Cristián Zapata

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 name Cristián Eduardo Zapata Valencia
Date of birth (1986-09-30) 30 September 1986
Place of birth Padilla, Colombia
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 1 1⁄2 in)
Playing position Centre back
Club information
Current team
 Milan
Number 17
Youth career
Deportivo Cali
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2004–2005 Deportivo Cali 17 (0)
2005–2011 Udinese 168 (5)
2011–2012 Villarreal 28 (0)
2012– Milan 67 (2)
National team‡
2008– Colombia 39 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 04:12, 5 March 2016 (UTC).
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17 November 2015

Cristián Eduardo Zapata Valencia (born 30 September 1986 in Padilla, Cauca) is a Colombian professional footballer. He currently plays for 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]

A Colombian international since 2008, he has represented his nation at the 2011 Copa America and the 2014 World Cup.

Club career

Udinese

Zapata was signed by Udinese on 31 August 2005 from Deportivo Cali, along with team-mate Abel Aguilar. Both of them were scouted by Udinese while playing at the U-20 World Cup. On 18 September 2006, Zapata signed a new five-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 him 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 was awarded new contracts until June 2012.[3][4]

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

In the 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 interested in signing him. He has since stated "I do not know what to say, I can say that I am very close to a deal happening". 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 and landed in front of Kevin-Prince Boateng who scored a goal soon afterwards. The referee did not judge it an attempted touch of the ball but allowed Boateng's goal to be counted while Zapata was credited with an 'assist'. The replay showed the ball making contact with his face.[6] In his first Milan derby against Inter Milan, Zapata was praised for his defending and for playing a key role in counter-attacks. In 2013, Zapata signed a contract with Milan until summer 2016.[7][8]

In January 2015, Zapata suffered an injury keeping him sidelined for two months. Upon recovery, he featured as an unused substitute.

International career

Zapata was a member of Colombian U-20 team that won the 2005 South American Youth Championship and the team that played at 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, who lost to Argentina in the round of 16. Zapata was unavailable 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 an 11 men advantage over a 10 men Argentina.[9]

Personal life

Zapata's aunt Limbaina Zapata was kidnapped on 1 May 2013. The kidnappers demanded $150 million in ransom.[10][11] The following day, the National Police of Colombia located the thieves in Miranda, Cauca, Colombia, and Limbaina Zapata was released with no harm.[10][11]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played on 5 March 2016.[12]
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
2013–142011082293
2014–151201000130
2015–161314000171
Total Milan 67270132864
Total Italy 22562202322738
Total Spain 2802060360
Career total 26362402923268

International

As of 17 November 2015.
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 4 0
2014 9 0
2015 10 0
Total 39 0

Honours

International

Colombia U-20

References

External links

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