Oleguer Presas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Oleguer

Oleguer training with Ajax in 2011
Personal information
Full name	Oleguer Presas Renom
Date of birth	(1980-02-02) 2 February 1980 (age 45)
Place of birth	Sabadell, Spain
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 1+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
	Lepanto
	Sant Gabriel
1997–1999	Gramenet
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1999–2001	Gramenet	35	(2)
2001–2003	Barcelona B	68	(2)
2003–2008	Barcelona	127	(1)
2008–2011	Ajax	36	(2)
Total		266	(7)
International career
2004–2009	Catalonia	6	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Oleguer Presas Renom (born 2 February 1980), known simply as Oleguer, is a Spanish former professional footballer. He mostly played as a centre-back, which is a defender in the middle. He could also play as a defensive right-back.

During his career, Oleguer was best known for playing with Barcelona. With Barcelona, he won two La Liga championships. He also won the Champions League in 2006. He played in 175 matches for the club. In 2008, he joined Ajax and played there until he retired.

Oleguer was also known for his strong beliefs. He supported ideas that help people and communities. He also supported Catalan nationalism, which means he believed in the independence of Catalonia. These views sometimes caused discussions.

Playing Football: Oleguer's Career

Starting Out in Football

Oleguer was born in Sabadell, a city in Catalonia, Spain. He began his football journey at a small local club called CD Lepanto. In 1997, he moved to a nearby club, UDA Gramenet. He started playing for their senior team two years later.

Time at FC Barcelona

When Oleguer was 21, he joined FC Barcelona. He spent his first season playing for their reserve team, Barcelona B. He made his first appearance for the main team in a 2002–03 UEFA Champions League match. This was against Galatasaray SK, a game Barcelona won 3–1. He came on as a substitute late in the game. During that season, he played for both the reserve and main teams.

On May 17, 2006, Barcelona played against Arsenal in the Champions League final. Barcelona won the trophy for the second time in its history. Oleguer started the match as a defender. He was later substituted in the 71st minute. Barcelona went on to score the winning goal.

Oleguer signed a new contract in July 2006. This kept him with Barcelona until 2010. He even had the honor of being the captain for the first time. This happened in a pre-season game in 2006. It was a way to recognize his hard work. In November 2006, he received an award. This award was for helping to promote Catalan sports around the world.

The 2007–08 season started well for Oleguer. He became a regular player in the starting team. However, he faced some challenges off the field. He also spoke out about the Catalan national team. He supported their right to play international friendly games.

In February 2008, Oleguer broke a bone in his left hand during a game. He had surgery and was out for six weeks. This meant he played very little for the rest of that season. His only goal for Barcelona happened in April 2005. He scored in a 4–0 win against Málaga CF.

Moving to AFC Ajax

On July 29, 2008, Oleguer signed a three-year contract with AFC Ajax. Ajax is a famous football club in the Netherlands. The club paid €3 million for him. The manager, Marco van Basten, was happy to have him. He said Oleguer's skills were exactly what Ajax needed.

Oleguer scored a rare goal on October 18, 2008. It was the only goal in a home win against FC Groningen. He played a lot during his first season at Ajax. This was because some of his teammates were injured. After playing only a few games in the 2010–11 season, Oleguer, then 31, left Ajax.

Oleguer's Life and Beliefs

Oleguer studied economics at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. In March 2006, he published his first book. It was called Camí d'Itaca (The Road to Ithaca). The book shared stories from his youth and early football career. It also talked about Barcelona winning the league in 2005. He wrote about personal challenges he faced as a child.

After Barcelona won the league in 2006, Oleguer celebrated in a special way. He wrapped himself in the senyera estelada. This is a flag that represents Catalan independence.

Oleguer had strong beliefs about politics and society. He supported left-wing ideas. He also supported Catalan nationalist causes. This means he believed in the self-governance or independence of Catalonia. In 2005, he was invited to a meeting for players who might join the Spain national team. He accepted the invitation but told the manager he did not feel motivated to be selected.

In February 2007, Oleguer wrote an article for a newspaper. In the article, he shared his thoughts on legal processes in Spain. His decision to write the article caused some discussion at Barcelona. He also lost his sponsorship deal with a sports company, Kelme. He then signed with Diadora. Oleguer faced some criticism from the public. He was sometimes booed in stadiums because of his views. He later took Kelme to court and won his case for compensation. However, the company appealed and won.

In 2010, Oleguer took part in a protest in Amsterdam. This protest was against a ban on squatting. His club, Ajax, was fine with his involvement. This was because he only participated in the peaceful parts of the protest.

Oleguer has continued to be involved in social and political causes. He was a candidate on a political list for elections in Catalonia in 2012. In 2015, he joined another political list for his hometown, Sabadell. In 2018, he wrote the foreword for a book called La història de John Carlos.

Career Statistics

Football Trophies and Awards

Barcelona

• La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06
• Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006
• UEFA Champions League: 2005–06
• UEFA Super Cup runner-up: 2006
• FIFA Club World Cup runner-up: 2006

Ajax

• Eredivisie: 2010–11
• KNVB Cup: 2009–10

See also

In Spanish: Oleguer Presas para niños