1. Overview
Alejandro César Alonso (born March 3, 1982) is a former Argentine professional footballer who primarily played as a midfielder. Born in Buenos Aires, Alonso began his career with Club Atlético Huracán in his native Argentina before moving to Europe. He spent the majority of his professional career in France, playing for FC Girondins de Bordeaux, AS Monaco, and AS Saint-Étienne until his retirement. Alonso achieved success during his time in France, notably winning the Coupe de la Ligue with both Bordeaux and Saint-Étienne.
2. Early life and background
Alejandro César Alonso was born on March 3, 1982, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He holds both Argentine and Spanish nationality. Standing at 67 in (170 cm), he weighed around 150 lb (68 kg) during his playing career. Prior to turning professional, Alonso developed his skills within the youth system of Club Atlético Huracán.
3. Club career
Alonso's professional career began in Argentina, then saw him move to France, where he played for three different clubs.
3.1. Club Atlético Huracán
Alejandro César Alonso made his professional debut with Club Atlético Huracán in Argentina in 2001. He remained with the club until 2005, making 34 appearances and scoring 5 goals during his tenure.
3.2. FC Girondins de Bordeaux
In 2005, Alonso moved to Europe, signing a four-year contract with French club FC Girondins de Bordeaux. He was brought in with high expectations, particularly as a replacement for Julien Faubert, who was sidelined due to injury at the time. Alonso performed well during his three seasons at Bordeaux, making 83 league appearances and scoring 4 goals. His contributions helped the team secure the Coupe de la Ligue title in the 2006-07 season.
3.3. AS Monaco
In June 2008, Alonso transferred from Bordeaux to AS Monaco, signing a three-year deal. At Monaco, he formed a notable partnership with South Korean forward Park Ji-Sung, displaying strong synergy on the field. His consistent performances led him to be handed the captain's armband for the team. However, Alonso experienced a decline in form during the 2009-10 season, which resulted in reduced playing time. He played 48 matches and scored 5 goals for AS Monaco during his spell.
3.4. AS Saint-Étienne
Alonso's time at AS Monaco concluded in January 2011 when he transferred to AS Saint-Étienne, signing a two-year deal with the club. He continued to play as a midfielder for Saint-Étienne until February 2013, making 29 appearances and scoring 1 goal. His final professional club, AS Saint-Étienne, went on to win the Coupe de la Ligue in the 2012-13 season, with Alonso being part of the squad that achieved this success.
4. Retirement
Alejandro César Alonso concluded his professional football career after his contract with AS Saint-Étienne ended in February 2013. Information from May 2013 indicates he was unattached to any club, marking the effective end of his playing days.
5. Honours
Alejandro César Alonso achieved the following club titles during his professional career:
| Club | Competition | Season |
|---|---|---|
| FC Girondins de Bordeaux | Coupe de la Ligue | 2006-07 |
| AS Saint-Étienne | Coupe de la Ligue | 2012-13 |