Esteban Cambiasso

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Cambiasso began his professional career with Argentinos Juniors in 1995, moving to Real Madrid in 1996 along with his brother Nicolás Cambiasso. In 1998, he moved back to Argentina, where he played for three years with Independiente and one with River Plate. He returned to Real Madrid in 2002, helping them win the UEFA Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup in 2002, and the Liga and the Supercopa de España in 2003, also reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League that season. He also reached the Copa del Rey final the following season. In July 2004, Cambiasso signed with Inter Milan after his contract with Real Madrid expired. He helped Inter win the Coppa Italia during his first season, playing regularly as a defensive midfielder partnered with Juan Sebastián Verón. In Italy, he became known as one of the outstanding players of the 2004–05 season. During the return match of the 2006 Coppa Italia Final, Cambiasso scored an impressive goal for a 3–1 victory over Roma. On 9 September 2006, he scored twice in a 3–2 win over Fiorentina. On 7 November 2007, he and Zlatan Ibrahimović scored a brace apiece to defeat CSKA Moscow 4–2 in the Champions League. On 23 December, Cambiasso scored the winning goal as Inter came from behind to defeat Milan 2–1 in the Derby della Madonnina. On 23 March 2009, it was announced that Inter and Cambiasso had come to terms about a contract renewal, extending his contract at the club until 2014. He was very important in the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League win, scoring the second goal of a 2–1 victory over Chelsea at the San Siro, a result which ultimately helped Inter go on to win the final 2–0 against Bayern Munich on 22 May 2010. In a Champions League match against Twente on 24 November, Cambiasso scored the game's only goal, securing a place in the knockout round. On 9 January 2011, Cambiasso scored twice as Inter came from a goal down to defeat Catania 2–1. Cambiasso received the first red card of his Inter career on 30 March 2013 for a reckless tackle on Sebastian Giovinco; he was suspended for one match. On 22 September 2013, Cambiasso scored Inter's sixth goal in their 7–0 hammering of Sassuolo. Four days later, Cambiasso helped Inter come from a goal down at home to Fiorentina, scoring Inter's first goal in their 2–1 victory. At the end of the 2013–14 season, Cambiasso left Inter as his contract expired and he was no

In Their Own Story

The lights of San Siro hummed low during late evening training, rain slicking the pitch. Cambiasso stood over a loose ball, breath visible in the cool air. He didn't run fast like he once did; his movement was now calculated, economical. A young midfielder approached him, asking for advice on positioning. Esteban smiled, pointing to the space between the lines where danger lurked. In that quiet moment under the floodlights, the legacy of the Treble captain passed silently to the next generation.

Reader's Guide

Cambiasso was primarily a central midfielder, capable of playing as a defensive or box-to-box midfielder.

Did You Know?

• Cambiasso scored Inter's sixth goal in their 7–0 win over Sassuolo on 22 September 2013.
• Cambiasso's contract renewal on 23 March 2009 extended his contract at Inter until 2014.