# Gabriel Milito

**Gabriel Alejandro Milito** (born 1980 in Bernal, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina) is an Argentine football manager and former player who played as a central defender for Independiente, Real Zaragoza, and [FC Barcelona](https://www.edgepedia.org/fc-barcelona), and who is currently the manager of [Guadalajara](https://www.edgepedia.org/guadalajara) (Chivas) in Mexico's Liga MX.<sup>[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3585009/bio/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.transfermarkt.us/gabriel-milito/profil/trainer/39953)</sup> He is the brother of [Diego Milito](https://www.edgepedia.org/diego-milito), the former Inter Milan and Racing striker who now serves as president of Racing Club.<sup>[3](https://as.com/us/us/2019/08/30/futbol/1567183492_979916.html)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.transfermarkt.us/gabriel-milito/profil/trainer/39953)</sup>

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1980, Bernal, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina<sup>[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3585009/bio/)</sup> |
| Playing position | Central defender, also able to play at left back<sup>[3](https://as.com/us/us/2019/08/30/futbol/1567183492_979916.html)</sup> |
| Clubs | Independiente (1997–2003, 2011–12), Real Zaragoza (2003–2007), FC Barcelona (2007–2011); 421 games and 11 goals in total<sup>[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3585009/bio/)</sup> |
| Argentina | 42 caps and 1 goal between 2000 and 2011; played at the 2006 World Cup<sup>[4](https://once-onze.narod.ru/ARGENTINA/M/Mi/Milito_Gabriel_Alejandro.pdf)</sup> |
| Major playing honors | UEFA Champions League (2009, 2011), Spanish League (2009, 2010, 2011), Copa del Rey (2009), FIFA Club World Cup (2009), Argentine League with Independiente (2002)<sup>[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3585009/bio/)</sup> |
| Defining injury | Right-knee ligament damage in May 2008, roughly six months out, causing him to miss the entire 2008/09 treble season<sup>[5](https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01cd-0e6f5d27fc21-9ff2141383fd-1000--barcelona-s-milito-faces-lengthy-lay-off/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[6](https://www.footylogos.com/careers/gabriel-milito)</sup> |
| Managerial highlight | 2024 Campeonato Mineiro with Atlético Mineiro, his first coaching title; his longest managerial spell was a career-long 135 matches with Argentinos Juniors<sup>[7](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/gaby-milito-el-tecnico-milagro-de-america-gusta-en-espana-n/)</sup> |
| Current role | Manager of Chivas de Guadalajara, appointed 26 May 2025 on a contract to 30 June 2027<sup>[2](https://www.transfermarkt.us/gabriel-milito/profil/trainer/39953)</sup> |

## Playing career

**Independiente.** Milito began his professional career at Club Atlético Independiente of Avellaneda in 1997, at age 17, after coming through the club's youth system.<sup>[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3585009/bio/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[3](https://as.com/us/us/2019/08/30/futbol/1567183492_979916.html)</sup> Over six seasons he made more than 170 appearances, became captain, and won the Argentine league title in 2002, the year he was named Argentina's Best Player.<sup>[3](https://as.com/us/us/2019/08/30/futbol/1567183492_979916.html)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[8](https://players.fcbarcelona.com/en/player/554-milito-gabriel-alejandro-gaby-milito)</sup> He is regarded as one of the defining figures of Independiente's recent history, alongside [Sergio Agüero](https://www.edgepedia.org/sergio-aguero).<sup>[9](https://www.tiempoar.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1637-1.pdf)</sup>

**Real Zaragoza.** In 2003 Milito moved to Spain, joining [Real Zaragoza](https://www.edgepedia.org/real-zaragoza), where he played four seasons and 139 league matches, scoring 5 goals.<sup>[4](https://once-onze.narod.ru/ARGENTINA/M/Mi/Milito_Gabriel_Alejandro.pdf)</sup> He won a [Copa del Rey](https://www.edgepedia.org/copa-del-rey) and a [Supercopa de España](https://www.edgepedia.org/supercopa-de-espana) with the club.<sup>[3](https://as.com/us/us/2019/08/30/futbol/1567183492_979916.html)</sup>

**FC Barcelona.** Milito signed for Barcelona in 2007 and became a regular under coach [Frank Rijkaard](https://www.edgepedia.org/frank-rijkaard), appearing in 27 Primera División matches in his first season.<sup>[6](https://www.footylogos.com/careers/gabriel-milito)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[5](https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01cd-0e6f5d27fc21-9ff2141383fd-1000--barcelona-s-milito-faces-lengthy-lay-off/)</sup> In May 2008, after featuring in both legs of the Champions League semi-final defeat by Manchester United, tests revealed ligament damage to his right knee; he underwent surgery and was ruled out for around six months, missing the rest of the 2007/08 campaign and the opening stages of 2008/09.<sup>[5](https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01cd-0e6f5d27fc21-9ff2141383fd-1000--barcelona-s-milito-faces-lengthy-lay-off/)</sup> The injury kept him out of the entire 2008/09 season, in which Barcelona won the league, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.<sup>[6](https://www.footylogos.com/careers/gabriel-milito)</sup> He returned for limited duty, making 11 league appearances in 2009/10 and 10 in 2010/11, and collected league titles in 2009, 2010, and 2011, two Champions League titles, two Spanish Cups of Super competition (Supercopa, 2009 and 2010), the [UEFA Super Cup](https://www.edgepedia.org/uefa-super-cup) (2009), and the [FIFA Club World Cup](https://www.edgepedia.org/fifa-club-world-cup) (2009).<sup>[4](https://once-onze.narod.ru/ARGENTINA/M/Mi/Milito_Gabriel_Alejandro.pdf)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3585009/bio/)</sup>

**Return and retirement.** Milito went back to Independiente for a final season in 2011/12, making 32 appearances, and retired on 1 July 2012.<sup>[4](https://once-onze.narod.ru/ARGENTINA/M/Mi/Milito_Gabriel_Alejandro.pdf)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[10](https://www.transfermarkt.com/gabriel-milito/stationen/trainer/39953)</sup> Across his career he totaled 421 games and 11 goals.<sup>[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3585009/bio/)</sup>

## Argentina

Milito was an Argentina international from 2000 to 2011, earning 42 caps and scoring 1 goal, and played at the 2006 World Cup.<sup>[4](https://once-onze.narod.ru/ARGENTINA/M/Mi/Milito_Gabriel_Alejandro.pdf)</sup> He was also part of the squad that reached the final of the 2005 [FIFA Confederations Cup](https://www.edgepedia.org/fifa-confederations-cup).<sup>[11](https://www.footylogos.com/es/careers/gabriel-milito)</sup> One Spanish source gives his cap count as 41; the season-by-season ledger cited above records 42.<sup>[7](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/gaby-milito-el-tecnico-milagro-de-america-gusta-en-espana-n/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[4](https://once-onze.narod.ru/ARGENTINA/M/Mi/Milito_Gabriel_Alejandro.pdf)</sup>

## Managerial career

After retiring, Milito prepared as a coach, starting with Independiente's reserve side before taking his first senior post at [Estudiantes de La Plata](https://www.edgepedia.org/estudiantes-de-la-plata) in April 2015.<sup>[12](https://www.infobae.com/deportes/2023/08/30/sorpresa-gabriel-milito-renuncio-como-entrenador-de-argentinos-juniors-a-pesar-de-que-tenia-contrato-hasta-2027/)</sup> His club posts since have been:

- **Estudiantes** (April–December 2015, and again March 2019–March 2020)<sup>[2](https://www.transfermarkt.us/gabriel-milito/profil/trainer/39953)</sup>
- **Independiente** (May–December 2016, 19 matches)<sup>[2](https://www.transfermarkt.us/gabriel-milito/profil/trainer/39953)</sup>
- **O'Higgins of Chile** (August 2017–June 2018, 29 matches), his only club post outside Argentina and Brazil before moving to Mexico<sup>[2](https://www.transfermarkt.us/gabriel-milito/profil/trainer/39953)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[3](https://as.com/us/us/2019/08/30/futbol/1567183492_979916.html)</sup>
- **Argentinos Juniors** (January 2021–August 2023, 135 matches)<sup>[2](https://www.transfermarkt.us/gabriel-milito/profil/trainer/39953)</sup>
- **Atlético Mineiro** (March–December 2024, 62 matches, 1.44 points per match)<sup>[2](https://www.transfermarkt.us/gabriel-milito/profil/trainer/39953)</sup>
- **Chivas de Guadalajara** (from 26 May 2025, contract to 30 June 2027)<sup>[2](https://www.transfermarkt.us/gabriel-milito/profil/trainer/39953)</sup>

**Argentinos Juniors.** Milito's longest spell came at [Argentinos Juniors](https://www.edgepedia.org/argentinos-juniors), where he took charge in February 2021; his first title as a coach was the 2024 Campeonato Mineiro with Atlético Mineiro, not the Copa Diego Armando Maradona, which [Boca Juniors](https://www.edgepedia.org/boca-juniors) won in January 2021.<sup>[7](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/gaby-milito-el-tecnico-milagro-de-america-gusta-en-espana-n/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[16](https://atletico.com.br/milito-comemora-primeiro-titulo-pelo-galo/)</sup> In the 2023 [Copa Libertadores](https://www.edgepedia.org/copa-libertadores) his team reached the round of 16 after finishing second in its group behind Independiente del Valle, ahead of Corinthians and Liverpool of Uruguay, before falling to Fluminense.<sup>[12](https://www.infobae.com/deportes/2023/08/30/sorpresa-gabriel-milito-renuncio-como-entrenador-de-argentinos-juniors-a-pesar-de-que-tenia-contrato-hasta-2027/)</sup> In July 2023 he recorded his 100th win as a coach, in his 236th match, for a career effectiveness of 51.55 percent at that point.<sup>[13](https://www.elgrafico.com.ar/articulo/primera-division/67247/la-cifra-redonda-que-alcanzo-gabriel-milito-como-entrenador)</sup> He resigned on 30 August 2023, after a Copa Argentina elimination by San Martín de San Juan, despite holding a contract to 2027, citing fatigue and telling players and officials that the squad deserved a coach with the strength to lead them to titles.<sup>[12](https://www.infobae.com/deportes/2023/08/30/sorpresa-gabriel-milito-renuncio-como-entrenador-de-argentinos-juniors-a-pesar-de-que-tenia-contrato-hasta-2027/)</sup>

**Atlético Mineiro and Chivas.** In March 2024 Milito took over Atlético Mineiro in Brazil, replacing Luiz Felipe Scolari, and led the club to the Copa Libertadores semi-finals, where it faced River Plate.<sup>[7](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/gaby-milito-el-tecnico-milagro-de-america-gusta-en-espana-n/)</sup> He left in December 2024 and was appointed manager of Chivas de Guadalajara in May 2025.<sup>[2](https://www.transfermarkt.us/gabriel-milito/profil/trainer/39953)</sup> His preferred formation there is a 3-4-2-1, and across his coaching career he has won about 41 percent of his matches (149 of 364 at the time of the most recent tally).<sup>[2](https://www.transfermarkt.us/gabriel-milito/profil/trainer/39953)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[14](https://footystats.org/managers/argentina/gabriel-alejandro-milito)</sup> His results at Chivas drew attention in Argentina, and his name circulated as a candidate for the River Plate job in 2026, though he remained under contract in Mexico.<sup>[15](https://elpais.com/argentina/2026-08-27/river-plate-profundiza-su-crisis-tras-el-breve-ciclo-de-coudet-como-entrenador.html)</sup>

## References

1. [Gabriel Milito – Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3585009/bio/)
2. [Gabriel Milito – Manager profile, Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.us/gabriel-milito/profil/trainer/39953)
3. [¿Qué fue de Gabriel Milito, mundialista y ex Barcelona?, AS USA](https://as.com/us/us/2019/08/30/futbol/1567183492_979916.html)
4. [Milito Gabriel Alejandro career ledger](https://once-onze.narod.ru/ARGENTINA/M/Mi/Milito_Gabriel_Alejandro.pdf)
5. [Barcelona's Milito faces lengthy lay-off, UEFA.com](https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01cd-0e6f5d27fc21-9ff2141383fd-1000--barcelona-s-milito-faces-lengthy-lay-off/)
6. [Gabriel Milito: clubs and career timeline, FootyLogos](https://www.footylogos.com/careers/gabriel-milito)
7. [Gaby Milito: el técnico milagro de América, AS](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/gaby-milito-el-tecnico-milagro-de-america-gusta-en-espana-n/)
8. [Gabriel Alejandro 'Gaby' Milito stats, FC Barcelona Players](https://players.fcbarcelona.com/en/player/554-milito-gabriel-alejandro-gaby-milito)
9. [Tiempo Argentino, año 2, n° 748](https://www.tiempoar.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1637-1.pdf)
10. [Gabriel Milito – History, Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.com/gabriel-milito/stationen/trainer/39953)
11. [Gabriel Milito: clubes y trayectoria, FootyLogos](https://www.footylogos.com/es/careers/gabriel-milito)
12. [Gabriel Milito renunció como entrenador de Argentinos, Infobae](https://www.infobae.com/deportes/2023/08/30/sorpresa-gabriel-milito-renuncio-como-entrenador-de-argentinos-juniors-a-pesar-de-que-tenia-contrato-hasta-2027/)
13. [La cifra redonda que alcanzó Gabriel Milito como entrenador, El Gráfico](https://www.elgrafico.com.ar/articulo/primera-division/67247/la-cifra-redonda-que-alcanzo-gabriel-milito-como-entrenador)
14. [Gabriel Alejandro Milito Stats – Guadalajara Manager, FootyStats](https://footystats.org/managers/argentina/gabriel-alejandro-milito)
15. [River Plate profundiza su crisis, El País](https://elpais.com/argentina/2026-08-27/river-plate-profundiza-su-crisis-tras-el-breve-ciclo-de-coudet-como-entrenador.html)
16. [Milito Comemora Primeiro Titulo Pelo Galo, atletico.com.br](https://atletico.com.br/milito-comemora-primeiro-titulo-pelo-galo/)

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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Association football › Football people and teams › People › Men's footballers of South America › Argentine men's footballers › Argentine goalkeepers and defenders*

*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*

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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license