Where Are They Now: Albert Celades

Albert Celades López (born September 29, 1975 in Andorra la Vella, Andorra) is a Spanish footballer, in the defensive midfielder position. He is currently unattached. A tactically evolved player with little offensive penchant, he is best known for his stints with FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Albert Celades

Club career

Andorran-born Celades (he moved to Barcelona aged three) was a product of FC Barcelona’s youth system. He made his first squad debuts during 1995-96, and finished his first professional season with 16 games and two goals, as the Catalonians finished third. Nonetheless, he would still spent another full season with the club’s B team. In 1997-98, Celades played in 36 matches, mostly as a sweeper, as the Louis van Gaal side conquered the national title after a three-year drought. He appeared less significantly in the following season, with Barça renewing its domestic supremacy. After a year with Celta de Vigo, Celades moved to Real Madrid, against which he scored the winner (1-0) on November 28, 1999, in the previous season. During four seasons, he was used sparingly, but added two La Liga trophies and the 2002 Champions League to his résumé. He also played 2003-04 on loan, to Ligue 1 side FC Girondins de Bordeaux. From 2005-08, Celades represented Real Zaragoza. He was relatively used, as the Aragon side was relegated at the end of 2007-08 and Celades was released.

International career

Celades played four times for the Spanish national team, and was a participant at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, with two substitute appearances against Nigeria and Paraguay. His last match consisted of 30 minutes in an away win over Bosnia and Herzegovina (2-1), for the 2002 World Cup qualifiers.

Honours:

Club:

• FC Barcelona:
  • Spanish League: 1997-98, 1998-99
  • Spanish Cup: 1996-97, 1997-98
  • UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup: 1996-97
  • UEFA Supercup: 1997
  • Spanish Supercup: 1996
• Real Madrid:
  • Spanish League: 2000-01, 2002-03
  • UEFA Champions League: 2001-02
  • Intercontinental Cup: 2002
  • UEFA Supercup: 2002
  • Spanish Supercup: 2001, 2003