Place of birth Santander, Spain Name Sergio Matabuena Career end 2012 1998–2002 Racing B Career start 1998 | Years Team Height 1.85 m Playing position Role Footballer Position Midfielder | |
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Full name Sergio Matabuena Delgado Date of birth (1979-02-12) 12 February 1979 (age 36) Number 24 (Sporting de Gijon / Midfielder), 12 (Real Valladolid / Midfielder) | ||
Sergio matabuena desde la frontal
Sergio Matabuena Delgado (born 12 February 1979) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
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Football career
Matabuena was born in Santander, Cantabria. A product of hometown Racing de Santander's youth system, he made his debut in La Liga on 17 November 2002 in a 1–2 home loss against RCD Mallorca, and scored his first goals in the following season.
Never an undisputed starter, Matabuena would be a mere training partner upon Gonzalo Colsa's return to Racing in 2006 and, after only five appearances during 2006–07, he moved to Sporting de Gijón in the second division, being instrumental in helping it achieve a 2008 top flight return. In a campaign in which he collected 14 yellow cards (also netting two late goals in a 2–2 draw at Córdoba CF), he earned the affectionate nickname "Matabuena Gattuso".
Matabuena appeared significantly less in the following top level seasons – namely only 14 matches in 2009–10 – being only second or third-choice holding midfielder. On 13 January 2011, at nearly 32, he returned to the second level and signed for Real Valladolid.