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Gabi (footballer, born 1983)

Spanish footballer

Spanish footballer

FieldValue
nameGabi
imageLoko-AM2018 tren (13).jpg
captionGabi with Atlético Madrid in 2018
full_nameGabriel Luis Fernández Arenas
birth_date
birth_placeMadrid, Spain
height1.80 m
positionDefensive midfielder
youthyears1youthclubs1 = San Eladio
youthyears2youthclubs2 = Atlético Madrid
years12002–2004clubs1 = Atlético Madrid Bcaps1 = 46goals1 = 4
years22004–2007clubs2 = Atlético Madridcaps2 = 58goals2 = 1
years32004–2005clubs3 = → Getafe (loan)caps3 = 32goals3 = 2
years42007–2011clubs4 = Zaragozacaps4 = 135goals4 = 16
years52011–2018clubs5 = Atlético Madridcaps5 = 239goals5 = 6
years62018–2020clubs6 = Al Saddcaps6 = 35goals6 = 0
totalcaps545totalgoals = 29
nationalyears12003nationalteam1 = Spain U20nationalcaps1 = 7nationalgoals1 = 1
nationalyears22004–2005nationalteam2 = Spain U21nationalcaps2 = 12nationalgoals2 = 0
manageryears12023managerclubs1 = Getafe (youth)
manageryears22023–2025managerclubs2 = Getafe B
manageryears32025managerclubs3 = Zaragoza

Gabriel Luis Fernández Arenas (; born 10 July 1983), known as Gabi (), is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, currently a manager.

He made 429 La Liga appearances, mostly in two spells at Atlético Madrid interspersed with a period at Zaragoza, winning domestic and European silverware with the former; during his ten-year stint at the club, he amassed competitive totals of 417 matches and ten goals. He also competed professionally in Qatar, with Al Sadd.

Gabi represented Spain at youth level.

Club career

Atlético Madrid

Gabi was born in Madrid. A product of Atlético Madrid's youth system, he was seldom used during his debut season with the *Colchoneros''' first team.

After a loan to another club in the capital, Getafe CF, Gabi would make 52 La Liga appearances for the club from 2005 to 2007, scoring his only goal in a 1–1 away draw against RCD Espanyol on 9 April 2006.

Zaragoza

In early February 2007, Gabi joined Real Zaragoza on a €9 million transfer, agreeing to a four-year contract effective as of July. He was an undisputed starter in his first year, but the Aragonese were relegated from the top flight.

Defensive-minded Gabi netted four times in 35 games in the 2008–09 campaign, as his team immediately regained their lost status. In the following season he again was first choice, helping to a final 14th position.

Again a starter in the 2010–11, only missing matches due to suspension, Gabi scored a career-best ten goals as Zaragoza again escaped relegation, six from penalties – he was also their captain. On 30 April, he converted a penalty in a 3–2 victory away to Real Madrid and, on the last matchday, scored twice from open play in a 2–1 win at Levante UD that secured his team's top-flight status.

Atlético return

thumb|upright|Gabi in 2017 On 1 July 2011, Gabi returned to Atlético Madrid on a transfer fee of around €3 million.– and started most of the first season in his second spell, partnering fellow youth graduate Mario Suárez in defensive midfield.

Gabi played 45 official matches in the 2012–13 campaign, including seven in the side's victorious run in the Copa del Rey, the first in 17 years. He was also selected by manager Diego Simeone as the new captain.

On 17 May 2014, in the away match to FC Barcelona that was the last of the season, Gabi took a 49th-minute corner kick which was headed in by Diego Godín to equalise 1–1, and give Atlético its first league title since 1996. On 4 July, he signed a new contract that kept him at the club until 2017.

In the second leg of a domestic cup quarter-final against Barcelona on 28 January 2015, Gabi was sent off in the tunnel at the end of the first half. His midfield partner Suárez was also dismissed later on, in an eventual 2–3 home defeat. On 7 October 2016, the 33-year-old inked a new contract until June 2018, commenting on the deal: "I always say that playing with Atlético de Madrid was my childhood dream, so I cannot ask for more than what I am living these years."

Gabi scored his first goal of the season – from 49 appearances – on 16 May 2018, netting from close range after an assist from Koke in the last minute of the Europa League final against Olympique de Marseille, a 3–0 win in Lyon.

Al Sadd

Gabi moved abroad for the first time on 2 July 2018, signing a two-year contract at Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd SC. He partnered veteran compatriot Xavi in midfield, and won the league in their first season together.

On 15 June 2020, Gabi left the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. On 29 November, he announced his retirement aged 37.

International career

Gabi was selected in José Ufarte's Spain squad at the 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, finishing as runners-up to Brazil. He scored the first goal of their opening game, a 2–1 loss to Argentina in Sharjah.

Coaching career

In July 2023, Gabi was named manager of Getafe's Juvenil B squad. On 13 November, he took over the B team in the Segunda Federación after the dismissal of Emilio Ferreras.

Gabi returned to Zaragoza on 17 March 2025, being appointed first-team head coach in place of Miguel Ángel Ramírez. He managed to avoid second-tier relegation at 51 points, but was sacked on 12 October after a poor start to the new season saw them placed bottom of the table.

Style of play

Known for his tackling ability as well as his combativeness and hard work, Gabi could both break down opposition attack and dictate play with the ball with equal effectiveness. He was also known to be proficient when in possession, capable of delivering through balls and distributing the ball at both long and short lengths.

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsTotal58140—30—651Total1351671—20—14416Total2396331—752503529Total350504017060670Career total499245124097211066228
Atlético Madrid2003–04La Liga6010———70
2004–050000—30—30
2005–0632110———331
2006–0720020———220
Getafe (loan)2004–05La Liga32220———342
Zaragoza2007–08La Liga32030—20—370
2008–09Segunda División35400———354
2009–10La Liga32120———341
2010–11361021———3811
Atlético Madrid2011–12La Liga31210—171—493
2012–1335080—2010460
2013–1436370—12020573
2014–1534051—7020481
2015–1635140—130—511
2016–1734050—110—500
2017–1834030—131—501
Al Sadd2018–19Qatar Stars League210303090—360
2019–2014020108060310

Managerial statistics

TeamNatFromToRecordRefGWDLGFGAGDWin %Total—
Getafe BSpain13 November 202317 March 2025
ZaragozaSpain17 March 202512 October 2025

Honours

Atlético Madrid

Al Sadd

Spain U20

  • FIFA U-20 World Cup runner-up: 2003

Individual

  • La Liga Squad of the Season: 2013–14
  • UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2013–14, 2015–16
  • UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2017–18

References

References

  1. (5 December 2019). "FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019: List of Players: Al-Sadd SC". FIFA.
  2. "Gabi". [[Eurosport]].
  3. Lechuga, Juan Ignacio. (3 July 2018). "417 partidos y un palmarés casi perfecto". El Desmarque.
  4. (30 November 2020). "429 – Se retira Gabi, el futbolista con más partidos disputados en @LaLiga en el Siglo XXI sin ser internacional con su selección (429 encuentros). Sacrificado". [[Twitter]].
  5. (5 July 2011). "Gabi vuelve a casa y coincide con el entrenador que le hizo debutar en Primera". Atlético Madrid.
  6. (4 April 2022). "Qué fue de Gabi Fernández: el histórico capitán del Atlético de Madrid al que conocieron como el heredero de Simeone". [[El Español]].
  7. Morales, Gabriel. (9 April 2006). "El Espanyol desenmascara la escasa ambición del Atlético". [[El Mundo (Spain).
  8. (5 February 2007). "Zaragoza move early to get Gabi". UEFA.
  9. (30 October 2011). "Gabi: "No es el mejor partido para la nostalgia, quiero ganar como sea"". [[El Periódico de Aragón]].
  10. (1 July 2011). "El Zaragoza hace oficial el traspaso de Gabi al Atlético". [[Heraldo de Aragón]].
  11. (12 March 2011). "Zaragoza crush Valencia". [[ESPN FC.
  12. (30 April 2011). "Zaragoza end Real title dream". ESPN Soccernet.
  13. (21 May 2011). "Zaragoza end drop fears". ESPN Soccernet.
  14. (1 July 2011). "El Zaragoza hace oficial traspaso de Gabi al Atlético". [[Diario AS]].
  15. G. Gómara, Javier. (10 August 2012). "Entrevista a Gabi y Mario Suárez: El timón rojiblanco con ADN atlético". [[Mundo Deportivo]].
  16. Johnston, Neil. (17 May 2013). "Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo off in Real Madrid loss". [[BBC Sport]].
  17. G. Medina, David. (24 March 2013). "Gabi: "No me veo en otro equipo que no sea el Atlético"". Marca.
  18. Martin, Richard. (17 May 2014). "Barcelona 1 Atletico Madrid 1, La Liga: match report". [[The Daily Telegraph]].
  19. (4 July 2014). "Transfer news: Atletico Madrid captain Gabi signs contract extension". [[Sky Sports]].
  20. Reddy, Luke. (28 January 2015). "Atl Madrid 2–3 Barcelona". BBC Sport.
  21. (8 October 2016). "Atletico skipper Gabi extends contract till 2018". The Sports Campus.
  22. Stein, Leandro. (16 May 2018). "Torres, Gabi e uma imagem à posteridade: Os meninos que se tornaram símbolos do clube de coração". [[Universo Online]].
  23. Hafez, Shamoon. (16 May 2018). "Marseille 0–3 Atlético Madrid". BBC Sport.
  24. (28 June 2018). "Gabi deja el Atlético de Madrid y se va a Qatar". [[20 minutos]].
  25. (3 July 2018). "Gabi eager to start Al Sadd adventure". [[Asian Football Confederation]].
  26. Prada, Jon. (4 April 2019). "Xavi and Gabi win the Qatar Stars League with Al Sadd". Marca.
  27. (16 June 2020). "Gabi bids farewell to Al Sadd". Asian Football Confederation.
  28. Brennan, Feargal. (29 November 2020). "Former Atletico Madrid captain Gabi Fernandez retires". Football España.
  29. (28 November 2003). "Los sub-20 caen ante la selección albiceleste". El Mundo.
  30. (21 July 2023). "Gabi, excapitán del Atlético, será el técnico del Juvenil B del Getafe". Diario AS.
  31. Romano, Marcos. (13 November 2023). "Gabi, nuevo entrenador del Getafe B". Diario AS.
  32. Ortiz, Christian. (16 March 2025). "El Zaragoza destituye a Cordero y a Ramírez con Gabi Fernández como posible sustituto del técnico". Marca.
  33. (17 March 2025). "Gabi, nuevo entrenador del Real Zaragoza". Real Zaragoza.
  34. Regueiro, Zeltia. (21 May 2025). "Gabi, un reseteo a medias en el Zaragoza". DXT Campeón.
  35. (12 October 2025). "Gabi y el Real Zaragoza finalizan su relación contractual". Real Zaragoza.
  36. Ortiz, Christian. (12 October 2025). "El pozo del Zaragoza arrastra a Gabi: destituido tras caer al último puesto". Marca.
  37. Matchett, Karl. (29 July 2015). "Why Gabi is the most frustrating player in the Atletico Madrid squad". [[Bleacher Report]].
  38. {{BDFutbol. 912
  39. {{Soccerway. gabriel-fernandez-arenas/3042
  40. {{UEFA player. 93951
  41. {{BDFutbol season. l912. 2023-24
    {{BDFutbol season. l912. 2024-25
  42. {{BDFutbol season. l912. 2024-25
  43. (23 August 2014). "Atletico Madrid 1 Real Madrid 0; agg 2–1: Mario Mandzukic's goal wins the Spanish Super Cup". The Daily Telegraph.
  44. Atkin, John. (9 May 2012). "Falcao at double as Atlético march to title". UEFA.
  45. Fifield, Dominic. (31 August 2012). "Chelsea crushed by Atlético Madrid's sublime Falcao in Uefa Super Cup". [[The Guardian]].
  46. (18 April 2019). "Sheikh Jassim Cup to kick off new season". [[The Peninsula (newspaper).
  47. (18 January 2020). "Al Sadd crowned Qatar Cup champions". [[Qatar Football Association]].
  48. (19 December 2003). "Spain denied at final hurdle". UEFA.
  49. (19 May 2014). "The Liga BBVA team of the season". La Liga.
  50. (2 June 2014). "UEFA Champions League squad of the season". UEFA.
  51. (30 May 2016). "UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season". UEFA.
  52. (17 May 2018). "UEFA Europa League Squad of the 2017/18 Season". UEFA.
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