Biography

Great hope for Masia, the training center of Barcelona FC, Francesc Fabregas could have had a career in the Blaugrana jersey if Arsenal had not managed to convince the player to leave the shores of the Mediterranean to those of the Thames in October 2003.

Cesc then had never played with Barça’s first team but was persuaded by Arsene Wenger who was eager to support the development of the midfielder. Indeed Fabregas revealed his potential in the World Championship U17 where he finished best player and top scorer.

At only 16, Fabregas joins Arsenal where he was soon to prove himself. After a few games with the reserve team, Arsene Wenger played him in the League Cup in October 28, 2003. A year later, the Spaniard will make it to the first team. Cesc became the youngest player and the youngest goalscorer in Arsenal both in the Premier League and in European Cups.

Under the guidance of Wenger and Patrick Vieira, his midfield team mate, he matured very quickly. In 2005, he stumbles on Argentina’s Lionel Messi, his former partner of La Masia, in the quarter-finals of the World Youth Championship.

Summer 2005 was marked by the “Viera saga” that leads to the departure of the Arsenal captain to Juventus. Fabregas will rise to the occasion to show that he is ready for the big scene. However the transition was difficult in the league but in the Champions League it was another story altogether. With his passing range the Spaniard help the team forget the absence of Patrick Viera. Better, when confronted to Juventus, Cesc dominated the proceedings with his one touch passing and even scored a goal on a loose ball from Vieira. In this season Fabregas will play a total of 49 matches, an incredible act for a player of his age.

In subsequent season he will continue with the same performance and will begin to assert himself as the creative force in the team. With the departure of Thierry Henry from the team Fabregas will take on the leadership role at the team and will be the one driving the team forward. Although Arsenal will end the season without any trophy in numerous seasons, he will get a lot of awards personally as the FA Premier League Player of the Month for January 2007. Additionally, he was nominated for both PFA Players’ Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year but will eventually lose out to Cristiano Ronaldo.

In 2008 he will take up the captaincy of the Arsenal from William Galas and will display some great performance in order to drive Arsenal forward.

On the international scene Fabregas started his career in 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship .He will finish top scorer of the tournament despite the fact that he played in midfield. He will get his first cap in the Spanish side against Ivory Coast and he will go on to participate in some big tournaments such as the World Cup 2006 and 2010 and also Euro 2008.