César Azpilicueta facts for kids

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César Azpilicueta

Azpilicueta playing for Chelsea in 2022
Personal information
Full name	César Azpilicueta Tanco
Date of birth	(1989-08-28) 28 August 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth	Zizur Mayor, Spain
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
2001–2006	Osasuna Cantera
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2007	Osasuna B	27	(1)
2007–2010	Osasuna	99	(0)
2010–2012	Marseille	47	(1)
2012–2023	Chelsea	349	(10)
2023–2025	Atlético Madrid	39	(1)
International career‡
2005	Spain U16	3	(0)
2006	Spain U17	14	(0)
2007–2008	Spain U19	18	(2)
2009	Spain U20	5	(0)
2008–2011	Spain U21	19	(1)
2012	Spain U23	6	(0)
2013–2022	Spain	44	(1)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Spain UEFA European Under-19 Championship Winner 2007 Austria UEFA European Under-21 Championship Winner 2011 Denmark UEFA Nations League Runner-up 2021 Italy FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 Brazil
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:16, 25 May 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:33, 1 December 2022 (UTC)

César Azpilicueta Tanco is a Spanish professional footballer born on August 28, 1989. He plays as a defender. Most recently, he played for La Liga club Atletico Madrid.

César started his career at Osasuna in Spain. He then moved to Marseille in France. In 2012, he joined Chelsea in England. With Chelsea, he won the Europa League in his first year. Two years later, he helped them win both the league and a cup. He played over 500 games for Chelsea. He became a club 'legend' and captained them to several big wins. These included the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League, 2020–21 UEFA Champions League, and 2021 FIFA Club World Cup.

César also played for the Spanish national youth teams. He played 55 games across different age groups. He won the European Under-21 Championship in 2011. He joined the senior team in 2013. He played in the FIFA World Cup three times (2014, 2018, 2022). He also played in the UEFA Euro 2016 and UEFA Euro 2020 tournaments.

Club Journey

Starting at Osasuna

César grew up playing football in his hometown club, Osasuna. He came through their youth system. He made his first team debut in La Liga on April 8, 2007. This was against Real Madrid. He started as a forward and later played as a midfielder. Throughout his career, he has played in many positions. These include centre-back and central midfielder.

In the 2007–08 season, César became a regular player at just 18. He played as a right-back. He kept this position for the next season. He played in almost every league game.

Moving to Marseille

Azpilicueta playing for Marseille in 2010

On June 21, 2010, César joined French club Marseille. He signed a four-year contract. The transfer fee was about €7 million. In his first UEFA Champions League game, he scored a goal. It was an own goal against Spartak Moscow.

On November 27, 2010, César got a serious injury. He tore a ligament in his left knee. This happened during a game against Montpellier. He was out of action for six months. On May 13, 2012, he scored his only Ligue 1 goal for Marseille. This was in a 3–0 win over Auxerre.

In August 2012, other clubs showed interest in César. Premier League club Chelsea was one of them. Marseille said he could leave if Chelsea made a fair offer. César said he was willing to leave to help Marseille's finances.

Time at Chelsea

First Season and Europa League Win

On August 24, 2012, Chelsea signed César Azpilicueta. The fee was reported to be £7 million. His teammate Juan Mata said César was a "complete player." Chelsea fans gave him the nickname "Dave" because his full name was hard to say.

César played his first game for Chelsea on September 25, 2012. It was a 6–0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He played his first Premier League game the next week. He came on as a substitute against Norwich City.

On November 3, 2012, he started his first league game. This was a 1–1 draw against Swansea City. He played 48 games in his first year. This included eight games in Chelsea's Europa League winning season. In the final against Benfica, he gave away a penalty. But Chelsea still won 2–1.

Winning Premier League Titles

Azpilicueta playing for Chelsea in 2013

César scored his first goal for Chelsea on October 29, 2013. It was in a 2–0 win against Arsenal. When José Mourinho became manager, César started playing as a left-back. He took the place of Ashley Cole. Mourinho praised him, saying a team of "11 Azpilicuetas" would win the Champions League. At the end of that season, he was voted Chelsea's Players' Player of the Year.

Azpilicueta playing for Chelsea in 2015

Before the 2014–15 season, César became the first-choice left-back. On September 2, 2014, he signed a new five-year contract. On October 18, he was sent off in a game against Crystal Palace.

César started when Chelsea won the League Cup on March 1, 2015. He got a head injury during the game but continued playing. That season ended with Chelsea also winning the league title.

On August 2, 2015, César played in the FA Community Shield loss to Arsenal. On August 21, he scored his first Premier League goal. This was in a 3–2 win against West Bromwich Albion. He scored again in a 2–2 draw against the same team.

Azpilicueta playing for Chelsea in 2017

Under new coach Antonio Conte, César first played as a left-back. After two losses, the coach changed the team's formation. César then played as a centre-back. This was in a 2–0 win against Hull City. On December 13, 2016, he signed a new contract until 2020. In his next game, he played his 200th match for Chelsea.

César played every minute of the season as Chelsea won the league. He scored in a 4–3 win against Watford after the title was already secured.

FA Cup, Second Europa League, and Captaincy

In July 2017, César became vice-captain after John Terry left. On September 12, he scored his first Champions League goal. This was in a 6–0 win against Qarabağ FK. On May 19, 2018, he won the FA Cup. Chelsea beat Manchester United 1–0 in the final.

César signed a new deal in December 2018, lasting until 2022. On May 29, 2019, he won his second Europa League with Chelsea. They beat Arsenal 4–1 in the final.

After Gary Cahill left, César was named club captain for the 2019–20 season. He had already worn the captain's armband many times. On October 23, 2019, he played his 350th Chelsea game. This was a 1–0 win against Ajax in the Champions League.

On January 1, 2020, César played his 100th game as captain. He scored a goal in a 1–1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion. On August 1, during the 2020 FA Cup Final against Arsenal, he got injured.

Champions League Victory

César became the 13th Chelsea player to reach 400 appearances. This happened on January 3, 2021, against Manchester City. On May 23, he was sent off in a game against Aston Villa. But his three-game ban was later removed. Six days later, he captained Chelsea to a 1–0 win. This was in the Champions League Final against Manchester City. It was Chelsea's first Champions League title in nine years.

On August 28, 2021, César reached another milestone. He became the fourth Chelsea player to play 300 Premier League games. Only John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Petr Čech had done this before him.

UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup Wins

Azpilicueta (right) and Al Hilal's Salem Al-Dawsari clashing during the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup

On October 8, 2021, César was on the shortlist for the 2021 Ballon d'Or award.

On February 12, 2022, César lifted the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup Final trophy. This was Chelsea's second time in the final. They had lost in 2012. With this trophy and the UEFA Super Cup won earlier, he made history. He became the first and only Chelsea player to win every major trophy with the club.

Records and Leaving Chelsea

On August 4, 2022, he signed a new contract with Chelsea until 2024.

On January 1, 2023, César played his 495th game for Chelsea. He passed Petr Čech for most appearances by a non-English player. On January 21, he played his 500th match for the club. He was only the sixth player in Chelsea's history to reach this.

On February 18, 2023, César was knocked out during a game. This happened when Southampton's Sékou Mara accidentally kicked him in the head. César was taken to the hospital.

On July 6, 2023, César announced he was leaving Chelsea. This ended his ten years with the club. He shared a video message saying goodbye as "Your captain Cesar Azpilicueta, aka 'Dave'".

Joining Atlético Madrid

After leaving Chelsea, César returned to La Liga. He joined Atlético Madrid on a one-year contract. He played his first game for them on August 14, 2023. This was a 3–1 win over Granada.

He played 34 games in his first season. He then signed a new contract for another year in June 2024. On May 17, 2025, it was announced that César would not extend his contract with Atletico Madrid. This means he left the club after the 2024–25 La Liga season.

International Career

Youth Teams

Azpilicueta playing for Spain under-21s in 2011

In 2007, César helped the Spain under-19 team win the UEFA European Championship. Soon after, he joined the under-21s. He played in the 2009 European Championships.

On May 11, 2010, César was named in a list of players for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, he did not make the final team. A year later, he recovered from injury. He then won the European Under-21 Championship with the under-21 team.

César was chosen for Spain's team for the 2012 Summer Olympics. He played in one group match, a 0–0 draw with Morocco. Spain did not get past the group stage.

Senior Team

On February 1, 2013, César was called up to the senior team. This was for a friendly game against Uruguay. The manager said César had a lot of energy and defended well. He made his debut five days later in a 3–1 win. He said it was his "dream to play for Spain." César played in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. He started in a 10–0 win against Tahiti. He also played in the final against Brazil.

In June 2014, César was chosen for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He was the starting right-back in the first two games. Spain was knocked out in the group stage.

César was also in the squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He was also selected for UEFA Euro 2020. At Euro 2020, he scored his first goal for the senior team. This was in a 5–3 win against Croatia.

César captained Spain for the first time on September 5, 2021. This was in a World Cup qualification match against Georgia. He was in Spain's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He played two games in that tournament.

Personal Life and Interests

César Azpilicueta was born in Zizur Mayor, Spain. His father, Patxi, was a decorator. His mother, Charo, was a teacher. His older brother, Juan Pablo, also played football. Juan Pablo played in lower leagues and later became a manager.

In June 2015, César married his girlfriend, Adriana Guerendiain. They have three children: two daughters and a son. Their first daughter, Martina, was born in March 2014.

Since 2018, César has been a co-owner of non-league football club Hashtag United. In 2020, he started his own esports team called Falcons. He owns it with two top Spanish players.

César can speak three languages: Spanish, French, and English. He has also studied business. In June 2023, he completed a program at Harvard Business School.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Spain score listed first, score column indicates score after each Azpilicueta goal

List of international goals scored by César Azpilicueta

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	28 June 2021	Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark	27	Croatia	2–1	5–3 (aet)	UEFA Euro 2020

Honours and Awards

Azpilicueta (standing right), André Ayew and Édouard Cissé celebrate winning the 2011 Trophée des Champions with Marseille.

Marseille

• Coupe de la Ligue: 2011–12
• Trophée des Champions: 2010, 2011

Chelsea

• Premier League: 2014–15, 2016–17
• FA Cup: 2017–18
• Football League Cup/EFL Cup: 2014–15
• UEFA Champions League: 2020–21
• UEFA Europa League: 2012–13, 2018–19
• UEFA Super Cup: 2021
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2021

Spain U19

• UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2007

Spain U21

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2011

Individual Awards

• Chelsea Players' Player of the Year: 2013–14
• UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2018–19
• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2020–21

See also

In Spanish: César Azpilicueta para niños