Blog: Fernando Gago – Rolling Back The Years

Argentina’s official squad for the upcoming Copa America 2015 is perhaps missing someone. A known fixture over the years, especially in this specific tournament – Fernando Gago. Fernando Gago’s career so far has been one of an uneven nature. The midfielder who initially came through the youth ranks of Boca Juniors, now finds himself plying his trade at the very club he left as a 20 year old in 2006 for the mighty Real Madrid, almost a decade ago.
Coming from right under the tutelage of Roman Madoni, Gago arrived in the Spanish capital as a highly rated player, a player who was very quickly dubbed as the “new Fernando Redondo” owing to the reminiscence in some aspects with the legendary Argentine maestro.

Gago was blessed with an elegant first touch, a very crafty and efficient technique, serene runs when on the ball and the versatility to contribute both in defense or attack. In his case, the development of his raw talent wasn’t an issue, but being able to display it on a consistent basis over the course of his career was, especially after his time with the Spanish giants.

He will most probably only be remembered for his early years at Real Madrid and for the excellent performances for Argentina, whenever called upon. At Real, he had an excellent first three years where he played the best football of his life and established himself as a crucial fixture in the then Real Madrid side with whom he went on to win the League on two occasions along with the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España once respectively.

What followed was a season-long loan spell with AS Roma under the current Barcelona manager Luis Enrique. Eventually, Gago left the Santiago Bernabeu outfit in the summer of 2012. Valencia were the one’s to sign him but after an average first season influenced by injuries at the Mestalla, the midfielder was on his travels again, as he was loaned out to Vélez Sársfield this time around. An experience which turned out to be quite dismal.

 

In 2013, it was announced that Gago will be returning to Boca Juniors, the Club where it all started for him so many years ago. So far, he’s had a really good second spell at the club barring an injury which kept him out for some time.

Gago, 29, is now entering the twilight of his career. A career in which he produced some top notch performances in extremely decisive games but which was also marred by injuries, sometimes lack of the manager’s confidence and also luck, at times. But eventually, the day he hangs up his boots, Fernando Gago will undoubtedly go down as one of the most versatile, talented and unique players to come out of Argentina.