FOCUS ON ALBERT RIERA

Albert Riera Ortega is a Spanish football player who plays both as a left winger and left defender. He shot to fame after he shined at Espanyol and went on to win Copa Del Rey and a UEFA Cup Final appearance in 2006.

His professional career also extended to Greece, England and France and he made the Spanish national team in 2007. Riera was born on 15th April 1982 in Manacor, Spain and he was capped 16 times for his country.

Riera started his youth career in 1999 with Mallorca and made the senior debut with Mallorca B in 2000. His notable transfers to various clubs included Bordeaux, Espanyol, Manchester City (on loan), Liverpool, Olympiacos, and the famed Turkish club Galatasaray where he is currently engaged. His current assignment with the Galatasaray was finalized on a deal of € 3 millions, a contract running from 2011 to 2014. He made the Spain-18 in 2000-2001 and also the Spain U-21 team in 2002. Playing 16 times for Spain he also scored 4 times.

Riera’s national debut was made in October 2007 in the qualifier of UEFA Euro 2008 against Denmark where he netted from outside box. Spain won the match 3-1 and eventually the finals. Recalled to the team in October 2008 he played in 2 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The following year he scored at the dying moments and won the game for Spain against Turkey.

Albert Riera’s club career starting from 1999 till January 2014 saw him appear on the field for 448 times and scoring 50 times against various opponents. His international career with his country Spain spanned from 2007 to 2009 in which he found the net 4 times out of 16 appearances. On personal front he is married to his wife Olga Korolyova, a Russian national whom he met in 2001. His younger brother also played for Espanyol B-side.