
David De Gea
~De Gea
Nov 07' 1990
Spain
The Exhilarating Story...
David De Gea, born on November 7, 1990, in Madrid, Spain, is more than just a name on a football pitch. He is a symbol of resilience, determination, and perseverance. Raised by his parents, José De Gea and Marivi Quintana, De Gea's journey to becoming one of the world's best goalkeepers was far from smooth. From a young age, De Gea showed immense potential. However, his road to stardom was riddled with challenges. His parents played a crucial role in his early life, especially his father, José, who was also a goalkeeper. This family influence planted the seeds of passion for football in David's heart. Yet, despite his natural talent, De Gea faced criticism early on for his slender frame, with many doubting his ability to compete at the highest level. When he joined Atlético Madrid's youth academy, De Gea's struggles continued. He was often sidelined due to his perceived physical limitations, and many questioned his potential as a top-tier goalkeeper. But De Gea didn't let these doubts deter him. Instead, he worked tirelessly, focusing on his reflexes, positioning, and shot-stopping abilities. His dedication paid off when he made his debut for Atlético Madrid's senior team in 2009. De Gea's move to Manchester United in 2011 marked a turning point in his career. However, the transition was not easy. The physicality and pace of the Premier League were daunting, and De Gea faced intense scrutiny from the British media. He was criticized for being error-prone, especially in his first season, leading to doubts about whether he could fill the shoes of his predecessor, Edwin van der Sar. But De Gea's resilience shone through. He worked closely with Manchester United's coaching staff, particularly Eric Steele, the club's goalkeeping coach, who believed in his potential. Steele played a pivotal role in De Gea's development, helping him adapt to the rigors of English football and improve his physical strength. De Gea also found support in his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, who publicly defended him during tough times. With the backing of these key figures, De Gea's confidence grew, and he soon established himself as one of the Premier League's top goalkeepers. David De Gea's hard work paid off as he became an integral part of Manchester United's success. He won numerous accolades, including the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award four times, a testament to his importance to the team. His agility, quick reflexes, and ability to pull off seemingly impossible saves earned him admiration from fans and pundits alike. In addition to his club success, De Gea's performances for the Spanish national team further solidified his reputation. He played a crucial role in Spain's 2012 UEFA European Championship victory and was a key figure in their World Cup campaigns. Off the pitch, De Gea has also been involved in charitable work, supporting various causes in Spain and the UK. His journey from a young boy with a dream to one of the most respected figures in football is a story of resilience, hard work, and the support of those who believed in him.
“
What I like to do is focus on every keeper. You can pick bits out of every keeper where they are particularly strong, and you can learn from things like that.

Career
Last updated: Aug 11' 2024
Atletico Madrid
- Career: 2009-2011
- Total Appearances: 57
- Total Saves: 200

Manchester United
- Career: 2011-2023
- Total Appearances: 415
- Total Saves: 1144

Spain
- Career: 2014-2020
- Total Appearances: 45
Achievements
Atlético Madrid
- 1x UEFA Europa League
- 1x UEFA Super Cup
Manchester United
- 1x Premier League
- 1x FA Cup
- 2x EFL Cup
- 3x FA Community Shield
- 1x UEFA Europa League
Spain U17
- 1x UEFA European Under-17 Championship
Spain U21
- 2x UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Individual
- 2x Premier League Golden Glove
- 1x Premier League Player of the Month
- 1x Premier League Save of the Month
- 5x PFA Team of the Year
- 1x PFA Fans' Premier League Player of the Month
- 5x Match of the Day Save of the Season
- 1x UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season
- 2x UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament
- 1x FIFA FIFPro World11
- 4x Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year
- 4x Manchester United Players' Player of the Year
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