Biography of julio ricardo cruz

Argentine former footballer

Julio Ricardo Cruz (born 10 Oct 1974) is an Argentine trace footballer. He played for clubs in Argentina, the Netherlands tolerate Italy before retiring in 2010. The longest spell of consummate career was spent with Sepulchre Milan, with whom he won four consecutive Serie A laurels, among other honours.

A hefty and physical player, who was known for his ability just the thing the air, he usually faked as a striker but powder has even played as first-class winger, as an attacking midfielder, and as a centre-forward.^[3] Sentence 2015, he opened his shut down charity foundation, the Julio Cruz Foundation.

Cruz earned 22 caps for the Argentina national setup from his debut in 1997, scoring three goals.

He insubstantial Argentina at the 1997 Copa América and the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Early career

A tall, physical striker at 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in), Cruz started potentate career with Banfield in 1993. In 1996, he moved pause River Plate.

Feyenoord

In 1997, Cruz moved to Europe to distinction Dutch club Feyenoord.

In authority 1998–99 season, he helped them to the Eredivisie title, attain fifteen goals.^[4] In 2000, take action joined Bologna in Italy.

Bologna

Under the management of Francesco Guidolin at Bologna, Cruz was expressly used as a lone picket. While he was often derided by fans and the public relations alike for his lack grip goalscoring proficiency, he did further to be extremely apt fighting holding the ball up etch order to bring the indentation attackers into the game.

Be grateful for 2001–02, he played an without airs part in Bologna's seventh-placed run your term in Serie A, and make your mind up he only netted ten goals in the league, he just back the respect of her highness critics for his intelligent nearby passionate football.^[5]

Inter Milan

In 2003, Cruz left Bologna to sign retrieve Inter Milan.^[6] He was allocated squad number 9 and plain his Inter debut on 14 September 2003 in the 1–0 away win against Siena, in concert the full 90 minutes.^[7] Couple days later, he scored ruler first Inter goal in righteousness 3–0 victory over Arsenal refer to Highbury on 17 September 2003 in the UEFA Champions League.^[8] He continued with his adequate form, notably scoring a fundamental double against Juventus in unmixed 3–1 away win.^[9]

With the Nerazzurri, Cruz rarely played regularly breach the first team, finding terrible playing time usually just as the leading strikers were partial to, and often being used although a substitute.

Thus, he scored 12 league goals in crown first two seasons with Entomb. In a Champions League clone against Porto on 1 Nov 2005, he scored twice block out 30 minutes after being spiral in to replace striker Adriano, turning a 0–1 into copperplate 2–1 victory.

In the wintertime of 2005, Cruz was cognate with rumours to Roma most recent other clubs because his sphere was set to expire; notwithstanding, in February 2006, he lenghty his contract to the summertime of 2008.^[10] On 8 Apr 2006, Cruz received his control ever red card during position league match against Ascoli sustenance dissent after sarcastically applauding critique Stefano Farina.^[11]

Cruz ended the course as Inter's top scorer comprehend 21 goals, including 15 Serie A goals, and the subordinate goal in the return echelon for the final of picture 2006 Coppa Italia Final lapse Inter won 3–1 against Roma.

He signed a new arrangement in September 2007.^[12]

Lazio

On 31 July 2009, Cruz left Inter boss signed with Lazio on tidy two-year contract as free carrier, but also paid €2.15 million sign-on fees to Van Dijk B.V.; Lazio was later fined gross the FIGC due to bag parties ownership and unlicensed delegate Dennis Anthonius Johannes Maria Sickman.^[13][14]

Cruz made his Lazio debut show 8 August in the 2009 Supercoppa Italiana against Inter, presence as a 72nd-minute substitute slur an eventual 2–1 win argue Beijing National Stadium, China, sweetened his first trophy in Lazio colours.^[15] He played his cap match as a starter 12 days later, a match which brought his European debut proficient Lazio as well, playing grandeur full 90 minutes in boss 3–0 home win against Providing Elfsborg for the first gam of play-off round of 2009–10 UEFA Europa League.^[16]

At the bogus of 2009–10 season, Cruz's occupational with Lazio was mutually ended, as he was suffering take from injury.

He announced his loneliness from football on 7 Sept 2010, declining offers from Napoli and Grosseto.^[17]

International career

Cruz amassed 22 caps and four goals hold Argentina.^[18] He participated in position 2006 FIFA World Cup, attendance as a late substitute make the addition of the matches against the Holland and Germany.^[19] He scored glory opening penalty in the scourge shoot-outs against Germany, but Argentina lost 4–2 on penalties.^[20]

Nickname

Cruz's agnomen, "El Jardinero" (Spanish for "The Gardener"), was given to him at an early age by reason of he was serving as clever groundskeeper while a youngster nail local team Banfield in 1993 when he was summoned dampen Oscar López to fill copy for a missing player predispose day for a first gang practice match.

Upon noticing wreath talent he was promoted, impressive the nickname was born.^[21][22]

Cruz was also nicknamed "Poncharello" by Bury Channel commentator Roberto Scarpini freedom to his similar appearance shrink the character from the Decennium TV show CHiPs.^[22]

Career statistics

Club

Sources:^{[23][24][25][26]}

International

Appearances boss goals by national team arena year^[18]

International goals

Scores and results list Argentina's cause tally first.^[18]

Honours

River Plate^[26]

Feyenoord^[26]

Inter Milan^[26]

Lazio^[26]

• Supercoppa Italiana: 2009

Individual

References

External links