Francisco Yeste
Encyclopedia
Francisco "Fran" Javier Yeste Navarro (born 6 December 1979) is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Olympiacos F.C. in Greece
.
Usually an attacking midfielder (although he can also play in the left wing), he played 11 years of his professional career with Athletic Bilbao
(19 counting the youth system), appearing in 353 official games and scoring 59 goals.
, Biscay
, and a product of Athletic de Bilbao
's youth ranks at Lezama
, Yeste made his first team debut on 7 February 1999, playing 90 minutes in a 0–2 loss at Racing de Santander
. He would appear in a further 13 matches during that and the following seasons, while mainly registered with the reserves
.
From 2000–01 onwards, Yeste was used regularly in Athletic's first team, netting six La Liga
goals during that season, including two in a 4–0 home win against Real Oviedo
, on 10 December 2000. After regular displays in 2003–04, he won a callup for Spain
, although he did not make his debut. He scored a career-best 11 league goals, with the Basque
finishing fifth, good enough for a UEFA Cup berth.
At times troubled with injuries, Yeste continued to appear prominently, playing in all the league contests of 2006–07, as Athletic barely avoided relegation (17th). He also added five goals in the process. A player of volatile temperament, he was also sent off
five times from 2007–09 (adding 14 yellow cards), including once after pushing Real Madrid
goalkeeper Iker Casillas
, in a 2–5 home loss.
In the 2009–10 season
, Yeste featured irregularly, also being ousted by manager Joaquín Caparrós
for more than one month. In the first match upon his return, a 0–2 loss at Atlético Madrid on 25 March 2010, he was booked. On 21 May, after his contract expired, he announced his departure from Athletic Bilbao, through his agent.
. In March of the following year, during the 2010–11 Etisalat Emirates Cup
semifinal against Al Ain Club, the opponents took the lead before the 50th minute (49:27) and, as they were still celebrating, he shot from the centre circle to score a goal that was described by Dutch
news site "Voetbal Stijl" as "The fastest equalizer in the history of football" (49:54).
There was controversy surrounding the legality of the goal, as Yeste shot the ball directly without having the ball passed from the centre circle, whilst another player was inside it, but it was later confirmed as valid, as the ball hit the ground just before crossing the goal line, and the other player inside the circle was from Al Ain.
champions Olympiacos FC, reuniting with former Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde.
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 Olympiacos F.C. in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
.
Usually an attacking midfielder (although he can also play in the left wing), he played 11 years of his professional career with 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...
(19 counting the youth system), appearing in 353 official games and scoring 59 goals.
Athletic Bilbao
Born in BasauriBasauri
Basauri is a major municipality of Biscay, in the Basque Country, an Autonomous Community in northern Spain.The town is a part of the Greater Bilbao conurbation, being only a few kilometers south of Bilbao. It is an industrial town that also includes monuments such as the tower-house of Ariz. It...
, Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
, and a product of Athletic de 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...
's youth ranks at Lezama
Lezama
Lezama is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain. It is home to the training headquarters of the football team Athletic Bilbao, and is accessible by bus - BizkaiBus - from Bilbao.-External links:*...
, Yeste made his first team debut on 7 February 1999, playing 90 minutes in a 0–2 loss at 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....
. He would appear in a further 13 matches during that and the following seasons, while mainly registered with the reserves
Bilbao Athletic
Bilbao Athletic is a Spanish football club based in Bilbao, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country...
.
From 2000–01 onwards, Yeste was used regularly in Athletic's first team, netting six 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...
goals during that season, including two in a 4–0 home win against Real Oviedo
Real Oviedo
Real Oviedo is a Spanish football club based in Oviedo, in the autonomous community of Asturias. Founded on 26 March 1926, it currently plays in Segunda División B - Group 2....
, on 10 December 2000. After regular displays in 2003–04, he won a callup 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...
, although he did not make his debut. He scored a career-best 11 league goals, with the Basque
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
finishing fifth, good enough for a UEFA Cup berth.
At times troubled with injuries, Yeste continued to appear prominently, playing in all the league contests of 2006–07, as Athletic barely avoided relegation (17th). He also added five goals in the process. A player of volatile temperament, he was also 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....
five times from 2007–09 (adding 14 yellow cards), including once after pushing 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...
goalkeeper 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...
, in a 2–5 home loss.
In the 2009–10 season
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;"|...
, Yeste featured irregularly, also being ousted by manager Joaquín Caparrós
Joaquín Caparrós
Joaquín de Jesús Caparrós Camino is a Spanish football coach, currently in charge of RCD Mallorca.-Football career:Caparrós was born in Utrera, Province of Seville, Andalusia. After an obscure career as a player, he started coaching in his mid-20's, his first club being amateurs San José Obrero CF...
for more than one month. In the first match upon his return, a 0–2 loss at Atlético Madrid on 25 March 2010, he was booked. On 21 May, after his contract expired, he announced his departure from Athletic Bilbao, through his agent.
United Arab Emirates
On 19 June 2010, Yeste, aged almost 31, signed a two-year contract with Al Wasl FCAl Wasl FC
Al Wasl Sports Club is a multi-sports club in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. It is best known for its football team.-The Cheetahs:Being one of the most popular clubs in the UAE, AlWasl have had several nicknames. The most famous one being...
. In March of the following year, during the 2010–11 Etisalat Emirates Cup
2010–11 Etisalat Emirates Cup
The 2010–11 Etisalat Emirates Cup is the third season of the league cup competition for teams in the UAE Pro-League.-Group A:-Group B:-Semi-Finals:-Final:-Top goalscorers:Last updated 2 May 2011-External links:*...
semifinal against Al Ain Club, the opponents took the lead before the 50th minute (49:27) and, as they were still celebrating, he shot from the centre circle to score a goal that was described by Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
news site "Voetbal Stijl" as "The fastest equalizer in the history of football" (49:54).
There was controversy surrounding the legality of the goal, as Yeste shot the ball directly without having the ball passed from the centre circle, whilst another player was inside it, but it was later confirmed as valid, as the ball hit the ground just before crossing the goal line, and the other player inside the circle was from Al Ain.
Olympiakos
In July 2011, at almost 32, Yeste signed a contract with GreekGreece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
champions Olympiacos FC, reuniting with former Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde.
Honours
- Athletic BilbaoAthletic BilbaoAthletic 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...
:- Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: Runner-up 2008–09 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: Runner-up 20092009 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2009 Supercopa de España was two-legged Spanish football match-up played on 16 August and 23 August 2009. It was contested by Athletic Bilbao, the 2008–09 Copa del Rey runners-up, and FC Barcelona, the 2008–09 Primera División Winners....
- Spanish Cup
- Spain U20Spain national under-20 football teamThe Spain national under-20 football team represents Spain in international football at this age level and is controlled by Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain.-FIFA World Youth Championship Record:...
:- FIFA U-20 World CupFIFA U-20 World CupThe FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
: 19991999 FIFA World Youth ChampionshipThe 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Nigeria between April 3 and April 24, 1999. The 1999 championship was the 12th contested.- Qualification :The following 24 teams qualified for the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.-Squads:...
- FIFA U-20 World Cup