UEFA Champions League 2005-06 player's profile

A midfield player who subsequently found his calling in central defence, Iván Helguera is the rugged rock upon which the new-look Real Madrid CF back line is built.

National team
Capped for the first time against Italy in 1998, Helguera played in all of his country's matches at UEFA EURO 2000™ and the 2002 FIFA World Cup as Spain were eliminated at the quarter-final stage in both. Helguera featured in all three of Spain's games at UEFA EURO 2004™ but after winning his 47th cap in the opening 2006 World Cup qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina Helguera was dropped by new coach Luis Aragonés.

Club
Having gradually worked his way up the lower leagues in Spain, Helguera had played only 14 games for second division Albacete Balompié when he was signed by Serie A side AS Roma. Stardom seemed to beckon, but the Santander-born player lasted only a season in Italy before working his way back to form as a sweeper with RCD Espanyol.

1999: Seen as an expensive gamble when John Toshack brought him to Madrid from Espanyol in 1999 for €7.6m, Helguera's first season at the Santiago Bernabéu was a glorious one as Madrid defeated Valencia CF in the UEFA Champions League final, a feat repeated in 2001/02 as Bayer 04 Leverkusen were overcome in Glasgow. Registered six goals in 33 league matches the following term to help Madrid to another title, and remained a vital part of the team in the subsequent campaign.

2004/05: Continued as the defensive pivot in a deeper role and headed the only goal against Champions League first knockout round opponents Juventus FC at the Santiago Bernabéu on 22 February. Madrid were eliminated after losing the return leg in Turin.

Did you know?
Helguera's brother, Luis, is also a professional footballer who has played in Italy and Spain.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.

UEFA EURO 2004™ player's profile

A midfield player who subsequently found his calling in central defence, Iván Helguera is the rugged rock upon which the new-look Real Madrid CF back line is built.

National team
Capped for the first time against Italy in 1998, Helguera played in all of his country's matches at UEFA EURO 2000™ - excelling in the decisive 4-3 victory against Yugoslavia - and the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan as Spain were eliminated at the quarter-final stage in each.

UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying
Helguera was a key figure for Spain during their Group 6 campaign and play-off victory against Norway, missing just two games and finding the net in the 3-0 win at home to Armenia.

Club
Having gradually worked his way up the lower leagues in Spain, Helguera had played only 14 games for second division Albacete Balompié when he was signed by Serie A side AS Roma. Stardom seemed to beckon, but the Santander-born player lasted only a season in Italy before he worked his way back to form as a sweeper with RCD Espanyol.

1999: This versatile Spanish international was seen as an expensive gamble when John Toshack brought him to Madrid from Espanyol in 1999 for €7.6m, yet he has proved a masterly acquisition. Helguera's first season at the Santiago Bernabéu was a glorious one as Madrid defeated fellow Spaniards Valencia CF in the UEFA Champions League final, a feat repeated in 2001/02 as Bayer 04 Leverkusen were beaten in Glasgow. Registered an excellent six goals in 33 league matches the following term to help Madrid to another title. Helguera also played 15 times before Madrid bowed out of the Champions League to Juventus FC in the last four.

2003/04: Helguera appeared in 29 Primera División matches, scoring twice, but was unable to prevent Madrid slipping to fourth place. He missed only two Champions League games and scored in the quarter-final second leg defeat by AS Monaco FC.

Did you know?
Helguera's brother, Luis, is also a professional footballer who spent the 2003/04 season on loan at Ancona Calcio.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.