Javi García
Francisco Javier "Javi" García Fernández (Spanish pronunciation: [fɾanˈθisko xaˈβjeɾ ˈxaβi ɣaɾˈθi.a feɾˈnandeθ]; born 8 February 1987) is a Spanish former professional footballer who is an assistant manager for Benfica. A defensive midfielder by nature, he could also appear as a central defender.
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García playing for Zenit in 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Francisco Javier García Fernández | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 8 February 1987 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Mula, Spain | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Benfica (assistant) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2004 | Real Madrid | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2007 | Real Madrid B | 86 | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2007 | Real Madrid | 3 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2008 | Osasuna | 25 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2009 | Real Madrid | 15 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2012 | Benfica | 74 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2014 | Manchester City | 53 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2017 | Zenit Saint Petersburg | 73 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2020 | Betis | 53 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020–2022 | Boavista | 39 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 421 | (29) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Spain U16 | 3 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2005 | Spain U17 | 21 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2006 | Spain U19 | 9 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Spain U20 | 5 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2009 | Spain U21 | 9 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2013 | Spain | 2 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Managerial career | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022– | Benfica (assistant) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||||||||||||||||||||||
He started his career with Real Madrid, but represented mostly the reserve team, going on to have a three-year spell with Benfica in Portugal. In 2012 he signed with Manchester City, then spent a further three seasons in the Russian Premier League with Zenit Saint Petersburg where he appeared in 108 matches across all competitions. He returned to Spain with Betis in 2017 and retired at Boavista.
García represented Spain at various youth levels, including the victorious under-19s at the 2006 European Championship, and made his senior international debut in 2012.