Thiago Alcântara

Thiago

Thiago playing for Spain in 2015
Personal information
Full name Thiago Alcântara do Nascimento[1]
Date of birth (1991-04-11) 11 April 1991
Place of birth San Pietro Vernotico, Italy
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in)[2]
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Bayern Munich
Number 6
Youth career
1995–1996 Flamengo
1996–2000 Ureca
2000–2001 Kelme
2001–2005 Flamengo
2005–2008 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2008–2011 Barcelona B 59 (3)
2009–2013 Barcelona 68 (7)
2013– Bayern Munich 49 (4)
National team‡
2007 Spain U16 1 (0)
2007–2008 Spain U17 8 (5)
2009 Spain U18 1 (1)
2009–2010 Spain U19 11 (4)
2010–2013 Spain U21 21 (6)
2011– Spain 6 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:20, 7 May 2016 (UTC).
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12 October 2015
This name uses Portuguese naming customs. The first or maternal family name is Alcântara and the second or paternal family name is do Nascimento.

Thiago Alcântara do Nascimento (born 11 April 1991), known simply as Thiago (Spanish: [ˈtjaɣo], Portuguese: [tʃiˈaɡu]), is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for German club FC Bayern Munich.

Born in Italy to Brazilian parents, his father being former footballer and World Cup champion Mazinho, Thiago joined FC Barcelona aged 14, and made his first team debut in 2009. After winning honours including four La Liga titles, the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup for Barcelona, he was signed by Bayern for €25 million in 2013.

After helping Spain to European Championships at under-19 and under-21 levels, he made his full international debut in 2011. He was part of the 24-man World Cup squad for Spain in the 2014 World Cup but later withdrew due to an injury to his knee.

Club career

Early career

Thiago was born in San Pietro Vernotico, Italy, when his father Mazinho (player for the Brazilian national team from 1989 to 1994) was playing for nearby U.S. Lecce. He started at the lower levels of Flamengo in Brazil, and, at the age of five, moved to Spain with his father, and started playing with Galician team Ureca in Nigrán. In 2001, he played with Kelme CF when his father played for Elche CF.[3][4] He returned to Flamengo aged 10 and, in 2005, once again moved back to Spain, signing with FC Barcelona, where his cousin Patrick was also playing.[5]

Barcelona

On 17 May 2009, aged 18, Thiago made his debut for the first team when he came on as a substitute for Eiður Guðjohnsen in the 74th minute at RCD Mallorca for his only appearance of the season. Barcelona, having already won the league, lost 1–2.[6]

On 20 February 2010, after coming on as a substitute for Yaya Touré in the 76th minute, Thiago scored his first goal for Barcelona in a 4–0 home win against Racing de Santander.[7] He scored his third goal against Real Sociedad in a start on 29 April, although Barcelona lost 2–1.[8] He ended the 2010–11 season with 17 games, three goals, and three assists, and was an unused substitute as Barcelona won the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.[9]

Thiago started the 2011–12 season with the first leg of the Spanish Supercopa match against rivals Real Madrid, being substituted for Xavi after 58 minutes, and was an unused substitute as they defeated FC Porto for the 2011 UEFA Super Cup. He then scored in Barcelona's first La Liga match of the season in a 5–0 home win against Villarreal CF.[10] On 18 December, he started as Barcelona won 4–0 in the Club World Cup Final at International Stadium Yokohama.[11] Thiago also netted Barcelona's fifth in a 7–0 win against Rayo Vallecano on 29 April from a close-range header.[12]

Bayern Munich

I spoke to club about my concept and told them why I want Thiago. He is the only player I want. It'll be him or no one.

“
”

— Pep Guardiola to the press prior to the signing.[13]

On 14 July 2013, Thiago signed a four-year deal with Bundesliga club Bayern Munich, for a €25 million fee.[14] Bayern would pay €20 million to Barcelona directly with the remainder being covered by the proceeds of a friendly to be played between the two teams at some point in the following four years and by Thiago foregoing some money owed to him by Barcelona.[15] The transfer came despite a new contract that Barcelona had given Thiago in 2011 which set his release clause at €90 million.[16] Barcelona failed to fulfil clauses in the contract relating to the amount of playing time that Thiago received, and as a result the player's buy-out clause dropped to €18m.[16]

Thiago made his Bayern debut in a 4–2 defeat to rivals Borussia Dortmund in the 2013 DFL-Supercup on 27 July.[17] He made his debut in the Bundesliga in a 0–1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt on 11 August 2013.[18]

On 21 December 2013, he scored his first competitive goal for Bayern Munich, in the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup Final against Raja Casablanca of Morocco, sealing the 2–0 win for the German club.[19] On 29 January 2014, he scored his first Bundesliga goal, the scissor-kicked winner in stoppage time against VfB Stuttgart which was voted the Goal of the Month.[20] He also had an assist to Claudio Pizarro for Bayern's first goal in the 2–1 win.[21] Four days later, in a match against Eintracht Frankfurt, he set a Bundesliga record with 185 touches of the ball.[22] On 23 February, in a 4–0 win over Hannover 96, Thiago scored his second and last goal of the Bundesliga season.[23] His season ended due to a knee ligament tear against 1899 Hoffenheim six days later,[24] although Bayern went on to win the league and cup.

After over a year out injured, Thiago returned on 4 April 2015, replacing Philipp Lahm for the last 21 minutes of a 1–0 win at Borussia Dortmund.[25] Four days later, he again replaced Lahm in a DFB-Pokal quarter-final at Bayer Leverkusen, scoring the winning goal in the penalty shootout after a goalless draw.[26] On 15 April, he scored in the team's Champions League quarter-final first leg away to FC Porto, albeit in a 1–3 defeat.[27] Six days later, he headed in Juan Bernat's cross for the opening goal of a 6–1 rout to overturn the first leg deficit against Porto, helping Bayern advance to the Champions League semi-finals.[28] On 26 April, after VfL Wolfsburg lost to Borussia Mönchengladbach, Thiago won his second Bundesliga title for Bayern.[29]

On 27 August 2015 Thiago signed a new 4-year contract with Bayern.[30]

International career

Youth

Thiago preparing a corner kick in an under-21 international, 2011

He participated in the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship with Spain, helping his country to eventual victory in the tournament, and scoring in the final.[31] Thiago was ever-present during Spain's victorious 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship campaign, scoring the second goal of a 2–0 victory with a 40-yard free kick in the final against Switzerland.[32] He was awarded the man of the match of the final.

On 18 June 2013, he scored a hat-trick in the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Final as Spain defeated Italy 4–2 to win their fourth title.[33]

Senior

He made his first appearance for Spain's senior squad in a friendly against Italy on 10 August 2011, while his first competitive match was on 6 September 2011, in a Euro 2012 qualifying match 6–0 win against Liechtenstein. Due to injury he missed Euro 2012 and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.[34]

Thiago was named in Spain's 30-man provisional squad for the 2014 World Cup on 13 May of that year.[35] However, two days later, he withdrew from the squad due to a knee ligament injury obtained while playing for Bayern in March. Bayern Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said, "A young man who wanted to come back at the World Cup, and suddenly his dreams are burst. We will take care of him now and make sure he is fit at the start of the season."[36]

On 2 October 2015, with the team's place in the tournament already assured, Thiago was re-called by manager Vicente del Bosque for the first time since his injury,[37] and ten days later featured in their 1–0 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying win away to Ukraine.[38]

Personal life

Thiago taking a picture with a fan in 2010

He is the son of the former Brazilian footballer and 1994 World Cup winner Mazinho.[39] His mother, Valéria Alcântara, was a former volleyball player.[40][41] His younger brother, Rafinha, plays for FC Barcelona.[42]

Rodrigo, who played youth football with Real Madrid, spent several seasons with S.L. Benfica and currently plays for Valencia CF, is his cousin.[43]

On 27 June 2015, he married his girlfriend, Júlia Vigas, in a ceremony in Sant Climent de Peralta, Catalonia, Spain.[44][45]

Career statistics

Club

As of 7 May 2016.[46]
Club Season League Cup Europe Other[47] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Barcelona B 2007–08 50–50
2008–09 250–250
2009–10[48] 183–183
2010–11 110–110
Total 593–593
Barcelona 2008–09 1000000010
2009–10 1110000021
2010–11 122311010173
2011–12 272827030454
2012–13 272712000363
Total 6871941004010111
Bayern Munich 2013–14 162204031253
2014–15 70204200132
2015–16 262418110394
Total 4948116341779
Career totals 176142752638123723

International

As of match played 28 March 2016.[49]
National team Year Apps Goals
Spain 2011 3 0
2012 0 0
2013 1 0
2014 1 0
2015 1 0
2016 1 0
Total 7 0

Honours

Thiago (number 19) lining up with the Spanish team that won the 2011 European Under-21 Championship

Club

Barcelona[50]
Bayern Munich[50]

International

Spain[31][50]

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2013: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 7 December 2013. p. 5. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  2. ↑ "Thiago Alcântara do Nascimiento". Fcbarcelona.com. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  3. ↑ "Kelme official website". Kelme. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  4. ↑ "Thiago Alcántara, la nueva perla azulgrana" (in Spanish). suite101.net. 30 July 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  5. ↑ "THIAGO ALCÂNTARA DO NASCIMENTO" (in Portuguese). PortalBARRA. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  6. ↑ Villalobos, Fran (17 May 2009). "El Barça pierde la guerra de Etoo" [Barça lose the war of Etoo]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  7. ↑ "FC Barcelona vs Racing de Santander". Goal.com. 20 February 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  8. ↑ "Barcelona stumble against Real Sociedad to miss out on record". The Guardian. 29 April 2012. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  9. ↑ McNulty, Phil (28 May 2011). "Barcelona 3 - 1 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  10. ↑ Gonzalez, Roger (29 August 2011). "Barcelona 5–0 Villarreal: Messi, Fabregas & Alexis Sanchez all on target as champions cruise to victory". Goal.com. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  11. ↑ Hannah, Gabrielle (18 December 2011). "Simply the best! Messi inspires Barca to 4-0 victory over Neymar's Santos". Daily Mail. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  12. ↑ Sinanan, Keeghann (29 April 2012). "Rayo Vallecano 0-7 Barcelona: Messi and Pedro both net doubles as Catalan giants romp to resounding victory". Goal.com. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  13. ↑ Staunton, Peter (17 October 2014). "Bayern will never truly be Pep's team without Thiago Alcantara". Goal.com. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  14. ↑ "Thiago Alcántara sold to Bayern Munich for 25 million euros". FC Barcelona. 14 July 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  15. ↑ "FC Bayern verpflichtet Thiago Alcántara" (in German). FC Bayern Munich. 14 July 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  16. 1 2 Hayward, Ben (19 June 2013). "Barcelona blunder makes €18m Thiago the bargain of the summer". goal.com. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  17. ↑ Grohmann, Karolos (27 July 2013). "Borussia Dortmund 4 Bayern Munich 2: Revenge for Klopp as Reus double earns Super Cup victory in repeat of Champions League final". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  18. ↑ "Mandzukic sorgt für Frankfurts Fehlstart". kicker (in German). 17 August 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  19. ↑ "Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola targets more silverware after Club World Cup victory". The Daily Telegraph. 22 December 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  20. 1 2 "Thiago erzielt Tor des Monats" (in German). FC Bayern Munich. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  21. ↑ "VfB Stuttgart 1-2 Bayern Munich". BBC Sport. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  22. ↑ "5:0 – Bayern dominiert gegen Frankfurt nach Belieben". Die Welt (in German). 2 February 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  23. ↑ "Bayern Munich and Thomas Müller crush Hannover with ruthless efficiency". The Guardian. Press Association. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  24. ↑ "Bayern Munich 3-3 1899 Hoffenheim". BBC Sport. 29 March 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  25. ↑ "Bor Dortmd 0-1 Bayern Mun". BBC Sport. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  26. ↑ "Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Bayern Munich AET (3-5 pens): Neuer and Thiago the shoot-out heroes". Goal.com. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  27. ↑ Hafez, Shamoon (15 April 2015). "FC Porto 3-1 Bayern Mun". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  28. ↑ Uersfeld, Stephan (21 April 2015). "Bayern Munich 6-1 FC Porto". ESPN. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  29. ↑ "Bayern Munich: Pep Guardiola's side win 25th Bundesliga title". BBC Sport. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  30. ↑ "Thiago verlängert bis 2019" (in German). Bayern Munich. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  31. 1 2 Saffer, Paul (16 May 2008). "Stupendous Spain win U17 crown". UEFA. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  32. ↑ "European Under-21 Championship: Spain win tournament with victory over Switzerland". Daily Telegraph. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  33. ↑ Magowan, Alistair (18 June 2013). "Italy 2 Spain 4". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  34. ↑ "Del Bosque: "Pensamos que para nuestros intereses es mejor Negredo"" (in Spanish). rtve.es. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  35. ↑ "World Cup 2014: Diego Costa and Fernando Torres in Spain squad". BBC Sport. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  36. ↑ "Thiago Alcantara: Spain midfielder to miss World Cup". BBC Sport. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  37. ↑ "Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque drops Diego Costa, recalls Thiago Alcantara". IBN. Reuters. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  38. ↑ Rodgers, Iain (12 October 2015). "Ukraine 0-1 Spain: Mario Gaspar nets the winner on his international debut as Cesc Fabregas misses a penalty in Kiev". Reuters. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  39. ↑ McMath, Duncan (24 July 2013). "Thiago was 'close' to joining Man Utd". ESPN FC. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  40. ↑ Roura, C.; Berzosa, E. (21 August 2009). "Thiago y Jonathan, ADN fútbol" (in Spanish). MundoDeportivo.com. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  41. ↑ "Youth:Thiago Alcántara". fcbtransfers.blogspot.com. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  42. ↑ "FC Barcelona Youth A 2009/10". Fcbarcelona.com. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  43. ↑ "Primos en el césped" [Cousins on the pitch] (in Spanish). Marca. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  44. ↑ "Er hat geheiratet" (in German). 29 June 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  45. ↑ "Otra boda futbolera: el 'sí quiero' de Thiago Alcántara" (in Spanish). El Mundo. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  46. ↑ "Thiago" (in German). kicker.de. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  47. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup.
  48. ↑ Including the 2010 Segunda División B play-offs (5 caps, 1 goal)
  49. ↑ "Thiago Alcântara". National Football Teams. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  50. 1 2 3 "Thiago Alcântara". Soccerway.com. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  51. 1 2 "Thiago leads all-star squad dominated by Spain". UEFA. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  52. ↑ "Morata wins Golden Boot in Spanish clean sweep". UEFA. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013.

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