Albert Riera

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Albert Riera
Riera.JPG
Riera in action for Galatasaray
Personal information
Full name Albert Riera Ortega
Date of birth 15 April 1982 (1982-04-15) (age 29)
Place of birth Manacor, Spain
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position Winger
Club information
Current club Galatasaray
Number 11
Youth career
1999–2000 Mallorca
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2000–2002 Mallorca B
2001–2003 Mallorca 46 (6)
2003–2005 Bordeaux 53 (4)
2005–2008 Espanyol 72 (8)
2006 → Manchester City (loan) 15 (1)
2008–2010 Liverpool 40 (3)
2010–2011 Olympiacos 24 (6)
2011– Galatasaray 20 (1)
National team‡
2000–2001 Spain U18 11 (0)
2002–2003 Spain U21 15 (2)
2007–2009 Spain 16 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 30 January 2012 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19:47, 28 December 2009 (UTC)
This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Riera and the second or maternal family name is Ortega.

Albert Riera Ortega (born 15 April 1982) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Galatasaray SK in Turkey, as a left winger.

He made a name for himself at Espanyol (where he won one Copa del Rey and reached one UEFA Cup final, also making his debuts for the Spanish national team), and also played professionally in France, England and Greece.

Riera gained 16 caps for Spain, representing the nation at the 2009 Confederations Cup.

Contents

[edit] Club career

[edit] Mallorca

Born in Manacor, Balearic Islands, Riera started his professional career with hometown RCD Mallorca, but could only amass 10 La Liga appearances in his first two seasons combined.

In 2002–03, already an undisputed starter, he helped the Balearic Islands outfit to the Copa del Rey conquest, and scored four goals in the league, from 35 contests.

[edit] Bordeaux

In the summer of 2003, Riera moved to FC Girondins de Bordeaux,[1] where he was a first team regular for two seasons. He made more than fifty Ligue 1 appearances for the French club, and scored four goals.

[edit] Espanyol

Riera returned to Spain in 2005, when he signed for RCD Espanyol.[2] In his first season, he played only eight league matches, prompting a January 2006 loan move to Manchester City,[3] where he was also unable to establish himself in the first team, scoring against Newcastle United in a 3–0 home win, on February 1.[4] He returned to Catalonia prior to 2006–07.

During that season, Espanyol reached the final of the UEFA Cup at Hampden Park, Glasgow, where they played fellow Spanish first-divisioner Sevilla FC. Riera scored to level the game at 1–1 but Espanyol eventually lost 3–1 on penalties.[5] At the end of the season, he extended his contract until 2011.[6]

[edit] Liverpool

Riera (left) with Cristiano Ronaldo.

On 1 September 2008 (transfer deadline day), Riera signed a four-year deal with Liverpool for a fee of £8 million, being given the number 11 shirt.[7] He made his Premier League debut on the 13th, playing 72 minutes of a 2–1 home win against Manchester United, and scored his first goal for the Reds as they beat Wigan Athletic 3–2 on 18 October,[8] adding another in the season's UEFA Champions League at PSV Eindhoven, on December 9 in a 3–1 win.[9]

Riera scored Liverpool's first goal in 2009, and also netted in the season's FA Cup on the 3rd, against Preston North End.[10] Later during that season, he scored against Aston Villa in a 5–0 home win, on 22 March 2009. He found the net with a half-volley after goalkeeper's Pepe Reina long goal kick.[11]

On 18 March 2010, Riera was suspended after comments made to the Spanish press regarding his first team opportunities and the approach of Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez. The player was quoted as saying: "He's never sorted out a situation with a player by talking with him."[12] He was transfer listed following the comments, with Russian clubs PFC CSKA Moscow and FC Spartak Moscow thought to be interested in a permanent move.[13] On the 23rd of that month it was announced that Liverpool had accepted a £6 million bid from CSKA for the player.[14] However, it appeared to be solely rumours, as the Russian capital side officially denied the interest;[15] additionally, the player's agent, Ángel Castells, confirmed that only Spartak had made a proposal.[16]

[edit] Olympiacos

On 23 July 2010, Riera joined Greek outfit Olympiacos F.C. on a four-year contract.[17] The deal was reported to be worth around €6 million (€4 million plus another potential €2 million in bonuses), with a salary of around €2.5 million per season; he became one of the most expensive transfers in the country's history, as he reunited with former Espanyol manager Ernesto Valverde.[18]

Riera scored his first goal for Olympiacos against Kerkyra FC, in a 2–0 home win, and appeared in more than 30 official games during the season as the Piraeus outfit won the national championship.

[edit] Galatasaray

On 3 September 2011, Riera completed a €3 million move to Turkish giants Galatasaray SK, signing a four-year contract.[19][20] He scored his first goal in the Süper Lig on 25 January 2012, in a 4–0 home win against MKE Ankaragücü.

[edit] International career

Riera made his debut for the Spanish national team on October 13, 2007, in an UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier against Denmark, and scored from outside the box in a 3–1 away win. However, he failed to make the final cut for the final stages, where the nation emerged victorious.

Riera was again called to the squad in October 2008, for two 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, after Sevilla's Diego Capel withdrew with an injury, and played 11 minutes in a 3–0 win in Estonia. In the following year, on April 1, he scored a last minute winner in Turkey (2–1).[21]

Manager Vicente del Bosque named Riera in the squad for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, and he played in four matches for the third-placed team. He was, however, overlooked for the World Cup squad in South Africa, as the national side was crowned champions.

[edit] International goals

International goals
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 13 October 2007 NRGi Park, Aarhus, Denmark  Denmark 1–3 1–3 Euro 2008 qualifying
2 1 April 2009 Ali Sami Yen Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey  Turkey 1–2 1–2 2010 World Cup qualification
3[22] 9 June 2009 Tofik Bakhramov Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan  Azerbaijan 0–4 0–6 Friendly
4[23] 12 August 2009 Philip II Arena, Skopje, Macedonia  Macedonia 2–3 2–3 Friendly

[edit] Club statistics

All-time club performance
Club Season La Liga Copa del Rey Supercopa de España Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Mallorca
 2000–01 3 1 - - - - - - 3 1
2001–02 8 1 2 1 - - 3 0 13 2
2002–03 35 4 5 0 - - - - 40 4
Club Total 46 6 7 1 0 0 3 0 56 7
Club Season Ligue 1 Coupe de France Coupe de la Ligue Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Bordeaux
 2003–04 32 2 2 0 - - 10 5 44 7
2004–05 21 2 2 0 - - - - 23 2
Club Total 53 4 4 0 0 0 10 5 67 9
Club Season La Liga Copa del Rey Supercopa de España Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Espanyol
 2005–06 8 0 - - - - 3 0 11 0
Premier League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
Manchester City 2005–06 15 1 4 0 - - - - 19 1
Club Total 15 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 19 1
La Liga Copa del Rey Supercopa de España Europe Total
Espanyol
 2006–07 28 4 1 0 2 0 13 4 44 8
2007–08 36 4 3 0 - - - - 39 4
Club Total 72 8 4 0 2 0 16 4 94 12
Premier League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
Liverpool 2008–09 28 3 3 1 - - 9 1 40 5
2009–10 12 0 0 0 1 - 2 0 15 0
Club Total 40 3 3 1 1 0 11 1 55 5
Club Season Superleague Greek Cup - Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Olympiakos
 2010–11 24 6 0 - - - - 24 6
Club Total 24 6 – – – – - – 24 6
Career totals 258 28 22 2 3 0 39 10 326 40

[edit] Honours

[edit] Club

[edit] Country

[edit] Personal

Riera's younger brother, Sito, is also a footballer. He too represented Espanyol, but only its B side.

He met his Russian wife, Olga Korolyova, in Majorca, in 2001. The couple welcomed one daughter in 2008, Alejandra Riera-Korolyova.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Riera raring to go at Bordeaux; UEFA, 31 July 2003
  2. ^ Riera wings into Espanyol; UEFA, 7 July 2005
  3. ^ City tempt Riera to England; UEFA, 5 January 2006
  4. ^ "Man City 3–0 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 1 February 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4657216.stm. Retrieved 20 November 2009. 
  5. ^ "Espanyol 2–2 Sevilla (Sevilla win 3–1 on penalties)". BBC Sport. 16 May 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6657065.stm. Retrieved 19 March 2010. 
  6. ^ "Riera inks new Espanyol contract". Tribal Football. 23 August 2007. http://forum.tribalfootball.com/content/riera-inks-new-espanyol-contract. Retrieved 19 March 2010. [dead link]
  7. ^ 10 things you need to know about new Liverpool signing Albert Riera; Mirror Football, 29 August 2008
  8. ^ "Wigan 2–3 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 18 October 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7665090.stm. Retrieved 19 March 2010. 
  9. ^ "PSV 1–3 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 9 December 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7763223.stm. Retrieved 19 March 2010. 
  10. ^ Preston 0–2 Liverpool; BBC Sport, 3 January 2009
  11. ^ "Liverpool 5–0 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 22 March 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7937107.stm. Retrieved 19 March 2010. 
  12. ^ "Albert Riera hits out at Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez". BBC Sport. 18 March 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8574001.stm. Retrieved 28 March 2010. 
  13. ^ Rafael Benitez banishes vocal Albert Riera; Times Online, 19 March 2010
  14. ^ Hunter, Andy (24 March 2010). "Liverpool accept £6m offer from CSKA Moscow for Albert Riera". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/mar/23/albert-riera-rafael-benitez-liverpool-transfer. Retrieved 28 March 2010. 
  15. ^ "CSKA deny interest in Albert Riera". ESPNsoccernet. 25 March 2010. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=761284&sec=transfers&cc=5739. Retrieved 28 March 2010. 
  16. ^ "Benítez 'subasta' a Riera [Benítez auctions Riera]" (in Spanish). El País. 27 March 2010. http://www.elpais.com/articulo/deportes/Benitez/subasta/Riera/elpepidep/20100327elpepidep_6/Tes. Retrieved 28 March 2010. 
  17. ^ "Liverpool winger Albert Riera completes Olympiakos move". BBC Sport. 23 July 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8843423.stm. Retrieved 23 July 2010. 
  18. ^ Scime, Adam (23 July 2010). "Official: Olympiacos sign Albert Riera from Liverpool". Goal.com. http://www.goal.com/en/news/1549/rest-of-europe/2010/07/23/2039025/breaking-news-official-olympiacos-sign-albert-riera-from. Retrieved 23 July 2010. 
  19. ^ Riera Joins Galatasaray
  20. ^ Bilgi: Albert Riera Ortega (Turkish)
  21. ^ Riera takes the wind out of Turkey's sails; UEFA.com, 1 April 2009
  22. ^ "Riera hace el cuarto de España [Riera scores Spain's fourth]" (in Spanish). RTVE. 9 June 2009. http://www.rtve.es/mediateca/videos/20090609/riera-hace-cuarto-espana/522655.shtml. Retrieved 29 September 2010. 
  23. ^ "España despierta de su letargo [Spain wakes up]" (in Spanish). RTVE. 9 June 2009. http://www.rtve.es/deportes/20090812/espana-despierta-letargo/288826.shtml. Retrieved 29 September 2010. 

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Albert Riera
Spain squad – 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Third Place
Spain
Galatasaray S.K. – current squad
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Albert_Riera&oldid=476890428"
Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Actions
Navigation
Interaction
Toolbox
Print/export
Languages