Emiliano Adrián Insúa Zapata (born 7 January 1989) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a left-back.

Emiliano Insúa
Insúa with VfB Stuttgart in 2019
Personal information
Full name Emiliano Adrián Insúa Zapata
Date of birth (1989-01-07) 7 January 1989 (age 35)[1]
Place of birth Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Left-back
Youth career
Boca Juniors
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007 Boca Juniors 0 (0)
2007Liverpool (loan) 2 (0)
2007–2011 Liverpool 44 (0)
2010–2011Galatasaray (loan) 16 (0)
2011–2013 Sporting CP 37 (1)
2013–2015 Atlético Madrid 9 (0)
2014–2015Rayo Vallecano (loan) 24 (1)
2015–2020 VfB Stuttgart 125 (3)
2020–2021 LA Galaxy 22 (0)
2021 Aldosivi 26 (0)
2022–2023 Racing Club 46 (0)
International career
2006–2009 Argentina U20 19 (0)
2008 Argentina U23 1 (0)
2009–2017 Argentina 5 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Argentina
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Winner 2007 Canada U-20 Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Insúa is a citizen of the European Union through one of his grandparents, who is Spanish.[3]

Career

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Early career

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Insúa began his football career with youth team Pinocho in Villa Urquiza, Argentina, later moving to, Buenos Aires-based team, Boca Juniors.[4] The left back did not break into the first-team at La Bombonera when he caught the attention of scouts Frank McParland and Paddy Murphy from Liverpool.[5] After some solid performances for the Argentinian U17s, many clubs were desperate to sign him, a player who rarely had appearances for his then club, and Boca were also very keen to get a profit from this young prodigy which led to negotiations between Liverpool and Boca. The defender agreed to an 18-month loan deal with the Merseyside club on 28 November 2006, beginning his loan period in January.[6]

Liverpool

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Insúa made his first-team debut against Portsmouth on 28 April 2007,[5] but made only one more league appearance that season.[7] His loan deal was made permanent in August 2007 in the deal which saw Gabriel Paletta move to Boca Juniors.[8]

The following season Insúa made only three more first-team league appearances but found success with Gary Ablett's Premier Reserve League winning team; along with other Liverpool youngsters.[9] His performances impressed manager Rafael Benítez enough to offer him a new three-year deal at the club.[10] In December 2008 Insua got a run of games in the Liverpool first team, due to an injury to Fábio Aurélio and also due to the form of Andrea Dossena. Insúa found himself starting in Liverpool's opening six Premier League games and the first tie of their UEFA Champions League campaign. He scored his first goal for the club in a Football League Cup match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 28 October 2009.[11]

In July 2010, despite being Liverpool's only senior left back available, a fee was agreed for him to join Fiorentina, although a contract was never signed.[12]

Loan to Galatasaray

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On 31 August 2010, he joined Galatasaray on a one-year loan deal with an option to transfer permanently next year on 30 June, when the deal expired. He wore the number 6 shirt.[13][14] It was rumoured that Insúa would be returning to Liverpool in the January transfer window after Galatasaray manager Gheorghe Hagi stated that he did not want loan players in his squad[15] and Insúa had reportedly expressed his desire to play for Liverpool under new manager Kenny Dalglish.[16]

Return to Liverpool

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Insúa with Liverpool in August 2009

Insúa returned to Liverpool for pre-season training following his loan spell. After being denied entry into China for passport reasons, Insua rejoined the Liverpool squad in Malaysia. He featured in Liverpool's 6–3 win over a Malaysian select team, coming on as a second-half substitute and scoring a goal.

Sporting CP

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On 27 August 2011, Sporting CP announced that Insúa had signed for the club in a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He was given the number 48.[17]

Insúa made his debut for Sporting on 15 September 2011 in the UEFA Europa League, scoring the first goal in a 2–0 victory over FC Zurich.[18] On 29 September 2011, Insúa scored the second goal in a 2–1 victory against SS Lazio, again in the Europa League. He was sent off later in the match after earning a second yellow card.[19]

Atlético Madrid

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On 25 January 2013, Atlético Madrid announced that they have reached an agreement with Sporting Clube de Portugal for the transfer of Insúa,[20] reportedly for €3.5 million.[21]

Loan to Rayo Vallecano

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On 1 September 2014 Insúa was loaned to fellow league team Rayo Vallecano, in a season-long deal.[22]

VfB Stuttgart

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On 11 July 2015 Insúa mutually terminated his contract with Atlético[23] and signed with VfB Stuttgart until 2018.[24] Insúa extended his contract with Stuttgart on 14 May 2018 until June 2020.[25]

LA Galaxy

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On 2 January 2020, Insúa signed with MLS side LA Galaxy.[26]

Aldosivi

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On 14 February 2021, Insúa agreed his return to Argentina after nearly 14 years abroad, joining Aldosivi in the Primera División on a free transfer and a deal running until December.[27] Two days later, he was joined by his brother Emanuel, becoming teammates for the first time in their professional careers.[28]

International career

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The player succeeded on the Under-20s international scene, playing three games to finish with the runner-up medal at the 2007 South American Youth Championship, which served as a qualifier for the FIFA U20 World Cup where he played seven games, conceding just 4 goals in the entire tournament and aiding the Argentina Under-20 team to victory against the Czech Republic in the FIFA U20 World Cup final on 22 July 2007.[29]

On 24 August 2009, Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez said that Diego Maradona was monitoring the progress of Insúa and considering calling him up for international duty with Argentina.[30] Maradona eventually did call him up on 26 September 2009, for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay, making his first start in a 2–1 win over Peru.[31]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 5 November 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Liverpool 2006–07[32] Premier League 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2007–08[33] Premier League 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
2008–09[34] Premier League 10 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 13 0
2009–10[35] Premier League 31 0 2 0 1 1 10[a] 0 44 1
Total 46 0 3 0 3 1 10 0 62 1
Galatasaray (loan) 2010–11[36] Süper Lig 16 0 3 0 19 0
Sporting CP 2011–12[37] Primeira Liga 24 0 7 2 2 0 12[b] 4 45 6
2012–13[37] Primeira Liga 13 0 1 0 2 0 5[b] 0 21 0
Total 37 0 8 2 4 0 17 4 66 6
Atlético Madrid 2012–13[38] La Liga 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
2013–14[39] La Liga 6 0 4 0 4[c] 0 14 0
Total 9 0 4 0 4 0 17 0
Rayo Vallecano (loan) 2014–15[40] La Liga 24 1 0 0 24 1
VfB Stuttgart 2015–16[41] Bundesliga 33 0 4 0 37 0
2016–17[42] 2. Bundesliga 34 1 2 0 36 1
2017–18[43] Bundesliga 25 0 2 0 27 0
2018–19 Bundesliga 27 2 1 0 1 0 29 2
2019–20 2. Bundesliga 6 0 0 0 6 0
Total 125 3 9 0 1 0 135 3
LA Galaxy 2020 Major League Soccer 22 0 0 0 0 0 22 0
Aldosivi 2021 Primera División 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 279 4 27 2 8 1 31 4 345 11
  1. ^ Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, four in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International

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Argentina[44]
Year Apps Goals
2009 1 0
2010 1 0
2011 2 0
2017 1 0
Total 5 0

Honours

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Liverpool

Atlético Madrid

VfB Stuttgart

Racing Club

Argentina

Personal life

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Insúa's younger brother, Emanuel, is also a footballer and left back.[46]

References

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  1. ^ "Emiliano Insúa: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Emiliano Insúa". Racing Club de Avellaneda. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Insua has eyes for first team". Daily Post. 19 February 2007. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2010 – via Liverpool FC official site.
  4. ^ Barrett, Tony (2 May 2008). "Emiliano Insua plans to grasp his big Anfield chance". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 19 July 2008.
  5. ^ a b "First team squad profiles – Emiliano Insúa". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  6. ^ "Reds agree Argentine deal". Sky Sports (on Liverpoolfc.tv). October 2006. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  7. ^ "Games played by Emiliano Insúa in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  8. ^ Kay, Oliver (27 August 2007). "Lucky escape for Carragher". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2008.
  9. ^ Barrett, Tony (8 May 2008). "Emiliano Insúa aiming high after reserves' night of glory". The Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 19 July 2008.
  10. ^ Eaton, Paul (2 July 2008). "Insua pens new Anfield deal". Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  11. ^ "Maiden Merida goal lights up Arsenal show". ESPNsoccernet. 28 October 2009. Archived from the original on 15 November 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  12. ^ "Liverpool agree fee to sell Emiliano Insua". BBC Sport. 17 July 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  13. ^ "Emiliano Insúa joins Galatasaray". Galatasaray.org. 31 August 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  14. ^ "Full-back seals loan deal Insúa". LiverpoolFC.tv. 31 August 2010. Archived from the original on 3 September 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  15. ^ "Emiliano Insua expected to make surprise Liverpool FC return in January". Click Liverpool. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  16. ^ "Liverpool defender starlet linked with second Anfield exit". GiveMeSport. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  17. ^ "Insúa "leão" por cinco anos" (in Portuguese). Sporting Clube de Portugal. 26 August 2011. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  18. ^ "UEFA Europa League 2012 – Zürich-Sporting". UEFA. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  19. ^ "UEFA Europa League 2012 – Sporting-Lazio". UEFA. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  20. ^ "El Atlético ficha a Insúa". Marca. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  21. ^ "Insua had no doubts over move to Atletico Madrid". 30 January 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  22. ^ "Emiliano Insúa nuevo jugador del Rayo" [Emiliano Insúa new player of Rayo] (in Spanish). Rayo's official website. 1 September 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  23. ^ "Agreement for the termination of the contract of Emiliano Insua". clubatleticodemadrid.com. Atlético Madrid. 11 July 2015. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  24. ^ "Emiliano Insua joins VfB". vfb.de. VfB Stuttgart. 11 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  25. ^ "Two contract extensions". VfB Stuttgart. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  26. ^ "LA Galaxy sign defender Emiliano Insúa". LA Galaxy. 2 January 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  27. ^ "Aldosivi oficializó la contratación de Emiliano Insúa" [Aldosivi formalized the hiring of Emiliano Insúa]. Quédigital (in European Spanish). 14 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  28. ^ "Los hermanos Insúa firmaron contrato con Aldosivi" [The Insúa brothers have signed with Aldosivi]. Quédigital (in European Spanish). 16 February 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  29. ^ "Emiliano Insúa – Record at FIFA tournaments". FIFA. Archived from the original on 6 September 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2008.
  30. ^ "Rafael Benitez: Argentina keeping tabs on Emiliano Insua progress". ESPN. 24 August 2009. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  31. ^ Smyth, Rob (10 October 2009). "Argentina v Peru – as it happened – Rob Smyth". The Guardian. London.
  32. ^ "Games played by Emiliano Insúa in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  33. ^ "Games played by Emiliano Insúa in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  34. ^ "Games played by Emiliano Insúa in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  35. ^ "Games played by Emiliano Insúa in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  36. ^ "E. Insua". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  37. ^ a b "Insúa: Emiliano Adrián Insúa Zapata". Foradejogo. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  38. ^ "Insúa: Emiliano Adrián Insúa Zapata: 2012–13". BDFutbol. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  39. ^ "Insúa: Emiliano Adrián Insúa Zapata: 2013–14". BDFutbol. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  40. ^ "Insúa: Emiliano Adrián Insúa Zapata: 2014–15". BDFutbol. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  41. ^ "Emiliano Insua 2015/16". kicker.de. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  42. ^ "Emiliano Insua 2016/17". kicker.de. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  43. ^ "Emiliano Insua 2017/18". kicker.de. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  44. ^ "Emiliano Insúa". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  45. ^ "Racing venció a Boca en un escandaloso final y se quedó con el Trofeo de Campeones" [Racing beat Boca in controversial ending and took Champions Trophy] (in Spanish). TyC Sports. 6 November 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  46. ^ "Emiliano beat Emanuel". Marca. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
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