Early Life and Education of David de Gea: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 25, 2025

An overview of the childhood and early education of David de Gea, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

David de Gea is a Spanish professional footballer renowned for his goalkeeping abilities. He currently plays for Serie A club Fiorentina. De Gea is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, known for his exceptional reflexes, agility, and shot-stopping skills. His career has been marked by high-profile performances, establishing him as a top player in his position.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

November 1990: David de Gea Born

In November 1990, David de Gea was born. He is a Spanish professional footballer known for his skills as a goalkeeper.

Others born on this day/year

2010: Relationship with Edurne

Since 2010, David de Gea has been in a relationship with Spanish singer Edurne.

January 2012: Confirmed Farsighted

In January 2012, David de Gea was confirmed as farsighted.

2012: Improvements in Aerial Prowess

In 2012, David de Gea has since shown improvements in his aerial prowess, handling, command of his area, decision making, and ability to come out and claim crosses, in particular after he developed physically and gained more experience.

2014: Developing Distribution Skills

In 2014, David de Gea credited his goalkeeping coach under Louis van Gaal, Frans Hoek, for helping him to develop this aspect of his game.

April 2016: Penalty Drought

From April 2016 to September 2021, David de Gea did not save a single penalty, which is a challenges on his effectiveness at stopping penalties.

2018: Loss of Form

In 2018, Jonathan Wilson noted that sweeping was not a natural part of his game, and that his tendency to sit deeper with Manchester United in comparison to his position with Spain, who play with a higher line, was one of his reasons for his loss of form since his poor and error–prone performances at the 2018 World Cup.

2018: Performances with Manchester United and Spain

In 2018, Wilson felt that De Gea's unremarkable passing and lack of confidence with the ball at his feet was one of the reasons for the contrast between his performances with Manchester United and Spain.

2019: Change in playing style

In 2019, Adam Bate of Sky Sports noted that De Gea mainly stayed in his area and would come out to sweep up the ball less frequently than other leading keepers in the Premier League.

2020: Limited Distribution

In 2020, Mark Critchley described David de Gea's distribution was once again described as being "limited".

2020: Lack of Comfort Behind High Line

In 2020, Mark Critchley of The Independent opined that De Gea "has never been especially comfortable playing behind a high line, regularly coming out second-best in one-on-ones with opposition strikers."