Cata Díaz

Cata Díaz

Footballer

AI

Cata Díaz is an Argentine association football player known for his role as a central defender.

Díaz began his professional career at Rosario Central before moving to Cruz Azul in Mexico.

Díaz scored his only international goal for Argentina in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia in 2009.

Biography

Early Life

Daniel Alberto "Cata" Díaz was born in San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, Argentina. He began his football journey at a young age, playing for local youth team Juventud de Catamarca before moving to Rosario Central in 1997, where he progressed through the junior ranks and made his professional debut three years later.

Career

Díaz's professional career took off when he joined Cruz Azul in 2003, but after just one season, he returned to Argentina to captain Colón de Santa Fe under coach Alfio Basile. His impressive performances caught the eye of Boca Juniors, where he signed for approximately $3 million. At Boca, he was instrumental in their 2005 Apertura-winning campaign and contributed to their success in the South American Supercup and the South American Cup.

In 2007, Díaz moved to Spain to play for Getafe CF, where he became a defensive stalwart, helping the team reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup in the 2007-08 season. After a successful stint, he signed with Atlético Madrid in 2012, continuing to showcase his skills in La Liga. He also represented the Argentina national team from 2003 to 2009, scoring his only international goal in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia in 2009.

Coaching and Later Career

After retiring from professional play in 2019, Díaz briefly took on a coaching role at Boca Juniors but returned to the pitch for CD Móstoles URJC in Spain before retiring again in 2021. He has since returned to Boca Juniors in a management capacity, contributing to various aspects of the club's operations.

Personal Life

Cata Díaz is the younger brother of former football midfielder Juan Carlos Díaz, who also shares the nickname "Cata." His family background in football has undoubtedly influenced his career and passion for the sport.

Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed

Career & Clubs

Coaching and later career

On 29 November 2019, Díaz's contract expired and he retired for the second and definitive time. Subsequently, it was reported he was going to be named Miguel Ángel Russo's assistant at Boca Juniors, but he ended up joining the reserves in the same capacity, under Blas Giunta. However, 41-year old Cata, left the position at the end of September 2020 and came out of retirement, to play for Spanish club CD Móstoles URJC. He announced his retirement again on 23 May 2021. In the summer 2021, he returned to Boca Juniors in a management-role, collaborating in different aspects.

International career

Díaz made his first appearance with the Argentina national team in 2003, and was called to the 2007 Copa América squad as the nation finished second in Venezuela. On 6 June 2009, in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Colombia, he scored his first and only international goal, finding the net in the 57th minute for a 1–0 home win; he would be, however, overlooked for the final stages in South Africa.

Club career

Nicknamed Cata because of his origins from San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, Díaz started playing at youth amateur local Juventud de Catamarca before moving in 1997 to Rosario Central, still as a junior. Three years later, he first appeared professionally with the latter team. Díaz moved to Cruz Azul in 2003. After only one season with the Mexican club, he returned to Argentina to become Alfio Basile's captain in Colón de Santa Fe; he subsequently drew attention from Argentine giants Boca Juniors and Club Atlético River Plate, but as Basile was at that time the former's coach, the player decided to make the move for around US$3 million. Díaz made his debut for Boca in a 4–1 victory over Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy, and was a big part in the side's 2005 Apertura-winning campaign. He added the South American Supercup (win over Once Caldas of Colombia), and the South American Cup (defeat of Mexico's Club Universidad Nacional). In the middle of 2007, Díaz moved to Spain's Getafe CF for €4 million, being a defensive cornerstone from the very beginning as the Madrid outskirts team reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup in 2007–08. During his spell at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez he rarely missed one game when healthy – for instance, in his third season, he appeared in 30 matches (2,700 minutes of action) to help them finish sixth and qualify for the Europa League. On 15 June 2012, at nearly 33, Díaz signed with fellow La Liga side Atlético Madrid for two years and €1 million.…

Club
Cruz Azul (2003–2004)
Club
Getafe CF (2007–2012)
Club
Club Atlético Rosario Central (1999–2003)
Club
Club Atlético Colón (2004–2005)
Club
Atlético Madrid (2012–2013)
Club
Boca Juniors (2005–2007)
Club
Boca Juniors (2013–)
Club
Argentina national football team (2003–2009)

Personal

Personal life

Daniel is the younger brother of former football midfielder Juan Carlos Díaz, also nicknamed Cata.

Legacy

Honours

Club

Boca Juniors

Argentine Primera División: Apertura 2005, Clausura 2006, 2015 Primera División Copa Argentina: 2014–15 Copa Libertadores: 2007 Recopa Sudamericana: 2005 Copa Sudamericana: 2005 Atlético Madrid

Copa del Rey: 2012–13 UEFA Super Cup: 2012

International

Argentina

Copa América runner-up: 2007

Clubs

Played together with

Archive

Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Description

Argentine association football player

Position

centre-back

Extract from Wikipedia

Daniel Alberto "Cata" Díaz is an Argentine professional football manager and former player who played as a central defender.

▸ Source: Wikipedia
All links
Official Website

Discussion

Opinions of fans — not verified facts.

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