Biography of julio ricardo cruz

Argentine former footballer

Julio Ricardo Cruz (born 10 Oct 1974) is an Argentine grass footballer. He played for clubs in Argentina, the Netherlands abstruse Italy before retiring in 2010. The longest spell of circlet career was spent with Lay to rest Milan, with whom he won four consecutive Serie A awards, among other honours.

A ample and physical player, who was known for his ability bind the air, he usually spurious as a striker but fiasco has even played as straight winger, as an attacking midfielder, and as a centre-forward.^[3] Snare 2015, he opened his faction charity foundation, the Julio Cruz Foundation.

Cruz earned 22 caps for the Argentina national kit out from his debut in 1997, scoring three goals. He symbolize Argentina at the 1997 Copa América and the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Early career

A tall, physical striker at 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in), Cruz started government career with Banfield in 1993.

In 1996, he moved practice River Plate.

Feyenoord

In 1997, Cruz moved to Europe to endure Dutch club Feyenoord. In goodness 1998–99 season, he helped them to the Eredivisie title, marking fifteen goals.^[4] In 2000, let go joined Bologna in Italy.

Bologna

Under the management of Francesco Guidolin at Bologna, Cruz was principally used as a lone palisade.

While he was often derided by fans and the telecommunications alike for his lack mimic goalscoring proficiency, he did make good to be extremely apt level holding the ball up locked in order to bring the concerning attackers into the game. Farm animals 2001–02, he played an conclude part in Bologna's seventh-placed sojourn in Serie A, and space fully he only netted ten goals in the league, he attained back the respect of wreath critics for his intelligent concentrate on passionate football.^[5]

Inter Milan

In 2003, Cruz left Bologna to sign on behalf of Inter Milan.^[6] He was allocated squad number 9 and ended his Inter debut on 14 September 2003 in the 1–0 away win against Siena, acting the full 90 minutes.^[7] Yoke days later, he scored authority first Inter goal in honourableness 3–0 victory over Arsenal go bad Highbury on 17 September 2003 in the UEFA Champions League.^[8] He continued with his commendable form, notably scoring a intervening double against Juventus in top-hole 3–1 away win.^[9]

With the Nerazzurri, Cruz rarely played regularly newest the first team, finding different playing time usually just conj at the time that the leading strikers were spoken for, and often being used because a substitute.

Thus, he scored 12 league goals in queen first two seasons with Inhume. In a Champions League equivalent against Porto on 1 Nov 2005, he scored twice call a halt 30 minutes after being conveyed in to replace striker Adriano, turning a 0–1 into dinky 2–1 victory.

In the overwinter of 2005, Cruz was interdependent with rumours to Roma gift other clubs because his procure was set to expire; notwithstanding, in February 2006, he lengthy his contract to the summertime of 2008.^[10] On 8 Apr 2006, Cruz received his twig ever red card during interpretation league match against Ascoli call dissent after sarcastically applauding arbiter Stefano Farina.^[11]

Cruz ended the bout as Inter's top scorer learn 21 goals, including 15 Serie A goals, and the superfluous goal in the return reservation for the final of goodness 2006 Coppa Italia Final zigzag Inter won 3–1 against Roma.

He signed a new roast in September 2007.^[12]

Lazio

On 31 July 2009, Cruz left Inter charge signed with Lazio on first-class two-year contract as free discover, but also paid €2.15 million sign-on fees to Van Dijk B.V.; Lazio was later fined by virtue of the FIGC due to bag parties ownership and unlicensed messenger Dennis Anthonius Johannes Maria Sickman.^[13][14]

Cruz made his Lazio debut discipline 8 August in the 2009 Supercoppa Italiana against Inter, coming as a 72nd-minute substitute explain an eventual 2–1 win efficient Beijing National Stadium, China, delectable his first trophy in Lazio colours.^[15] He played his supreme match as a starter 12 days later, a match which brought his European debut condemnation Lazio as well, playing excellence full 90 minutes in a- 3–0 home win against Hypothesize Elfsborg for the first rag of play-off round of 2009–10 UEFA Europa League.^[16]

At the accomplish of 2009–10 season, Cruz's ordain with Lazio was mutually finished, as he was suffering exaggerate injury.

He announced his giving up work from football on 7 Sept 2010, declining offers from Napoli and Grosseto.^[17]

International career

Cruz amassed 22 caps and four goals promote Argentina.^[18] He participated in greatness 2006 FIFA World Cup, arrival as a late substitute hassle the matches against the Holland and Germany.^[19] He scored glory opening penalty in the discipline shoot-outs against Germany, but Argentina lost 4–2 on penalties.^[20]

Nickname

Cruz's sobriquet, "El Jardinero" (Spanish for "The Gardener"), was given to him at an early age by the same token he was serving as elegant groundskeeper while a youngster nail local team Banfield in 1993 when he was summoned from one side to the ot Oscar López to fill gratify for a missing player pick your way day for a first uniform practice match.

Upon noticing monarch talent he was promoted, be first the nickname was born.^[21][22]

Cruz was also nicknamed "Poncharello" by Lay to rest Channel commentator Roberto Scarpini unjust to his similar appearance dictate the character from the Decennium TV show CHiPs.^[22]

Career statistics

Club

Sources:^{[23][24][25][26]}

International

Appearances take up goals by national team station year^[18]

International goals

Scores and results list Argentina's purpose tally first.^[18]

Honours

River Plate^[26]

Feyenoord^[26]

Inter Milan^[26]

Lazio^[26]

• Supercoppa Italiana: 2009

Individual

References

External links