Cristián Zapata

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This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Zapata and the second or maternal family name is Valencia.
Cristián Zapata

Zapata playing for Milan in 2013
Personal information
Full nameCristián Eduardo Zapata Valencia
Date of birth (1986-09-30) 30 September 1986
Place of birthPadilla, Colombia
Height1.87 m (6 ft 1 1⁄2 in)
Playing positionCentre back
Club information
Current clubMilan
Number17
Youth career
Deportivo Cali
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2004–2005Deportivo Cali25(0)
2005–2011Udinese168(5)
2011–2013Villarreal28(0)
2012–2013→ Milan (loan)23(0)
2013–Milan19(1)
National team‡
2007–Colombia20(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19 January 2014.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19 November 2013

Cristián Eduardo Zapata Valencia (born 30 September 1986 in Padilla, Cauca) is a Colombian professional footballer. He currently plays for Italian Serie A club Milan as a defender, usually as a centre back. He can also play at full-back on either side as he is comfortable with both feet, although naturally right footed. In May 2013, Zapata signed a contract with his current club, Milan, until 2016.[1]

Club career

Udinese

Zapata was signed by Udinese on 31 August 2005 from Deportivo Cali, along with team-mate Abel Aguilar. Both of them played at, and were scouted by Udinese at, the U-20 World Cup. On 18 September 2006, Zapata signed a new 5-year contract.[2] That season he started 35 Serie A games.[2] Cristián Zapata employed Claudio Pasqualin (of P.D.P. srl) as his agent on 21 February 2006, but fired on 9 July 2007. In 2009 the Tribunale Nazionale di Arbitrato per lo Sport awarded Pasqualin eligible to receive €38,900 as agent fee that Zapata owed Pasqualin (5% of annual salary times 2 seasons, 2006–07 and 2007–08).[2]

In October 2007, Zapata along with Andrea Dossena, Roman Eremenko and Simone Pepe were awarded new contracts until June 2012.[3][4]

In June 2008, Zapata was injured[5] and missed 6 months.

In 2009–10 season, Zapata usually played as central defender, partnered with Andrea Coda.

Villarreal

After the 2010–11 season, Cristián Zapata claimed that many top European clubs were after him. He has since stated "I do not know what to say, I can say that I am very close to a deal happening".[citation needed] Zapata signed for Villarreal CF on 12 July 2011. On Wednesday 17 August 2011, in the 2011–12 season, Cristián Zapata made his debut against Udinese in a Champions League qualifier.

Milan

In August 2012, Villarreal announced that Zapata has left the club to join Milan on a season-long loan.

Zapata made headline news in the Champions league against Spanish giants Barcelona. With Milan's opening in a 2–0 victory of the first leg, the ball was deflected on to his hand considered a handball by many and landed in front of Boateng who made a goal soon afterwards. However, given that he held both arms back in a neutral position, the referee called it 'fair play' due to the fact that he did not deliberately attempted to touch the ball with his hand. Thus, allowing Kevin-Prince Boateng's goal as counted as well as granting Zapata an 'assist'. It is also noted that the replay showed the ball making contact with his face. Thus giving the possibility that his hand never made contact with the ball.[6]

In his first Milan derby against Inter Milan, Zapata was praised greatly for what was perhaps his 'best game' defending and playing a key role in counter-attacks. The game ended in a 1–1 draw.

In May 2013, it was reported that Milan would sign Zapata on a permanent deal. On 23 May 2013, Zapata signed a contract with Milan until summer 2016.[7][8]

International career

Zapata was a member of Colombian U-20 team that won the 2005 South American Youth Championship and the team that plaeyd at 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, who lost to Argentina in the round of 16. Zapata was injured in the first 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match.

In the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match, Zapata finally got his first spot chance since under new coach Jose Pekerman against South American leaders Argentina. In the 26th minute, while defending the ball inside Colombia's box from Gonzalo Higuaín, Higuain fell to the side while losing balance and kicked the thigh of Zapata in anger. In reaction, Zapata questioned him and kicked him back, resulting in receiving a red card along with Higuain. Zapata was later criticized for not controlling himself and allowing the referee to give Higuain the red card while simply walking away, which would have allowed Colombia a 11 men advantage over a 10 men Argentina.[9]

Honours

Club

Deportivo Cali

International

Colombia U-20

Career statistics

Club

As of match played on 23 January 2014.
Club performance League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Colombia League Cup South America Total
Apertura 2005Deportivo CaliPrimera A170 170
Italy League Coppa Italia Europe Total
2005–06UdineseSerie A2015040291
2006–0736020—380
2007–0828100281
2008–091812060261
2009–1031040—350
2010–1135230382
Total Udinese 16851601001945
Spain League Copa del Rey Europe Total
2011–12VillarrealLa Liga2802060360
Italy League Coppa Italia Europe Total
2012–13MilanSerie A2301050290
2013–141911082283
Total Milan 42120132573
Total Italy 21061802322518
Career total 24562002923048

International

As of 16 October 2012.
National team Season Apps Goals
 Colombia 2007 1 0
2008 4 0
2009 7 0
2010 2 0
2011 1 0
2012 1 0
2013 0 0
Total 16 0

Personal life

Cristián Zapata's aunt; Limbaina Zapata, was kidnapped on 1 May 2013 and demanded $ 150 million in ransom.[13][14] The following day, the Colombian police National Police of Colombia located the thieves in Miranda, Cauca Colombia, and Limbaina Zapata was released with no harm.[13][14]

References

  1. ↑ http://es.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=2083685.html?intcmp=fifacom_hp_module_news
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Avv. Claudio Pasqualin – Sig. Cristian Eduardo Zapata Valencia". TNAS of CONI (in Italian). 28 July 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2011. 
  3. ↑ "Udinese prolunga 4 contratti a 2012" (in Italian). ANSA. 12 October 2007. Retrieved 29 October 2009. 
  4. ↑ "CALCIO, UDINESE: IN QUATTRO RINNOVANO FINO AL 2012". la Repubblica (in Italian). 12 October 2007. Retrieved 9 April 2010. 
  5. ↑ "Zapata, serio infortunio in Nazionale" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 16 June 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2009. 
  6. ↑ Milan humbled Barcelona. Goal.com. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  7. ↑ http://www.calciomercato.com/english-news/ac-milan-zapata-on-permanent-deal-juventus-real-wants-pirtlo-674671
  8. ↑ http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2013/05/23/3999312/breaking-news-ac-milan-sign-zapata-on-a-permanent-basis?source=breakingnews&ICID=HP_BN_3
  9. ↑ http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2104443/index.html?intcmp=fifacom_hp_module_news
  10. ↑ "International Friendly Matches 2007". RSSSF. Retrieved 29 October 2009. 
  11. ↑ "Match Report: France 1–0 Colombia" (in French). FFF. Retrieved 29 October 2009. 
  12. ↑ "I bianconeri in Nazionale" (in Italian). Udinese Calcio. 12 February 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2009. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Liberan a tía del jugador Cristian Zapata (in Spanish). rcnradio.com. 1 May 2013.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Aunty of AC Milan’s Cristian Zapata kidnapped in Colombia. fanatix.com. 1 May 2013.

External links

A.C. Milan – current squad
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