José María Gutiérrez Hernández aka Guti played his last match at the Bernabeu as a Merengue today.
He spent his entire career in that club training in its famed cantera and entering the senior squad in 1995 after the halycon days of the legendary Quinta del Buitre were over. Only Manolo Sanchis remained, a reminder of the glorious 80s decade for the Madrid club.
Guti appeared in 385 matches, scored 45 goals, and his career spanned 15 years. With Real he won three Champions League and five La Liga titles. But all those years and appearances were spent in constant invention as the club sought to supplant him with the roles of their departed ranks.
Initially brought up as a striker though the youth ranks he was through neccessity transformed into an attacking midfielder to fill up the lacuna created by Martin Vasquez and then later on Clarence Seedorf. With Fernando Morientes sidelined with injuries, Guti returned to his striker roots and had a very productive 2001 season. He returned to midfield duties when Ronaldo came to Real in 2002 and his scoring productivity suffered as a result.
By that time Zinedine Zidane had arrived to take over as creative midfielder which meant that Guti was relegated to an understudy. He had a brief recovery after Zidane retired in 2006 and took over the midfield duties. It was a brilliant but brief cameo for the understated Guti as he proved himself adept at the short passing game.
However in the past, his future came under a cloud as Ramon Calderon targeted Kaka for his next purchase. He kept playing an influential role in midfield as the Brazilian’s arrival at the Bernabeu dragged. But the writing was very much on the wall as Kaka finally arrived in 2009. It led to tensions between Guti and new coach Manuel Pellegrini but once again Guti played a major part in this year’s Liga run as Kaka was stricken with a groin injury.
Guti would have been an starter in any other club and those glimpses of brilliant talent brought to fruition but it was never enough for a club constantly looking past him. With Real, Guti kept re-inventing himself to remain relevant and it it is testimony to his versatility that he did it successfully. He is moving to Galtasaray, a club that has seen its share of aging and still viable stars who have found success. The Turkish club managed by Frank Rijkaard has offered him a two year deal with a transfer offer that is supposedly too good for Real to pass up.
Here is to Guti, the ultimate survivor!