Nacho Monreal
Encyclopedia
Ignacio "Nacho" Monreal Eraso (born 26 February 1986 in Pamplona
, Navarre
) is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Málaga CF
as a left defender.
's youth ranks, Monreal made his official debut for his hometown club in an away game against Valencia CF
, on 22 October 2006, in a 0–1 La Liga
loss. He finished his first campaign with ten league appearances, adding two in the season's UEFA Champions League
; after the Navarre
se's "demotion" to the UEFA Cup, he appeared in four games as the club reached the last-four, being eliminated by fellow league side Sevilla FC
.
In 2007–08, Monreal became first-choice, retaining that status in the subsequent campaigns, with another youth product, César Azpilicueta
, being the undisputed starter in the other defensive wing.
, for €
6 million. In his first season
, he battled for first-choice status with Portuguese
Eliseu
.
. He started all matches in the 2009 European Championship
, in an eventual group stage exit.
On 6 August 2009, Monreal was called for the first time to the senior side
, for a friendly with Macedonia. He played the last 15 minutes for Joan Capdevila
, in a 3–2 away success. On 7 September 2010, in the nation's second match after the victorious
FIFA World Cup
in South Africa
, he played the entire 1–4 friendly loss to Argentina
.
Pamplona
Pamplona is the historial capital city of Navarre, in Spain, and of the former kingdom of Navarre.The city is famous worldwide for the San Fermín festival, from July 6 to 14, in which the running of the bulls is one of the main attractions...
, Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
) is a Spanish
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 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...
as a left defender.
Osasuna
A product of CA OsasunaCA Osasuna
Club Atlético Osasuna, known as Osasuna, is a Spanish football team based in Iruñea-Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre.Founded in 1920, it currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at the 19,553-capacity Estadio Reyno de Navarra...
's youth ranks, Monreal made his official debut for his hometown club in an away game against Valencia CF
Valencia 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 22 October 2006, in a 0–1 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...
loss. He finished his first campaign with ten league appearances, adding two in the season's 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...
; after the Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
se's "demotion" to the UEFA Cup, he appeared in four games as the club reached the last-four, being eliminated by fellow league side 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...
.
In 2007–08, Monreal became first-choice, retaining that status in the subsequent campaigns, with another youth product, César Azpilicueta
César Azpilicueta
César Azpilicueta Tanco is a Spanish footballer who plays for Olympique de Marseille in France, as a right defender.-Club career:...
, being the undisputed starter in the other defensive wing.
Málaga
On 10 June 2011, Monreal signed for Málaga CFMálaga 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...
, for €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
6 million. In his first season
2011–12 La Liga
The 2011–12 La Liga season is the 81st since its establishment. Barcelona are the defending champions, having won their 21st La Liga title in the previous season for the third time in a row. The campaign began on 27 August 2011, and will end on 13 May 2012...
, he battled for first-choice status with Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
Eliseu
Eliseu Pereira dos Santos
Eliseu Pereira dos Santos , simply Eliseu, is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Málaga CF in Spain. A left winger who can also operate as a left back, he is mostly known for his blazing speed.-Early years:...
.
International career
In 2007, Monreal earned his first call for Spain's U-21sSpain national under-21 football team
The Spain national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of Spain and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The team, nicknamed La Rojita , competes in the biannual European Under-21 Football Championship.Following the realignment of UEFA's youth...
. He started all matches in the 2009 European Championship
2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
The 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship began on 15 June 2009, and was the 17th UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. This was the first tournament after the competition reverted to a two-year format, following the single-year 2006-07 competition, which allowed the change to...
, in an eventual group stage exit.
On 6 August 2009, Monreal was called for the first time to the senior side
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...
, for a friendly with Macedonia. He played the last 15 minutes for Joan Capdevila
Joan Capdevila
Joan Capdevila i Méndez is a Spanish footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal, and the Spanish national team.His usual position is left defender, but he is also capable of operating as a winger and, from a defensive position, often contributes with goals...
, in a 3–2 away success. On 7 September 2010, in the nation's second match after the victorious
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, he played the entire 1–4 friendly loss to Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
.