Gabri (footballer, born 1979) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Gabri

Gabri in 2018
Personal information
Full name	Gabriel Francisco García de la Torre
Date of birth	(1979-02-10) 10 February 1979 (age 46)
Place of birth	Sallent, Spain
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Atlètic Lleida (manager)
Youth career
1985–1991	Sallent
1991–1993	Sabadell
1993–1997	Barcelona
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1997–2000	Barcelona B	67	(9)
1999–2006	Barcelona	129	(7)
2006–2010	Ajax	86	(7)
2010–2011	Umm-Salal	13	(3)
2011	Sion II	2	(1)
2011	Sion	5	(0)
2012–2014	Lausanne-Sport	28	(1)
Total		330	(28)
International career
1994–1995	Spain U16	8	(2)
1996–1998	Spain U18	10	(1)
1999	Spain U20	7	(3)
1999–2001	Spain U21	17	(0)
2000	Spain U23	6	(3)
2003–2004	Spain	3	(0)
2000–2006	Catalonia	4	(0)
Managerial career
2014–2015	Barcelona B (assistant)
2015–2017	Barcelona (youth)
2017–2018	Sion
2018–2020	Andorra
2021	Olot
2021–2022	Lleida Esportiu
2022	Sabadell
2023	Nantong Zhiyun
2023–2024	Guangxi Pingguo Haliao
2024–	Atlètic Lleida
Medal record Representing  Spain Men's Football Silver 2000 Sydney Team Competition FIFA World Youth Championship Winner 1999 Nigeria
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Gabriel Francisco García de la Torre (born on February 10, 1979), known as Gabri, is a Spanish former footballer. He is currently a manager for CE Atlètic Lleida. Gabri mainly played as a midfielder, either on the right side or in the middle. He could also play as an attacking right-back.

He spent seven years playing professionally for Barcelona. If you count his time in their youth teams, he was with the club for 13 years. During this time, he helped Barcelona win four major titles. He also played four seasons with Ajax in the Netherlands.

Gabri played for the Spanish national team at UEFA Euro 2004. After his playing career, he became a football manager in Spain and other countries.

Gabri's Football Journey

Playing for Clubs

Time at Barcelona

Gabri was born in Sallent de Llobregat, a town in Catalonia, Spain. He began his professional football journey at FC Barcelona's reserve team. He first played for them in the 1997–98 season. His team was promoted that year.

In the 1999–2000 season, Gabri joined Barcelona's main team. He played his first game on August 8, 1999, in the Supercopa de España. He scored his first goal for the club on October 27, 1999, in a UEFA Champions League match. That season, he scored a career-high six goals.

For the next three years, Gabri played regularly for Barcelona. He won his only major titles with Barcelona in the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons. These titles included two league wins, one Supercup, and the 2005–06 UEFA Champions League. In 2004, he had a serious knee injury. Even though he didn't play in the 2006 Champions League final, his team won.

Moving to Ajax

After his contract with Barcelona ended, Gabri joined AFC Ajax in the Netherlands on June 6, 2006. He joined as a free agent. Right away, he helped Ajax win the Johan Cruyff Shield in August. He was also a key player when Ajax almost won the Eredivisie league title.

In May 2007, Gabri won the KNVB Cup with Ajax after a penalty shootout. In August, Ajax won the Supercup again, with Gabri scoring the only goal.

Later Playing Years

In May 2010, Gabri left Ajax and signed with Umm-Salal Sports Club in Qatar. The next year, in July 2011, he moved to Switzerland to play for FC Sion.

In July 2012, Gabri changed teams again but stayed in Switzerland. He signed a contract with FC Lausanne-Sport. He played there until he retired from playing football.

Playing for Spain

Gabri was a very important player for Spain's Under-20 team. He scored three goals and helped them become World Champions in 1999. He also played for the Spanish national team at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, where they won a silver medal.

Gabri made his first appearance for the senior Spanish team on April 30, 2003. He then represented Spain at UEFA Euro 2004 in Portugal.

Gabri's Coaching Career

Gabri stopped playing football at age 35. He immediately returned to Barcelona to work as an assistant coach for their reserve team. In July 2015, he became the coach for Barcelona's youth team, Juvenil A.

On October 24, 2017, Gabri became the manager of FC Sion in Switzerland. He managed the team for a short time before leaving in February 2018.

In December 2018, Gabri signed with FC Andorra. His former Barcelona teammate, Albert Jorquera, joined him as his assistant. They helped FC Andorra win their league, the Primera Catalana, and even get a double promotion. However, Gabri was dismissed in February 2020 after a series of losses.

Gabri continued coaching in the third tier of Spanish football. He managed UE Olot from January to April 2021. On June 1, 2021, he signed with Lleida Esportiu. He stayed there for one year.

In July 2022, Gabri took over as manager for CE Sabadell FC. He left the team in December 2022.

On June 16, 2023, Gabri was appointed manager of Nantong Zhiyun F.C. in China. He resigned in September 2023 and then signed with Guangxi Pingguo Haliao F.C. in the same country. As of July 2024, he is the manager of CE Atlètic Lleida.

Honours

Barcelona

• La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06
• Supercopa de España: 2005
• UEFA Champions League: 2005–06

Ajax

• KNVB Cup: 2006–07, 2009–10
• Johan Cruyff Shield: 2006, 2007

Spain U20

• FIFA World Youth Championship: 1999

Spain U23

• Summer Olympics silver medal: 2000

See also

In Spanish: Gabri García para niños