Christoph Metzelder

Christoph Metzelder
Personal information
Full name	Christoph Metzelder
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s)	Centre Back, Right Back
Team information
Current team	Real Madrid
Number	21
	‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of October 24 2007

Christoph Metzelder (born November 5, 1980 in Haltern, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) is a football defender for Real Madrid. Metzelder is also a part of the German national team, with whom he has amassed a total of 39 caps.

In the summer of 2000, Metzelder signed for Borussia, and he was an instant success. He not only won the German championships with BVB in 2002 as a regular first team player, he also reached the 2002 FIFA World Cup final with Germany. In the tournament, he was also voted the “Best player under the age of 23”.

Metzelder is considered as one of the best central defenders in the world. With a height of 1.93 metres, he is strong in the air. He can also play on the right side of defence. His tackling skills, both in the air and on the ground, make Metzelder a reliable defensive player. Sir Alex Ferguson was once quoted saying that he was the best central defender and Manchester United's first choice replacement for Gary Neville.

On April 18, 2007 it was announced that Metzelder was to sign for Real Madrid at the end of the 2006–2007 season.^[1]

Christoph's younger Brother Malte was also a professional player for Dortmund.

As of February 13, 2008, Metzelder will miss at least two months of action with Real Madrid after undergoing surgery to deal with an injury to the sole of his foot. He will also miss Madrid's Champions League last-16 tie against AS Roma. His lack of playing time also may take him out of Germany's squad for Euro 2008.^[2] On May 11, Metzelder returned from injury and played the full 90 minutes against Real Zaragoza.

Honours

German League: 2002
Spanish League: 2008
UEFA Cup Runner: Up 2002
Confederations Cup Bronze medallist: 2005
2002 FIFA World Cup: Runner Up
2006 FIFA World Cup: 3rd Place
Bravo Award - Best young football (soccer) player in Europe: 2002

Club career stats

**All-Time Club Performance**
Club	Season	League		Cup		European Competition		Total
Club	Season	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals
Real Madrid	2007-08	8	0	1	0	3	0	12	0
Total		8	0	1	0	3	0	12	0
Borussia Dortmund	2006-07	19		0	0	-	-	19	0
	2005-06	23	2	1	0	-	-	24	2
	2004-05	16	0	0	0	-	-	16	0
	2003-04	0	0	0	0	-	-	0	0
	2002-03	24	0	1	0	10	0	35	0
	2001-02	25	0	1	0	11	0	37	0
	2000-01	19	0	2	0	-	-	21	0
Total		126	2	5	0	21	-	152	2
Career Totals		134	2	6	0	24	0	164	2

External links

References

^ "Real set to sign Metzelder". itv-football.co.uk. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
^ "Metzelder's op rules him out for Real Madrid". ESPNsoccernet. 2008-02-13. Retrieved 2008-02-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

[1] "Real set to sign Metzelder". itv-football.co.uk. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

[2] "Metzelder's op rules him out for Real Madrid". ESPNsoccernet. 2008-02-13. Retrieved 2008-02-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

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