test].Mundo Deportivo(in Spanish).Retrieved6 November2015.
  8. ^"La ambición de Benítez tuvo justa recompensa"[Benítez's ambition had its just reward].Marca(in Spanish). 28 October 2000.Retrieved12 September2017.
  9. ^Castañeda, Álvaro (29 April 2002)."El Tenerife, patético"[Tenerife, pathetic].Mundo Deportivo(in Spanish).Retrieved6 November2015.
  10. ^"Barça buy back Luis García".UEFA. 1 July 2003.Retrieved15 June2012.
  11. ^Ortiz, Fabián (5 June 2006)."11. Luis García: El extremo al que Rijkaard pidió para nada"[11. Luis García: The winger Rijkaard requested for nothing].Diario AS(in Spanish).Retrieved4 April2023.
  12. ^"Liverpool grab Garcia".BBC Sport.20 August 2004.Retrieved14 December2014.
  13. ^"Bolton 1–0 Liverpool".BBC Sport. 29 August 2004.Retrieved14 December2014.
  14. ^"Liverpool 3–0 West Brom".BBC Sport. 11 September 2004.Retrieved14 December2014.
  15. ^"Liverpool 2–1 Everton".BBC Sport. 20 March 2005.Retrieved14 December2014.
  16. ^Harris, Nick (5 May 2005)."Motion expert says Garcia's shot did cross the line".The Independent.Archived fromthe originalon 9 September 2012.Retrieved18 August2007.
  17. ^"Liverpool transfers: When the Reds signed Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia".Talksport.20 August 2015.Retrieved29 August2019.
  18. ^"Chelsea 1–2 Liverpool".BBC Sport. 22 April 2006.Retrieved4 April2023.
  19. ^"Red-card duo face anxious wait".ESPN Soccernet.26 April 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 2 January 2013.Retrieved15 June2012.
  20. ^"Liverpool 3–1 CSKA Moscow".ESPN Soccernet. 26 August 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 3 January 2013.Retrieved15 June2012.
  21. ^Mole, Giles (10 January 2007)."Liverpool hit by Garcia injury blow".The Daily Telegraph.Retrieved14 December2014.
  22. ^"100PWSTK: The full 2013 list".Liverpool F.C. 8 August 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 1 November 2014.Retrieved14 December2014.
  23. ^Baldi, Ryan (11 November 2019)."An ode to Luis Garcia, the man who added flair to Liverpool's mainstays and misfits".Liverpool Echo.Retrieved4 April2023.
  24. ^"Luis García returns to Atlético".UEFA. 3 July 2007.Retrieved4 April2023.
  25. ^"Aguirre apuesta por los suplentes para medirse al Valladolid"[Aguirre bets on reserves to take on Valladolid] (in Spanish). La Voz Digital. 10 January 2008.Retrieved5 April2023.
  26. ^Glendenning, Barry (5 November 2008)."Champions League: Liverpool v Atlético Madrid – as it happened".The Guardian.Retrieved6 November2015.
  27. ^"Luis García, fuera por decisión técnica"[Luis García, out due to technical decision].Marca(in Spanish). 10 January 2009.Retrieved6 November2015.
  28. ^"Mercado: El Racing de Santander ficha a Luis García"[Market: Racing de Santander sign Luis García] (in Spanish).Goal.11 August 2009.Retrieved6 November2015.
  29. ^"Luis García rescinde su contracto con el Racing de Santander"[Luis García rescinds his contract with Racing de Santander] (in Spanish). Fichajes. 13 August 2010.Retrieved6 November2015.
  30. ^"Luis Garcia set to complete Panathinaikos switch".Yahoo!.28 August 2010.Retrieved28 August2010.
  31. ^"Jamie Carragher scores for both teams in Liverpool testimonial".The Guardian.4 September 2010.Retrieved4 April2023.
  32. ^Hunter, Graham (14 September 2010)."Messi makes merry in Barça stroll".UEFA.Retrieved6 November2015.
  33. ^"Barcelona 5 Panathinaikos 1".Diario AS(in Spanish). 14 September 2010.Retrieved4 April2023.
  34. ^"El internacional jugador español Luis García Saenz [sic] llega al Puebla de la Franja "[Spain international player Luis García Sanz arrives at Puebla de la Franja] (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. 1 July 2011.Retrieved2 July2011.
  35. ^"Radiografía de la jornada uno del Apertura 2011 mexicano"[X-ray of the 2011 Mexican Apertura's matchday one] (in Spanish). Info 7. 24 July 2011.Retrieved29 August2019.
  36. ^Morales, Héctor Alfonso (4 June 2012)."Pumas entrenó completo"[Pumas trained in full] (in Spanish). Central Deportiva. Archived fromthe originalon 8 July 2012.Retrieved11 August2012.
  37. ^"Primera jornada de la Liga MX"[Liga MX matchday one] (in Spanish).MVS Radio.22 July 2012.Retrieved29 August2019.
  38. ^"Former Liverpool star and hero of Istanbul Luis Garcia retires".Irish Independent.14 January 2014.Retrieved14 January2014.
  39. ^Bera, Kaustav (7 July 2014)."Luis Garcia embarks on an Indian adventure".Goal.Retrieved7 July2014.
  40. ^"ISL: ATK vs MUM: Atletico de Kolkata overpower Mumbai City FC in opener".Deccan Chronicle.12 October 2014.Retrieved7 September2020.
  41. ^Netto, Brendon (21 November 2014)."Atletico de Kolkata denied late equaliser by controversial goal-line decision".Goal.Retrieved22 November2014.
  42. ^abBali, Rahul (20 December 2014)."Kerala Blasters FC 0–1 Atletico de Kolkata: Rafique wins the ISL for Ganguly's outfit".Goal.Retrieved21 December2014.
  43. ^"Manyavar Most Exciting Player of the League goes to none other than our captain, Luis Garcia!!!".Facebook.20 December 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 26 February 2022.Retrieved22 December2014.
  44. ^Bhattacharya, Nilesh (30 July 2015)."In big coup, Atletico de Kolkata rope in Portugal World Cupper Helder Postiga".The Times of India.Retrieved27 August2015.
  45. ^"Breaking news: Mariners land marquee man – Luis Garcia".Central Coast Mariners. 16 January 2016.Retrieved16 January2016.
  46. ^"Western Sydney Wanderers beat Central Coast Mariners 2–1 in Gosford to go top of A-League ladder".Australian Broadcasting Corporation.23 January 2016.Retrieved1 February2016.
  47. ^"Central Coast Mariners beat Wellington Phoenix 3–1 thanks to Luis Garcia's excellent display in A-League".Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 January 2016.Retrieved31 January2016.
  48. ^Segura, Manuel (27 March 2005)."Aperitivo oriental"[Oriental hors d'oeuvre].Mundo Deportivo(in Spanish).Retrieved23 November2013.
  49. ^ab"Spain 5–1 Slovakia".BBC Sport. 12 November 2005.Retrieved23 November2013.
  50. ^"Spain 4–0 Ukraine".BBC Sport. 14 June 2006.Retrieved3 November2020.
  51. ^"Spain 3–1 Tunisia".BBC Sport. 19 June 2006.Retrieved3 November2020.
  52. ^"Spain 1–3 France".BBC Sport. 27 June 2006.Retrieved3 November2020.
  53. ^"Luis García".Anfield Online.Retrieved4 April2023.
  54. ^"Preview: #GraciasGarcia & #F3Derby".Central Coast Mariners. 8 April 2016.Retrieved9 April2016.
  55. ^Brito, Santa (9 August 2021)."ESPN assembles an All-Star roster of hosts, commentators, analysts and reporters for LaLiga Santander coverage".ESPN.Retrieved7 June2023.
  56. ^"Luis García: Luis Javier García Sanz".BDFutbol.Retrieved24 September2014.
  57. ^"Luis García".Soccerway.Retrieved8 July2014.
  58. ^"Luis García".European Football.Retrieved29 August2019.
  59. ^Astruells, Andrés (3 September 2006)."A las puertas del mil"[Nearing the 1000th].Mundo Deportivo(in Spanish).Retrieved11 December2014.
  60. ^"Liverpool 3–3 West Ham United".LFC History.Retrieved18 August2014.
  61. ^García missed the 2006 FA Cup final due to suspension. However, additional medals were awarded byThe Football Association.
  62. ^"Liverpool 2–1 Chelsea".LFC History.Retrieved18 August2014.
  63. ^"AC Milan 3–3 Liverpool".LFC History.Retrieved18 August2014.
  64. ^"AC Milan 2–1 Liverpool".LFC History.Retrieved18 August2014.
  65. ^"Liverpool 3–1 CSKA Moscow".LFC History.Retrieved18 August2014.
  66. ^"Liverpool 2–3 Chelsea".BBC Sport. 27 February 2005.Retrieved8 June2022.
  67. ^"Sao Paulo 1–0 Liverpool".BBC Sport. 18 December 2005.Retrieved8 June2022.
  68. ^"Liverpool duo named in UEFA Team of 2005".RTÉ.16 January 2006.Retrieved4 April2023.
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