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Gustavo López (footballer, born 1973) facts for kids

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Gustavo López
Personal information
Date of birth (1973-04-13) 13 April 1973 (age 52)
Place of birth Valentín Alsina, Argentina
Height 1.74 m
Playing position Winger
Club information
Current club Atlético Madrid (assistant manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1991–1995 Independiente 74 (9)
1996–1999 Zaragoza 105 (12)
1999–2007 Celta 238 (22)
2007–2008 Cádiz 33 (2)
Total 450 (45)
National team
1994–2003 Argentina 32 (4)
Teams managed
2022– Atlético Madrid (assistant)
Honours
Representing  Argentina
Men's Football
Silver 1996 Atlanta Team Competition
  • Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Gustavo Adrián López Pablo, born on April 13, 1973, is a football coach from Argentina. He used to be a player, known for playing as a left winger. Today, he works as an assistant coach for the famous team Atlético Madrid.

Gustavo spent most of his professional playing career in Spain. He played in La Liga, Spain's top football league, for 11 seasons. During this time, he played 310 matches and scored 33 goals. He played for two main Spanish clubs: Real Zaragoza and Celta. He started his career in Argentina with Independiente.

He also played for the Argentine national team for nine years. He represented his country in big tournaments like the 2002 World Cup and two Copa América competitions.

Gustavo López's Club Career

Starting Out: Independiente and Zaragoza

Gustavo López was born in Valentín Alsina, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He began his football journey with his local club, Independiente, in 1991. While playing for Independiente, he helped his team win four major titles. These victories all happened in his last few years with the club.

In January 1996, Gustavo moved to Spain to play for Real Zaragoza. He made his first appearance in La Liga on January 7, 1996. This was a home game against Rayo Vallecano, which ended in a 1–1 draw. In his third full season with Zaragoza, he scored five goals in 32 matches. He often played alongside his fellow Argentine, Kily González, during his time in Aragon.

Playing for Celta de Vigo

In the summer of 1999, Gustavo López joined Celta. He reunited with his former Zaragoza manager, Víctor Fernández, there. Gustavo quickly became a very important player for Celta.

He scored two goals in five games during the 2000–01 Copa del Rey tournament. He helped Celta reach the final against his old club, Zaragoza. Celta lost that final 1–3 in Seville. In the 2002–03 season, he played 33 games, helping Celta finish fourth. This amazing result meant Celta qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time ever!

After the 2006–07 season, Celta was relegated from La Liga. Gustavo, who was 34 years old, decided to leave the club. He had played 292 official matches and scored 29 goals for Celta. He retired from playing football after the next season. He played his final year with Cádiz in Spain's second division. After retiring, he worked as a football commentator for TV and radio. He also ran training camps for children.

Gustavo López's International Career

Gustavo López played 32 games for the Argentine national team. He scored four goals for his country. His first game for Argentina was against Romania in December 1994.

He played for Argentina in the 1997 and 1999 Copa América tournaments. He was also part of the squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea, though he didn't play in any matches there.

Gustavo also helped the Argentine under-23 team win a silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. He even scored a goal in their 3–1 group stage win against the United States.

Gustavo López's Managerial Career

On June 15, 2022, Gustavo López joined the coaching staff at Atlético Madrid. He now works as an assistant coach for the team, alongside manager Diego Simeone.

Honours and Achievements

Gustavo López won several important titles during his career:

With Independiente

  • Argentine Primera División: Clausura 1994 (a league title)
  • Supercopa Sudamericana: 1994, 1995 (South American club competitions)
  • Recopa Sudamericana: 1995 (another South American club competition)

With Celta

  • UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2000 (a European club competition)
  • Copa del Rey: Runner-up 2000–01 (Spanish cup competition)

With Argentina

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Gustavo Adrián López para niños

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