Chilean · Santiago, Chile · Born 3 August 1987Fearless and fiercely competitive Chilean midfielder-defender nicknamed 'El Pitbull' for his combative style and unyielding intensity.
Gary Alexis Medel Cornejo was born in Santiago, Chile on 3 August 1987. Nicknamed 'El Pitbull' for his aggressive pressing and tenacious defending, Medel is one of Chile's most versatile and combative players. He began at Universidad de Chile and then Boca Juniors, before moving to Sevilla in 2011 where he won the Europa League in 2014. He joined Cardiff City briefly before a move to Internazionale in 2014, where he spent four seasons. Later spells included Besiktas and Bologna. Medel was a key part of Chile's Copa América-winning squads in 2015 and 2016, contributing defensively and in midfield throughout the campaign. His most notorious moment internationally was his red card alongside Argentina's Lionel Messi in the Copa América 2019 third-place play-off after a confrontation between the two players. He earned over 130 caps for Chile.
Captaining Chile to back-to-back Copa América victories
His simultaneous red card with Lionel Messi during the 2019 Copa América third-place match — both players sent off for a chest-to-chest confrontation — became one of the tournament's most talked-about moments.
Did You Know?How They Played
Aggressive ball-winning midfielder with strong tackling and leadership qualities
Lasting Impact
One of Chile's greatest defensive midfielders and most capped players
Career Honours
- Copa América 2015, 2016
- Europa League 2014
- Copa América 2015
- Copa América 2016
- UEFA Europa League 2014
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universidad de Chile | 2007–2009 | — | 130 | 5 | #21 |
| Besiktas | 2017–2019 | — | 130 | 28 | #6 |
| Cardiff City | 2013–2014 | — | 89 | 22 | #6 |
| Inter Milan | 2014–2017 | €15m | 97 | 3 | — |
| Sevilla | 2017–2019 | €10m | 68 | 2 | — |
| Vasco da Gama | 2023–2024 | — | 47 | 2 | — |
| Boca Juniors | 2009–2011 | — | 71 | 4 | — |
| Bologna | 2019–2023 | — | 131 | 11 | #6 |
 Chile | — | — | 149 | 17 | — |
Chilean Athletes