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Andrés D'Alessandro

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Andrés D'Alessandro
D'Alessandro in 2016
Personal information
Full name Andrés Nicolás D'Alessandro
Date of birth (1981-04-15) 15 April 1981 (age 45)
Place of birth Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position Attacking midfielder
Youth career
1991–1999 River Plate
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2003 River Plate 70 (20)
2003–2007 Wolfsburg 61 (8)
2006 → Portsmouth (loan) 13 (1)
2006–2007 → Zaragoza (loan) 36 (2)
2007 Zaragoza 14 (2)
2008 San Lorenzo 15 (2)
2008–2020 Internacional 284 (45)
2016 → River Plate (loan) 17 (2)
2021 Nacional 24 (1)
2022 Internacional 1 (1)
Total 488 (84)
International career
2001 Argentina U20 7 (2)
2004 Argentina U23 6 (1)
2003–2010 Argentina 25 (3)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Argentina
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place2004 AthensTeam
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Winner2001 ArgentinaTeam
Copa América
Runner-up2004 Peru
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Andrés Nicolás D'Alessandro (born 15 April 1981) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

Known as El Cabezón ("Big Head") for how large his big head looks on his small frame rather than any ego connotations,[1] he won an Olympic gold medal with Argentina in 2004 and also played at that year's Copa América.

In 2020, he was awarded Brazilian citizenship.[2][3]

D'Alessandro is regarded as one of Internacional's most notable players, alongside figures such as Falcão, Valdomiro, and Fernandão.[4]

Club career

[edit]

Early career

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D'Alessandro was born in the La Paternal section of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He joined the labor force as a pizza delivery boy before becoming a professional footballer.[5] He emerged through the River Plate youth system[6] that has produced much of Argentina's top talent over the years. He followed the likes of Santiago Solari and Pablo Aimar through the ranks, together with Javier Saviola, with whom he shared the limelight in the 2001 Youth World Championship.

His talent attracted attention from European clubs following his success and performances at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship. He subsequently spent time on trial at West Ham in 2001 but no deal was agreed, with the management considering Joe Cole too similar and fee too high.[7][8]

With the River Plate senior team, he won the 2001–02 and 2002–03 Primera División; the 2002–03 season was one of his best, scoring 15 goals in 40 appearances.

His 15 goals included several memorable performances, most notably River Plate's 5–2 victory over Rosario Central on 29 September 2002, when he scored twice and provided two assists.[9] He also delivered an outstanding display on 8 June 2003, scoring once and grabbing two more assists in a 4–0 win against San Lorenzo.

In the 2003 Libertadores, he scored 4 goals, including a free kick in the round of 16 1st leg against Corinthians to help his team win the match 2–1.[10]

Spell in Europe

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Following continuing impressive performances, D'Alessandro eventually transferred to German Bundesliga club Wolfsburg in July 2003 for a club record €9 million.[11] On 21 September 2005, D'Alessandro scored the Bundesliga's 40,000th goal since its creation in 1963, netting the fourth goal in a 4–2 victory over Hannover 96.

On 31 January 2006, to the surprise of most fans, D'Alessandro joined English Premier League club Portsmouth on loan for the remainder of the season.[12] His main objective with his new club was to blend in with new teammates and help his club to avoid relegation. On Easter Monday, 17 April, he scored his first goal in English football – a contender for goal of the season – in Portsmouth's 2–1 defeat away to Charlton Athletic.[13]

Portsmouth survived and manager Harry Redknapp sought to sign D'Alessandro on a permanent basis, but on 17 June 2006, he completed a season-long loan switch to La Liga outfit Real Zaragoza, citing his desire to play in Spain as a major factor in his decision. His club had a great season, finishing sixth in the league, qualifying for next years UEFA Cup, and narrowly being eliminated from the Copa del Rey quarter-finals to Barcelona on away goals. On 6 June 2007, he signed a contract at Zaragoza, keeping him at the club until 2011. However he suffered disciplinary problems in his second year at the club; he was involved in a heated altercation with teammate Pablo Aimar in training on 17 October 2007, and later stated that he felt coach Víctor Fernández was giving Aimar preferential treatment.[14]

Return to South America

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In 2008, despite expressing his desire to join River Plate, the club and the player were unable to come to an agreement. Shortly after, he joined his former River Plate manager Ramón Díaz at Argentine club San Lorenzo. Despite his short spell at the club, he became one of their most important players. One of his most memorable performances came on 8 May, in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16 match against River Plate; with San Lorenzo down 2–0 at the 60th minute, D'Alessandro was involved in both of his team's goals as they scored twice in 5 minutes to win 4–3 on aggregate.[15] Shortly after the match, D'alessandro told reporters, "This victory is special because of the people directing the club, who made a mistake." He said this because of the failed attempt to return to River after leaving Wolfsburg.[16]

However, after Díaz left the club, D'Alesandro opted to move to Brazil to play for Internacional and joined on 1 August 2008.[17]

On 13 December 2008 it was reported on ESPN Deportes that the Los Angeles Galaxy had made a $10 million offer to for D'Alessandro but was declined.[18]

He played an important role in Inter's 2008 Copa Sudamericana title, scoring 2 goals in the semifinal second leg against Chivas. In 2009 Internacional finished in second place in both the Brasileirão and Copa do Brasil. In 2010, D'Alessandro led Internacional to their second Libertadores Championship, and was elected the best player in South America for that year;[19] in the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup, he also helped Internacional to a third-place finish, and was awarded the Bronze Ball as the tournament's third best player. In 2011 D'Alessadro had personally an even better year, but Internacional only managed to win the State Championship. 2012 was a bad year for both Internacional and D'Alessandro. Furthermore, rumours of him leaving to play in China caused a major distraction; after long drawn out drama he stayed but soon was injured. In 2013 his game improved again, and while Inter only won the State Championship, he was praised as the only positive factor of the team that year. 2014 started well; D'Alessandro continued to play well and led Inter to their 4th straight Gaucho Championship.

On 3 February 2016, he returned to River Plate after 12+1⁄2 years on a loan deal.[20] He won his second Recopa Sudamericana and the Copa Argentina during his stay at the club. After that, he returned to Internacional de Porto Alegre for the 2017 season.

He scored in his last match as a professional, a 2–1 victory for Inter on 16 April 2022.[21]

International career

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D'Alessandro won the 2001 Under-20 World Championship with the Argentine youth side, held in Buenos Aires; due to his performances alongside his club teammate Javier Saviola, he was awarded the Silver Ball as the tournament's second best player. D'Alessandro had originally started the tournament as a substitute, but injuries allowed him a place in the team in later matches. Argentina beat Ghana 3–0 in the final.

D'Alessandro has represented Argentina's senior side on 28 occasions, scoring 4 times between 2001 and 2011. He also represented Argentina's under-23 side at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where Argentina won a gold medal.[22]

D'Alessandro also took part in the 2004 Copa América with Argentina. He scored his only goal of the tournament in the group stage, in Argentina's 6–1 victory over Ecuador[23] In the final, against rivals Brazil, he missed Argentina's first penalty in the resulting shootout, following a 2–2 draw after extra time; Argentina were defeated 4–2 in the shootout.[24][25]

On 20 August 2010, Sergio Batista recalled D'Alessandro to the national team for a friendly against Spain, which was played on 7 September 2010 at the Monumental Stadium River Plate.

Style of play

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D'Alessandro was best known for his dribbling ability, creativity, and technical skill, and was adept at beating players with body feints and tricks, such as the dragback (boba), nutmeg, or the Blomqvist shuffle;[26][27] and was also an accurate free-kick taker.[27] D'Alessandro is also known for his short passing ability, which makes him a capable assist provider.[27]

In 2001, he was named one of the 100 best young footballers in the world by Don Balón,[28] and he was also labelled one of Maradona's potential heirs by the media and by Maradona himself; despite his precocious talent however, he was not able to fully fulfill the potential he demonstrated in his youth.[27]

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[29]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
River Plate 1999–2000 10—00—10
2000–01 40—30—70
2001–02 369—50—419
2002–03 2911—114—4015
Total 702000194008924
VfL Wolfsburg 2003–04 2931140—344
2004–05 19300——193
2005–06 1322031—183
Total 6183171007110
Portsmouth (loan) 2005–06 131———131
Real Zaragoza (loan) 2006–07 36252——414
Real Zaragoza 2007–08 1423020—192
San Lorenzo 2007–08 152—90—242
Internacional 2008 112—72—184
2009 2267130944111
2010 201—1310114445
2011 309—811054815
2012 211—5171333
2013 351174001655820
2014 3363000102468
2015 1502011481365
2016 10——1020
2017 31572—141528
2018 24362—72377
2019 2316010070461
2020 200000072272
Total 285453295781102849090
River Plate (loan) 2016–17 1724093—305
Nacional 2021 241—5010301
Career total 5358353121081611128807139

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[30]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Argentina 200392
2004101
200530
200600
200700
200800
200900
201030
Total253
Scores and results list Argentina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each D'Alessandro goal.
List of international goals scored by Andrés D'Alessandro
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 20 August 2003 Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence, Italy  Uruguay 3–2 3–2 Friendly [31]
2 15 November 2003 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina  Bolivia 1–0 3–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification [32]
3 7 July 2004 Estadio Elías Aguirre, Chiclayo, Peru  Ecuador 5–1 6–1 2004 Copa América [33]

Honours

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River Plate

Internacional

Argentina U20

Argentina Olympic

Argentina

Individual

References

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  1. ↑ Brega, Giordano (9 February 2008). "Si affloscia la "boba" di Andres D'Alessandro. Il cabezon torna in Argentina" [The "boba" of Andres D'Alessandro comes to an end. El cabezón returns to Argentina] (in Italian). Affari Italiani. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  2. ↑ Povo, Correio do (17 September 2020). "D'Alessandro é naturalizado brasileiro após 12 anos de Inter". Correio do Povo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  3. ↑ "Andrés D'Alessandro se nacionalizó brasileño". ESPN.com.ar (in Spanish). 17 September 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  4. ↑ "D'Alessandro | Sport Club Internacional". internacional.com.br. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
  5. ↑ Page 12 of News of the World sport section; 9 April 2006.
  6. ↑ "Player Profile: Andres D´Alessandro". Southamericanfutbol.com. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  7. ↑ Bailey, Graeme (9 February 2001). "HAMMERS TO FAIL WITH D`ALESSANDRO BID". Sky Sports. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  8. ↑ McMahon, Mark (30 January 2022). "The Pompey duo former West Ham and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp ranks as two of his greatest January signings". The News. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "River Plate 5-2 Rosario Central - Apertura 2002". La Historia River (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "River 2-1 Corinthians | Libertadores 2003". Estadísticas de River Plate (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 August 2026.
  11. ↑ "Wolfsburg snap up D'Alessandro". UEFA. 12 June 2003. Archived from the original on 28 May 2009.
  12. ↑ "Portsmouth snap up d'Alessandro". BBC Sport. 31 January 2006. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  13. ↑ "Charlton 2–1 Portsmouth". BBC. 17 April 2006. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  14. ↑ "D'Alessandro y Aimar, a punto de llegar a las manos". El País (in Spanish). 17 October 2007. ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  15. ↑ "River 2-2 San Lorenzo (3-4 agg)". www.espn.co.uk. 8 May 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  16. ↑ "River ya enfrentó a D'Alessandro". Olé (in Spanish). 18 December 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  17. ↑ "D'Alessandro Pens Four-Year Inter Deal". Goal.com. 1 August 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  18. ↑ "Internacional turn down Galaxy D'Alessandro bid". ESPN Soccernet. 14 December 2008. Archived from the original on 17 December 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  19. ↑ Rinaldi, Cesare (31 December 2010). "Calcio Sudamericano: Andres D'Alessandro è il Balon de Oro 2010". calcioblog.it. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  20. ↑ "Argentino de maior sucesso na história do Brasil, d'Alessandro deixa Inter após 8 anos". ESPN.
  21. ↑ "O adeus de D'Alessandro, argentino que se tornou o gigante do Beira-Rio, do RS e do futebol brasileiro". Terra (in Brazilian Portuguese). 16 April 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
  22. ↑ "Andres D ALESSANDRO". FIFA. Archived from the original on 18 March 2008. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  23. ↑ "Saviola blows Ecuador away". The Guardian. 8 July 2004. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
  24. ↑ "Brazil win Copa shoot-out". BBC News. 25 July 2004. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
  25. ↑ O'Connor, Michael (26 July 2004). "Brazil snatch cup in late twist". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
  26. ↑ Brega, Giordano (9 February 2008). "Si affloscia la "boba" di Andres D'Alessandro. Il cabezon torna in Argentina" [The "boba" of Andres D'Alessandro comes to an end. El cabezon returns to Argentina]. affaritaliani.it (in Italian). Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  27. 1 2 3 4 Dotto, Matteo (7 February 2006). "D' Alessandro, la maledizione del mancato Maradona" [D'Alessandro, the curse of the unfulfilled New Maradona]. archiviostorico.corriere.it (in Italian). Il Corriere della Sera. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  28. ↑ "Don Balon's list of the 100 best young players in the world". thespoiler.co.uk. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  29. ↑ "A. D'Alessandro". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
  30. ↑ "D'Alessandro, Andrés". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  31. ↑ "Argentina vs. Uruguay". National Football Teams. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  32. ↑ "Argentina vs. Bolivia". National Football Teams. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  33. ↑ "Argentina vs. Ecuador". National Football Teams. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  34. ↑ "South American Team of the Year". 16 January 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
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