Diego Benaglio

Diego Benaglio

Footballer

AI

Diego Benaglio is a Swiss former professional footballer known for his role as a goalkeeper.

He played for VfL Wolfsburg from 2008 to 2017, where he became a key player in their history.

Benaglio concluded his club career at AS Monaco FC, playing until 2020.

Biography

Early Life

Diego Orlando Benaglio was born in Zürich, Switzerland, in 1983. He began his football journey at the Grasshopper Club Zürich, where he honed his skills as a goalkeeper before moving to Germany to join VfB Stuttgart. During his time at Stuttgart from 2002 to 2005, he primarily played for the reserves, gaining valuable experience in the competitive environment of German football.

Club Career

In 2005, Benaglio made a significant move to Portugal's C.D. Nacional, where he quickly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper. His impressive performances helped the team qualify for the UEFA Cup. In January 2008, he returned to Germany, signing with VfL Wolfsburg. Benaglio played a crucial role in the club's history, helping them secure their first Bundesliga title in the 2008-09 season and winning the DFB-Pokal in 2015. He later joined AS Monaco FC in 2017, where he continued to showcase his skills until his retirement in 2020.

International Career

Benaglio's international career began in 2006 when he was called up to the Swiss national team. He made his debut in a friendly match against China and went on to represent Switzerland in major tournaments, including UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Notably, he captained the Swiss team at the 2012 Olympics and was instrumental in their qualification for the 2014 World Cup, where he saved a penalty from Karim Benzema. He announced his retirement from international football in August 2014, leaving behind a legacy of strong performances and leadership on the field.

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Career & Clubs

Club career

Early years and Nacional

Born in Zürich, Benaglio finished his development at hometown club Grasshopper Club Zürich. Still in his teens he moved to Germany and joined VfB Stuttgart, but appeared exclusively for the reserves during his three-year spell. Benaglio joined Portugal's C.D. Nacional for the 2005–06 season, soon gaining favour over Henrique Hilário and becoming the Madeirans's undisputed first choice after the veteran left for Chelsea. It was also during his first year that the team qualified for the UEFA Cup.

Wolfsburg

On 22 January 2008, Benaglio returned to Germany, signing for VfL Wolfsburg. He made his debut eight days later, helping his side advance to the quarter-finals of the German Cup after a penalty shootout win over FC Schalke 04. Benaglio only missed three matches in the 2008–09 campaign as the Wolves were crowned Bundesliga champions for the first time in their 64-year history. The following year he appeared significantly less, due to injury. On 23 January 2013, Benaglio signed a contract extension to keep him at the Volkswagen Arena until 2016. When the club won its first domestic cup on 30 May 2015, against Borussia Dortmund, he made late saves from Shinji Kagawa and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to ensure the 3–1 victory. Benaglio played once for VfL Wolfsburg II in the amateur Regionalliga Nord while recovering from injury on 5 September 2015, in a 6–1 home defeat of TSV Havelse.

Monaco

On 16 June 2017, 33-year-old Benaglio…

International career

A Swiss international since 2006, Benaglio was called up for the 2006 FIFA World Cup as third choice behind Pascal Zuberbühler and Fabio Coltorti, making his debut in a pre-tournament friendly against China on 3 June. With consistently good club performances the following years, he was promoted to the starting line-up for UEFA Euro 2008 played on home soil, and became the starter subsequently. As the national team qualified to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Benaglio played all three group stage matches in an eventual group stage exit, conceding only one goal. This included an upset 1–0 victory over Spain, who later won the tournament. Benaglio captained the Swiss team at the 2012 Olympics, and played nine times during the 2014 World Cup qualification campaign, keeping six clean sheets. On 2 June 2014, he was named in the full side's list for the World Cup finals by national coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, saving a penalty kick from Karim Benzema in the second match but in a 2–5 defeat by France. On 20 August 2014, Benaglio announced his retirement from international football.

Career statistics

Club

1 Includes DFB Pokal matches. 2 Includes Europa League and Champions League matches. 3 Includes DFL-Supercup and relegation play-off matches. 4 Although still a second-team regular, Benaglio made his first-team debut that season in the UEFA Cup.

International

Club
Switzerland national under-19 association football team (2001–2001)
Club
Switzerland national under-20 association football team (2002–2002)
Club
Switzerland Olympic football team (2012–2012)
Club
AS Monaco FC (2017–2020)
League
Bundesliga
Club
VfB Stuttgart II (2003–2005)
Club
VfL Wolfsburg (2008–2017)
Club
C.D. Nacional (2005–2008)
Club
Grasshopper Club Zürich (1999–2002)
Club
VfB Stuttgart (2002–2005)
Club
Switzerland men's national football team (2006–2014)
Club
Switzerland national under-21 football team (2003–2005)
Club
Switzerland national under-23 football team (2012–2012)
National team
Switzerland

Legacy

Honours

Wolfsburg

Bundesliga: 2008–09 DFB-Pokal: 2014–15 DFL-Supercup: 2015

Clubs

Played together with

Archive

Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Position

goalkeeper

Description

Swiss footballer (born 1983)

Extract from Wikipedia

Diego Orlando Benaglio is a Swiss former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

▸ Source: Wikipedia
All links

Discussion

Opinions of fans — not verified facts.