10 things you need to know about Fernando Gago

By Mirror Football in Football Spy

Published 08:41 22/01/10

With a mere 10 or 11 midfielders to choose from, Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is clearly in need of some reinforcements in the centre of the park.

Step forward Real Madrid midfield man Fernando Gago - the man the Italian has identified as being the next key part of the Eastlands puzzle.

So, apart from the fact that he has a surname that opposing fans might use to create some new chants, what do we know about the man from Madrid?

1) First up, he's not from Madrid. Fernando Rubén Gago was born in Ciudadela, near Buenos Aires in Argentina, on April 10, 1986.

2) He began his career at Maradona's old club, Boca Juniors and had cemented his place in the first team squad by the time he was 18.

3) A defensive midfielder he has been compared to former Argentina and Real Madrid great Fernando Redondo who said of Gago: “He’s got everything that I like in a midfielder. He’s always rises to the occasion, he keeps his head held high, and he’s got what it takes to read the game.”

4) Just like Redondo, Gago was soon snapped up by Spanish giants Real Madrid, who swooped for him in December 2006. Real Madrid director and former Argentina star Jorge Valdano said Gago is: “a footballer who thinks well and thinks fast, and who helps facilitate the distribution of the ball from in the midfield."

5) His debut for Los Blancos, against Deportivo La Caruna on January 7, 2007, didn't go as well as he might have hoped. He was at fault for Depor's opening goal and was eventually replaced by Ronaldo as Real lost 2-0.

6) He soon made amends for his error and had a crucial part to play in Real's unlikely march to the 2007 La Liga title. During the run-in in May, Real were drawing 2-2 with Recreativo Huelva with just minutes left to play when Gago provided the assist for Roberto Carlos to score the winner. The 3-2 win kept Real above Barca at the top of the table and was a key result in their ultimately successful title charge.

7) Gago was part of the Argentine Under 20 which won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship along with present day superstars Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero .

8) He earned a call up to the senior squad in 2007 following his move to Europe. Argentine coach Diego Maradona is clearly a fan of his and once said: “he should never be left off an Argentina squad list.” He currently partners Javier Mascherano in the Argentine midfield.

9) His nickname is 'El Pintita' (the Painter) after he was told off by a former coach for playing with his hair. (No, we don't get that either.)

10) Somewhat unusually for a footballer, Gago is a cultured sort of chap and is a literature and art enthusiast. The first thing he did after landing in Spain was visit the Prado Museum.

And just so you know what you're getting City fans, here's a little compilation of the young Argentine in action: