Argentine footballer
Nicolás Martín Pareja (born 19 January 1984) is an Argentine former professionalfootballer who played as acentral defender .
After starting out atArgentinos Juniors he went on to spend most of his career withSpartak Moscow andSevilla , winning twoEuropa League trophies with the latter club. He was hindered by several injuries.
Pareja won the2008 Olympic tournament withArgentina .
Born inBuenos Aires , Pareja started playing forArgentinos Juniors .[ 1] [ 2] He scored his first goal in thePrimera División on 10 February 2006, in a 2–1 win againstClub Atlético Independiente .[ 3]
R.S.C. Anderlecht acquired Pareja in 2006 for€ 2 million as a replacement forVincent Kompany , and the former went on to be a teammate of compatriotsLucas Biglia ,Nicolás Frutos andCristian Leiva .[ 4] His first game in thePro League took place on 20 August, when he came on as a second-halfsubstitute in the 4–3 away defeat ofK.V.C. Westerlo .[ 5]
Despite several injury problems,[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9] [ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13] Pareja was regularly used during his two-year spell in Belgium, pairing mainlyRoland Juhász . In late January 2008, he agreed to a contract extension until June 2012.[ 14]
Pareja joined Spanish clubRCD Espanyol in the summer of 2008, for a fee of €4.5 million. He made hisLa Liga debut on 14 September, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 away victory overRecreativo de Huelva ,[ 15] and scored his first goal in the competition the following 11 January to help salvage a point at home toUD Almería (2–2).[ 16]
During his tenure inCatalonia , Pareja started in all his league appearances.[ 17]
In August 2010, after being linked to a move to former side Anderlecht,[ 18] Pareja signed withFC Spartak Moscow .[ 19] He made hisRussian Premier League debut late in that month, featuring four minutes in a 4–2 home win againstFC Tom Tomsk .[ 20]
After missing out several matches throughout June and July 2011 due to international commitment, both Pareja and compatriotMarcos Rojo were fined for returning late to the club.[ 21] He netted his first goal on 11 September, the only to help the hosts defeatFC Amkar Perm .[ 22]
Pareja was handed a three-match ban after beingsent off for a hardtackle onPFC CSKA Moscow 'sVágner Love in November 2010,[ 23] [ 24] being suspended even harsher (four) in October of the next year following a match againstFC Zenit Saint Petersburg .[ 25] He signed a contract extension shortly after the second offense, however, running until 2016.[ 26]
After featuring regularly inhis second season , Pareja appeared only 12 times inhis third , due to rotations withSalvatore Bocchetti andJuan Insaurralde [ 27] [ 28] as well as physical problems.[ 29] [ 30]
On 4 July 2013, Pareja was loaned toSevilla FC .[ 31] He appeared in 37 competitive matches inhis debut campaign , including 12 in theUEFA Europa League which his teamwon ; subsequently, he was selected to the 18-manEuropa League squad of the season along with teammatesBeto ,Stéphane Mbia andIvan Rakitić .[ 32]
On 23 June 2014, theAndalusians activated his buyout clause for €2.5 million, and Pareja signing a three-year deal.[ 33] On 3 January of the following year, whilst celebrating his 100th appearance in Spain's top flight, he scored the game's only goal at home againstRC Celta de Vigo , through adirect free kick ;[ 34] on 23 April, early into aEuropa League quarter-final tie at Zenit, he suffered ananterior cruciate ligament to his right knee, going on to be sidelined until the end of the year.[ 35]
In late August 2016, the 32-year-old Pareja agreed to a further extension at theRamón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium until 2019.[ 36] Having acted asteam captain for the first time on the 28th, in a 0–0 away draw toVillarreal CF ,[ 37] he was named by managerJorge Sampaoli as one of the four skippers early intothe new season .[ 38]
On 24 August 2018, Pareja's contract was terminated by mutual consent andDaniel Carriço was named the new captain.[ 39]
On 25 August 2018, Pareja moved to the MexicanLiga MX after joiningClub Atlas .[ 40] Eleven months later, having made only four competitive appearances, he left the club.[ 41]
International career [ edit ] Pareja was part of theArgentina Olympic team at the2008 Summer Olympics inBeijing , contributing with five appearances to thegold medal conquest .[ 42] [ 43] His performances earned him praise fromDiego Maradona .[ 44]
Pareja earned his firstcap forthe full side on 17 November 2010, in a 1–0friendly win overBrazil .[ 45] He was selected forthe following year 'sCopa América ,[ 46] being an unused squad member.
In August 2017, Pareja received a call up by his former Sevilla manager Sampaoli for the2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers againstUruguay andVenezuela .[ 47]
Relatively small for his position, Pareja first played football in his local neighbourhood.[ 2] While at Espanyol, he earned the nickname ofTorero (bullfighter) because of his middle name "Martín".[ 48]
Friends withDaniel Jarque , Pareja donned a T-shirt in remembrance of him during the 2014 Europa League celebrations.[ 49] Having grown up supportingReal Madrid ,[ 50] he also held anItalian passport .[ 51] [ 52]
Anderlecht
Sevilla
Argentina
^ "El plantel no quiere hablar de bajas" [Squad does not want to hear about releases].La Nación (in Spanish). 19 May 2005. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^a b Geril, Jürgen (18 July 2006)."De Argentijnse connectie van Anderlecht wil ook scoren in de Champions League" [Anderlecht's Argentine association also wants to score in the Champions League].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). Retrieved13 July 2017 . ^ "Independiente y sus ilusiones chocaron contra Argentinos" [Independiente and their illusions crashed against Argentinos].Ámbito Financiero (in Spanish). 10 February 2006. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Argentijnse vervanger van Kompany kost twee miljoen" [Argentine replacement for Kompany cost two million].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 28 June 2006. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Frutos en Pareja mee naar Westerlo" [Frutos and Pareja go to Westerlo].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 20 August 2006. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Pareja vier weken buiten strijd" [Pareja out of action four weeks].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 25 July 2006. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Vercauteren zoekt fitte verdedigers" [Vercauteren looking for healthy defenders].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 14 October 2006. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Spitsenschaarste dreigt voor Franky Vercauteren" [Dangerous threats loom over Franky Vercauteren].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 16 December 2006. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Pareja paar weken out?" [Pareja a couple of weeks out?].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 20 April 2007. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Pareja belde al met De Muner" [Pareja already called De Muner].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 8 August 2007. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Anderlecht zonder Pareja" [Anderlecht without Pareja].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 3 December 2007. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Pareja: 'Ik vrees voor mijn voetblessure' " [Pareja: 'I fear for my foot injury'].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 22 February 2008. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Pareja en Serhat out voor Charleroi" [Pareja and Serhat out for Charleroi].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 8 March 2008. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Pareja en Wasilewski tekenen bij" [Pareja and Wasilewski sign].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 25 January 2008. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ Siguero, Santiago (14 September 2008)."Luis García firma pleno y liderato" [Two for two and first place, signed Luis García].Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved24 January 2015 . ^ "Pareja empata en el añadido y la afición pide la dimisión de la junta" [Pareja draws in injury time and fans ask that board of directors resign].Diario AS (in Spanish). 11 January 2009. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ Molero, Iván (22 July 2009)."Pareja apoya al capitán Jarque: "Es el indicado" " [Pareja supports captain Jarque: "He is the right one"].Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved24 January 2015 . ^ "Espanyol akkoord met Anderlecht over afbetaling Pareja" [Espanyol agreement with Anderlecht on Pareja fee].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 16 April 2010. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Spartak sign Pareja from Espanyol" . UEFA. 30 July 2010. Retrieved4 August 2010 .^ "18-й тур• "СПАРТАК" – "ТОМЬ" – 4:2 Николас ПАРЕХА: "КАРПИН ПРИВИВАЕТ ИСПАНСКИЙ ФУТБОЛ" " (in Russian). Sport Express. 21 August 2010. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "El Spartak multa a Pareja y Rojo por su retraso tras la Copa América" [Spartak fine Pareja and Rojo for tardiness after Copa América].Marca (in Spanish). 27 July 2011. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "СОГАЗ – ЧЕМПИОНАТ РОССИИ. ПРЕМЬЕР-ЛИГА. 23-й тур: АМКАР – СПАРТАК – 0:1 (0:0)" (in Russian). Sport Express. 11 September 2011. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "О бедном Парехе замолвите слово" (in Russian). Sport Express. 22 November 2010. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Пареха дисквалифицирован на три матча" [Pareja suspended for three matches] (in Russian). Sport Express. 24 November 2010. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Пареха дисквалифицирован на четыре матча" [Pareja suspended for four matches] (in Russian). Sport Express. 3 October 2011. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Пареха продлил контракт со "Спартаком" до 2016 года" [Pareja extended his contract with Spartak until 2016] (in Russian). Sport Express. 31 October 2011. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Николас Пареха: "Не исключаю, что рассмотрю варианты ухода" " [Nicolás Pareja: "I am not ruling out the possibility of leaving"] (in Russian). Sport Express. 23 June 2013. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Николас Пареха: "Лидер "Спартака"? Думаю, Чельстрем" " [Nicolás Pareja: "Spartak's leader? Källström, I think"] (in Russian). Sport Express. 2 March 2013. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Пареха травмировал бедро" [Thigh concussion for Pareja] (in Russian). Sport Express. 2 March 2013. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Эменике, Пареха, Ананидзе и Хурадо не сыграют с ЦСКА" [Emenike, Pareja, Ananidze and Jurado will not play against CSKA] (in Russian). Sport Express. 18 April 2013. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Nico Pareja, cedido al Sevilla" [Nico Pareja, loaned to Sevilla].Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 4 July 2013. Retrieved6 August 2014 .^ "UEFA Europa League squad of the season" . UEFA. 3 June 2014. Retrieved6 June 2014 .^ "El Sevilla ejerce las opciones de compra por Carriço y Pareja" [Sevilla exercise buyout clauses for Carriço and Pareja].Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 23 June 2014. Retrieved6 August 2014 .^ Mondaca Lobo, Francisco Javier (5 January 2015)."Nico Pareja cumple cien partidos en Primera División" [Nico Pareja celebrates one hundred games inPrimera División ] (in Spanish).Vavel . Retrieved24 February 2015 . ^ "Pareja, entre 6 y 7 meses KO por rotura de ligamentos" [Pareja, out from 6 to 7 months due to ligament rupture].El Mundo (in Spanish). 24 April 2015. Retrieved14 May 2015 .^ "Nico Pareja: "Estoy muy feliz por seguir en mi casa" " [Nico Pareja: "I am very happy to continue in my home"].Marca (in Spanish). 23 August 2016. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ Muñoz, Elena (29 August 2016)."Villarreal 0–0 Sevilla: resumen y resultado del encuentro" [Villarreal 0–0 Sevilla: highlights and scoreline].Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved13 July 2017 . ^ "Vicente Iborra, Daniel Carriço, Nico Pareja y Vitolo, los capitanes" [Vicente Iborra, Daniel Carriço, Nico Pareja and Vitolo, the captains].Marca (in Spanish). 8 September 2016. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Acuerdo para la resicisión del contrato de Nico Pareja" [Agreement for the termination of Nico Pareja's contract] (in Spanish). Sevilla FC. 24 August 2018. Retrieved24 August 2018 .^ "Nico Pareja es nuevo jugador de La Academia" [Nico Pareja is a new player for The Academy] (in Spanish). Club Atlas. 25 August 2018. Archived fromthe original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved25 August 2018 .^ Hernández, Jesús (6 July 2019)."Nico Pareja se va de Atlas; jugó cuatro partidos, uno completo" [Nico Pareja leaves Atlas; he played four matches, one complete].Milenio (in Spanish). Retrieved21 July 2019 . ^ "Pareja met Messi naar Olympische Spelen" [Pareja to the Olympic Games with Messi].Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). 9 July 2008. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Argentina aprovecha un despiste de Nigeria y revalida su corona olímpica" [Argentina profits from Nigeria fumble and renews olympic crown] (in Spanish).Europa Press . 23 August 2008. Retrieved24 February 2015 .^ "Maradona prijst Nicolas Pareja" [Maradona praises Nicolas Pareja].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 19 August 2008. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ Stevenson, Jonathan (17 November 2010)."Argentina 1–0 Brazil" .BBC Sport . Retrieved24 February 2015 . ^ "Sergio Batista convoca a nueve jugadores de la Liga" [Sergio Batista calls nine players from League].Marca (in Spanish). 25 June 2011. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Jorge Sampaoli dio la lista de convocados para jugar con Uruguay y Venezuela: no está Gonzalo Higuaín" [Jorge Sampaoli released squad to play with Uruguay and Venezuela: Gonzalo Higuaín not included].La Nación (in Spanish). 11 August 2017. Retrieved27 February 2018 .^ "Anderlecht wint dan toch nog de lotto" [Anderlecht still win the lottery].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 2 September 2008. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ Piferrer, Dídac (15 May 2014)."La afición perica agradece a Pareja su homenaje a Daniel Jarque" [Theperico supporters thank Pareja for his homage to Daniel Jarque].Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved13 July 2017 . ^ "Argentijn NICOLAS PAREJA maakt zijn grote debuut in topper" [Argentine NICOLAS PAREJA makes his debut in classic].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 27 August 2006. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Pareja: 'Ik wil graag naar Espanyol' " [Pareja: 'I would like to go to Espanyol'].Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 28 August 2008. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ "Pareja obtiene la doble nacionalidad y ya no ocupa plaza de extracomunitario" [Pareja gets double nationality and his no longer a non-EU player].Diario AS (in Spanish). 30 January 2009. Retrieved13 July 2017 .^ Atkin, John (14 May 2014)."Spot-on Sevilla leave Benfica dreams in tatters" . UEFA. Retrieved23 February 2015 . ^ Rose, Gary (27 May 2015)."Dnipropetrovsk 2–3 Sevilla" . BBC Sport. Retrieved13 October 2020 .