Walter Gaitán

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Walter Nicolás Gaitán Sayavedra (born March 13, 1977 in La Rioja, Argentina) is a football attacking midfield, who currently plays for Tigres in the Primera División de México. He plays in Tigres with the number 10.

Gaitán has many nicknames. Some media, particularly those in Monterrey, but also some national television networks call him "El Divino" ("The Divine"), because of his supposedly gifted touch of the ball and feel of the game. For those that, because of religious reasons, are uncomfortable calling a soccer player "Divine", particularly those in national TV and Radio networks and certain newspapers in Mexico, he is nicknamed "El Chueco" ("The crooked"), due to him being left-handed, and left-footed. In the Mexican spanish version of the EA Sports FIFA games, he is nicknamed "Mago" ("magician"), to replace "El Divino".

Gaitán began his career in Argentina with Rosario Central in 1997. He left the team in 1998, however, moving to Villarreal CF of the Spanish Liga. After two years in Spain, he returned to Argentina in 2000, joining the prestigious Boca Juniors. It is interesting to note that odd coincidences have made this player to always play with teams that have the yellow and blue colors. When Tigres qualifyied for the Copa Libertadores, he wore the shirt of Rosario Central at the celebration.

Gaitán moved to Mexico for the 2002 Apertura, signing with Tigres UANL. After scoring four goals in 15 games in his first season, Gaitán scored eight in the 2003 Clausura. He has been one of the best midfield in the Mexican league in his two and a half years there, totalling 40 goals in 89 games, and becoming the top goal-scorer of the 2005 Apertura. He was also named Best Player of the Clausura 2006 tournament.

He has been regarded by some as the best player in Tigres of the last few years. He was selected to wear the number 7, retired to honor team legend Gerónimo Barbadillo, in Copa Libertadores where regulations command that the number be used. The only other Tigres player to have that honor is Claudio "El Diablo" Nuñez. Gaitán is also the all time top scorer in Copa Libertadores for Tigres along with Néstor Silvera with 4 goals each.

Gaitán is also tied with "Diablo" Nuñez as the top goal scorer for Tigres in the history of the Clásico Regiomontano. Both players have eight goals in such matches.