Cristian Eduardo Zapata Valencia is a Colombian professional footballer. He currently plays for Serie A club Milan as a defender. A quick and physically powerful defender, known for his hard marking of opponents and strength in the air, he usually plays as a centre back. Although naturally right footed, he can also play as a full-back on either side of the pitch, as he is comfortable with both feet. A Colombian international since 2008, he has represented his nation at the 2011 and 2016 Copa América, and the 2014 FiFA World Cup. Udinese
Zapata was signed by Udinese on 31 August 2005 from Deportivo Cali, along with team-mate Abel Aguilar. On 18 September 2006, Zapata signed a new five-year contract. That season he started 35 Serie A games. In October 2007, Zapata along with Andrea Dossena, Roman Eremenko and Simone Pepe was awarded new contracts until June 2012. In June 2008, Zapata was injured and missed 6 months. In the 2009–10 season, Zapata usually played as central defender, partnered with Andrea Coda. Villarreal
After the 2010–11 season, Cristian Zapata claimed that many top European clubs were interested in signing him. On Wednesday 17 August 2011, in the 2011–12 season, Cristian Zapata made his debut against Udinese in a Champions League qualifier. Milan
In August 2012, Villarreal announced that Zapata has left the club to join Milan on a season-long loan. In January 2015, Zapata suffered an injury keeping him sidelined for two months. Upon recovery, he featured as an unused substitute. On 5 February 2017, Zapata was named as captain in his first league game of the season, a 0-1 home defeat against Sampdoria, due to the absence of team captain Riccardo Montolivo and third captain Mattia De Sciglio because of injuries. Vice-captain ignazio Abate later appeared in the game as a substitute with Zapata keeping the captain's armband. On 15 April 2017, Zapata scored an equalizer in the Milan derby against inter Milan at the 97th minute. The match resulted in a 2-2 draw. It was also the first Milan game under the ownership of Rossoneri Sport investment, headed by Li Yonghong. On 17 April 2018 he was confirmed to be vice-captain instead of Giacomo Bonaventura as he kept the armband during the game against S.S.C. Napoli, where captain Leonardo Bonucci was unavailable and Giacomo Bonaventura was playing, he celebrated this news with an outstanding performance with his former Villarreal CF teammate Mateo Musacchio. International career
Zapata was a member of Colombian U-20 team that won the 2005 South American Youth Championship and the team that played at 2005 FiFA World Youth Championship, who lost to Argentina in the round of 16. Zapata was unavailable in the first 2014 FiFA World Cup qualification match. In the 2014 FiFA World Cup qualification match, Zapata finally got his first spot chance since under new coach Jose Pekerman against South American leaders Argentina. In June 2018 he was named in Colombia's 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. |
