Oleguer

[El Mesías]

Oh come on! A forum on Barca history without our beloved Oleguer?!?!



Here are some of his well-documented career highlights,

Oleguer started his career at modest Lepanto, a club from his hometown of Sabadell. In 1997 he joined neighbours UDA Gramenet, also in Catalonia, making his senior debut four years later.

At 21, Oleguer signed with FC Barcelona, spending his debut season with the B side. He would make his first team debut during a UEFA Champions League match against Galatasaray SK, a 1-0 away triumph. During the following season he played for both teams, on occasion being a last minute addition to the senior squad.

From 2004-06, Oleguer was a key defensive element for Barcelona, as the club won back-to-back national league titles, often partnering Carles Puyol. During 2005-06, he challenged Juliano Belletti for the right back position, as he presented a more defensive alternative to the Brazilian. On 24 April 2005, he scored his first and only goal for Barcelona, the opener in a 4-0 away routing of Málaga CF.

On 17 May 2006, Barça beat Arsenal F.C. to win the UEFA Champions League for the second time in its history. Oleguer was in the starting eleven, but on the day he appeared tense and slow, struggling to neutralize Freddie Ljungberg's runs down the wing and more importantly not being able to stop Sol Campbell scoring the opening goal. In the 71st minute he was substituted in favor of Belletti, an inspired decision by manager Frank Rijkaard, as Belletti went on to score the decider, with less than ten minutes to go.

Oleguer signed a contract extension in July 2006, keeping him with the club until 2010.He had the honor of captaining the team for the first time in their initial pre-season game of the 2006-07 campaign, in recognition of his work over the last few seasons. With the arrival of Gianluca Zambrotta and Lilian Thuram, Oleguer found himself coming on from the bench in the first few matches of 2006-07. On 29 November, 2006 He was awarded the President Companys award for his efforts in promoting the official recognition of Catalan sports at an international level.

The 2007-08 season started positively in sporting terms as Oleguer became a fixture in Rijkaard's starting eleven. However, at a personal level he was accused by a Spanish prosecutor of an assault on a policeman and with ten other people charged with affray during an incident in a bar in Sabadell which occurred in 2003. He also spoke out against the Spanish Football Federation's banning of the Catalan national football team playing a friendly against the USA in conjunction with FIFA recognized international matches in that same week.

On 9 February 2008, in a league match against Sevilla FC, Oleguer broke a bone in his left hand.He was operated on and it was predicted he would spend six weeks on the sidelines, and he would take almost no part in the club's campaign upon recovering, as Barcelona finished third. Oleguer finished his career at Barcelona playing 174 games and scored one goals in all competitions.

On the 29 of July, Oleguer signed a three-season deal with Dutch club AFC Ajax, which paid €3 million euros plus 2.25 million of variables, including an option for another year.Manager Marco van Basten said of Oleguer: "I am happy that we have acquired Oleguer. His qualities fit exactly with what Ajax needs. We are all convinced of that. He has a good age, experience at a high level and is a real defender."

On October 18, 2008, Oleguer scored, from a corner kick, a rare goal, the game's only in a home win over FC Groningen.

A short homeage video dedicated to our hero,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k0bPgMli1Q

[FlyLo]

I don't think he even makes the bench at Ajax anymore.

[Bojan]

Good riddance. He may be the nicest person in the world but at the pitch he sucked big time and directly cost us the title when he got sent off in our home match vs. Madrid. (We lost the title on h2h that season)

[Miggy]

He gave me hope that any talentless person can strike it lucky and play for his beloved team.

[VivaBarca]

Looking back now it's funny how he got a game.

[maz]

uh uh oleguer!

[Fourteen]

Greatest defender in the history of Spanish Football....




































Would be the term i'd use if he were in fact the greatest defender in Spanish football. He's not.

[FCB-ALB]

Oleguer is true Catalan
I like this player

[Fourteen]

You even type like an Eastern European.

[Esteve]

What the fuck is this shit I'm reading!? Oleguer is such a hero! He is a true Catalan! Legend.

[Jordzibob]

So glad he has his own thread, absolute legend Oleguer is

[MinaFCB]

Jordzibob do u really think Oleguer is better than Abidal?

[Aasim]

I miss Ole-gay. We don't have anyone in the team at the moment who we can just take the piss out of...apart from Abidal. (sorry Mina)

[Jordzibob]

Of course I do, Oleguer is the greatest defender of all time....of all time!

But in all seriousness, Yep he was and still is better than Abidal.

[MinaFCB]

ok.