César Sánchez
Encyclopedia
César Sánchez Domínguez (ˈθesar ˈsantʃeθ; born 2 September 1971), known as César or Sánchez, is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Villarreal CF
as a goalkeeper.
, Extremadura
. He graduated through Real Valladolid
's youth ranks, and made his debut with the first team in a 0–6 home defeat against FC Barcelona
, at the end of the 1991–92 season. He only missed four league games between 1995–2000 combined.
Sánchez signed in 2000–01 for La Liga
giants Real Madrid
, initially backing-up wonderkid Iker Casillas
. However, the following season, he eventually became first-choice and started five out of nine UEFA Champions League
matches during the capital
side's victorious campaign, but was substituted by Casillas in the final
against Bayer Leverkusen
after suffering an injury.
, César joined Real Zaragoza
, and was everpresent in the Aragonese
side's lineups during three seasons. In August 2008, after Zaragoza's relegation to the second division
, new boss Marcelino García Toral sidelined the player into the B team
.
Shortly after, Sánchez was bought by Juande Ramos's Tottenham Hotspur
. He made his first and only appearance for the London
club against Liverpool
, in a 4–2 win for the season's Football League Cup
, replacing injured Heurelho Gomes.
on a free transfer until the end of the season. The Che had just lost, during a 2–3 loss at Athletic Bilbao
, first-choice Renan
to a groin
injury. Despite this, César was still named on the bench for a Tottenham game on the 21st, the League Cup semifinal second leg against Burnley
. On January 23, Tottenham announced that his contract had been cancelled by mutual consent. He retained first-choice status even when the Brazil
ian recovered from his injury.
After an impressive half-season, César (aged almost 38) renewed his link for another year. He started 2009–10
on the bench, playing second-fiddle to new signing Miguel Ángel Moyà
; however, after unconvincing displays by the latter, he regained the starting spot, keeping consecutive clean sheets against Racing de Santander
(1–0), defending champions Barcelona (0–0), UD Almería
(3–0) and Málaga CF
(1–0). In May 2010, after helping Valencia to the third place, with the team consequently returning to the Champions League, the veteran renewed his contract for another season.
On 2 April 2011, César became the oldest goalkeeper in Spanish League history as he appeared - as a starter - in a 4–2 away win against Getafe CF
, aged 39 years and 212 days. He contributed with 15 games as Valencia finished third
and qualified to the Champions League
.
However, after the club acquired Diego Alves
and renewed youth graduate Vicente Guaita
's contract, César became surplus to requirements. On 2 June 2011, he signed a one-year contract with Valencian Community
neighbours Villarreal CF
, making his league debut on 10 September in a 2–2 home draw against Sevilla FC
: after replacing sent off
Diego López
early into the first half, he stopped the ensuing penalty
by Álvaro Negredo
, whom however managed to score with a putback. Subsequently, he became only the fourth player to appear in a Spanish top division match over the age of 40, following Harry Lowe, Amedeo Carboni
and Donato
.
for Spain
on 16 August 2000, in a 4–1 friendly defeat to Germany
in Hannover.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who plays for Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
as a goalkeeper.
Valladolid / Real Madrid
César was born in CáceresCáceres, Spain
Cáceres is the capital of the same name province, in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. , its population was 91,131 inhabitants. The municipio has a land area of 1,750.33 km², and is the largest in geographical extension in Spain....
, Extremadura
Extremadura
Extremadura is an autonomous community of western Spain whose capital city is Mérida. Its component provinces are Cáceres and Badajoz. It is bordered by Portugal to the west...
. He graduated through Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
's youth ranks, and made his debut with the first team in a 0–6 home defeat against FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, at the end of the 1991–92 season. He only missed four league games between 1995–2000 combined.
Sánchez signed in 2000–01 for La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
giants Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
, initially backing-up wonderkid Iker Casillas
Íker Casillas
Iker Casillas Fernández is a Spanish football goalkeeper who plays for the Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, being the captain of both...
. However, the following season, he eventually became first-choice and started five out of nine UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
matches during the capital
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
side's victorious campaign, but was substituted by Casillas in the final
2002 UEFA Champions League Final
The 2002 UEFA Champions League Final was the final match of the 2001–02 UEFA Champions League, Europe's primary club football competition. The show-piece event was contested between Bayer Leverkusen of Germany and Real Madrid of Spain at the Hampden Park in Glasgow, on Wednesday, 15 May 2002, to...
against Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer 04 Leverkusen is a German football club based in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia. It is the most well-known department of TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, a sports club whose members also participate in athletics, gymnastics, basketball and other sports.-Origins and early years:On 27 November...
after suffering an injury.
Zaragoza / Tottenham
In 2005–062005–06 La Liga
* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC...
, César joined Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
, and was everpresent in the Aragonese
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...
side's lineups during three seasons. In August 2008, after Zaragoza's relegation to the second division
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
, new boss Marcelino García Toral sidelined the player into the B team
Real Zaragoza B
Real Zaragoza B is a Spanish football club based in Zaragoza, in the autonomous community of Aragon. Founded in 1962, it is the reserve team of Real Zaragoza, and currently plays in Segunda División B – Group 3, holding home matches at Ciudad Deportiva Real Zaragoza, with a capacity of 2,500...
.
Shortly after, Sánchez was bought by Juande Ramos's Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
. He made his first and only appearance for the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
club against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, in a 4–2 win for the season's Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
, replacing injured Heurelho Gomes.
Valencia / Later years
On 20 January 2009, César returned to Spain, joining Valencia CFValencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
on a free transfer until the end of the season. The Che had just lost, during a 2–3 loss at Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
, first-choice Renan
Renan Brito Soares
Renan Brito Soares or simply Renan , is a Brazilian goalkeeper. He currently plays for Internacional.- Career :...
to a groin
Groin
In human anatomy, the groin areas are the two creases at the junction of the torso with the legs, on either side of the pubic area. This is also known as the medial compartment of the thigh. A pulled groin muscle usually refers to a painful injury sustained by straining the hip adductor muscles...
injury. Despite this, César was still named on the bench for a Tottenham game on the 21st, the League Cup semifinal second leg against Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
. On January 23, Tottenham announced that his contract had been cancelled by mutual consent. He retained first-choice status even when the Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian recovered from his injury.
After an impressive half-season, César (aged almost 38) renewed his link for another year. He started 2009–10
2009–10 La Liga
- Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|...
on the bench, playing second-fiddle to new signing Miguel Ángel Moyà
Miguel Àngel Moyà
Miguel Ángel Moyà Rumbo is a Spanish footballer who plays for Getafe CF on loan from Valencia CF, as a goalkeeper.-Club career:...
; however, after unconvincing displays by the latter, he regained the starting spot, keeping consecutive clean sheets against Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
(1–0), defending champions Barcelona (0–0), UD Almería
UD Almería
Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1989 as Almería Club de Fútbol, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, with a 22,000-seat...
(3–0) and Málaga CF
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
(1–0). In May 2010, after helping Valencia to the third place, with the team consequently returning to the Champions League, the veteran renewed his contract for another season.
On 2 April 2011, César became the oldest goalkeeper in Spanish League history as he appeared - as a starter - in a 4–2 away win against Getafe CF
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
, aged 39 years and 212 days. He contributed with 15 games as Valencia finished third
2010–11 La Liga
The 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División...
and qualified to the Champions League
2011–12 UEFA Champions League
The 2011–12 UEFA Champions League is the 57th season of the European Cup, Europe's premier football tournament, and the 20th season in its current Champions League format. The final venue will be the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany...
.
However, after the club acquired Diego Alves
Diego Alves Carreira
Diego Alves Carreira , known as Alves, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Valencia CF in Spain, as a goalkeeper.-Brazil / Almería:...
and renewed youth graduate Vicente Guaita
Vicente Guaita
Vicente Guaita Panadero is a Spanish footballer who plays for Valencia CF as a goalkeeper.-Football career:...
's contract, César became surplus to requirements. On 2 June 2011, he signed a one-year contract with Valencian Community
Valencian Community
The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia...
neighbours Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
, making his league debut on 10 September in a 2–2 home draw against Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
: after replacing sent off
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
Diego López
Diego López Rodríguez
Diego López Rodríguez |Lugo]], Galicia) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Villarreal CF as a goalkeeper.-Club career:A youth graduate from hometown's CD Lugo, López moved to Real Madrid at almost 19...
early into the first half, he stopped the ensuing penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
by Álvaro Negredo
Álvaro Negredo
Álvaro Negredo Sánchez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Sevilla FC as a striker.Nicknamed La fiera de Vallecas , his career was associated with Real Madrid, although he could never become a part of its first-team setup, going on to represent other teams in his country.-Real Madrid:Born in...
, whom however managed to score with a putback. Subsequently, he became only the fourth player to appear in a Spanish top division match over the age of 40, following Harry Lowe, Amedeo Carboni
Amedeo Carboni
Amedeo Carboni is a retired Italian footballer who played as a left defender.In a professional career which spanned 22 years and saw him appear in nearly 700 official games, he played mainly for Roma and Valencia , winning eight major titles for the two clubs combined.Carboni was capped 18 times...
and Donato
Donato Gama da Silva
Donato Gama da Silva , simply Donato, is a retired Brazilian-born Spanish footballer during the 1990s and early 2000s....
.
International career
César earned his first and only capCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
on 16 August 2000, in a 4–1 friendly defeat to Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
in Hannover.
Honours
Real Madrid- Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
: 20022002 Intercontinental CupThe 2002 Intercontinental Cup was a football match played on 3 December 2002 between Real Madrid, winners of the 2001–02 UEFA Champions League, and Olimpia, winners of the 2002 Copa Libertadores. The match was played at the neutral venue of the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama in front of... - UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: 2001–02 - UEFA Super Cup: 20022002 UEFA Super CupThe 2002 UEFA Super Cup was played on August 30, 2002 between Real Madrid of Spain and Feyenoord of the Netherlands. Real Madrid qualified by beating Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final. Feyenoord had made it to the Super Cup after beating Borussia Dortmund in the 2002 UEFA Cup...
- Spanish LeagueLa LigaThe Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
: 2000–01, 2002–03 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 20012001 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2001 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 19 August and 22 August 2001. It contested by Real Zaragoza, who were Spanish Cup winners in 2000–01, and Real Madrid, who won the 2000–01 Spanish League. Real Madrid won 4–1 on aggregate.-First leg:-Second...
, 20032003 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2003 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 24 August and 27 August 2003. It contested by RCD Mallorca, who were Spanish Cup winners in 2002–03, and Real Madrid, who won the 2002–03 Spanish League. Real Madrid won 4–2 on aggregate.-First leg:-Second leg:-References:...