Gary Medel facts for kids
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Medel with Chile in 2013
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 3 August 1987 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Santiago, Chile | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.71 m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Defensive midfielder, defender | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current club | Universidad Católica | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997–2006 | Universidad Católica | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2009 | Universidad Católica | 68 | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2011 | Boca Juniors | 46 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2013 | Sevilla | 78 | (8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2014 | Cardiff City | 34 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2017 | Inter Milan | 91 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2019 | Beşiktaş | 51 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2023 | Bologna | 96 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023–2024 | Vasco da Gama | 30 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024–2025 | Boca Juniors | 9 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025– | Universidad Católica | 0 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team‡ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Chile U20 | 15 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | Chile U23 | 8 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007– | Chile | 161 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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† Appearances (Goals). |
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Gary Alexis Medel Soto (born on August 3, 1987) is a Chilean professional footballer. He plays for Chilean Primera División club Universidad Católica. Gary is known for playing as a centre-back (a central defender) or a defensive midfielder.
He has played for many teams in different countries. He started with Universidad Católica in Chile. Later, he played for Boca Juniors in Argentina, Sevilla in Spain, and Cardiff City in England. He also played for Inter Milan in Italy and Beşiktaş in Turkey. In 2019, he moved back to Italy to play for Bologna.
Gary Medel has played for the Chile national team over 160 times since 2007. He has played in two FIFA World Cups and five Copa América tournaments. He helped Chile win the 2015 Copa América and the Copa América Centenario in 2016. He is often called Pitbull because of his tough and determined style of play.
| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Gary Medel's Club Journey
Starting in South America
Gary Medel joined Universidad Católica when he was 12 years old. His youth coach, Mario Lepe, helped him join the main team.
In 2009, he moved to Boca Juniors in Argentina. Gary said this move was "a dream come true." He admired players like Juan Román Riquelme and Martín Palermo. On March 25, 2010, Medel scored both goals in a big 2–0 win against their rivals, River Plate.
Playing in Spain with Sevilla
On January 28, 2011, Medel joined Sevilla in Spain. He signed a contract for four and a half years. He told the club that he would put "a lot of heart" into his playing.
He played his first game in La Liga on February 12. He helped Sevilla get a 1–1 draw against FC Barcelona on March 12. In that game, he cleared the ball off the goal line twice, once stopping a shot from Lionel Messi.
Time in England with Cardiff City
On August 11, 2013, Cardiff City signed Medel for a club record fee. He joined them on a four-year deal. He played his first game for Cardiff on August 17. His home debut was on August 25, where Cardiff won 3–2 against Manchester City. Fans voted him the best player of that match.
Moving to Italy with Inter Milan
After Cardiff City was moved down to a lower league, Medel joined Italian club Inter Milan on August 9, 2014. He played his first game for Inter on August 31.
On October 31, 2015, Medel scored his first goal for Inter. This goal helped his team win 1–0 against Roma. In October 2016, he was suspended for three games after an incident during a match. He also had a knee injury in November 2016, which kept him out until January 2017. On March 12, he played his 100th game for Inter Milan.
Playing in Turkey and Back to Italy
On August 11, 2017, Medel signed with Süper Lig champions Beşiktaş in Turkey. He signed a three-year contract with them.
In August 2019, Medel signed a three-year contract with Bologna in Italy. He played his first game for Bologna against SPAL on August 30, 2019.
Return to South America
In July 2023, Gary Medel returned to South America. He signed with Brazilian Série A team Vasco da Gama.
In June 2024, he made another return, this time to Boca Juniors. While still playing for Boca Juniors, Medel also finished his studies to become a football manager in December 2024.
Back to Chile
On January 9, 2025, Universidad Católica announced that Gary Medel would return to his first club. He signed a one-year deal.
Gary Medel's International Career
Early Years and World Cup Debut
In March 2007, Gary Medel played his first game for the Chile national team. Later that year, he helped Chile's Under-20 team finish third in the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada.
He scored his first goals for Chile in a 2–0 win against Bolivia in 2008. He scored both goals, including a cool bicycle kick. Medel was important in helping Chile qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He played in all three group games at the World Cup in South Africa.
He was part of Chile's team for the 2011 Copa América. In a quarter-final match, he was sent off, and Chile lost 2–1.
2014 FIFA World Cup
Medel played a big part in Chile qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He scored the goal that secured their spot, heading it in against Ecuador. He also captained Chile in a friendly match against Germany.
At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Medel played as a central defender. He helped Chile beat Australia 3–1. He also played the full game when Chile had a historic 2–0 win against the defending champions, Spain. This win meant both Chile and the Netherlands moved to the next stage, while Spain was out. Chile was later knocked out by Brazil in a penalty shootout.
Winning the Copa América
At the 2015 Copa América, which was held in Chile, Medel scored in a 5–0 win against Bolivia. This win helped Chile finish first in their group. In the final against Argentina, Medel played the whole game. Chile won the trophy after a penalty shootout, making it Medel's first major trophy with the national team. He was named in the "Team of the Tournament" for his great performances.
Later Tournaments
In June 2017, Medel was chosen for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. This was Chile's first time in this tournament. He captained Chile in the first two group matches. He also played his 100th game for Chile in this tournament, becoming only the fourth Chilean player to do so.
In the third-place match of the 2019 Copa América against Argentina, Medel was sent off along with Lionel Messi. Chile lost that match 2–1.
How Gary Medel Plays
Gary Medel usually plays as a defensive midfielder. But he can also play as a defender, especially as a central defender. Sometimes, he even plays as a right-back. People call him Pitbull because he works very hard, is physically strong, and plays with a lot of energy and determination. He is also a leader on the field. In 2015, his manager Roberto Mancini called Medel a warrior.
Honours and Awards
Chile
Individual Awards
- Chilean Footballer of the Year: 2008
- Universidad Católica Footballer of the year: 2008
- Team of Copa Libertadores: 2008
- Team of the Year in South America: 2009
- Copa América Team of the Tournament: 2015, 2016
Images for kids
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Medel with Chile in 2013
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Medel playing for Sevilla in 2011
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Medel in action against Neymar of Brazil at World Cup 2014
See also
In Spanish: Gary Medel para niños
- List of footballers with 100 or more caps
