Daniel Güiza

Dani Güiza
Danig.jpg
Personal information
Full name Daniel Gonzalez Güiza
Date of birth 17 August 1980 (1980-08-17) (age 30)
Place of birth Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
Height 1.82 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in) [1]
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Fenerbahçe
Number 9
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1998–1999 Xerez 16 (1)
1999–2002 Mallorca B 70 (28)
1999–2003 Mallorca 7 (1)
1999–2000 → Dos Hermanas (loan) 18 (9)
2002–2003 → Recreativo Huelva (loan) 4 (0)
2003 → Barcelona B (loan) 15 (5)
2003–2005 Ciudad Murcia 81 (38)
2005–2007 Getafe 61 (20)
2007–2008 Mallorca 37 (27)
2008– Fenerbahçe 65 (22)
National team‡
2007– Spain 20 (6)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22 May 2010.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 9 September 2009
This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is González and the second or maternal family name is Güiza.

Daniel "Dani" González Güiza (Spanish pronunciation: [daˈnjel ˈɣwiθa]; born 17 August 1980) is a Spanish footballer who currently plays as a striker for Fenerbahçe SK of the Turkish Super League and for the Spanish national team.

Contents

Club career

Having started playing on the streets of his hometown of Jerez de la Frontera in Cádiz,Güiza used to hide behind trees in an attempt to avoid the running, despite being then coached by boyhood idol Kiko.[2] He eventually made it into his local team, Xerez CD and, after one season there, first showed his eye for goal at third-tier side Dos Hermanas CF, loaned immediately after RCD Mallorca bought him. Such performances saw him make his debut in the first division at the age of 19, but he would fail to perform, being demoted to the B team where he scored 28 goals in 70 games.[3]

Güiza was then loaned out to Recreativo de Huelva, but could not find a secure place in the team, and was soon after loaned out to FC Barcelona B where he managed five goals in 15 games.[3] After two seasons in the third level, he moved to Ciudad de Murcia. It was here where his career saw a turning point, scoring 36 goals in two seasons.[3]

Bernd Schuster found this impressive enough to sign him for Getafe CF. Güiza became an instant first-choice, and became recognised as a top-flight striker, scoring 20 goals in just over 60 games and six in as many Copa del Rey appearances, while the team from Madrid's outskirts achieved two consecutive ninth-league places. The club's President Ángel Torres described him as "the best finisher in the first division after Ronaldo".[3]

After four years, Güiza returned to Mallorca in a €5 million move, brokered by his wife and agent Nuria Bermúdez, experiencing a breakthrough season.[2] On 20 April 2008, he scored a hat-trick against Real Murcia,[4] and finished the season as the league's top scorer, scoring 27 goals in 37 matches, a feat achieved without a single penalty kick.[5] Club coach Gregorio Manzano said: "In 24 years of coaching I've never had the winner of the Pichichi in my team. Dani is the top goalscorer in our league, and deserves extra credit for doing it without taking penalties, and he is also worthy of selection to Euro 2008".[3]

On 8 July 2008, Güiza signed for Turkish club Fenerbahçe for € 17.4 million.[6] In his first month, he managed to score twice in the league and another two in the club's Champions League campaign.

Güiza ended a long scoring drought on 22 March 2009, with an early goal against Bursaspor. Fenerbahçe lost 2–1 in the dying minutes of the game.

Prior to the beginning of the 2009–10 season, he scored a hattrick in the UEFA Europa League third round against Budapest Honvéd FC on 30 July 2009. He scored his first goal of 2009–10 season on match day one against Denizlispor in the first minute of the game.[7].

International career

Torres, Güiza and Fàbregas celebrating after their success at Euro 2008.

Unlike most of his teammates who had been youth internationals, Güiza was a late bloomer on the international stage, having been called up after impressing in the La Liga. On 8 November 2007, Güiza was called for the first time to a Spanish national side, which faced Sweden and Northern Ireland in UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying. He made his international debut against the latter on 21 November, in a 1–0 home win.[8]

He was subsequently called up to represent Spain at Euro 2008 but, despite being the league's top scorer in that year, still doubted his chances of being picked: "I was really scared I'd miss out, because being the league's top scorer doesn't guarantee you a place".[3]

On 18 June 2008, Güiza made his debut at the tournament and scored Spain's winning goal over Greece during the dying moments of Spain's last match of the group stage.[9] He also came on as a substitute in Spain's quarterfinal against Italy, missing the fourth kick in their penalty shootout win.[10]

In the semi-finals match against Russia, Güiza scored his second international and Euro 2008 goal during a 3–0 win.[11] After receiving a pass from Cesc Fàbregas, he quickly side-flicked it over the goalkeeper. He played during the final versus Germany (0–1) as a substitute and came very close to assisting Marcos Senna.[12]

Guiza celebrating Spain's Euro 2008 championship

On 15 October 2008, Güiza came on as a late substitute against Belgium and soon after assisted David Villa who scored the winning goal in a close 1–2 encounter.[13]

After an article circulated in January 2009, involving details about personal life and behaviour in training, Güiza's international career future was questioned.[14] Such reports on his behaviour became debatable due to the unreliable sources and any rumours of him being dropped from the Spain team were put to rest when Vicente del Bosque called him up for his services for the World Cup qualification matches against Turkey, where he solidified his superb performance against Belgium, once again coming on in the dying minutes and assisting a last minute winner during the match held in Istanbul.[15]

On June 1, 2009, Vicente Del Bosque once again counted on Güiza's services by calling him up for the Confederations Cup, alongside fellow strikers, David Villa, Fernando Torres and Fernando Llorente.[16] He came on as a substitute in the second match against Iraq. On June 28, 2009, he came on as a substitute with Spain 0–1 down against South Africa in the third place match and responded with a spectacular brace in the 88th and 89th minutes to put his team on the lead 2-1. Spain would eventually win 3-2 in extra-time.

Personal life

Güiza is of Romani (Gypsy) origin, the first to make it into the Spanish national squad.[17] He is known for celebrating his goals with the "archer gesture", a trademark of his childhood idol, former Cádiz CF and Atlético de Madrid great Kiko.[2] He was introduced as "the greatest promise in Spain", but also "the greatest party-goer" when he first joined Ciudad de Murcia. His then coach Juan Manuel Lillo stated that he had "too many birds flying round in his head".[2]

He suffered a divorce from his first wife Rocío with whom he had his first child, which gained a lot of publicity in the Spanish press. Furthermore, he admitted that "the night confuses me" and, after joining Getafe, he started to take advantage of the night life in Madrid, suffering a stomach infection as a result, and subsequently being forced to go on a diet consisting of liquids alone.[2]

During his time at Getafe, Güiza met Spanish model Nuria Bermúdez. She sat for the qualifications to become an official FIFA football agent, which she passed scoring 29 points, just five below the top and went on to become Güiza's agent.[18] She also obtained the highest score for a female football agent in Spain.[19]

Speaking of his relationship with the model, then Getafe coach Schuster said: "Ever since Dani's been with Nuria, he turns up to training and it doesn't look like he's slept under a bridge". On 1 December 2007, Bermúdez gave birth to Güiza's second son, also named Daniel, at Policlínica Miramar in Palma de Mallorca, hoping he would become a famous player like his father.[20]

Before Euro 2008, Güiza promised the media that if he were to win the competition, he would then propose to Bermúdez.[21]

In January 2009, the Spanish media began to publicise problems between Güiza's family and Bermúdez. Güiza's mother threatened to cut Bermúdez's neck for being a "thief".[22] Bermúdez then left Turkey with son Daniel, amongst claims the latter was ignored by the father.[23]

Güiza's ex-wife, Rocío Aranda, revealed that the two had met up just hours before the start of the match between England and Spain on 11 February 2009. According to Aranda, they met up in the hotel bar and went on to have sexual intercourse in one of the bedrooms. Subsequently, it was rumoured that Spain coach Vicente del Bosque would drop him from the team.[14] Güiza spoke against this in an interview with MARCA saying, "The truth is, I hadn't seen my son in a while so I went to see him in the hotel, I have to take advantage of such opportunites to see my children. To make money, she [his ex-wife] makes up stories. I spoke with Hierro and I explained the situation. I told him that I had to see my son and I wanted to be with him. I explained everything. I tried my best to be with my son and the truth is the whole story has not come out well in the press."[24]

Sports journalist José Manuel Estrada sent a text message to Spanish chat show ¿Dónde Estás Corazón? and indicated that what Güiza did violate the Spanish federation's rules and that, as a result, del Bosque should not call him up again.[14] That resulted false, since del Bosque has called again Güiza to the Spanish national team, and has explicitly denied any kind of problem with Daniel Güiza.

Statistics

All stats correct as of 9 June 2009

Club

Club performance League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Spain League Copa del Rey Europe Total
1998–99 Xerez Segunda División 16 1 - - 16 1
1999–2000 Dos Hermanas Segunda División B 18 9 - - 18 9
1999–2000 Mallorca B Segunda División B 17 10 - - 17 10
1999–2000 Mallorca La Liga 1 0 - - 1 0
2000–01 5 1 - - 5 1
2000–01 Mallorca B Segunda División B 28 9 - - 28 9
2001–02 25 9 - - 25 9
2002–03 Mallorca La Liga 1 0 - - 1 0
2002–03 Recreativo Huelva La Liga 4 0 - - 4 0
2002–03 FC Barcelona B Segunda División B 15 5 - - 15 5
2003–04 Ciudad Murcia Segunda División 40 16 2 0 - 42 16
2004–05 41 21 2 0 - 43 21
2005–06 Getafe La Liga 32 9 - - 32 9
2006–07 29 11 6 6 - 35 17
2007–08 Mallorca La Liga 37 27 5 2 - 42 29
Turkey League Türkiye Kupası Europe Total
2008–09[25] Fenerbahçe Süper Lig 32 11 8 2 7 3 47 16
2009–10 33 11 4 4 9 3 46 18
Total Spain 309 128 15 8 - 324 136
Turkey 65 22 12 6 16 6 93 34
Career total 374 150 27 14 16 6 417 170

International

National team Season Apps Goals Assists
Spain 2007–08[26] 8 2 2
2008–09[26] 8 3 3
Total 16 5 5
International Goals [27]
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 18 June 2008 Wals Siezenheim Stadium, Salzburg, Austria  Greece 1–2 1–2 UEFA Euro 2008
2. 26 June 2008 Ernst Happel Stadion, Wien, Austria  Russia 0–2 0–3 UEFA Euro 2008
3. 9 June 2009 Tofik Bakhramov, Baku, Azerbaijan  Azerbaijan 0 – 5 0–6 International Friendly
4. 28 June 2009 Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa  South Africa 1 – 1 3–2 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
5. 2 – 1
6. 18 November 2009 Ernst Happel Stadium, Vienna, Austria  Austria 1 – 4 1–5 International Friendly

Honours

Club

Country

Individual

References

  1. ↑ http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/players/player=297328/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Sid Lowe on Mallorca star Daniel González Güiza
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Diamond Guiza right on cue
  4. ↑ Madrid motor further clear at Racing
  5. ↑ FootballDatabase entry
  6. ↑ "Fener clinch Güiza deal". Sky Sports. 2008-07-08. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11827_3794030,00.html. Retrieved 2008-07-23. 
  7. ↑ "Denizlispor 0 – 2 Fenerbahce". fenerbahce.org. 2009-08-10. http://www.fenerbahce.org/eng/detay.asp?. Retrieved 2009-08-10. 
  8. ↑ Spain 1–0 Northern Ireland: Spain end Irish hopes
  9. ↑ Greece 1–2 Spain: Güiza seals Spanish hat-trick
  10. ↑ Spain beat Italy in penalty shootout
  11. ↑ Spain 3–0 Russia: Fabregas proves the inspiration
  12. ↑ Germany 0–1 Spain
  13. ↑ Villa maintains perfect record
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Güiza's international career in jeopardy
  15. ↑ Spain Heroes Guiza & Riera: We Have One Foot In The World Cup
  16. ↑ Spain Name Mata, Riera, Busquets And Injured Stars
  17. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/sports/soccer/07iht-soccer.html
  18. ↑ "From lover to players' agent" (Spanish); El Mundo, 16 April 2006, retrieved on 2008-06-02
  19. ↑ "Nuria Bermúdez: famous people" (Spanish); Hoy Mujer, retrieved on 2008-06-02
  20. ↑ "Son of footballer Güiza and Nuria Bermúdez is born" (Spanish); El Periódico, 2 December 2007, retrieved on 2008-06-02
  21. ↑ Guiza to propose if Spain win (not lose)
  22. ↑ Dani Güiza's mother threatens to cut Nuria Bermúdez's neck (Spanish)
  23. ↑ Nuria Bermudez's soap opera (Spanish)
  24. ↑ Güiza: "¿Por qué no va a ir Raúl a la selección si se lo merece como el que más?" – MARCA.com (Spanish)
  25. ↑ Daniel González Güiza Stats, News – Mallorca
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Dani Güiza Game Log
  27. ↑ National team data (Spanish)

External links

Fenerbahçe S.K. – current squad

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