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OlegerSpanish footballer
Date of Birth: 02.02.1980
Country:  Spain |
Content:
Biography of Oleguer
Oleguer is a Spanish football player who currently plays as a defender for Ajax Amsterdam. He began his career in his hometown club, Lepanto, before moving to Gramenet in 1997. He made his debut for the first team in 2001.
In 2002, at the age of 21, Oleguer received an invitation to join Barcelona B, and he made his first appearance for the senior team in a Champions League match against Galatasaray. Although he primarily played for the second team in the following season, he occasionally played for the main team of Barcelona. It was in the 2004/05 season when he became a vital player for Barcelona as they won La Liga after six years. Oleguer is a fast and strong defender who fits perfectly into the team's style of play and continues the tradition of Catalan talents at Barcelona. He usually plays as a right-back, but due to injuries to the central defenders in the 2004/05 season, he often partnered with Carles Puyol in the center of defense.
During the 2005/06 season, Oleguer competed with Juliano Belletti for the right-back position, providing a more defensive alternative to the attacking-minded Brazilian. Despite facing tough competition for a spot in the starting lineup, Oleguer played many games that season, showcasing his reliability and work rate. He became the subject of controversy in Spain after rumors surfaced in the press about his refusal to play for the national team. Oleguer sympathizes with left-wing and pro-Catalan nationalist views, and Subcomandante Marcos, the leader of the Zapatistas, asked him to participate in a charity match in the Mexican state of Chiapas.
In late 2005, Oleguer attended a gathering of the Spanish national team's reserve squad, sparking debates and discussions in the press about his participation or non-participation in the 2006 World Cup. On March 30, 2006, Oleguer published his first book, titled "The Path to Ithaca" (Cami d'Itaca), which recounted his childhood, the beginning of his career, and the first championship victory in the 2004/05 season. The book also touched on more serious matters, such as anti-fascist struggles and the previous Spanish government's involvement in the Persian Gulf Wars.
When Barcelona players were presented with the championship trophy on May 3, 2006, Oleguer celebrated the victory by wrapping himself in the Catalan flag. However, on May 15, 2006, the coach of the Spanish national team, Luis Aragones, did not include Oleguer in the squad for the World Cup in Germany. Just two days later, Barcelona defeated Arsenal in the Champions League final. Oleguer started the match in the starting lineup but was unable to neutralize Freddie Ljungberg, who troubled Barcelona's defense on the wing, and prevent Sol Campbell from scoring a goal. He was substituted by Belletti in the 71st minute, who eventually scored the winning goal.
