The Man Behind the Nickname ‘Dave’: César Azpilicueta’s World

Cesar Azpilicueta is not just known for his talent on the pitch but also for the remarkable character he displays off it. He has built a reputation as a player who is not only skilful but also a great leader, earning respect from teammates and opponents alike. His journey in football began at a young age when he chose to carve his own path away from his family’s traditional bullfighting legacy.

César Azpilicueta: The Man Behind the Nickname ‘Dave’ at Chelsea

Leadership and Loyalty: The Background of Cesar Azpilicueta

Throughout his career, Azpilicueta has shown incredible versatility, having played in nearly every position on the field before finding his place as a right-back. His adaptability and willingness to put the team first have made him a beloved figure at Chelsea, where his teammates’ fondness for him led to his nickname ‘Dave.’ His teammates at Chelsea affectionately call him ‘Dave,’ a testament to his approachability and team spirit.

From his childhood aspirations to becoming a professional footballer, this biography will explore the key moments and influences that have shaped Azpilicueta into the leader he is today.

Cesar Azpilicueta Childhood Story – Early Life and Background:

For Biography starters, Azpilicueta Tanco was born on the 28th day of August 1989 in Pamplona, Spain. The Chelsea Legend shares the same birthplace with Iñaki Williams and Mikel Merino. He was born to Mr and Mrs Azpilicueta Tanco, under the Virgo zodiac sign.

César Azpilicueta’s journey into the world of football began thanks to his older brother, Juan Pablo Azpilicueta, who is nine years his senior. Growing up in Pamplona, Spain, César was introduced to the sport at a young age, and it didn’t take long for him to develop a passion for it.

Career Story:

He became a product of the youth system at his hometown club, CA Osasuna, where he initially started his career as a forward. However, as he progressed, César made the transition to midfield, showcasing his versatility and tactical awareness on the pitch. This early experience in the youth ranks laid a solid foundation for his future career, as he learned the importance of teamwork and dedication.

This is young Cesar Azpilicueta in his early career years.

This is young Cesar Azpilicueta in his early career years.

Road to Fame:

During the 2007–2008 season, César Azpilicueta took advantage of an opportunity when injuries affected the main squad. He stepped up and became a regular starter for the first team, marking the beginning of his rise to fame in professional football. This chance allowed him to showcase his talent and dedication, earning him recognition as a key player.

He went on to service the left-back the following season, which led to a move to Marseille in 2010. In Marseille, he got a world record as the only player to have played as an Attacker, winger, central/defensive midfielder & right/central/left-back. This was when he redeemed himself as a complete player.

A rare photo of Cesar Azpilicueta before he joined Chelsea.

A rare photo of Cesar Azpilicueta before he joined Chelsea.

In August 2012, as speculation grew about interest from various clubs, including Premier League giants Chelsea, Marseille announced that César Azpilicueta was free to leave if a fair offer came in. The club announced, “We will allow Azpi [Azpilicueta] to leave if Chelsea makes a reasonable offer.”

Although Azpilicueta had a strong sense of loyalty to Marseille, he expressed his willingness to move if it would benefit the club’s financial situation. His transfer to Chelsea ultimately provided much-needed relief to Marseille’s finances. From that point on, Azpilicueta’s career took off, leading to numerous achievements that have become a significant part of football history.

Who is Adriana Azpilicueta? Cesar Azpilicueta’s Wife:

First and foremost, Cesar Azpilicueta is a good man like N’Golo Kanté. His on-field gentle personality reflects his personal life. He is someone every lady would deserve to have as a lover for life.

As far as his relationship life is concerned, Cesar has been taken by a lady who would never let go of him, all thanks to his good personality.

César Azpilicueta is happily married to his childhood sweetheart, Adriana Azpilicueta. The couple (Adriana and Dave) tied the knot in June 2015 in their hometown of Pamplona, Spain. Their relationship has been a testament to their enduring love, growing together since their early years and supporting each other throughout César’s football career.

Adriana and Cesar Azpilicueta together with their kids.

Adriana and Cesar Azpilicueta together with their kids.

They have a child together, born in March 2014. Adriana keeps her life very private. On a personal note, Adriana, most times, battles with her husband concerning his over-loyalty to the Chelsea football club, even on holidays.

Cesar Azpilicueta puts it…,

“I love the good qualities of his wife. Again, I also accept her flaws. I don’t make my wife feel guilty for having the flaws she has. And I always accept responsibility for my mistakes and don’t seek to look for who to blame.”

Cesar Azpilicueta Family Life:

Azpilicueta’s older brother, Juan Pablo Azpilicueta Tanco (born 1980), was also a footballer. A midfielder, he competed exclusively in Spanish lower-league football. He is being credited for his little brother’s involvement in football.

Meet Cesar's brother - Juan Pablo Azpilicueta Tanco.

Meet Cesar’s brother – Juan Pablo Azpilicueta Tanco.

Azpilicueta’s father and mother live in Pamplona, Spain. Both parents are away from the media and enjoy a wonderful life in their Spanish bull city.

Cesar Azpilicueta Family Origin:

Similar to Oihan Sancet, Azpilicueta is from a Spanish city that is famous worldwide for the running of bulls. In their legendary multi-day festival, bulls are led through the city streets by daredevil runners. It is very exciting for viewers to watch and participate in the dangerous festivals.

As Cesar Azpilicueta puts it…

“I have watched the bulls running, but I have never taken part. I don’t think I ever would have done, even if I wasn’t a footballer. But my ex-team-mates, a lot of them, did it.

In the town, many people trained throughout the year to prepare for the bull runs. Everyone has their own passion, and for me, it was the desire to stay fit for football.” 

Cesar Azpilicueta Bio – Reason behind Nickname:

The ex-Chelsea Legendary Leader once said his Chelsea teammates gave up trying to pronounce his name correctly – preferring instead to call him ‘Dave’.

“César’s not even that hard,” he said with a chuckle. “People don’t actually call me that, though. But I guess Azpilicueta can be tricky for some. Since my name was hard for others to pronounce, they started calling me Dave, and it just stuck. It’s a name I’ve grown fond of.”

Guide to Spelling His Name:

Azpilicueta once created a simple guide to help English fans pronounce his name correctly after they expressed confusion. To make it easier for his supporters, he went the extra mile to explain how to say his surname. In his guide, he broke it down into three manageable parts: “Ath-pilly-kwta.” Easy enough, right?

Cesar Azpilicueta Car:

Azpilicueta drives a white Mercedes GLS costing around £70,000. He currently earns £100,000 a week and can buy 4 of these cars in a month.

The Role of Mata:

It wasn’t easy learning about life in England when Cesar arrived from France. However, one man made it easy for him. He is not Eden Hazard, but none than his countryman, Juan Mata, who regularly takes him to a London tour guide.

Azpilicueta told The Guardian. “Juan knows every nook and cranny in South-West London.”

Displacing Left Backs:

After José Mourinho took over as manager, Azpilicueta became a regular fixture player in the starting lineup, primarily playing as a left-back and stepping into the role previously held by Ashley Cole. His impressive performances contributed to Cole’s eventual departure from Chelsea.

Mourinho once praised Azpilicueta, stating, “He is the kind of player I like a lot. A team made up of 11 Azpilicuetas would likely win the Champions League because football isn’t just about pure talent.” Antonio Conte also recognized Azpilicueta’s versatility by deploying him as a left-back during his tenure at Chelsea.

Cesar Azpilicueta Bio – Achievement:

Azpilicueta was once voted the 2013/2014 club’s Player’s Player of the Year. Surprisingly, he played every single minute of every game for Chelsea in the 2016/2017 season.

He has an outstanding record, as seen in the statistics below: All Hail, Dave!

Zodiac Trait:

Upon research, we noticed that Azpilicueta is a Virgo, sharing the same zodiac with Kiernan Dresbury-Hall and Sam Kerr. Please find the facts about his personality below.

Cesar Azpilicueta’s Strengths: Loyal, analytical, kind, hardworking, and practical. He is a role model to younger Spanish players in the Premier League.

Especially the likes of Marc Cucurella and Pablo Fornals, who broke grounds in the league.

Azpilicueta’s Weaknesses: Shyness, worry, overly critical of self and others, all work and no play.

What Cesar Azpilicueta Likes: Animals, healthy food, books, nature, and cleanliness.

Cesar Azpilicueta’s Dislikes: Rudeness, asking for help, taking centre stage.

Fact Check:

Thanks for reading Cesar Azpilicueta’s Biography and Untold Childhood Story. We strive for accuracy and fairness in delivering the Biography of Spanish Footballers.

Please stay tuned for more Stories of Blues Football Legends. Surely, the history of Conor Gallagher and Julian Alvarez will excite you. If you see something that doesn’t look right in this article, please leave a comment or contact us!

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