Asier Riesgo

Born in Deba, Gipuzkoa, and a product of Real Sociedad's youth academy, Riesgo made his professional debut with neighbouring SD Eibar in the Segunda División, where he would play for one and a half seasons. In March 2004, he was recalled from his loan due to an injury to first-choice Sander Westerveld. After Westerveld was waived in the summer, Riesgo became a starter for the Basques, making his La Liga debut on 29 August 2004 in a 1–1 home draw against Levante UD. From the 2006–07 campaign onwards he battled with newly signed Claudio Bravo for starting duties; with the Chilean as the first choice, Real were relegated. In 2007–08, however, Riesgo played all 42 league matches, although the team did not achieve a top-flight return. In August 2008 he was loaned to Recreativo de Huelva for €350.000, with the club having the option to make the move permanent afterwards for €4.3 million and not having to pay the player's wages. An undisputed starter throughout the season, Riesgo stopped two penalty kicks on 4 January 2009, helping league strugglers Recre to beat CD Numancia 3–1 at home. On 11 April he became the first to ever deny Lionel Messi a penalty, clawing the Argentine's effort out of the air as he saw his side bow down to a 2–0 defeat at FC Barcelona; the Andalusians eventually dropped down a level, with him appearing in all 38 fixtures. Riesgo served a trial at Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in December 2009 as potential cover for injured Carlo Cudicini, lost for…

Riesgo won the 2002 UEFA European Under-19 Championship with Spain, as backup to Miguel Ángel Moyá. We was a starter, however, for the under-20s as they finished second at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, with Moyá now as second-choice. On 17 February 2004, Riesgo earned his first cap at under-21 level, in a 2–1 friendly win over Norway.

Real Sociedad

Segunda División: 2009–10 Spain U19

UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2002 Spain U20

FIFA U-20 World Cup runner-up: 2003