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Nicolás Gaitán

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Argentine footballer (born 1988)

Nicolás Gaitán
Gaitán playing for Benfica in 2016
Personal information
Full name Osvaldo Fabián Nicolás Gaitán
Date of birth (1988-02-23) 23 February 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth San Martín, Argentina
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder, winger
Team information
Current team Sarmiento
Number 10
Youth career
2001–2008 Boca Juniors
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 Boca Juniors 66 (12)
2010–2016 Benfica 152 (25)
2016–2018 Atlético Madrid 29 (3)
2018–2019 Dalian Yifang 28 (2)
2019 Chicago Fire 27 (4)
2020 Lille 4 (0)
2020–2021 Braga 18 (2)
2021–2022 Peñarol 10 (1)
2022–2023 Paços de Ferreira 33 (5)
2024– Sarmiento 2 (0)
International career
2009–2016 Argentina 19 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:02, 6 September 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18 October 2016

Osvaldo Fabián Nicolás "Nico" Gaitán (Spanish pronunciation: [osˈβaldo faˈβjan nikoˈlas ˈniko ɣajˈtan]; born 23 February 1988) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Sarmiento.

A product of Boca Juniors, he joined Benfica in Portugal, where he won three Primeira Liga titles, one Taça de Portugal, five Taça da Liga and one Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira in six seasons.

Club career

Boca Juniors

Born in San Martín, Buenos Aires, Gaitán rose from the ranks at Boca Juniors, having entered its youth system at the age of 13 in spite of doubts regarding his future due to his small frame. He made his competitive debut with the club on 1 June 2008 in a 3–1 win against Arsenal de Sarandí, and scored his first two Primera División goals two months later in a 3–0 success at Huracán.

On 23 September 2008 Gaitán netted his first goal in an international tournament, that year's Copa Sudamericana, against Liga de Quito. Two days later he again made the scoresheet, in the 4–2 win over Newell's Old Boys where he also set up Lucas Viatri for his side's final goal.

Gaitán scored seven times in 33 games in his last season with Boca, who only managed to finish 11th in the Apertura and 16th in the Clausura.

Benfica

On 3 May 2010, Portugal's Benfica confirmed they had reached an agreement to sign Gaitán for €8.4 million, as a replacement for countryman Ángel Di María who had just been sold to Real Madrid. He made his official debut for his new team by starting and playing 66 minutes in a 1–2 away loss to Nacional, opening his scoring account also with a brace, at home against Naval on 14 November (4–0).

Gaitán finished his first year with the Lisbon side with 48 appearances all competitions comprised, scoring nine times as it finished second in the league and won the domestic league cup. For his performances, he was named Portuguese League Breakthrough Player of the Year.

In the 2011–12 campaign Gaitán led the UEFA Champions League assists table, until the knockout stage. In 2013–14 he contributed with eight goals overall as his team conquered the treble, including the game's only goal in the Portuguese Cup's decisive match against Rio Ave on 18 May 2014; His performances were praised throughout the season. On 31 August 2014, Gaitán scored his first goal of the season against Sporting CP, while also being named 'Man of the Match'.

On 11 November 2014, he extended his contract with Benfica until 30 June 2018 and set a release clause of €35 million. On 30 September 2015, Gaitán scored a goal and later assisted the second goal in a win at Atlético Madrid (1–2) in the UEFA Champions League. On 9 December 2015, he signed an improved contract through June 2019, increasing his release clause to €45 million. On 9 March, Gaitán scored his fourth goal of the season in the Champions League, against Zenit Saint Petersburg in the second leg of the round of 16, helping Benfica to reach the quarter-finals of the competition with a 3–1 aggregate score, after a 2–1 win in Russia. On 15 May, he scored twice in a 4–1 home win against Nacional, helping Benfica to secure the league title for the third consecutive season. Five days later, he scored Benfica's fourth goal in a 6–2 win over Marítimo in the Taça da Liga final. A minute later, he was substituted and received a standing ovation while leaving the pitch in tears. After the final whistle, he said it was probably his last match with Benfica.

Atlético Madrid

On 16 June 2016, Benfica and Atlético Madrid agreed on the transfer of Gaitán for €25 million, with the contract to be signed after medical exams in July. His official presentation for the Spanish side was held on 19 July at the Vicente Calderón stadium.

Dalian Yifang

On 26 February 2018, along with teammate Yannick Carrasco, Gaitán joined Chinese Super League newcomers Dalian Yifang, which was also owned by Atlético Madrid's partial owner Wanda Group. On 3 March, he made his Chinese league debut in an 8–0 away loss to Shanghai SIPG. He temporarily lost consciousness and was taken to hospital following an elbowing from Li Lei during a league match against Beijing Guoan on 16 March 2018. On 7 April 2018, he scored his first goal in China as well as assisted Wang Jinxian's goal in a 2–2 home draw with Chongqing Dangdai Lifan.

Later career

On 14 March 2019, Gaitán signed for MLS side Chicago Fire on a free transfer for one season, with a club option until 2020.

On 31 January 2020, Gaitán joined Lille in France on a six-month contract until the end of the season. Gaitán left the Lille in June, having played only four games before the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On 11 August 2020, Gaitán signed for Portuguese club Braga on a one-year deal with an option for a further year, that season they won the Taça de Portugal.

After his one-year contract with Braga ended he signed for Uruguayan side Peñarol where he joined former teammate and friend Maxi Pereira, at the end of 2021 they celebrated winning the league.

On 31 January 2022, after already reaching an agreement with his previous club to end their contract, Paços de Ferreira and Gaitán reached a deal for a six-month contract with an option for a further year. At the end of the 2022–23 season, following Paços' relegation to the Liga Portugal 2, Gaitán left the club.

On 20 July 2024, Gaitán returned to Argentina to join Sarmiento, signing a contract until the end of 2025.

International career

Gaitán made his international debut for Argentina on 13 October 2009, as a substitute in a 2–0 friendly win over Ghana, and he made his first start in a 3–2 success against Costa Rica on 26 January of the following year. During Sergio Batista term, he made three appearances, playing against Costa Rica, Nigeria and Poland. With Sabella, Gaitán did not make an appearance but with the appointment of Gerardo Martino, he returned after a two-year absence, playing the final minutes, after replacing Sergio Agüero on 3 September 2014 in an away win against Germany.

Style of play

Gaitán began playing as a midfielder, sometimes leaning to the left. After moving to Benfica he assumed a more advanced role, where he seemed more comfortable.

A left-footer who is also able to play on the right, with good dribbling skills and close control, Gaitán's main asset is ball distribution as he is able to cross from either flank, and while on the right he possesses the vision to pick holes when cutting inside.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 18 August 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Boca Juniors 2007–08 Argentine Primera División 1 0 — — 0 0 — 1 0
2008–09 32 5 — — 11 1 — 43 6
2009–10 33 7 — — 2 0 — 35 7
Total 66 12 — — 13 1 — 79 13
Benfica 2010–11 Primeira Liga 26 7 5 1 3 0 13 1 1 0 48 9
2011–12 25 3 1 0 4 0 14 1 — 44 4
2012–13 23 3 6 1 2 0 13 1 — 44 5
2013–14 26 4 5 1 2 1 10 2 — 43 8
2014–15 27 4 2 0 2 0 5 0 1 0 37 4
2015–16 25 4 1 0 2 3 8 4 1 0 37 11
Total 152 25 20 3 15 4 63 9 3 0 253 41
Atlético Madrid 2016–17 La Liga 23 3 4 1 — 5 0 — 32 4
2017–18 6 0 2 0 — 5 0 — 13 0
Total 29 3 6 1 — 10 0 — 45 4
Dalian Yifang 2018 Chinese Super League 28 2 2 0 — — — 30 2
Chicago Fire 2019 MLS 27 4 1 0 — — — 28 4
Lille 2019–20 Ligue 1 4 0 — — — — 4 0
Braga 2020–21 Primeira Liga 18 2 1 0 0 0 4 1 — 23 3
Peñarol 2021 Uruguayan Primera División 8 0 — — 2 0 — 10 0
Paços de Ferreira 2021–22 Primeira Liga 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 6 2
2022–23 27 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 — 29 3
Total 33 5 0 0 2 0 0 0 — 35 5
Sarmiento 2024 Argentine Primera División 2 0 0 0 0 0 — — 2 0
Career total 367 53 30 4 17 4 92 11 3 0 509 72
  1. In isolation, Gaitán is pronounced [ɡajˈtan].
  2. Five appearances in UEFA Champions League, eight appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
  4. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  5. Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, nine appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
  6. Five appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, five appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
  7. Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Europa League
  8. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  9. Appearances in Copa Sudamericana

International

As of match played 12 October 2016
National team Year Apps Goals
Argentina 2009 1 0
2010 2 0
2011 3 0
2014 3 2
2015 3 0
2016 7 0
Total 19 2

International goals

Scores and results list Argentina's goal tally first
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 14 October 2014 Hong Kong Stadium, Wanchai, Hong Kong  Hong Kong 3–0 7–0 Friendly
2. 6–0

Honours

Club

Boca Juniors

Benfica

Atlético Madrid

Braga

Peñarol

International

Argentina

Individual

Notes

References

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  2. "Ficha Tecnica Nicolas Gaitan". Taringa.net. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  3. "Todo fue muy sencillo" [It was all very easy] (in Spanish). ESPN FC. 31 August 2008. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  4. "Newells 2 Boca 4 – Apertura 2008" (in Spanish). Taringa. 25 September 2008. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  5. "Comunicado" [Announcement] (PDF) (in Portuguese). CMVM. 3 May 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  6. "Why Benfica's Nicolas Gaitan is more complete than Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria, but still too expensive for Manchester United". Goal.com. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  7. ^ "Prémios Oficiais: a lista dos premiados" [Official Awards: the list of winners]. LPFP (in Portuguese). 1 July 2011. Archived from the original on 1 July 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  8. "Gaitán é rei das assistências na Champions" [Gaitán is king of assists in Champions] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 16 February 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  9. "Benfica complete treble". PortuGOAL. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  10. "In-demand Gaitan content with life at Benfica". FourFourTwo. 24 December 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
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  36. ^ "Peñarol es el Campeón Uruguayo". 7 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
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  38. "Nico Gaitán diz adeus ao Paços de Ferreira" [Nico Gaitán says goodbye to Paços de Ferreira] (in European Portuguese). Record. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
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  55. "UEFA Europa League squad of the season". UEFA.com. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  56. "Galardões Cosme Damião: Gaitán e Jesus entre os premiados" [Galardões Cosme Damião: Gaitán and Jesus among the awarded]. Maisgutebol (in Portuguese). 1 March 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  57. "Final Taça CTT: tecnologia e momentos inesquecíveis" [Taça CTT Final: technology and unforgettable moments]. Liga Portugal (in Portuguese). 21 May 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016. Nico Gaitan foi o «Man of The Match» e recebeu o prémio em pleno relvado.

External links

S.L. Benfica Player of the Year (Cosme Damião Award)
Argentina squad – Copa América Centenario runners-up
Argentina
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