Jonás Gutiérrez

Jonás Gutiérrez

Personal information
Full name	Jonás Manuel Gutiérrez
Date of birth	5 July 1983 (1983-07-05)
Place of birth	Sáenz Peña, Argentina
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position	Winger
Club information
Current club	Newcastle United
Number	18
Youth career
1999–2001	Vélez Sársfield
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2001–2005	Vélez Sársfield	99	(2)
2005–2008	Mallorca	96	(5)
2008–	Newcastle United	125	(8)
National team‡
2007–	Argentina	22	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:25, 21 January 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17:00, 9 October 2011 (UTC)

Jonás Manuel Gutiérrez (locally: [xoˈnaz ɣuˈtjeres]; born 5 July 1983) is an Argentine footballer who plays for English Premier League side Newcastle United, and for the Argentinian national team, as a winger. He acquired his nickname "Spider-Man" or "Spider-Mag" (referencing Newcastle's nickname; the Magpies) during his time at Real Mallorca where he celebrated a goal by putting on a Spider-Man mask. He also calls himself "el galgo" meaning "The Greyhound" in Spanish.

He was considered a key part of the national side by former coach Diego Maradona who stated that his team was "Mascherano, Messi, Jonás and eight more." He appeared for Argentina in the 2010 World Cup.

Club career

Vélez and Mallorca

Born in Sáenz Peña, Buenos Aires, Gutiérrez played for Vélez Sársfield in Argentina between 2001 and 2005. The highlight of his Vélez career was being part of the team that won the Primera División Argentina Clausura Tournament in 2005.

After winning the title in 2005 he signed with RCD Mallorca.

On 1 July 2008, Gutiérrez unilaterally rescinded his contract with the Spanish side, after invoking FIFA's Article 17 (commonly known as the Webster ruling). As a result, the club was thought to be investigating a €15 million compensation claim against the player and his new club.

Newcastle United

Jonás receiving the Championship Player of the Month award in April 2010.

Gutiérrez signed for Newcastle United on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee on 2 July 2008. Gutiérrez told nufc.co.uk that instead of "Gutiérrez", the former Real Mallorca man would sport "Jonás" above his squad number 18 he said "Because I like my name." Guiterrez is now on £1.85Million a year as part of Newcastle United.

Gutiérrez made his debut for Newcastle United on the opening day of the 2008–09 season on 17 of August. In the game he impressed both fans and pundits as he helped his team to a 1–1 draw against title-holders Manchester United. Alan Hansen said on Match of the Day that Gutiérrez "was the most impressive Premier League debutant" on the opening day of the season.

Following a string of impressive performances Gutiérrez was subsequently sidelined during most of October and November with a shoulder injury. He returned to action as a substitute in the Tyne-Wear derby against local rivals Sunderland, and later started in matches against West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa, reclaiming his place in the first team with impressive play. Newcastle's form dipped however and Gutiérrez was only on the bench when Newcastle were relegated after defeat to Aston Villa.

He scored his first goal for Newcastle United in their pre-season friendly match against Darlington which resulted in a 7-2 win for Newcastle on the 18th of July 2009. Following the departure of left-sided winger Damien Duff, Gutierrez switched from his usual right winger to left winger position, forming an effective left flank partnership with fellow Spanish-speaker José Enrique. His first competitive goal for Newcastle was against Peterborough United on 7 November 2009, taking on five players before finishing. After scoring, he did not celebrate with his Spider-Man mask, in protest to the latest quit rumors circulating around. He netted his second goal of the season in the 6-1 drubbing of Barnsley, smashing a right-footed shot into the net via the underside of the crossbar from 25 yards, and celebrating with his trademark Spider-Man mask. The next came at Bristol City, where he punished a defensive error to spark Newcastle's comeback from 2 goals down to draw 2-2. Following Newcastle's promotion to the Premier League, Gutierrez has stated that he would like to play at Newcastle for many more years. Gutiérrez has been labelled as one of the best players in the Premier League by World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi.

On Newcastle's return to the Premier League, he started the first four Premier League fixtures of his club in his accustomed left wing role. With the arrival of Hatem Ben Arfa to the club and the Frenchman's impressive displays, Jonas dropped to the bench for Newcastle's clashes with Everton and Stoke City.

Gutierrez scored his first goal of the 2010/11 campaign against Manchester City in a 2-1 defeat on 3 October 2010. On 3 April, he scored his second for Newcastle in the Premier League, a long shot in a 4-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. He also scored the equaliser away at Chelsea on the 15 May 2011 when a free kick from Ryan Taylor was deflected off his backside.

He signed a new four-year contract at the club on 27 September 2011. Gutierrez maintained his impressive form in 2011-12, scoring a fine solo goal in the 2-1 away victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He received man of the match in the victory against Stoke City on 31 October. Gutierrez has been instrumental in Newcastle's fantastic start to the season. Jonás contributed with a fantastic last gasp goal in the 95th minute (injury time) to defeat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 in the third round of the FA Cup on 7 January 2012. Jonas celebrated by donning the famous red "Spiderman Mask" but was booked shortly afterwards.

International career

Gutiérrez earned his first cap for Argentina against France in February 2007 and later on in the year earned his second cap versus Australia on 11 September. He earned his third cap on 18 June 2008, away to Brazil as part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the match concluding in a 0–0 draw. He scored his first goal for Argentina in the first half of a friendly against France on February 11, 2009. However, due to the presence of other wingers such as Lionel Messi and Maxi Rodríguez in the squad for the World Cup, Gutiérrez has often played at right back for his country.

International goals

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	February 11, 2009	Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, France	France	0-1	0-2	Friendly

Career statistics

Club

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Argentina			League		Cup		League Cup		South America		Total
2000–01	Vélez Sársfield	Primera División
2001–02			17	1
2002–03			22	1
2003–04			27	0
2004–05			33	0
Vélez Sársfield Total			99	2
Spain			League		Copa del Rey		Copa de la Liga		Europe		Total
2005–06	Mallorca	La Liga	30	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	30	2
2006–07			36	3	2	0	0	0	0	0	38	3
2007–08			30	0	6	0	0	0	0	0	36	0
Mallorca Total			96	5	8	0	0	0	0	0	104	5
England			League		FA Cup		League Cup		Europe		Total
2008–09	Newcastle United	Premier League	30	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	33	0
2009–10		Championship	37	4	3	0	1	0	0	0	41	4
2010-11		Premier League	37	3	0	0	2	0	0	0	39	3
2011-12			21	1	2	1	1	0	0	0	24	2
Newcastle United Total			125	8	7	1	5	0	0	0	137	9
Career total			320	15	7	1	5	0	0	0	340	16

Stats accurate as of 00:00, 29 January 2012.

Honours

Argentina U-20

• South American Youth Championship: 2003

Vélez Sársfield

• Argentine Primera División: Clausura 2005

Newcastle United

• Football League Championship: 2009–10
• Teresa Herrera Trophy: 2010

External links

• Official Website
• Jonás Gutiérrez career stats at Soccerbase
• Career Details at National Football Teams
• Premier League profile
• Profile at SoccerSurfer.com