Cristian Medina
{{short description|Argentine footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Cristian Medina
| image =
| caption =
| fullname = Cristian Nicolás Medina
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2002|6|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = Moreno, Argentina
| height = 1.78 m{{cite news|title=Cristian Medina|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/cristian-medina_4/|accessdate=15 February 2021|work=World Football}}
| position = Central midfielder
| currentclub = Estudiantes (LP)
| clubnumber = 21
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Rayo de Malaver
| youthyears2 = 2012–2020
| youthclubs2 = Boca Juniors
| years1 = 2020–2024
| clubs1 = Boca Juniors
| caps1 = 115
| goals1 = 8
| years2 = 2024–
| clubs2 = Estudiantes (LP)
| caps2 = 1
| goals2 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2017
| nationalteam1 = Argentina U15
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2018–2019
| nationalteam2 = Argentina U17
| nationalcaps2 = 13
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 2023–
| nationalteam3 = Argentina U23
| nationalcaps3 = 10
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2024–
| nationalteam4 = Argentina Olympic Team
| nationalcaps4 = 4
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| club-update = 19:12, 3 February 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 8 September 2024
| medaltemplates =
}}
Cristian Nicolás Medina (born 1 June 2002) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Estudiantes.[https://www.elonce.com/deportes/cristian-medina-se-va-de-boca-y-se-confirmo-que-jugara-en-estudiantes-de-la-plata.htm Cristian Medina se va de Boca: se confirmó que jugará en Estudiantes de La Plata] on El Once, 28 Dec 2024[https://www.pagina12.com.ar/793249-cristian-medina-se-va-de-boca-un-grupo-empresario-pago-su-cl Cristian Medina se va de Boca] on Página12, 27 Dec 2024
Medina had previously played for Boca Juniors.{{cite news|title=Argentina - C. Medina|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/cristian-medina/576935/|accessdate=15 February 2021|work=Soccerway}}
Club career
= Boca Juniors =
In 2012, he was chosen for a player trial at the Social and Sports Club El Fortín in Moreno at the age of 10. He joined Boca Juniors to become a member of the club's junior divisions, under the leadership of Diego Mazzilli and Hugo Perotti.{{cite web |date=12 June 2018 |title="My dream is to win the championship" |url=https://www.ole.com.ar/equipos/boca/boca-medina-inferiores_0_SJ1FNO2lQ.html |accessdate=August 21, 2020 |publisher=Diario Olé}} In 2013, Medina was already training with his division, where he discovered his position as a midfielder, although he also played as a forward and attacking midfielder.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-22 |title=Who is Cristian Medina, Boca’s gem who debuted as a starter against Newell's and already has a rabona goal... against River |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportes/futbol/boca-cristian-medina-riquelme-newells-nid2609938/ |accessdate=2022-11-28 |website=LA NACION |language=es}}
He debuted for Boca Juniors' first squad on February 14, 2021, against Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata.{{Cite web |last=Luciano |first=Torres Toranzo |title=Cristian Medina made his absolute debut – Diario Xeneize |url=https://diarioxeneize.com/cristian-medina-tuvo-su-debut-absoluto/ |accessdate=2022-10-22 |language=es}} In April of the same year, he scored his first goal for Xeneize against Club Atlético Tucumán, assisted by Carlos Tévez. Boca won the match 3–1.{{Cite web |last=Olé |date=2021-04-17 |title=Medina's first goal |url=https://www.ole.com.ar/boca-juniors/medina-primer-gol-boca_0_pNnWeMfOo.html |accessdate=2022-10-22 |website=www.ole.com.ar |language=es}} In that year, he joined Agustín Almendra and Alan Varela in the starting midfield, nicknamed MVA by supporters.{{Cite web |title=MVA: From promising at Boca to losing prominence: what happened with Medina, Varela, and Almendra - TyC Sports |url=https://www.tycsports.com/boca-juniors/boca-la-mva-de-ilusionar-a-perder-protagonismo-que-paso-medina-varela-y-almendra-id415828.html |accessdate=2022-10-22 |website=www.tycsports.com}}{{Cite web |last=Schnaiderman |first=Damián |date=2021-11-24 |title=When was the last time Medina, Varela, and Almendra played together? - Planeta Boca Juniors |url=https://planetabocajuniors.com.ar/cuando-fue-la-ultima-vez-que-medina-varela-y-almendra-jugaron-juntos/ |accessdate=2022-10-22 |language=es}}
In October 2022, Medina renewed and improved his contract with Boca until December 2026.{{Cite web |last=Scandolo |first=Ramiro |date=2022-10-08 |title=Boca renewed the contract of one of its gems, making it five renewals... |url=https://www.ole.com.ar/boca-juniors/boca-renovacion-contrato-medina_0_Y8IKwqoPye.html |accessdate=2022-10-22 |website=www.ole.com.ar |language=es}} That same month, he won his fourth title, the 2022 Argentine Primera División championship.{{Cite web |last=Migliavacca |first=Nicolás |date=2022-10-24 |title=The contribution of the youngsters in Boca's championship |url=https://www.ole.com.ar/boca-juniors/boca-campeon-pibes-vuelta-olimpica_0_5vYjsGjsQA.html |accessdate=2022-10-25 |website=www.ole.com.ar |language=es}} He finished 2023 with five goals and four assists in 50 games played. On February 25, 2024, he scored his first goal in the Argentine football Superclásico against River Plate, resulting in a 1–1 draw at Estadio Monumental.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-25 |title=Incisive run by Lautaro Blanco and finish by Cristian Medina: Boca's goal that sealed the draw in the Superclásico |url=https://www.infobae.com/deportes/2024/02/25/desborde-incisivo-de-lautaro-blanco-y-definicion-de-cristian-medina-el-gol-de-boca-que-sello-el-empate-en-el-superclasico/ |accessdate=2024-02-26 |website=infobae |language=es-ES}}{{Cite web |last=Clarín |first=Redacción |date=2024-02-25 |title=Medina's goal for Boca to equalize the Superclásico against River at the Monumental |url=https://www.clarin.com/deportes/gol-medina-boca-empatara-superclasico-river-monumental_0_P11n0du6VM.html |accessdate=2024-02-26 |website=Clarín |language=es}} In August of that year, he scored a last-minute header to earn a draw with Independiente de Mendoza.{{Cite web |last=mdzol.com |title=Boca rescued a draw at the end against Independiente Rivadavia in Mendoza |url=https://www.mdzol.com/deportes/2024/8/10/boca-rescato-un-empate-sobre-el-final-ante-independiente-rivadavia-en-mendoza-450153.html |accessdate=2024-08-10 |website=MdzOnline |language=spanish}}
International career
Medina was part of Argentina's U15 squad that won the 2017 South American Championship under manager Diego Placente on home soil, as they defeated Brazil in the final.{{cite news |date=10 October 2020 |title=El crack del gol de rabona a River por el que apuesta Boca |url=https://www.ole.com.ar/boca-juniors/cristian-medina-suplente-campuzano_0_kAyEJDSdZ.html |accessdate=15 February 2021 |work=Olé}}{{cite news|title=¿El nuevo Gago? Una joya de las inferiores de Boca que deslumbró a Russo|url=https://elintransigente.com/2020/10/el-nuevo-gago-una-joya-de-las-inferiores-de-boca-que-deslumbro-a-russo/|accessdate=15 February 2021|work=El Intransigente|date=8 October 2020|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427131517/https://elintransigente.com/2020/10/el-nuevo-gago-una-joya-de-las-inferiores-de-boca-que-deslumbro-a-russo/|url-status=dead}} Two years later, Medina was selected by Pablo Aimar's U17s for the 2019 South American Championship in Peru and the 2019 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.{{cite news|title=Cristian Medina, el volante "estilo Gago" que promoverá Boca|url=https://www.elancasti.com.ar/deportes/2020/10/8/cristian-medina-el-volante-estilo-gago-que-promovera-boca-446527.html|accessdate=15 February 2021|work=El Ancasti|date=8 October 2020}}{{cite news|title=Cristian Medina y Exequiel Zeballos: ¿quiénes son las joyas que debutarían en Boca frente a Lanús?|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportes/futbol/boca-cristian-medina-exequiel-zeballos-quienes-son-joyas-nid2513846|accessdate=15 February 2021|work=La Nación|date=19 November 2020}} He scored once, versus Paraguay, in seven matches as they won the former competition, prior to featuring three times at the latter; as they reached the round of sixteen.
Style of play
Medina is primarily a central midfielder, though is capable of playing in various positions across the midfield.{{cite news|title=Boca: Miguel Russo anotó a dos juveniles a los que seguirá muy de cerca|url=https://www.clarin.com/deportes/boca-miguel-russo-anoto-juveniles-seguira-cerca_0_VCsDc6JTF.html|accessdate=15 February 2021|work=Clarín|date=8 October 2020}}{{cite news|title=Boca promoverá nueve "pibes" en la vuelta a las prácticas|url=https://www.catamarcactual.com.ar/deportes/2020/8/7/boca-promovera-nueve-pibes-en-la-vuelta-las-practicas-204067.html|accessdate=15 February 2021|work=Catamarca Actual|date=7 August 2020}} He was dubbed the next Fernando Gago by some Argentine media.{{cite news|title=¿El nuevo Gago? Boca pone todas sus fichas en un juvenil de 18 años|url=https://www.eldestapeweb.com/deportes/futbol/-el-nuevo-gago-cristian-medina-el-juvenil-en-el-que-boca-pone-todas-sus-fichas-20201089300|accessdate=15 February 2021|work=El Destape|date=8 October 2020}}{{cite news|title=Boca, con suplentes y el debut de dos joyitas de las Inferiores|url=https://lujan365.com.ar/contenido/16116/boca-con-suplentes-y-el-debut-de-dos-joyitas-de-las-inferiores|accessdate=15 February 2021|work=Lujan 365|date=18 November 2020}}
Career statistics
{{updated|29 June 2024}}.{{cite web |title=Cristian Nicolás Medina - Trayectoria y Biografía de Jugadores - Historia de Boca Juniors |url=https://www.historiadeboca.com.ar/jugadores/cristian-nicolas-medina/5062/1905/2024/6.html |website=www.historiadeboca.com.ar |access-date=7 April 2024 |language=es}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup{{efn|Includes Copa Argentina}} !colspan="2"|League Cup{{efn|Includes Copa de la Liga Profesional}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="5"|Boca Juniors
|2021 |rowspan="4"|Primera División |15 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 7Appearances in Copa Libertadores | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 39 | 1 | ||
| 2022
|18 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1{{efn|Includes Trofeo de Campeones de la Liga Profesional}} | 0 | 41 | 0 | |
| 2023
|23 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 1{{efn|Includes Supercopa Argentina}} | 0 | 50 | 5 | |
| 2024
|4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 4{{Efn|Appearances in the Copa Sudamericana}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 2 | |
| colspan="2"| Total
!60 | 3 | 14 | 1 | 46 | 4 | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 149 | 8 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!60 | 3 | 14 | 1 | 46 | 4 | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 149 | 8 |
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Boca Juniors
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|cristian-medina/576935}}
- {{Olympics.com profile|cristian-medina}}
- [https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/cristian-medina_1930426 Cristian Medina] at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics
{{Estudiantes de La Plata squad}}
{{Argentina men's football squad 2024 Summer Olympics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Medina, Cristian}}
Category:Footballers from Moreno Partido
Category:Argentine men's footballers
Category:Argentina men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Argentine Primera División players
Category:Afro-Argentine sportspeople
Category:Boca Juniors footballers
Category:Estudiantes de La Plata footballers
Category:Footballers at the 2024 Summer Olympics