Cesc Fàbregas biography: Spanish football player

Cesc Fàbregas biography

Spanish football player

Francesc "Cesc" Fàbregas Soler

A Spanish footballer who currently plays as a central midfielder for Arsenal in the FA Premier League and for the Spanish national team. Fàbregas started his career at FC Barcelona B.

born May 4, 1987 in Arenys de Mar, Catalonia, Spain (Arenys harbour, for many years the only existing port on the north coast of Barcelona, is the most evident proof of the long history and seafaring tradition of the village. The beaches framed by hills which run right down to the sea, give a preview of the neighbouring Costa Brava.)

Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position Midfielder

Club App (Gls)

Youth clubs
Barcelona C
Barcelona B

Arsenal 104 (7)

Spain 14 (0)

Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct 29 April 2007.
National team caps and goals correct
as of December 24, 2006.

Club career
Before joining Arsenal, Fàbregas made his way into the Barcelona B team and then took part in a FIFA U-17 World Championship in 2003, winning both the Adidas Golden Boot (top goalscorer) and Golden Ball (best player). Spain finished second to Brazil.

Fàbregas made his team début on October 23, 2003 in a League Cup tie at home to Rotherham Utd, in doing so became Arsenal's youngest ever first team player, aged 16 years and 177 days. He then became the youngest goalscorer in Arsenal's history in a later round of the League Cup, scoring from very close range in a 5 – 1 victory against Wolves.

It was not until the start of the 2004–05 season Fàbregas started making first team appearances in matches outside the League Cup. His first match was against Man Utd in the Community Shield; he then, due to an injury to Patrick Vieira, had four successive Premier League starts against Everton, Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers and Norwich City. Fàbregas earned enormous applause for his performances in his first four appearances, claiming a goal against Blackburn in a 3 – 0 victory. Soon after, he became the second youngest goalscorer in Champions League history after scoring the third goal against Rosenborg, in Arsenal's 5–1 victory.

After the departure of Arsenal captain, Patrick Vieira, Fàbregas, who is right footed but left handed, became a first team regular in the Arsenal midfield, making 35 appearances in the 2005–06 season.

Fàbregas was lauded for his consistency in the UEFA Champions League. He was praised especially for his performance against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the second round of the UEFA Champions League and earned further plaudits for his performance against Juventus in the quarter finals; he scored Arsenal's first goal and set up Thierry Henry for the second. Fàbregas was highly praised by teammates and the press.

Fàbregas helped Arsenal's 2006–07 Champions League campaign start on August 8, 2006, by scoring two goals in a 3–0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier.

Fàbregas's performances attracted a considerable number of admirers in his homeland. In particular Real Madrid have expressed a desire to secure his services despite his long term contract at Arsenal. On July 12, Arsène Wenger stated Arsenal would listen to no offers for Fabregas. In September 2006, with six years left on his deal, Wenger offered a new eight year deal to Fabregas, signed on October 19, 2006, keeping the Spaniard at the club until he is 27 years old. This eight year deal is the longest ever signed in the Premiership.

Fàbregas was a runaway winner of the Golden Boy award on 2 December 2006, presented by Italian paper TuttoSport, based on a poll of leading writers across Europe.

On February 9, 2007, Fàbregas won the Premiership Player of the Month award for January. During the League Cup Final on February 25, 2007, Fàbregas captained Arsenal for the first time after Kolo Toure was sent off in extra time. For his performances in the 2006-07 season, was nominated for both PFA Player Of The Year and PFA Young Player Of The Year, but both awards eventually went to Man United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

On April 14, 2007, Fàbregas scored a first Premiership goal of the 2006-07 campaign, against Bolton at the Emirates Stadium. Three days later, he followed that up with another league goal against Man City in the same venue, this time with a volley from outside the box.

Playing style
Although still young, Cesc has become a vital part of Arsenal's first team, bringing creativity and unselfishness to the Gunners' intricate passing game. Although taking the number 4 from former midfield man Vieira, Cesc has also expressed his pride in wearing the number of his childhood hero Pep Guardiola, after whom Cesc has repeatedly stated he tries to style his game. With his ability to control games from the middle of the park with his passing and vision, and to bring his team mates into play, the comparisons with his hero are apparent.

International career
On March 1, 2006 Fàbregas played a first game for the Spanish senior team, becoming the youngest player capped for Spain in 80 years. He received reviews for his début, contributing an assist for Spain's first goal in a 3–2 victory over the Côte d'Ivoire.

On May 15, 2006, Fàbregas was selected for the Spanish World Cup squad. In the 2006 World Cup, he came on as a second half substitute in Spain's first two group matches, contributing an assist in their victory against Tunisia. He then started alongside Spain's reserve players (including Arsenal teammate José Antonio Reyes) in Spain's third group match against Saudi Arabia. He earned a starting role in Spain's first knockout stage match against France in place of Marcos Senna, but Spain lost that match 3–1.

On June 14, 2006, Fàbregas became the youngest player in Spanish history to participate in a World Cup when he came on as a sub for Luis García after 77 minutes in a 4–0 victory against Ukraine. He was then 19 years and 41 days old.

Instead of wearing his surname Fàbregas on the back of his shirt, he chose to wear his nickname, Cesc during the 2006 World Cup and currently does when he plays for Spain.

Cesc was nominated for the Gillette Young Player of the World Cup 2006, although he did not win. However, on 19 January 2007, he was named in the 2006 UEFA Team of the Year, one of three Premiership players to be selected, the others being Steven Gerrard and Arsenal team mate Thierry Henry.

At the 2003 FIFA under-17 World Cup held in Finland, Fàbregas finished top scorer of the tournament despite playing in midfield, and was awarded player of the tournament.

Soccer player

Misspell

Cesc Fabregas sayc Fàbregas Fibregas

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