Cesc Fàbregas

Born in Arenys de Mar, Barcelona, Catalonia,[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=38886&cc=4716 Francesc Fabregas profile] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012192119/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=38886&cc=4716 |date=12 October 2007 }}, ESPNsoccernet, accessed 27 June 2009.[http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/players/cesc-fabregas Cesc Fàbregas profile] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080817065158/http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/players/cesc-fabregas |date=17 August 2008 }}, Arsenal F.C., accessed 27 June 2009. to Francesc Fàbregas Sr., who runs a property company, and Núria Soler, the owner of a pastry company, Fàbregas has supported FC Barcelona since childhood and went to his first match when he was nine months old with his grandfather.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090217205021/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/francesc-fabregas-spanish-marvel-blossoms-out-of-the-world-of-his-mentors-509243.html Francesc Fabregas: Spanish marvel blossoms out of the world of his mentors], The Independent, accessed 31 August 2010.

He began his club football career with CE Mataró before being signed for Barcelona's La Masia youth academy aged ten in 1997.[http://www.elpais.com/articulo/deportes/todo/era/sueno/elppordep/20060516elpepidep_6/Tes Cuando todo era un sueño], ELPAÍS.com, accessed 16 May 2006 It is said that his first coach, Señor Blai, limited Fàbregas' appearances in matches against Barcelona to reduce the risk of him being scouted by the club, though he eventually joined their academy.[https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/mar/31/cesc-fabregas-barcelona-arsenal Cesc Fàbregas faces the Barcelona Dream Team he left behind], The Guardian, 31 March 2010, accessed 18 September 2010. Despite initial attempts to retain him, Mataró eventually permitted Fàbregas to train with Barcelona one day per week. Eventually Fàbregas joined Barcelona's academy full-time. His initial training was as a defensive midfielder playing alongside notable names such as Gerard Piqué and Lionel Messi. Fàbregas was a prolific scorer at the youth level, occasionally scoring over 30 goals in a season, but he did not make a first-team game at the Camp Nou.[https://web.archive.org/web/20040226110306/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UCL/Players/Player=70072/index.html Cesc Fabregas], UEFA, accessed 23 May 2007. During his time at Barcelona's youth academy, Fàbregas idolised Barcelona's then-captain and number four Pep Guardiola, who would later give Fàbregas his shirt as consolation when Fàbregas' parents divorced.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8718064.stm The one that got away], BBC Sport, accessed 1 June 2010.

Sensing that he would have limited opportunities at Barcelona,[https://archive.today/20080820045904/http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2005/04/FACF_CescFabregasPreview.htm The Young Gunner], The Football Association, 19 May 2005, accessed 27 August 2011. Fàbregas joined Premier League club Arsenal in their Academy,{{Cite book| last = Hugman| first = Barry J.| title = The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005| publisher = Queen Anne Press| year = 2005| page = 200| isbn = 1-85291-665-6 }} signing for the London club on 11 September 2003. Initially, he found life difficult in England's capital but soon struck a friendship with Spanish-speaking teammate Philippe Senderos, who helped him settle down.Marcotti, Gabriele and Balague, Guillem, [https://web.archive.org/web/20070302073616/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/arsenal/article1449871.ece "From Barcelona to Barnet: how a rising star learnt his trade"], The Times, 28 February 2007, accessed 23 May 2007. As a 16-year-old, Fàbregas did not contemplate breaking into the first team immediately but looked up to senior players like Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva, while concentrating on training and learning the English language. He nevertheless made his debut for Arsenal not long after, on 28 October 2003, in a League Cup tie at home to Rotherham United. In doing so, he became Arsenal's youngest-ever first team player, aged 16 years and 177 days.[http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/fabregas-becomes-youngest-gunner Cesc Fabregas becomes Arsenal's youngest ever player], Arsenal F.C., 27 January 2006, accessed 22 May 2007. He then became the youngest goalscorer in Arsenal's history in a later round of the League Cup, scoring in a 5–1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/3246940.stm Arsenal youngsters thump Wolves], BBC Sport, 2 December 2003, accessed 22 May 2007. Although Arsenal went on to win the league unbeaten in the 2003–04 season,[http://www.arsenal.com/history/club-records/record-scorelines Record Scorelines], Arsenal F.C., accessed 23 May 2007. Fàbregas was not awarded a winner's medal because he did not play a single league game.[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=38886&cc=4716 Francesc Fabregas history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618165647/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=38886&cc=4716 |date=18 June 2010 }}, ESPNsoccernet, accessed 18 December 2007.

It was not until the start of the 2004–05 season that the Spaniard started making first team appearances in matches outside the League Cup. His first match of the season was against Manchester United in the FA Community Shield. Following an injury to Vieira, Fàbregas stepped in and made four consecutive Premier League starts. He was praised for his performances in those games, even claiming a goal against Blackburn Rovers in a 3–0 victory, and becoming Arsenal's youngest-ever goalscorer in a league game.Hughes, Ian, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/3600372.stm "Fabregas the fabulous"], BBC Sport, 27 August 2004, accessed 22 May 2007.[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=152167&cc=4716 Arsenal 3–0 Blackburn] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714014207/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=152167&cc=4716 |date=14 July 2011 }}, ESPNsoccernet, 25 August 2004, accessed 23 May 2007. With further injuries to Edu and Gilberto Silva, he received more playing time in all competitions. He signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in September 2004, which committed his long-term future to the club.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/3664918.stm Fabregas commits to Arsenal], BBC Sport, 17 September 2004, accessed 3 June 2010. In October 2004, Arsenal lost 2–0 to Manchester United, ending their 49-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. The match was dubbed the "Battle of the Buffet" after pizza was thrown at Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson at the end of the match in the players' tunnel by a then-unknown Arsenal player. Speculation that the player was Fàbregas{{cite news |title=Who hit Sir Alex with pizza?|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/who-hit-sir-alex-with-pizza-6955390.html |publisher=standard.co.uk |date=27 October 2004 |access-date=11 August 2012 }}{{cite news |title=Selfish, lazy youngsters cost Arsenal the season – Cole |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/selfish-lazy-youngsters-cost-arsenal-the-season--cole-7201142.html |publisher=standard.co.uk |date=13 September 2006 |access-date=11 August 2012 }} was confirmed in November 2011 by former Arsenal player Martin Keown on a phone-in show on BBC Radio 5 Live.{{cite magazine|title=Fabregas revealed as Gunner who fired pizza at Fergie |url=http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/11/13/fabregas-revealed-as-gunner-who-fired-pizza-at-fergie-102039-23557693/ |magazine=The People |date=13 November 2011 |access-date=11 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217141021/http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/11/13/fabregas-revealed-as-gunner-who-fired-pizza-at-fergie-102039-23557693/ |archive-date=17 December 2011 }}{{cite news |title=Fabregas confirmed as 'Battle of the Buffet' culprit who threw pizza at Sir Alex Ferguson |url=http://mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/15111678-fabregas-confirmed-battle-buffet-culprit-who-threw-pizza-sir-alex-ferguson |publisher=Mancunian Matters |date=15 November 2011 |access-date=11 August 2012 |archive-date=4 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804164630/http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/15111678-fabregas-confirmed-battle-buffet-culprit-who-threw-pizza-sir-alex-ferguson |url-status=dead }} In the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League, he became the second-youngest goalscorer in the competition's history after scoring the third goal against Rosenborg in a 5–1 win.Haylett, Trevor, [https://web.archive.org/web/20070106060930/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/history/Season=2004/round=1968/match=1077234/index.html "Awesome Arsenal progress in style], UEFA, 7 December 2004, accessed 22 May 2007. He concluded his season by winning his first honours with Arsenal when he was in the starting eleven that defeated Manchester United on penalties in the 2005 FA Cup Final.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4558271.stm Arsenal 0–0 Man Utd (aet)], BBC Sport, 21 May 2005, accessed 23 May 2007.

After The Gunners' move to the Emirates Stadium in summer 2006, Fàbregas was given the number 4 shirt, which had been vacated by Patrick Vieira following his transfer to Juventus the previous year. He featured regularly in the Arsenal central midfield alongside Gilberto Silva. He made 49 appearances in all competitions during the 2005–06 season. Despite his young age, his performances came under greater scrutiny due to his increased involvement in the first team. Further, as Fàbregas possessed a smaller frame and played with less aggression than Vieira, there were initially doubts over his ability to fill in the void left by the Frenchman.Hubbard, Norman, [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=340141&root=england&cc=4716 "Arsenal's midfield muddle"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026142514/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=340141&root=england&cc=4716 |date=26 October 2012 }}, ESPNsoccernet, 22 August 2005, accessed 23 May 2007. Nevertheless, Fàbregas asserted his own style of play and impressed pundits in the Champions League against Real Madrid and Juventus.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4841992.stm Arsenal 2–0 Juventus], BBC Sport, 28 March 2006, accessed 23 May 2007.Sheringham, Sam, [https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000086&sid=aIRzsd9XXEPY&refer=latin_america "Spain Teenager Fabregas Sparks World Cup Rally, Wows Maradona"], Bloomberg, 20 June 2006, accessed 23 May 2007.Harrold, Michael, [https://web.archive.org/web/20070416084147/http://www.uefa.com/magazine/news/kind=512/newsid=527164.html "Fabregas plots Arsenal revival"], UEFA, 13 April 2007, accessed 23 May 2007. In the latter, he scored Arsenal's first goal and set up Thierry Henry for the second, at the same time proving that he could compete against tough, hard-tackling midfielders like Vieira. He then played in the Final against his former club Barcelona, but Arsenal were defeated 2–1,Haslam, Andrew, [https://web.archive.org/web/20060720205529/http://www.uefa.com/Competitions/UCL/history/Season=2005/Round=2205/match=1108503/index.html "Barca comeback denies Arsenal"], UEFA, 17 May 2006, accessed 23 May 2007. completing a trophyless 2005–06 campaign for Arsenal.

File:Fabregas shooting.jpg in September 2006]]

Fàbregas' increase in exposure drew transfer speculation during the summer; Real Madrid expressed a desire to sign the Spaniard despite his long-term contract with Arsenal,Kendall, Mark, [http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_2382489,00.html "Real confident of securing Cesc's signature"], Sky Sports, 4 July 2006, accessed 22 May 2007. but Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger stated that Arsenal would not listen to any offers.[http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-fabregas-is-not-for-sale-he-is-arsenal-rsquo-s-future Wenger: Fàbregas is not for sale, he is Arsenal's future], Arsenal F.C., 12 July 2006, accessed 22 May 2007. In September 2006, with six years left on his deal, Arsenal offered a new five-year deal (with an option to extend by a further three years) to the midfielder, which he signed on 19 October 2006.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/5340362.stm Fàbregas signs new Arsenal deal], BBC Sport, 19 October 2006, accessed 22 May 2007. While the contract was unusually long, Fàbregas cited Arsenal's playing style and Wenger as reasons for his long-term commitment to the club.Harris, Chris, [http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/fabregas-our-style-of-play-makes-me-so-happy "Fabregas – Our style of play makes me so happy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112129/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/fabregas-our-style-of-play-makes-me-so-happy |date=4 March 2016 }}, Arsenal F.C., 22 October 2006, accessed 23 May 2007.Adams, Tom, [http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_2393205,00.html "Cesc staying grounded"], Sky Sports, 27 October 2006, accessed 24 May 2007.

File:Cesc Fàbregas Aug 2007.jpg

The 2006–07 season was a learning experience for the young Arsenal squad and Fàbregas. The club again failed to secure any major honours and were defeated by city rivals Chelsea in the League Cup Final.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/6371613.stm |title=Chelsea 2–1 Arsenal: Match report |website=BBC Sport |date=25 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107165839/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/6371613.stm |archive-date=7 November 2007}} Fàbregas, however, emerged as one of the key creative players for the team, playing in every single league game.[http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-are-the-ultimate-second-half-team Arsenal are the ultimate 'second half' team], Arsenal F.C., accessed 23 May 2007. He kick-started Arsenal's 2006–07 UEFA Champions League campaign when he scored a brace in a 3–0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in a qualifier match.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/5251984.stm Dinamo Zagreb 0–3 Arsenal], BBC Sport, 8 June 2006, accessed 7 September 2008. In the Premier League, he notched up 13 assists, which was the second-highest total in the league. He ended the season with several individual honours, including the Golden Boy award, presented by the Italian paper TuttoSport, based on a poll of leading writers across Europe.Lipton, Martin, [https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=he-s-fab-in-poll%26method=full%26objectid=18196769%26siteid=94762-name_page.html "HE'S FAB IN POLL"], Daily Mirror, 2 December 2006, accessed 22 May 2007. He was also named in the 2006 UEFA Team of the Year,[https://web.archive.org/web/20070121155647/http://www.uefa.com/fanzone/teamoftheyear/news/newsid=497866.html Your Team of 2006 revealed], UEFA, 19 January 2006, accessed 22 May 2007. and named FA Premier League Player of the Month for January 2007.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6348331.stm Benitez and Fabregas scoop awards], BBC Sport, 9 February 2007, accessed 22 May 2007. Additionally, he was nominated for both PFA Players' Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year, although both awards went to Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=215178&cc=4716 Arsenal 3–1 Man City: Fabregas inspires revival] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714014312/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=215178&cc=4716 |date=14 July 2011 }}, ESPNsoccernet, 17 April 2007, accessed 18 April 2007. In June 2007, he was named Arsenal's Player of the Season, taking in 60% of the votes.[http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-he-showed-he-is-the-ultimate-midfield-player- 'He showed he is the ultimate midfield player'], Arsenal F.C., accessed 28 June 2007.

File:Fabregas newcastle emirates.jpg in January 2008]]

The 2007–08 season began with much uncertainty for Arsenal. First, David Dein, the club's vice-chairman, left amidst allegations of internal strife, followed by the departure of the club's all-time top goalscorer and captain, Thierry Henry, who signed for Barcelona. There was also speculation over Wenger's future with the club.[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=460716&cc=4716 Wenger signs new three-year Gunners deal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026142531/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=460716&cc=4716 |date=26 October 2012 }}, ESPNsoccernet, 7 September 2007, accessed 16 September 2007. Fàbregas knew that he would become the most important player for Arsenal, but stated he was ready for the challenge.[http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2156108,00.html How Fabregas plans to save Arsenal], The Guardian, 25 August 2007, accessed 17 September 2007. He started the season well, chalking up goals and assists, and website soccernet attributed the early success of Arsenal to the young Spaniard.[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=463322&root=england&cc=4716&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos3 Burying the ghost of Henry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026142551/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=463322&root=england&cc=4716&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos3 |date=26 October 2012 }}. ESPNsoccernet, 15 September 2007, accessed 17 September 2007. His start to the season also earned him the O₂ Player of the Month award from Arsenal fans for August, September and October,[http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/fabregas-scoops-o2-player-of-the-month-award Fabregas scoops O2 Player of the Month award] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030045829/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/fabregas-scoops-o2-player-of-the-month-award |date=30 October 2008 }}, Arsenal F.C., 5 October 2007, accessed 6 October 2007. as well as the Premier League Player of the Month for September.[http://www.premierleague.com/staticFiles/d1/a4/0,,12306~107729,00.pdf GUNNERS DUO CELEBRATE AWARDS DOUBLE] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201133946/http://www.premierleague.com/staticFiles/d1/a4/0%2C%2C12306~107729%2C00.pdf |date=1 December 2008 }}, Premier League, 19 October 2007, accessed 5 March 2008. With Arsenal leading the league table until March, Fàbregas was equally instrumental in the club's 2007–08 Champions League campaign; in the return leg against Milan, the midfielder scored late in the game to send Arsenal into the quarter-finals.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7272514.stm AC Milan 0 – Arsenal 2], BBC Sport, 5 March 2008, accessed 5 March 2008. Though Arsenal ended the season trophyless,[http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/season-review-week-the-highlights-and-the-lowlights Season Review Week: The highlights and the lowlights], Arsenal F.C., accessed 24 May 2008. Fàbregas amassed several personal awards. On 11 April 2008, Fàbregas was nominated for the PFA Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards for the second year running;[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=524778&cc=4716 Ronaldo heads shortlist for players' awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026142602/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=524778&cc=4716 |date=26 October 2012 }}, ESPNsoccernet, 11 April 2008, accessed 12 April 2008. he was later crowned the winner of the latter, and named in the PFA Team of the Year. He was also named the 2007–08 Arsenal.com Player of the Season.[http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/fabregas-is-arsenal.com-player-of-the-season Fabregas is O2/Arsenal.com Player of the Season], Arsenal F.C., accessed 8 July 2008.

File:Ferdinand Fabregas.jpg

On 24 November 2008, 14 league games into the 2008–09 season, Fàbregas was named as the successor to William Gallas as club captain.[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=595659&sec=uefachampionsleague&cc=4716 Fabregas replaces Gallas as Arsenal skipper] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026142619/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=595659&sec=uefachampionsleague&cc=4716 |date=26 October 2012 }}, ESPNsoccernet, 24 November 2008, accessed 25 November 2008.[http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2008/11/captain-cescs-appointment-is-no-surpise/ Captain Cesc's appointment is no surprise], The Sport Review, 26 November 2008, accessed 22 May 2009. However, just as Arsenal were getting back into the title race after a poor start to the season, the Spaniard was ruled out for four months after sustaining a knee injury against Liverpool.[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=604874&sec=england&cc=4716 Injured Fabregas ruled out for 3–4 months] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026142632/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=604874&sec=england&cc=4716 |date=26 October 2012 }}, ESPNsoccernet, 23 December 2008, accessed 24 December 2008. The Gunners eventually finished the season without any silverware, coming in fourth in the league and being knocked out at the semi-finals of the 2008–09 Champions League campaign.[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/stats?id=359&season=2008&league=eng.1&cc=4716 2008/2009 English Premier League: Statistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026142646/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/stats?id=359&season=2008&league=eng.1&cc=4716 |date=26 October 2012 }}, ESPNsoccernet, accessed 1 July 2009.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090511065957/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=266495&cc=4716&league=UEFA.CHAMPIONS Arsenal 1 – 3 Manchester United], ESPNsoccernet, 29 April 2009, accessed 1 July 2009.

In the opening league game of 2009–10 season, Fàbregas scored a brace and managed two assists in Arsenal's 6–1 away win against Everton.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090818181158/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=269878&league=ENG.1&cc=5901 Gunners crush Toffees], ESPNsoccernet, 15 August 2009, accessed 18 August 2009. Arsenal went on to secure qualification for the 2009–10 Champions League campaign by beating Celtic over two legs, but their early momentum to the season was disrupted by consecutive league game losses to Manchester United and Manchester City. The team bounced back strongly after this setback, and with Fàbregas being prolific in scoring and setting up his teammates, it went unbeaten in the next 13 games. Despite suffering four league losses even before mid-season approached, Arsenal managed to lead the league standings after 22 games. On 31 March 2010, in the Champions League first leg of the quarter-final against Barcelona, Fàbregas suffered a leg fracture before scoring the equalising goal in the game which ended 2–2.[https://web.archive.org/web/20100405013324/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=764753&sec=england&cc=5901 Fabregas out for six weeks with leg fracture], ESPNsoccernet, 1 April 2010, accessed 2 April 2010. Arsenal, who were four points behind league leaders Manchester United, were deprived of their captain for the remaining six league games of the season; they were subsequently eliminated by Barcelona in the Champions League, and fell out of the league title race. Fàbregas was later named to the PFA Team of the Year.[https://web.archive.org/web/20100429171052/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=777236&sec=england&cc=5901 Rooney scoops PFA Player of the Year Award], ESPNsoccernet, 25 April 2010, accessed 26 April 2010.

File:Busquets, Fàbregas & Van Persie.jpg and Robin van Persie.]]

Before the start of the 2010–11 season, there was once again intense media speculation about the Spaniard's future, and in June 2010, a €35 million bid from Barcelona was rejected.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8717785.stm Arsenal reject Barcelona's bid for Cesc Fabregas], BBC Sport, 2 June 2010, accessed 15 June 2010.[https://archive.today/20120525090001/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/06/04/n100604111383.html Laporta: Lines of communication open over Cesc], fcbarcelona.cat, 4 June 2010, accessed 27 June 2010. The 2010–11 season turned out to be an extremely competitive one in the Premier League; even though Arsenal had lost five games before mid-season, they were jostling for pole position with Manchester United and Manchester City.Roger, Martins, [https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ro-eplmidtermgrades122910 "EPL midseason surprises and disappointments"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102201601/http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ro-eplmidtermgrades122910 |date=2 January 2011 }}, Yahoo! Sports, 29 December 2010, accessed 20 January 2011. Going into late February, Arsenal were still in contention for the quadruple, but within a span of two weeks they lost in the League Cup final, were eliminated by Barcelona in the Round of 16 of the Champions League, and defeated in the FA Cup quarter-final.[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/893940/arsene-wenger-not-questioning-arsenal-players'-steel?cc=4716 Wenger not questioning steel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112022643/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/893940/arsene-wenger-not-questioning-arsenal-players%27-steel?cc=4716 |date=12 January 2012 }}, ESPNsoccernet, 14 March 2011, accessed 15 March 2011.

File:Cesc Fàbregas - Presentation.jpg

On 15 August 2011, Barcelona signed Fàbregas for an initial fee of €29 million with a further €5 million in variables, plus Fàbregas would pay Arsenal €1 million a year from his wage for five years,{{cite news|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/season/2011-2012/bartomeu-thanks-cesc-for-his-efforts-to-come-to-barca|title=Bartomeu thanks Cesc for his efforts to come to Barça |date=15 August 2011|access-date=7 August 2012|publisher=FC Barcelona}}{{cite news|url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/943939|title=Fabregas arrives for medical|date=15 August 2011|access-date=13 June 2014|publisher=ESPN SOCCERNET}} ending one of the most protracted transfer sagas in recent times. Statistics show that in the five years prior to Fàbregas's departure from Arsenal, Fàbregas created 466 goal-scoring chances, made 86 assists and scored 48 goals, all three statistics topping those of new teammates Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, despite both having made more appearances in the same period.[http://football-talk.co.uk/31566/official-fabregas-is-better-than-xavi-iniesta.stm "OFFICIAL: Fabregas Is Better Than Xavi & Iniesta"], Football-Talk, 20 July 2011, accessed 26 July 2012.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14482418.stm "Cesc Fabregas completes move from Arsenal to Barcelona"], BBC Sport, 15 August 2011, accessed 15 August 2011.

Fàbregas joined a team that had won three La Liga titles in a row and two Champions League titles in three years, and one that featured the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and David Villa. He made his debut in the second leg of the Supercopa de España, coming on as a substitute against Real Madrid. Fàbregas drew a red card in the 90+4th after being the target of a dangerous challenge from Marcelo. Barcelona won the tie 3–2 and 5–4 on aggregate.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/aug/18/cesc-fabregas-barcelona-debut-madrid|title=Cesc Fábregas starts with a night to remember at Barcelona|newspaper=The Guardian|author=Sid Lowe|date=18 August 2011|access-date=18 August 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/330063|title=Messi wins Super Cup|publisher=ESPNsoccernet|date=17 August 2011|access-date=17 August 2011|archive-date=2 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102023249/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/330063|url-status=dead}} He scored his first goal in a 2–0 win against Porto as Barcelona won the 2011 UEFA Super Cup,{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/news/0250-0c50f52cc3ba-d939d1c39e16-1000--barcelona-beat-porto-for-fourth-uefa-super-cup/|title=Barcelona breeze to fourth UEFA Super Cup|publisher=UEFA|author=Kevin Ashby|date=26 August 2011|access-date=27 August 2011}} and his first league goal on his league debut, a 5–0 home win over Villarreal.{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spanish-football/2011/08/29/2642052/barcelona-5-0-villarreal-messi-fabregas-alexis-sanchez-all|title=Barcelona 5-0 Villarreal: Messi, Fabregas & Alexis Sanchez all on target as champions cruise to victory|publisher=Goal.com|author=Roger Gonzalez|date=29 August 2011|access-date=25 January 2018}} He went on to score three more league goals in the month of September, including a late equaliser in the 2–2 away draw to Valencia.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/sep/22/valencia-barcelona-la-liga|title=Late goal from Cesc Fábregas earns Barcelona a draw with Valencia|newspaper=The Guardian|date=22 September 2011|access-date=1 January 2013}}

Fàbregas then spent the majority of October sidelined with a hamstring injury picked up on international duty.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/oct/01/barcelona-cesc-fabregas-injury|title=Barcelona's Cesc Fábregas out for three weeks with hamstring injury|newspaper=The Guardian|date=1 October 2011|access-date=25 January 2018}} He made his return, and scored, in a 4–0 away victory to Viktoria Plzeň in the Champions League.{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/65997/fc-viktoria-plze%C5%88-vs-barcelona/|title=Viktoria Plzen 0-4 Barcelona: Lionel Messi breaks 200-goal barrier with hat-trick as European champions ease into the knockout stages|publisher=Goal.com|author=Charlie Scott|date=1 November 2011|access-date=25 January 2018}} He then made his league return in the 2–2 draw away to Athletic Bilbao, scoring a goal in the same match.{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/%2012/spanish-football/2011/11/06/2745817/athletic-bilbao-2-2-barcelona-injury-time-messi-strike|title=Athletic Bilbao 2-2 Barcelona: Injury-time Messi strike salvages point for champions at rain-soaked San Mames|publisher=Goal.com|author=Daniel Quinton-Navarro|date=6 November 2011|access-date=25 January 2018}} Fàbregas then went on to score a brace in a 5–0 home victory against Levante before netting in a 3–1 away victory against Real Madrid.{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/12/3/2608560/barcelona-vs-levante-2011-la-liga-final-score-report|title=Barcelona Vs. Levante, 2011 La Liga: Hosts Crush Levante In 5-0 Rout|publisher=SB Nation|author=Graham MacAree|date=3 December 2011|access-date=25 January 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/dec/10/real-madrid-barcelona-la-liga|title=Cesc Fàbregas scores in El Clásico as Barcelona beat Real Madrid|newspaper=The Guardian|author=Sid Lowe|date=10 December 2011|access-date=25 January 2018}} Fàbregas later scored against Brazilian club Santos to help Barcelona to a 4–0 victory in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup final.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/8964048/Barcelona-4-Santos-0-match-report.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/8964048/Barcelona-4-Santos-0-match-report.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Barcelona 4 Santos 0: match report|publisher=The Tepegraph|author=Telegraph staff and agencies|date=18 December 2011|access-date=25 January 2018}}{{cbignore}}

Fàbregas got another brace in a 4–0 victory against Osasuna in the Copa del Rey.{{cite web|url=https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2012/1/5/2683015/copa-del-rey-match-review-fc-barcelona-4-0-ca-osasuna|title=Copa del Rey: FC Barcelona 4-0 CA Osasuna: Match Review|publisher=Barca Blaugranes|author=Arron Duckling|date=5 January 2012|access-date=25 January 2018}} He also scored in the semi-final of the competition against Valencia to help Barcelona to the final with a 3–1 win on aggregate.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/feb/08/barcelona-valencia-copa-del-rey|title=Lionel Messi and Xavi see off Valencia to seal Barcelona final place|newspaper=The Guardian|author=Sid Lowe|date=8 February 2012|access-date=25 January 2018}} He kept a regular run in the Barcelona side for the rest of the season, including appearances in both semi-final legs of the 3–2 aggregate defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/17673812|title=Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona|website=BBC Sport|author=Phil McNulty|date=18 April 2012|access-date=25 January 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/17817584|title=Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea|website=BBC Sport|author=Phil Dawkes|date=24 April 2012|access-date=25 January 2018}} and a substitute appearance in the 3–0 victory against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/18216611|title=Pep Guardiola's final game: Barcelona win Copa del Rey|website=BBC Sport|date=26 May 2012|access-date=25 January 2018}}

Fàbregas ended his first season at Barcelona by winning the 2011–12 Copa del Rey, 2011 Supercopa de España, 2011 UEFA Super Cup and the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup, notching 15 goals and 20 assists in 48 appearances and four best midfielder awards.{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=36694&season_id=141|title=Games played by Cesc Fabregas in 2011/2012|publisher=Soccerbase|access-date=25 January 2018}}

{{BLP unsourced section|date=October 2024}}

File:FC Barcelona - Bayer 04 Leverkusen, 7 mar 2012 (13).jpg in March 2012]]

Fàbregas ended his long goal drought for his club when he scored his first league goals of the season with a brace against Sevilla in a 3–2 away victory. He then scored three goals in October, coming in the league, Champions League and the Copa del Rey. He scored again on 25 November in a 4–0 win away to Levante. On 13 January 2013, Fàbregas scored in a 3–1 win away to Málaga. Fàbregas scored his first hat-trick of his career against Mallorca in a 5–0 victory on 6 April 2013. He ended his second season at Barcelona by winning the first league title of his career, with a record 100 points. Barcelona were eliminated, however, in the semi-finals of both the Copa del Rey, to rivals Real Madrid, and the Champions League, to winners Bayern Munich. Fàbregas ended the season with 14 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances in all competitions.

Barcelona began the season by winning the Supercopa de España. In the opening game of the league season on 18 August, Fàbregas provided five assists in a 7–0 win over Levante.{{cite news|title=Barcelona 7–0 Levante: Stunning debut win for Tata Martino|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/barcelona-vs-levante/1517627/report|access-date=12 June 2014|work=Goal.com|date=18 August 2014}} He scored 8 goals in 36 league matches, including braces in away wins over Granada on 10 November and Getafe on 22 December, the latter including a penalty kick. He also scored the only goal of the game on 1 October as Barcelona won away at Celtic in the group stage of the Champions League, heading in Alexis Sánchez's cross in the 73rd minute.{{cite news|last1=Bogunya |first1=Roger |title=Barça show they learnt last year's lesson |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/match-archive/2013-2014/champions-league/round-2-h/celtic_fc-barcelona/info |access-date=12 June 2014 |publisher=FC Barcelona |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329181303/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/match-archive/2013-2014/champions-league/round-2-h/celtic_fc-barcelona/info |archive-date=29 March 2014}}

File:Chelsea 2 QPR 1 (15662596926).jpg of Queens Park Rangers in November 2014]]

On 12 June 2014, Premier League club Chelsea signed Fàbregas on a five-year contract for a fee in the region of €33 million. Following his transfer he took the number 4 shirt, previously worn by David Luiz.{{cite news|title=Cesc Fabregas: Chelsea sign ex-Arsenal midfielder from Barcelona|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27819204|access-date=12 June 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=12 June 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3900839/title/fabregas-signs-for-chelsea |title=FABREGAS SIGNS FOR CHELSEA |date=12 June 2014 |access-date=13 June 2014 |publisher=Chelsea FC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613030133/http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3900839/title/fabregas-signs-for-chelsea |archive-date=13 June 2014}} Fàbregas spoke of his transfer, saying, "I asked Barcelona to find a way for me to leave the club. The president tried to stop the sale, but I already had my mind made up." He went on to say, "If I didn't think that I'd be happy at Chelsea, I would've never made this decision. Above all, I want to be happy both professionally and personally."{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9351623/transfer-news-cesc-fabregas-insists-he-told-barcelona-he-wanted-to-leave|title=Cesc Fabregas insists he told Barcelona he wanted to leave|date=17 June 2014|access-date=17 June 2014|publisher=Chelsea FC}}

Fàbregas made his competitive debut for Chelsea on 18 August as the team began their league season away to Burnley; he played the full 90 minutes of a 3–1 victory, providing two assists.{{cite news|title=Burnley 1–3 Chelsea|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28735901|access-date=18 August 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=18 August 2014}} He was a nominee for the Premier League Player of the Month in August 2014, with the accolade going instead to another new Chelsea signing, Diego Costa.{{cite news|title=Diego Costa accepts August accolade|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/09/diego-costa-accepts-august-accolade.html?WT.mc_id=social_20140912_31482496|access-date=12 September 2014|publisher=Chelsea F.C.|date=12 September 2014}} On 13 September 2014, after providing two assists in Chelsea's 4–2 victory over Swansea City, Fàbregas became the first player ever in Premier League history to record at least one assist in six successive games; four under Chelsea and two under Arsenal during the 2010–11 season.{{cite news|last1=Crooks|first1=Garth|title=Garth Crooks's team of the week|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29200736|access-date=17 September 2014|website=BBC Sport|date=14 September 2014}} Four days later, he scored his first goal for the club, opening a 1–1 draw at home against Schalke 04 in Chelsea's first match of the Champions League group stage.{{cite news|title=Chelsea 1–1 Schalke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29225452|access-date=17 September 2014|website=BBC Sport|date=17 September 2014}}

His first league goal for Chelsea gave them a 2–1 win at Crystal Palace on 18 October, capping off a 19-pass move.{{cite news|last1=Fifield|first1=Dominic|title=Chelsea stay top after Cesc Fàbregas nets winner at Crystal Palace|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/18/crystal-palace-chelsea-premier-league-match-report|access-date=18 October 2014|work=The Guardian|date=18 October 2014}} Fàbregas also completed 123 passes, the most by any player on either side.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29580146 |title=Cesc Fabregas scored his first league goal for Chelsea as the Premier League leaders survived a late Crystal Palace fightback to maintain a five-point advantage over Manchester City. |website=BBC Sport |date=18 October 2014 |access-date=19 October 2014 }} On 10 December, with Chelsea already through to the knockout stage as group winners, Fàbregas scored an eighth-minute penalty to open a 3–1 Champions League victory over Sporting CP.{{cite news|last1=Williams|first1=Adam|title=Chelsea 3–1 Sporting|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29363859|access-date=16 April 2015|website=BBC Sport|date=10 December 2014}} Twelve days later he scored a second league goal, set up by Eden Hazard and concluding a 2–0 win away to Stoke.{{cite news|last1=Strickland|first1=Jamie|title=Stoke 0–2 Chelsea|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30474063|access-date=16 April 2015|website=BBC Sport|date=22 December 2014}}

File:Spurs 5 Chelsea 3 (15554013624).jpg in January 2015]]

Fàbregas was fitted with a protective mask after breaking his nose in a collision with Charlie Adam during the reverse fixture on 4 April.{{cite news|title=Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas to wear face mask after breaking nose – report|url=http://www.espnfc.com/chelsea/story/2388491/chelsea-midfielder-cesc-fabregas-to-wear-face-mask-after-breaking-nose-report|access-date=16 April 2015|publisher=ESPN|date=9 April 2015}} Eight days later, he scored the only goal of the game in the 88th minute in a victory over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.{{cite news|last1=Moore|first1=Glenn|title=QPR vs Chelsea match report: Man in the mask Cesc Fabregas secures vital win in Premier League title race|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/qpr-vs-chelsea-match-report-man-in-the-mask-cesc-fabregas-secures-vital-win-in-premier-league-title-race-10171035.html|access-date=16 April 2015|work=The Independent|date=12 April 2015}} On 3 May, the day before his 28th birthday, he won his first Premier League title at the ninth attempt, following a 1–0 home win over Crystal Palace. During the penultimate game of the season, away at The Hawthorns against West Bromwich Albion, Fàbregas was shown the red card and booed off by fans for deliberately kicking the ball at Chris Brunt's head while players were speaking to referee Mike Jones.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/cesc-fabregas-sent-kicking-ball-5720196|title=Cesc Fabregas sent off for kicking the ball into West Brom player's HEAD after melee|author=James Whaling|date=18 May 2015|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=18 May 2015}} On appeal, the suspension for this red card was cut from three matches to one.{{cite news|title=Cesc Fabregas: Chelsea player's ban cut from three games to one|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32819923|access-date=21 May 2015|website=BBC Sport|date=20 May 2015}}

Fàbregas scored his first goal of the season on 16 September, as Chelsea defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 4–0 in the Champions League.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34203636 |first=Andy |last=Cryer |title=Chelsea 4–0 Maccabi Tel Aviv|work=BBC Sport |access-date=16 September 2015}} He, Costa and Oscar were jeered by the crowd in December after the dismissal of Mourinho, with the supporters believing that the trio's conduct and poor performances were more culpable for the team's poor form.{{cite news|last1=Osborne|first1=Chris|title=Chelsea 2–2 Watford|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35139930|access-date=26 December 2015|website=BBC Sport|date=26 December 2015}} His first league goal came in a 3–3 home draw against Everton on 15 January 2016{{cite news|title=Chelsea 3–3 Everton|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35270645|access-date=15 January 2016|website=BBC Sport|date=15 January 2016}} and his second came in a 2–1 away win against Southampton on 27 February 2016. On 19 March 2016, Fàbregas scored a free-kick as well as a penalty in 2–2 home draw against local rivals West Ham United.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35792202 |title=Chelsea 2–2 West Ham |date=19 March 2016 |website=BBC Sport}} Fàbregas scored Chelsea's last goal of the season after converting a penalty in the 1–1 draw against new Premier League champions, Leicester City.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36240331 |title=Chelsea 1–1 Leicester City:Leicester City fought back from a goal down to draw at Chelsea, the team they deposed as Premier League champions |date=15 May 2016 |website=BBC Sport}}

Fàbregas was linked with a move away from London after he was an unused substitution in the 2016–17 Premier League opener against West Ham.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/chelsea-transfer-news-cesc-fabregas-considers-chelsea-exit-after-being-left-on-the-bench-a7193861.html |title=Chelsea transfer news: Cesc Fabregas 'considers' Chelsea exit after being left on the bench against West Ham |date=16 August 2016 |newspaper=Independent}} On 20 August 2016, Fàbregas once again started on the bench against Watford, entering the match in the second half to replace Nemanja Matić and creating an assist for Diego Costa, who scored the winner in a 2–1 victory.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/watford-vs-chelsea/356352|title=Watford 1–2 Chelsea: Diego Costa controversially seals second win |date=19 August 2016 |publisher=SkySports}} In the post-match press conference, Fàbregas earned the praise of manager, Conte, for his inspiring performance in the comeback win as well as the attitude he shows during training sessions.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/chelsea/story/2934192/cesc-fabregas-display-for-chelsea-at-watford-delights-antonio-conte |title=Cesc Fabregas display for Chelsea at Watford delights Antonio Conte |date=20 August 2016 |publisher=ESPN}} Fàbregas's first two goals of the season came in an EFL Cup tie against Leicester City on 20 September, both coming within two minutes of each other in extra time to win the game 4–2, the victory moving Chelsea on to the Round of 16.{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.us/report?gameId=466015 |title=Cesc Fabregas hits two in extra-time as Chelsea advance past Leicester |work=ESPN FC |date=20 September 2016}}

After a month long absence due to an injury, Fàbregas played a full 90 minute to for Chelsea u23 against Southampton u23 on 21 November 2016. During the match, he provided two assists to fellow first team player, Michy Batshuayi, and helped earn a 3–2 victory.{{cite web|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2016/11/pl2-report--chelsea-v-southampton.html |title=PL2 report: Chelsea 3 Southampton 2 |date=21 November 2016 |publisher=Chelsea F.C.}} Fàbregas saw his first league action since September in a game against Manchester City on 3 December 2016. Chelsea were trailing 1–0 when Fàbregas picked out Diego Costa with a long ball into the box. Costa brought the ball down and fired it into the net to equalise.{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/match/14173 |title=Manchester City 1 – 3 Chelsea |publisher=premierleague.com |date=3 December 2016}} Fàbregas came off the bench against West Bromwich Albion on 11 December 2016 and immediately made an impact on the deadlocked match, finding Diego Costa once again with a long ball that led to the winning goal.{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/match/14182 |title=Chelsea 1 – 0 West Bromwich Albion |publisher=premierleague.com |date=11 December 2016}} On 14 December 2016, Fàbregas led Chelsea to their tenth consecutive league victory with his first league goal of the season, scoring in the 40th minute against Sunderland.{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/match/14193 |title=Sunderland 0 – 1 Chelsea |publisher=premierleague.com |date=14 December 2016}} In his fifth league start of the season, on 31 December 2016, Fàbregas recorded his 100th Premier League assist in his 293rd appearance in Chelsea's 4–2 home victory over Stoke City;{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/31/chelsea-stoke-city-premier-league-match-report |title=Willian double sinks brave Stoke and extends Chelsea run to 13 straight wins |date=31 December 2016 |website=The Guardian}} he became the fastest player in Premier League history to reach this landmark, taking 74 fewer appearances than Ryan Giggs.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/11527780/cesc-fabregas-in-guinness-world-records-for-reaching-100-pl-assists |title=Cesc Fabregas in Guinness World Records for reaching 100 PL assists |publisher=Sky Sports |date=17 October 2018 |access-date=20 October 2018 }}

On 4 February 2017, Fàbregas scored against former club Arsenal when he collected goalkeeper Petr Cech's poor clearance and chipped the ball back over him. He did not celebrate the goal out of respect to his former club.{{cite news |title=Chelsea 3 Arsenal 1: Eden Hazard emphasises superiority of Antonio Conte's leaders with sensational goal |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/02/04/chelsea-vs-arsenal-premier-league-live-score-updates/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/02/04/chelsea-vs-arsenal-premier-league-live-score-updates/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=19 October 2018 |work=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}} On 25 February, Fàbregas marked his 300th Premier League appearances with a goal and an assist as Chelsea defeated Swansea City 3–1.{{Cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/match/14290|title=Chelsea 3 – 1 Swansea City|date=25 February 2017|website=premierleague.com|access-date=26 February 2017}} In the same match, he also reached 102 assists in the Premier League, equalling Frank Lampard as the league's second-highest provider of all time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/stats/all-time|title=Premier League Club Records, All-Time Team & Player Stats|website=www.premierleague.com|access-date=26 February 2017}}

In the 2017–18 season, Fàbregas made 49 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals in a campaign which saw Chelsea win the FA Cup against Manchester United. He passed the ball to Eden Hazard who was fouled for a penalty, which the Belgian scored as the only goal of the game.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Chelsea's Eden Hazard spot-on to sink Manchester United and win FA Cup |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/19/chelsea-manchester-united-fa-cup-match-report |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=The Observer |date=19 May 2018}}

On 5 January 2019, Fàbregas played his final game in English football, a 2–0 home win over Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup. He took a penalty which was saved by Luke Steele. Fàbregas was in tears at the end of the game.{{cite news |title=Chelsea 2-0 Nottingham Forest in FA Cup third round |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46706906 |access-date=21 October 2024 |date=5 January 2019}}

File:RB Salzburg gegen AS Monaco (Testspiel, 3. Juli 2021) 27.jpg in July 2021]]

On 11 January 2019, Fàbregas signed for Monaco on a deal until June 2022. He was signed by his former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry, and there was no transfer fee, although Chelsea would receive payments related to his performances.{{cite news |title=Cesc Fabregas: Chelsea midfielder joins Monaco |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46844972 |access-date=21 October 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 January 2019}} He made his debut in Ligue 1 two days later a 1–1 draw against Marseille.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46858846|title=Marseille 1–1 Monaco|work=BBC Sport |access-date=13 January 2019}} On 2 February, he scored his first goal in a 2–1 win against Toulouse.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47105527|title=Monaco 2–1 Toulouse|work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 February 2019}}

Fàbregas was sent off on the first day of the 2019–20 Ligue 1 season, in a 3–0 home loss to Lyon. His foul on Léo Dubois after 30 minutes was upgraded from a yellow to red card by VAR review.{{cite news |title=Monaco 0-3 Lyon: Fabregas red after VAR review; Depay scores |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49301480 |access-date=21 October 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 August 2019}} On 20 November 2020, Fàbregas scored the winning goal for Monaco in a 3–2 win over Paris Saint-Germain, which was their first win against PSG since August 2016.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54995916 |title=Monaco 3–2 Paris Saint Germain |website=BBC Sport |date=20 November 2020 }} From December 2020 up to February 2021 he was injured in his left calf muscle.{{cite news |title=Cesc Fabregas (Monaco) : " Le football d'aujourd'hui est très mécanisé " |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/Cesc-fabregas-le-football-d-aujourd-hui-est-tres-mecanise/1214957 |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=L'Équipe |date=21 January 2021 |language=French}}

In 2021–22, Fàbregas missed most of the season with a hamstring injury. He attempted a comeback for the reserve team on 22 April 2022 at home to Aubagne in the fourth-tier Championnat National 2, but was taken off after 40 minutes with an ankle complaint.{{cite news |title=Cesc Fabregas se blesse encore avec la réserve de Monaco |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Cesc-fabregas-se-blesse-encore-avec-la-reserve-de-monaco/1329376 |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=L'Équipe |date=23 April 2022 |language=French}} Having totalled 36 minutes over two games of Ligue 1 football in his final season, he was released at the end of his contract in June 2022 but said that he would not retire.{{cite news |title=Fabregas: I'm leaving Monaco but I won't retire |url=https://www.fifa.com/en/articles/fabregas-im-leaving-monaco-but-i-wont-retire |access-date=21 October 2024 |publisher=FIFA |date=14 May 2022}}

On 1 August 2022, Fàbregas was unveiled as a new player for Serie B club Como, signing a two-year contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/internacional/20220801/1001844739/cesc-fabregas-ficha.html |title=Oficial: Cesc Fàbregas ficha por el Como |website=Mundo Deportivo |date=1 August 2022 |accessdate=1 August 2022 |language=es}} He made his debut 28 days later, playing the final 18 minutes as a substitute in a 1–0 home loss to Brescia.{{cite news |last1=Antonelli |first1=Michele |title=Bertagnoli rovina il debutto di Fabregas e Cutrone: il Brescia vince a Como |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-B/29-08-2022/serie-b-como-brescia-esordio-fabregas-bertagnoli-4402098532053.shtml |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |date=29 August 2022 |language=Italian}}

Fàbregas announced his retirement from football on 1 July 2023.{{Cite news |title=Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Fabregas retires|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66077796 |access-date=1 July 2023}}

Although he features regularly for the Spain national football team, Fàbregas' international career began at youth level. At the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship held in Finland, he finished as top scorer of the tournament despite playing in midfield, and was voted Player of the Tournament. Spain finished runners-up in the tournament to Brazil.[https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=102/edition=6946/news/newsid=88795.html Brazil roar past brave Spain, Argentina take third] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803040633/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament%3D102/edition%3D6946/news/newsid%3D88795.html |date=3 August 2008 }}, FIFA, 30 August 2003, accessed 23 May 2007. Fàbregas was next involved in the 2004 UEFA U-17 European Championship, where Spain also finished runners-up.Haslam, Andrew, [https://web.archive.org/web/20070515103539/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under17/news/kind=2/newsid=522833.html "2004: Cesc Fabregas"], UEFA, accessed 9 July 2008. He was named the Golden Player of the tournament by FIFA.

{{Citation style|section|reason=Some references are poorly-formatted|date=September 2024}}

In 2006, Fàbregas debuted for the Spanish senior squad in a friendly match against Ivory Coast.{{Cite news|title="Fabregas was a 'pioneer' for Spain", Pique says|url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/fabregas-pioneer-spain-pique-says-170455516--sow.html|website=Yahoo! News Singapore|publisher=Yahoo!|date=7 October 2015|access-date=20 September 2024|via=Reuters}} He became the youngest player capped for Spain in 70 years, beating Sergio Ramos' record. He received favourable reviews for his debut and was involved in the build-up to Spain's first goal in the 3–2 victory over the Ivorians.

On 15 May 2006, Fàbregas was selected for the Spanish 2006 FIFA World Cup squad. During the tournament, he came on as a second-half substitute in Spain's first two group matches, contributing an assist to striker Fernando Torres in their 3–1 victory against Tunisia.{{Cite web|title=Spain 3–1 Tunisia|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853264.stm|website=BBC Sport|date=19 June 2006|access-date=23 May 2007}} He started alongside Spain's reserve players (including then-Arsenal teammate José Antonio Reyes) in Spain's third group match against Saudi Arabia.{{Cite web|title=Saudi Arabia 0–1 Spain|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853438.stm|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=23 June 2006|access-date=23 May 2007}} He earned a starting role in Spain's first knockout-stage match against France, in place of Marcos Senna, but Spain lost 3–1.{{Cite web|title=Spain 1–3 France|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991524.stm|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=19 June 2006|access-date=23 May 2007}} Fàbregas also became the youngest player in Spanish football history to participate in a World Cup when he came on as a substitute for Luis García after 77 minutes in the 4–0 victory against Ukraine on 13 June 2006; he was then 19 years and 41 days old.{{Cite web|title=Spain 4–0 Ukraine|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4852902.stm|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=14 June 2006|access-date=22 May 2007}}. He was later nominated for the Gillette Young Player of the World Cup, but Germany's Lukas Podolski won the award.{{Cite web|title=Germany's Podolski named top young player|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/worldcup2006/storyview.html?/story/worldcup2006/national/2006/07/07/fifa-youngplayer-podolski.html|url-status=dead|date=7 July 2006|access-date=22 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029002211/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/worldcup2006/storyview.html?/story/worldcup2006/national/2006/07/07/fifa-youngplayer-podolski.html|archive-date=29 October 2006}}

File:Spain Euro 08 celebration 2.jpg

In UEFA Euro 2008, Fàbregas was handed the squad number 10, rather than 18 which he had previously held.{{Cite news|first=Wayne|last=Veysey|title=Cesc Fàbregas ready to talk tough with Arsenal|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fsport%2F2008%2F05%2F28%2Fsfnars228.xml|url-status=dead|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=28 May 2008|access-date=10 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531021229/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fsport%2F2008%2F05%2F28%2Fsfnars228.xml|archive-date=31 May 2008}} Despite featuring mostly as a substitute, the midfielder made a considerable impact in Spain's campaign. He scored his first international goal in that competition in Spain's 4–1 win over Russia and also had an assist in that game.{{Cite web|title=Cesc in Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament|url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/cesc-in-euro-2008-team-of-the-tournament|url-status=dead|website=Arsenal F.C.|date=30 June 2008|access-date=6 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604182854/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/cesc-in-euro-2008-team-of-the-tournament|archive-date=4 June 2009}} In the quarter-finals against Italy, Fàbregas scored the winning penalty in the penalty shoot-out after the teams remained deadlocked 0–0 after extra time.{{Cite web|title=Spain beat Italy in a penalty shoot-out|url=http://soccernet-akamai.espn.go.com/report?id=232283&cc=4716|website=ESPN|date=22 June 2008|access-date=23 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626132140/http://soccernet-akamai.espn.go.com/report?id=232283&cc=4716|archive-date=26 June 2008}} In the semi-finals, Spain defeated Russia 3–0 with Fàbregas providing two assists. The midfielder made the starting eleven in the Final against Germany where Spain prevailed 1–0, which was Spain's first major title since 1964.{{Cite web|title=Germany 0–1 Spain: Torres ends Spain's pain|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=232286&cc=4716|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525090011/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=232286&cc=4716|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-05-25|website=ESPN|date=30 June 2008}} For his efforts, Fàbregas was named in the Team of the Tournament, a 23-man squad selected by the UEFA Technical Team.

After missing out for several months due to his injury, Fàbregas regained his place as a regular in Vicente del Bosque's squad. In June, he was named in the team for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. He scored his second international goal in a 5–0 win against New Zealand in the competition's group stage.{{Cite web|title=Torres stars in Spanish stroll|url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=250116/match=66203/summary.html|url-status=dead|website=FIFA|date=15 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617043847/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round%3D250116/match%3D66203/summary.html|archive-date=17 June 2009}} In the semi-finals against the United States, which Fàbregas started, Spain suffered a shock 2–0 loss, and its 15-game winning streak came to an end.{{Cite web|title=Altidore's goal leads U.S. to stunning upset|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=270153&cc=4716|url-status=dead|website=ESPN|date=24 June 2009|access-date=26 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627131619/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=270153&cc=4716|archive-date=27 June 2009}}

Fàbregas was selected as a part of del Bosque's 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.{{Cite web|title=Spain omit Marcos Senna from 2010 World Cup squad|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8695232.stm|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=20 May 2010|access-date=22 May 2010}} With del Bosque preferring a starting midfield of Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, Fàbregas did not start in any of Spain's games in the competition. He featured as a substitute in four of their seven matches, in which Spain lost their opening game against Switzerland before winning the next six en route to the final. In the final against the Netherlands, Fàbregas set up the extra-time winner for Iniesta to win Spain the World Cup for the first time in their history.{{Cite web|title=Iniesta sinks Dutch with late strike|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264123&league=FIFA.WORLD&cc=4716&ver=global|url-status=dead|website=ESPN|date=11 July 2010|access-date=13 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715083343/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264123&league=FIFA.WORLD&cc=4716&ver=global|archive-date=15 July 2010}}

File:Cesc Fàbregas and Giorgio Chiellini Euro 2012 final.jpg]]

Fàbregas was selected as a part of del Bosque's 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2012.{{Cite web|title=Spain name Fernando Torres in 23-man squad|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18227019|date=27 May 2012|website=BBC Sport|access-date=11 June 2012 }}

Fàbregas started in the centre of the front three of a 4–3–3 formation against Italy in Spain's opening Group C match, essentially acting as a false 9. In the 64th minute he scored the equaliser after Italy had taken the lead in the 61st minute; the game finished in a 1–1 draw.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18180099|title=Spain 1–1 Italy|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=10 June 2012|access-date=11 June 2012 }} He then scored his second goal of the tournament in the next group stage match against Ireland, which ended in a 4–0 win to Spain.{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/euro/2012/2003332_fr.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803025230/http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/euro/2012/2003332_fr.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 August 2012 |title=Full-time report Spain-Republic of Ireland|website=UEFA|date=14 June 2012 |access-date=14 June 2012 }} When Spain faced Portugal in the semi-finals and the game remained scoreless at the end of extra time, Fàbregas scored the winning penalty of the shootout as Spain prevailed 4–2.{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/euro-2012/euro-2012-defending-champion-spain-advances-final-beating-portugal-4-2-penalties-article-1.1103477 |title=Euro 2012: Defending champion Spain advances to another final after beating Portugal 4–2 on penalties|newspaper=NY Daily News|location=New York |date=27 June 2012|access-date=28 June 2012}} In the final against Italy, Fàbregas started and provided the assist to David Silva for the game's opening goal, en route to a 4–0 Spain victory.{{cite news| first=Phil|last=McNulty|title=Spain 4–0 Italy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18355496| website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date= 1 July 2012| access-date=11 July 2012}}

Fàbregas was named in the provisional squad in the lead up to the 2013 Confederations Cup by del Bosque.{{cite web|url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/confed-cup-spain-name-provisional-squad-for-nigeria-others|title=Confed Cup:Spain name provisional squad for Nigeria, others|date=27 May 2013|website=futaa.com|access-date=16 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614091029/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/confed-cup-spain-name-provisional-squad-for-nigeria-others|archive-date=14 June 2013}} He made two starts in the competition and one substitute appearance, all during the group stage of the competition, and assisting a goal in Spain's opening group match against Uruguay, which Spain won 2–1.{{Cite web|title=2013 FIFA Confederations Cup – Group B – Spain vs. Uruguay: 2–1|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/97895/spain-vs-uruguay/report?|website=Goal|publisher=Platform Group|access-date=16 July 2013}} Spain won all their group matches, only conceding a goal and scoring 15. Spain advanced to the final of the competition for the first time, after a lengthy and difficult semi-final clash in a re-match against their opponents of the European Championship Final of the previous year, Italy. The match ended 0–0 after extra time and Spain won 7–6 in the resulting penalty shoot-out,{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=255207/match=300222468/summary.html |title=Spain edge dramatic shootout to reach Final |publisher=FIFA |date=27 June 2013 |access-date=4 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418233757/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round%3D255207/match%3D300222468/summary.html |archive-date=18 April 2015}} but were eventually defeated 3–0 in the final by hosts and defending champions Brazil.{{Cite news|first=Ben|last=Smith|title=Brazil 3–0 Spain|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/23093784|website=BBC Sport|date=1 July 2013|access-date=2 September 2017}}

Fàbregas was named in Spain's 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup,{{Cite news|title=World Cup 2014: Diego Costa and Fernando Torres in Spain squad|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27394287|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=13 May 2014|access-date=5 July 2014}} and was also included in the final list for the tournament.{{cite news|title=World Cup 2014: Spain drop Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27647635|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=31 May 2014|access-date=5 July 2014}} He made his debut in the tournament in the opening 1–5 defeat to the Netherlands, replacing David Silva for the last 12 minutes.{{Cite news|title=Spain 1–5 Netherlands|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25285043|website=BBC Sport|date=13 June 2014|access-date=5 July 2014}} With Spain already eliminated, he played 22 minutes of 3–0 win against Australia in the last group game, this time in place of Santi Cazorla.{{Cite news|first=Saj|last=Chowdhury|title=Australia 0–3 Spain|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25285263|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=23 June 2014|access-date=5 July 2014}}

On 31 March 2015, Fàbregas captained Spain for the first time, in their 0–2 friendly defeat to the Netherlands at the Amsterdam Arena.{{cite news|title=Internationals: Belgium hold on, Fabregas captains Spain|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/03/internationals--belgium-hold-on--fabregas-captains-spain.html|url-status=dead|website=Chelsea F.C.|date=31 March 2015|access-date=12 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224185031/http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/03/internationals--belgium-hold-on--fabregas-captains-spain.html|archive-date=24 December 2015}} He earned his 100th cap on 12 October 2015, becoming the tenth Spaniard to do so, in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Ukraine with Spain already qualified.{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Myson|title=Fabregas makes 100th Spain appearance|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/88/spain/2015/10/12/16259312/fabregas-makes-100th-spain-appearance|website=Goal|publisher=Platform Group|date=12 October 2015|access-date=13 October 2015}} In his milestone match at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv, he won a first-half penalty when fouled by Oleksandr Kucher, but his spot kick was saved by Andriy Pyatov.{{cite news|title=Ukraine 0–1 Spain: Fabregas misses penalty on 100th appearance|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/ukraine-vs-spain/1653387/report|website=Goal|publisher=Platform Group|date=12 October 2015|access-date=13 October 2015}} He started all of Spain's matches at the finals, coming as a substitute in each of the three group games and playing the entirety of the defeat by Italy in the Round of 16 which ended their participation.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}

Fàbregas was not selected for the Spain squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup (his Chelsea colleagues Pedro, Álvaro Morata and Marcos Alonso were also overlooked after the club's disappointing season);{{cite web|title=Spain World Cup squad: Julen Lopetegui announces 23-man selection for Russia|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/spain-world-cup-squad-2018-russia-confirmed-revealed-23-morata-fabregas-bellerin-a8361401.html|work=The Independent |date=21 May 2018|access-date=15 June 2018}} he instead joined the BBC as a studio analyst for the tournament.{{cite web|title=World Cup 2018: Cesc Fabregas joins BBC's punditry line-up|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/44435725|website=BBC Sport |date=11 June 2018|access-date=15 June 2018}}

On 1 July 2023, Fàbregas was appointed as head coach of Como's under-19 and B-teams following his retirement from professional football.{{Cite web |title=Cesc Fabregas: Former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder retires from football aged 36 |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12913068/cesc-fabregas-former-arsenal-chelsea-and-barcelona-midfielder-retires-from-football-aged-36 |access-date=1 July 2023 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}} He obtained his UEFA A coaching licence in 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-mikel-arteta-cesc-fabregas-31180037 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Cesc Fabregas' 'unrecognisable' Arsenal claim after visits to see Mikel Arteta's training|publisher=Mirror |date=14 October 2023 |accessdate=14 November 2023 }}

Following the dismissal of Moreno Longo on 13 November 2023, Fàbregas was promoted to first-team head coach on an interim basis.{{cite web |language=it |date=13 November 2023 |accessdate=13 November 2023 |publisher=Como 1907 |url=https://comofootball.com/si-sono-separate-le-strade-tra-il-como-1907/ |title=COMUNICATO UFFICIALE DEL CLUB |archive-date=19 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119133258/https://comofootball.com/si-sono-separate-le-strade-tra-il-como-1907/ |url-status=dead }} As he had no UEFA Pro coaching licence by the time of his appointment, he was handed a special dispensation to fill in as head coach for one month.{{cite web |language=it |date=20 December 2023 |accessdate=20 December 2023 |publisher=Fanpage.it |url=https://www.fanpage.it/sport/calcio/fabregas-non-puo-piu-essere-lallenatore-del-como-da-domenica-24-dicembre-deve-liberare-il-posto/ |title=Fabregas non può più essere l'allenatore del Como: da domenica 24 dicembre deve liberare il posto}} On 20 December, Como announced the appointment of Osian Roberts as the new caretaker manager until the end of season, while Fàbregas would stay on as an assistant to the first team coaching staff.{{cite web |date=20 December 2023 |accessdate=20 December 2023 |publisher=Como 1907 |url=https://comofootball.com/en/como-1907-appoints-osian-roberts-as-caretaker-manager/ |title=COMO 1907 APPOINTS OSIAN ROBERTS AS CARETAKER MANAGER}} Fàbregas's final game in charge of the club was a 3–3 home draw against Palermo on 23 December.{{cite web |date=21 December 2023 |accessdate=23 December 2023 |publisher=Como 1907 |url=https://onefootball.com/it/notizie/como-fabregas-contro-il-palermo-sara-5050-lesperienza-di-roberts-porta-molto-38763067 |language=it |title=COMO, FABREGAS: "CONTRO IL PALERMO SARÀ 50/50. L'ESPERIENZA DI ROBERTS PORTA MOLTO"}}

After Roberts took Como from 7th to 3rd place, the club managed to win automatic promotion to Serie A, with Fàbregas staying as assistant for the remainder of the season.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/cesc-fabregas-ian-rush-como-george-clooney-italian-b2545530.html |work=The Independent |title=Osian Roberts 'proud' of Como promotion but will step aside for Cesc Fabregas |date=15 May 2024 |accessdate=26 May 2024}} On 19 July 2024, just days after being admitted to the UEFA Pro coaching course organised yearly in Coverciano by the Italian Football Federation,{{cite web |url=https://www.figc.it/it/tecnici/news/da-fabregas-ad-hamsik-una-classe-ricca-di-grandi-nomi-per-il-prossimo-master-uefa-pro/ |publisher=FIGC.it |language=it |accessdate=11 October 2024 |date=11 July 2024 |title=Da Fabregas ad Hamsik, una classe ricca di grandi nomi per il prossimo Master UEFA Pro}} Fàbregas was formally appointed in charge of Como, signing a four-year contract as head coach.{{Cite web |title=Cesc Fàbregas to officially become Head Coach of Como 1907's Men Team|url=https://comofootball.com/en/cesc-fabregas-to-officially-become-head-coach-of-como-1907s-men-team/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |date=2024-07-19 |website=Como 1907 }}

Fàbregas's debut as the permanent manager of Como on 11 August 2024 was a 1–1 draw away to Sampdoria in the first round of the Coppa Italia, subsequently losing on penalties.{{cite news |last1=Lambourne |first1=Jack |title=Raphael Varane's Como debut gets off to worst start possible after just 20 minutes in Cesc Fabregas' first match in charge |url=https://talksport.com/football/2005010/raphael-varane-como-debut-injury-serie-a/ |access-date=21 October 2024 |publisher=Talksport |date=13 August 2024}} Eight days later in his first game in Serie A, the club lost 3–0 away to Juventus.{{cite news |last1=Kobylinska |first1=Anita |title=Thiago Motta beats Cesc Fabregas as Juventus start Serie A with a win |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/thiago-motta-cesc-fabregas-juventus-win-como-serie-a-b2598836.html |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=The Independent |date=20 August 2024}}

File:Second half (5131080394).jpg preparing to kick off in 2010. Fàbregas was a regular set-piece taker for Arsenal.]]

Originally brought to Arsenal as a youth to slowly develop via the League Cup, Fàbregas was unexpectedly deployed as Arsenal's starting central midfielder following a midfield injury crisis during the 2004–05 season. At the time, defensive midfielder Vieira served as his role model and mentor,Townsend, Nick, [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20051002/ai_n15644739 "Spanish marvel blossoms"], The Independent, 2 October 2005, accessed 17 September 2007. {{dead link|date=September 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and he styled his game after his childhood hero and compatriot Pep Guardiola, whose shirt number 4 he would inherit in his subsequent move to Barcelona in 2011. Because he was of a different mould from his Arsenal predecessors who played in the same position, this led to criticisms of his lightweight frame and less aggressive style of play, due to his development in the Barcelona Youth Academy, with former teammate Ashley Cole criticising the Spaniard as "an unproven featherweight" in his autobiography.Macintosh, Iain, "Completely Fab", The New Paper, 29 September 2007.

However, it did not take long for Fàbregas to become one of the most coveted and celebrated young talents in the game with his success at Arsenal. Functioning mostly as a playmaker and renowned for his passing range, he was described as the general of Arsenal's first team, bringing vision, creativity, and an innate understanding of timing and space to Arsenal's intricate passing game, displaying maturity that belied his age.Smith, Alan, [https://web.archive.org/web/20070122160714/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fsport%2F2007%2F01%2F20%2Fsfnsmi20.xml "Fabregas puts his skates on in chase for perfection"], The Daily Telegraph, 20 January 2007, accessed 23 May 2007.McIlvanney, Hugh, [https://www.thetimes.com/article/hugh-mcilvanney-fabregas-a-leader-in-waiting-pjp9ztqjl2h "Fàbregas a leader in waiting"], The Times, 26 March 2006, accessed 22 May 2007. He was the main creative force when he was at Arsenal, as exemplified by his 16 assists in all competitions in the 2006–07 season. Between 2006–07 and 2010–11, Fàbregas created the most chances in the top-division leagues of England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14491850.stm The magic of Cesc Fabregas], BBC Sport, 11 August 2011, accessed 15 August 2011.

Fàbregas quickly started assuming responsibility for set pieces, taking corners, free kicks and penalties. After the 2007–08 season, Fàbregas began maturing as a goalscorer, scoring 11 goals in his first 16 games, prompting Arsene Wenger to compare the Spaniard to Michel Platini.[http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-fabregas-has-the-vision-of-platini Wenger: Fabregas has the vision of Platini], Arsenal F.C., 19 September 2007, accessed 4 January 2008.[http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-this-team-is-blossoming-and-growing- Wenger: 'This team is blossoming and growing'], Arsenal F.C., 15 September 2007, accessed 17 September 2007. Through his career at Arsenal, Fàbregas played as a central midfielder in a two-man midfield pivot (usually next to a more defensive player like Edu, Patrick Vieira, Gilberto Silva, Mathieu Flamini or Abou Diaby), a box-to-box 'number 8' in a three-man midfield, and later as a 'number 10' in his prime.

File:Cesc Fàbregas Euro 2012 vs France 02.jpg]]

At Barcelona, Fàbregas continued to play a prominent midfield and playmaking role, although he was moved into a less talismanic role than that which he had occupied at Arsenal. His new surroundings at Barcelona were comparable with what he had played with the Spanish national team. In Pep Guardiola's 4–3–3 formation, he was suggested to be a good profile fit for the trademark patient, attacking, "tiki-taka" build-up style of play, also associated in the international setup under Luis Aragonés and Vicente del Bosque. Fàbregas was used in a variety of different roles under Guardiola. Due to the presence of Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Andrés Iniesta in the three-man midfield, as well as the emerging Thiago, Fàbregas was often employed as a supporting forward, or even out of position as a winger under Guardiola. He regularly performed in the role that Lionel Messi had occupied during the previous season, functioning as a false-9 in a 4–6–0 formation (a role which he would also regularly play for Spain at Euro 2012 under Del Bosque),{{cite web|title=False nine Fabregas shows his importance, and more|date=10 June 2012 |url=http://chroniclesofalmunia.wordpress.com/2012/06/11/false-nine-fabregas-shows-his-importance-and-more/|access-date=14 September 2013}} whilst Messi would play as a right winger or second forward.{{cite web|title=Guardiola's Barcelona-Reinventing Total Football|date=6 April 2012 |url=http://www.thefalse9.com/2012/04/guardiolas-barcelona-reinventing-total.html|access-date=14 September 2013}} Fàbregas was used in deeper roles on occasion, as an attacking, deep-lying or central playmaking midfielder, in particular under Guardiola's immediate successors, Tito Vilanova and Gerardo Martino. While Fàbregas' time at Barcelona was deemed to be successful, critics argued that there was a sense that he was not used to his maximum ability as at Arsenal & 'shoe-horned' under Guardiola rather than given a consistent midfield berth like Iniesta or Xavi, an admission that Fàbregas himself acknowledged.{{Citation |title=Cesc Fabregas reveals why he left Arsenal for Barcelona {{!}} BBC Sounds | date=11 March 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKPSx3sSfvk |access-date=13 March 2023 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Wilkes |first=Paul |title=Complete Analysis of Cesc Fabregas' Barcelona Role |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1944338-complete-analysis-of-cesc-fabregas-barcelona-role |access-date=13 March 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Fabregas' evolution from Barcelona to Chelsea |url=https://thefalse9.com/2015/01/fabregas-evolution-barcelona-chelsea.html |access-date=13 March 2023 |website=The False 9 |date=7 January 2015 |language=en-US}}

Upon returning to England, Fàbregas moved back to playing a playmaking role in midfield, using his technique, ball control and vision to dictate the tempo of play. He was often supported by defensive midfielders in order to give him more space and time on the ball due to his then-deteriorating lack of pace & athleticism.{{cite web |last=Palmer |first=Kevin |date=15 December 2014 |title=Cesc Fabregas happy pulling the strings from Chelsea's midfield |url=http://www.espnfc.com/chelsea/story/2200896/chelseas-cesc-fabregas-believes-his-good-form-in-the-premier-league-is-due-to-his-deployment-his-favoured-central-midfield-role |access-date=27 January 2015 |publisher=ESPN FC}}{{cite news |last1=Hurrey |first1=Adam |date=8 November 2017 |title=How slow Cesc Fabregas thrives among midfield pace and athleticism |work=ESPN FC |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37485979/how-slow-cesc-fabregas-thrives-midfield-pace-athleticism |access-date=30 July 2019}} In this deeper creative position,{{cite web |date=20 October 2014 |title=Cesc Fabregas Says He is Thriving in Deeper Chelsea Role |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/cesc-fabregas-says-he-thriving-deeper-chelsea-role-1470915 |access-date=27 January 2015 |website=International Business Times}} although playing in a significantly less dynamic role than at Arsenal or Barcelona, he still excelled in Mourinho's system,{{cite web |date=15 December 2014 |title=Cesc Fabregas believes Chelsea success down to Jose Mourinho playing him in the right position |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/cesc-fabregas-believes-chelsea-success-4816953 |access-date=27 January 2015 |publisher=The Mirror}} where he proved to be an effective assist-provider.{{cite web |title=Cesc Fàbregas |url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/38886/cesc-fabregas |access-date=27 January 2015 |publisher=ESPN FC}}{{cite news |title=Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas: My favourite assists |newspaper=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/cesc-fabregas/11370990/Chelseas-Cesc-Fabregas-My-favourite-assists.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 January 2015 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/cesc-fabregas/11370990/Chelseas-Cesc-Fabregas-My-favourite-assists.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}} In his penultimate seasons at Chelsea, Fàbregas was given a more limited role - often coming off the bench in efforts to wrangle technical control of the midfield or to provide further creative pressure against low blocks.{{cite news |title=Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas: I am playing the best football of my life |newspaper=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/11256429/Chelsea-midfielder-Cesc-Fabregas-I-am-playing-the-best-football-of-my-life.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 January 2015 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/11256429/Chelsea-midfielder-Cesc-Fabregas-I-am-playing-the-best-football-of-my-life.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |date=27 January 2015 |title=Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas: Thierry Henry assist record 'not an obsession' |url=http://www.espnfc.com/barclays-premier-league/story/2267016/chelseas-cesc-fabregas-thierry-henry-assist-record-for-arsenal-not-an-obsession |access-date=27 January 2015 |publisher=ESPN FC}}

Fàbregas married his long-time Lebanese girlfriend Daniella Semaan in May 2018.{{cite web|last1=Wright|first1=Chris|title=Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas marries Daniella Semaan before FA Cup final|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37496579/chelsea-cesc-fabregas-marries-daniella-semaan-fa-cup-final|website=ESPN|date=16 May 2018 }}{{Cite web|date=16 May 2018|title=Barcelona football star Cesc Fàbregas marries Lebanese girlfriend|url=https://lebaneseexaminer.com/2018/05/16/barcelona-football-star-marries-lebanese-girlfriend-picture-perfect-wedding/|url-status=live|access-date=2 November 2021|website=Lebanese Examiner|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527145251/http://www.lebaneseexaminer.com:80/2018/05/16/barcelona-football-star-marries-lebanese-girlfriend-picture-perfect-wedding/ |archive-date=27 May 2018 }} They have two daughters and a son, all born in the 2010s.{{cite news | url = http://m.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/may/11/fame-fortune-sportsman-family-childbirth | title = They have fame and often fortunes but what of a sportsman's family? | work = guardian.co.uk | access-date = 12 May 2013}}{{cite web|last1=Long|first1=Sam|title=Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas becomes a father for the second time|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-midfielder-cesc-fabregas-becomes-a-father-for-the-second-time-10381122.html|website=Standard|date=10 July 2015 }}{{cite web|title=Cesc Fabregas shares picture with his partner and newborn son|url=http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2017/04/cesc-fabregas-son-chelsea-latest-news/|website=Sports Review}} In July 2013, Fàbregas won a court case over the marital home with Semaan's ex-husband.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10213603/Cesc-Fabregas-wins-court-battle-with-girlfriends-ex-husband-over-marital-home.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10213603/Cesc-Fabregas-wins-court-battle-with-girlfriends-ex-husband-over-marital-home.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Cesc Fabregas wins court battle with girlfriend's ex-husband over marital home|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=31 July 2013 |access-date=22 April 2017}}{{cbignore}}

In July 2019 he was banned from driving in the UK for six months after being caught speeding.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-49113717|title=Footballer Fabregas banned from driving|date=25 July 2019|website=BBC News}}

In 2011, Fàbregas signed a sponsorship deal with German sportswear and equipment supplier, Puma.{{cite news | url = http://www.footballboots.co.uk/3724-official-fabregas-to-wear-puma-boots.html | title = Official: Fabregas to wear Puma boots | publisher = Football Boots | access-date = 30 September 2011 }} He appeared in an advert for the new Puma PowerCat 1.12 in September 2011 and was one of the flagship wearers of Puma's PowerCat range of football boots.{{cite news | url = http://www.footballboots.co.uk/8107-yellow-custom-powercats-for-fabregas.html | title = Yellow Custom PowerCats For Fabregas| publisher = FootballBoots.co.uk | access-date = 30 September 2011 }} When the PowerCat was succeeded by the evoPower, again Fàbregas was the forefront of Puma's marketing campaign. In January 2014, the brand launched a C4 evoPower boot,{{cite news | url = http://www.footballboots.co.uk/22579-c4-fabregas-evopower.html | title = PUMA launch special C4 evoPOWER for Fabregas| publisher = FootballBoots.co.uk | access-date = 3 January 2014 }} specifically designed for just Fàbregas to wear. In 2012, Fàbregas signed an endorsement deal with Soul Electronics to sport Ludacris' signature line of headphones.{{cite web |last1=Long |first1=Michael |title=Euro 2012 winner to endorse Soul Electronics |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/euro_2012_winner_to_endorse_soul_electronics |website=Sports Pro |date=3 July 2012 }}

Fàbregas starred in his own one-time only television programme, called "The Cesc Fàbregas Show: Nike Live", that aired on 19 May 2008. The programme was sponsored by Nike and was shown on Sky Sports. The show featured Fàbregas in several sketches with then Arsenal teammates like Philippe Senderos and Nicklas Bendtner, as well as coach Arsène Wenger, Fàbregas' parents and Little Britain star Matt Lucas.[http://inside.nike.com/blogs/nikefootball-en_SG/tags/nikelive?view=all NIKELIVE] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714183226/http://inside.nike.com/blogs/nikefootball-en_SG/tags/nikelive?view=all |date=14 July 2011 }}, NikeLiveFabregas.com, accessed 19 April 2008.

For the 2018 World Cup, Fàbregas was a pundit for the BBC's coverage. He featured alongside Rio Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44435725|title=Cesc Fabregas joins BBC's punditry line-up|date=11 June 2018|website=BBC Sport|access-date=7 January 2020}}

{{notelist}}

:Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Fàbregas goal.{{Soccerway|francesc-fabregas-soler/328}}

{{updated|19 April 2025}}

File:UK Prime Minister David Cameron with Cesc Fabregas in July of 2011.jpg (left) and British Prime Minister David Cameron]]

Arsenal

• FA Cup: 2004–05{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4558271.stm |title=Arsenal 0–0 Man Utd (aet) |work=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2005 |access-date=27 April 2019}}
• FA Community Shield: 2004{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3532952.stm |title=Arsenal 3–1 Man Utd |work=BBC Sport |date=8 August 2004 |access-date=27 April 2019}}
• Football League Cup runner-up: 2006–07
• UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2005–06{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4773353.stm |title=Barcelona 2–1 Arsenal |work=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2006 |access-date=27 April 2019}}

Barcelona

• La Liga: 2012–13{{cite web |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/t/t2012-131.html?t=lista |title=Barcelona 2012–13: Statistics |website=BDFutbol |access-date=9 February 2020}}
• Copa del Rey: 2011–12{{cite web|date=26 May 2012|title=Pep Guardiola's final game: Barcelona win Copa del Rey|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/18216611|access-date=29 June 2020}}
• Supercopa de España: 2011, 2013{{Cite web|last=FERNÁNDEZ|first=FELIPE|date=29 August 2013|title=Supercopa de España 2013: El Barça gana la Supercopa gracias al gol de Neymar en la ida|url=https://www.rtve.es/deportes/20130829/barca-gana-supercopa-gracias-gol-neymar-ida/743731.shtml|access-date=29 June 2020|website=RTVE.es|language=es}}
• UEFA Super Cup: 2011{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/match/2006776--barcelona-vs-porto/ |title=Barcelona beat Porto for fourth UEFA Super Cup |publisher=UEFA |date=26 August 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024170931/https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/matches/season=2011/round=2000258/match=2006776/index.html |archive-date=24 October 2018}}
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2011{{cite news|date=18 December 2011|title=Barcelona win Fifa Club World Cup|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/16234168|access-date=29 June 2020}}

Chelsea

• Premier League: 2014–15, 2016–17{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/2417/Cesc-Fàbregas/overview |title=Cesc Fàbregas: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=16 April 2018}}
• FA Cup: 2017–18;{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44091559 |title=Chelsea 1–0 Manchester United |first=Phil |last=McNulty |work=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2018 |access-date=19 May 2018}} runner-up: 2016–17{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39984089 |title=Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea |first=Phil |last=McNulty |work=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2017 |access-date=27 April 2019}}
• Football League Cup: 2014–15{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/31572594 |title=Chelsea 2–0 Tottenham Hotspur |first=Phil |last=McNulty |work=BBC Sport |date=1 March 2015 |access-date=27 April 2019}}
• UEFA Europa League: 2018–19{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48368406 |title=Chelsea 4–1 Arsenal |first=Chris |last=Bevan |website=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2019 |access-date=29 May 2019 |archive-date=2 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602144009/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48368406 |url-status=live }}

Monaco

• Coupe de France runner-up: 2020–21{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57177755|title=Monaco 0–2 Paris Saint Germain: PSG win sixth French Cup in seven years|work=BBC Sport|date=19 May 2021|access-date=19 May 2021}}

Spain

• FIFA World Cup: 2010{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/matches/match/300061509/#match-lineups |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208155241/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/matches/match/300061509/#match-lineups |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 February 2020 |title=Netherlands 0–1 Spain: Line-ups |publisher=FIFA |access-date=9 February 2020}}
• UEFA European Championship: 2008,{{Cite news|date=29 June 2008|title=Germany 0-1 Spain|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2008/7363545.stm|access-date=29 June 2020}} 2012{{Cite news|date=1 July 2012|title=Euro 2012 final: Spain 4-0 Italy|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/18355496|access-date=29 June 2020}}

Individual

• FIFA U-17 World Championship Golden Ball: 2003{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}
• FIFA U-17 World Championship Golden Shoe: 2003{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}
• UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship Golden Player: 2004{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}
• Bravo Award: 2006{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}
• Golden Boy: 2006{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2006,{{Cite web|last=uefa.com|date=20 January 2007|title=Community - Team of the Year - History|url=http://www.uefa.comhttp//en.toty.uefa.com/history=2006.html|access-date=29 June 2020|website=UEFA}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} 2008{{Cite web|last=uefa.com|date=21 January 2009|title=Community - Team of the Year - History|url=http://www.uefa.comhttp//en.toty.uefa.com/history=2008.html|access-date=29 June 2020|website=UEFA}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
• Premier League Player of the Month: January 2007, September 2007
• Arsenal Player of the Season: 2006–07, 2009−10{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Arsenal FC Player of the Year Award Winners |url=https://www.myfootballfacts.com/premier-league/premier-league-clubs-2/arsenal_player_of_the_year/ |access-date=19 April 2022 |website=MFF}}
• PFA Young Player of the Year: 2007–08{{Cite web|last=Sutcliffe|first=Steve|date=30 April 2008|title=2008 PFA Player of the Year Awards|url=https://www.lfe.org.uk/news/2008-pfa-player-of-the-year-awards/|access-date=29 June 2020|website=League Football Education (LFE)}}
• PFA Team of the Year: 2007–08 Premier League,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7370319.stm |title=Ronaldo named player of the year |work=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2008 |access-date=16 April 2018}} 2009–10 Premier League{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8643305.stm |title=Rooney is PFA player of the year |work=BBC Sport |date=25 April 2010 |access-date=16 April 2018}}
• ESM Team of the Year: 2007–08, 2009–10, 2014–15{{cite magazine | url = https://www.kicker.de/die-esm-topelf-der-saison-20132f14---ein-deutscher-ist-dabei-605656/slideshow | title = Die ESM-Topelf der Saison 2014/15 – ein Deutscher ist dabei | language = de | magazine = Kicker | access-date = 3 August 2015}}
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2008,{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Simon|title=Euro 2008: The Official UEFA Squad Of The Tournament|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/33716-euro-2008-the-official-uefa-squad-of-the-tournament|access-date=29 June 2020|website=Bleacher Report}} 2012{{Cite web|title=UEFA EURO 2012 Team Of The Tournament Was Superb|url=https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-best-xi-what-a-side-20160324|access-date=29 June 2020|website=www.sportbible.com|archive-date=2 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702234659/https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-best-xi-what-a-side-20160324|url-status=dead}}
• FIFA FIFPro World XI 5th team: 2014{{cite web |url=https://www.fifpro.org/news/fifa-fifpro-world-xi-the-reserve-teams/en/ |title=FIFA FIFPro World XI: the reserve teams – FIFPro World Players' Union |publisher=FIFPro |date=15 January 2015 |access-date=1 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414193942/https://fifpro.org/news/fifa-fifpro-world-xi-the-reserve-teams/en/ |archive-date=14 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}

Orders

• Prince of Asturias Awards: 2010{{Cite web|url=https://www.fpa.es/en/area-of-communication-and-media/other-news/the-spanish-national-football-squad-2010-prince-of-asturias-award-for-sports.html?idCategoria=14&especifica=0|title=The Spanish National Football Squad, 2010 Prince of Asturias Award for Sports - Other News - Area of Communication and Media|first=Developed with webControl CMS by Intermark|last=IT|website=The Princess of Asturias Foundation}}
• Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit: 2011[http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20111005/futbol/seleccion-espanola/las-campeones-del-mundo-de-futbol-ya-tienen-la-real-orden-del-merito-deportivo_54226408413.html Royal Order of Sporting Merit 2011], mundodeportivo.com, accessed 19 December 2011.

• List of footballers with 100 or more UEFA Champions League appearances
• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps

:{{note|a}}Records began at the start of the 2006–07 season.

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{Official website}}
• [https://www.arsenal.com/historic/players/cesc-fabregas Profile] at the Arsenal F.C. website
• {{BDFutbol}}
• [http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j10217.html?cat=SEL National team data] at BDFutbol
• {{Soccerbase}}
• {{NFT player}}
• {{FIFA player}}
• {{UEFA player}}
• {{LFP Ligue 1|francesc-fabregas-soler}}

{{Como 1907 squad}}

{{Serie A managers}}

{{Navboxes

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{{Spain squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}

{{Spain squad UEFA Euro 2008}}

{{Spain squad 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup}}

{{Spain squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}

{{Spain squad UEFA Euro 2012}}

{{Spain squad 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup}}

{{Spain squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}

{{Spain squad UEFA Euro 2016}}

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{{Navboxes

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{{FIFA U-17 World Cup awards}}

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{{PFA Young Player of the Year}}

{{Arsenal F.C. Player of the Year}}

{{2006 UEFA Team of the Year}}

{{2008 UEFA Team of the Year}}

{{2007–08 Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}

{{2009–10 Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}

{{UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament}}

{{UEFA Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament}}

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{{Como 1907 managers}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fabregas, Cesc}}

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Maresme

Category:Footballers from the Province of Barcelona

Category:Spanish men's footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:CE Mataró players

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Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players

Category:UEFA Euro 2008 players

Category:2009 FIFA Confederations Cup players

Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players

Category:UEFA Euro 2012 players

Category:2013 FIFA Confederations Cup players

Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players

Category:UEFA Euro 2016 players

Category:FIFA World Cup–winning players

Category:UEFA European Championship–winning players

Category:FIFA Men's Century Club

Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers

Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Monaco

Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Italy

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Monaco

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy

Category:Golden Boy winners

Category:Spanish football managers

Category:Como 1907 managers

Category:Como 1907 non-playing staff

Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen