Clubs: CA Newell's Old Boys, Real Racing Club, Real Madrid CF 

• Born in Rosario, he started out with local club Newell's Old Boys, making his senior debut at 18 and scoring his first goal in the local derby against CA Rosario Central.

• A member of Argentina's 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup-winning squad in the Netherlands, he returned to Europe at the end of that year, joining Racing.

• Was Racing's second highest scorer – behind Nikola Žigić – in 2006/07, with nine goals, seven of them penalties, as the club finished tenth in the top flight.

• Sold to Madrid at the end of an injury-curtailed 2007/08 campaign, he returned to Racing on a season-long loan before completing the move to the Bernabéu in 2009.

• Started as third-choice centre-back at Madrid, behind Raúl Albiol and Pepe, before the latter's long-term injury afforded him regular playing time; scored his first goal in a 3-2 away win against Valencia CF on 12 December 2009.

• Suffered a dislocated right kneecap during a pre-season friendly against FC Bayern München, meaning his first outing − as a late substitute − of 2010/11 did not come until UEFA Champions League Matchday 6.