Cristian Gonzalez

Cristian Alberto Gonzalez Peret, more widely known as “Kily Gonzalez”, is a professional football player from Argentina. Kily began playing as a midfielder and soon drifted out to the left wing, making his name as a left winger for the best part of his career. Kily began his playing career at Rosario Central in 1993 and was part of the side for three seasons. He became a regular fixture in the side after his first season and played over 50 games in two years, scoring 7 goals.

He moved to giants Boca Juniors in 1995 and that was the first stepping stone on his way to Spain. His year at Boca was so impressive, Spanish side Real Zaragoza jumped in to get him before a new season began in 1996. He played with Zaragoza for fours seasons and had just under 100 games to his name along with 15 goals. He then moved to Valencia CF in 1999, a move that would see Kily partner with the likes of Gaizka Mendieta, Pablo Aimar, Roberto Ayala and Santiago Canizares to create one of the best teams in Europe.

With Valencia, Kily was unstoppable as they made their way to the Spanish La Liga title in 2001-02, after beating Real Madrid in the run-up to the trophy. The following year, they reached the finals of the Champions League only to be beaten by fellow Spaniards Real Madrid. Kily and Valencia made a second appearance, in the finals of the most famous competition in the world, the very next year, but this time it was the German resilience of Bayern Munich that held them back in a penalty shoot-out.

In 2003-04, Kily Gonzalez and Valencia won their second La Liga title in three seasons, again beating Real Madrid to it. However, this was the last time that Kily would play for the side. Along with coach Hector Cuper, Kily decided to move to Italy, and to Internazionale Milano, where he joined a star studded lineup of players with the likes of Adriano and Dejan Stankovic.

In 2005-06, Kily Gonzalez’s contract was not renewed by Inter who were now looking to let go of some players to make enough room for the stars that were lining up outside their door. So by mid-2006, Kily was moving back to Argentina, after just 51 appearances, and decided to join Rosario Central.

With Inter, Kily won the 2005-06 Scudetto as well as the 2005 Coppa Italia and the 2005 Italian Super Cup.

At the international level, Kily Gonzalez has represented his country 56 times and has scored 10 vital goals as well. He was part of the world cup squad in 2002 and was also a member of the Gold Medal winning Olympic team for Argentina, at Athens in 2004.

Kily decided to end his career at the club where he started his playing career as a youth star – Rosario Central.