César Azpilicueta facts for kids
Azpilicueta playing for Chelsea in 2022
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 28 August 1989 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Zizur Mayor, Spain | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.78 m | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Defender | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current club | Atlético Madrid | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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– | Atlético Madrid | 31 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team‡ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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† Appearances (Goals). |
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César Azpilicueta Tanco (born on August 28, 1989) is a Spanish professional footballer. He plays as a defender for Atlético Madrid and the Spain national team.
Azpilicueta started his career at Osasuna in Spain. He then moved to Marseille in France. In 2012, he joined Chelsea in England. He played over 500 games for Chelsea. He won many trophies with them, including the Champions League. He was also the team captain.
He played for Spain's youth teams and won two European Championships. He joined the senior national team in 2013. He played in three World Cups and two European Championships.
Playing for Clubs
Starting at Osasuna
César Azpilicueta grew up playing football in his hometown. He joined the youth team of CA Osasuna. He made his first team debut in 2007 when he was just 17. He started as a forward, then became a midfielder. Later, he played as a defender. He was very flexible and could play in many positions.
By the age of 18, he became a regular player for Osasuna. He mostly played as a right-back. He kept this position for the next season too.
Moving to Marseille
In 2010, Azpilicueta moved to the French club Olympique de Marseille. He signed a four-year contract. He scored his first goal for Marseille in a UEFA Champions League match. It was an own goal, but it was still his first goal in that competition!
In November 2010, he got a serious knee injury. This kept him out of the game for six months. He scored his only Ligue 1 goal for Marseille in May 2012.
Before leaving Marseille, he said he would move if it helped the club financially.
Time at Chelsea
First Season and Europa League Win
On August 24, 2012, Azpilicueta joined Chelsea. His teammate, Juan Mata, said he was a "complete player." Chelsea fans found his name hard to say, so they gave him the nickname "Dave."
He played his first game for Chelsea in September 2012. He quickly became an important player. In his first year, he played 48 games. He helped Chelsea win the UEFA Europa League. In the final, he accidentally caused a penalty, but Chelsea still won 2-1.
Winning Premier League Titles
In 2013, he scored his first goal for Chelsea against Arsenal. The new manager, José Mourinho, started playing him as a left-back. Mourinho really liked Azpilicueta's hard work and dedication. At the end of the 2013-14 season, Chelsea fans voted him their Player of the Year.
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In 2014, he signed a new five-year contract. He helped Chelsea win the Premier League title in 2015. He also won the League Cup that year. He played every minute of the 2016-17 season, helping Chelsea win the Premier League again.
Becoming Chelsea Captain and More Trophies
In 2017, he became Chelsea's vice-captain. He scored his first UEFA Champions League goal that year. In 2018, he won the FA Cup with Chelsea.
In 2019, he won his second UEFA Europa League title with Chelsea. After the previous captain left, Azpilicueta was named the official club captain for the 2019-20 season. He played his 350th game for Chelsea in October 2019. In January 2020, he played his 100th game as captain.
Champions League Success
In January 2021, Azpilicueta played his 400th game for Chelsea. This made him the 13th player in Chelsea's history to reach this milestone. On May 29, 2021, he led Chelsea to win the UEFA Champions League Final. This was a huge achievement for the club.
In August 2021, he reached 300 Premier League appearances. Only three other Chelsea players had done this before him.
Winning Super Cup and Club World Cup
In February 2022, Azpilicueta lifted the FIFA Club World Cup trophy. With this win and the UEFA Super Cup, he became the first Chelsea player to win every major trophy possible with the club.
Leaving Chelsea
In January 2023, Azpilicueta played his 495th game for Chelsea. This made him the non-English player with the most appearances for the club. He then played his 500th game, becoming only the sixth player in Chelsea's history to do so.
In February 2023, he had an accident during a game. He was accidentally kicked in the head and needed medical attention. He recovered well.
On July 6, 2023, Azpilicueta announced he was leaving Chelsea after 11 years. He said goodbye as "Your captain Cesar Azpilicueta, aka 'Dave'."
Joining Atlético Madrid
After leaving Chelsea, Azpilicueta returned to Spain. He joined Atlético Madrid in July 2023. He signed a one-year contract. He played his first game for them in August. In June 2024, he signed a new contract to stay with the club for another year.
Playing for Spain
Youth Teams
Azpilicueta played for many of Spain's youth national teams. In 2007, he helped the Spain under-19 team win the UEFA European Under-19 Championship. He then joined the under-21 team. In 2011, he helped them win the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
He also played for Spain in the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Senior Team
In February 2013, Azpilicueta was called up to the senior national team. He made his debut a few days later. He said it was his "dream to play for Spain."
He was chosen for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, 2018 FIFA World Cup, and 2022 FIFA World Cup. He also played in UEFA Euro 2016 and UEFA Euro 2020. At Euro 2020, he scored his first goal for the senior team against Croatia.
He captained Spain for the first time in September 2021.
About His Life
César Azpilicueta was born in Zizur Mayor, Spain. His father was a decorator and his mother was a teacher. His older brother, Juan Pablo, was also a footballer.
In 2015, Azpilicueta married Adriana Guerendiain. They have three children together.
He is also involved in business outside of football. Since 2018, he has been a co-owner of an English football club called Hashtag United. In 2020, he started his own esports team called Falcons.
Azpilicueta can speak three languages: Spanish, French, and English. He has also studied business management. In 2023, he earned a certificate from Harvard Business School in the business of entertainment, media, and sports.
Honours
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
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
Images for kids
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Azpilicueta (standing right) celebrating a win with Marseille.
See also
In Spanish: César Azpilicueta para niños
