MX23RW : Friday, March 28 02:36:34| >> :600:241301:241301:

A closer look at Chris Gunter's remarkable Wales career

A closer look at Chris Gunter's remarkable Wales career
© Offside
The 31-year-old, who made his international debut as a teenager in May 2007, will captain Wales on Saturday.

Chris Gunter will become the first Welshman to win 100 caps when he captains the side against Mexico in Cardiff on Saturday.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the 31-year-old right-back's remarkable international career.

Debut

Soccer – International Friendly – Wales v New Zealand – Racecourse Ground
Chris Gunter made his Wales debut as a 17-year-old in May 2007 (Nick Potts/PA)

Newport-born Gunter was a 17-year-old at Cardiff when he made his Wales debut against New Zealand in May 2006. Gunter played the first half of a 2-2 friendly draw at Wrexham, which also marked the debut of record goalkeeper caps holder Wayne Hennessey. Current national team manager Ryan Giggs started that game, his penultimate Wales appearance.

Mr Consistent

Soccer – FIFA World Cup 2010 – Qualifying Round – Group Four – Liechtenstein v Wales – Rheinpark Stadium
John Toshack gave Chris Gunter his international debut during his time as Wales manager (Chris Radburn/PA)

The start of Gunter's early international career coincided with a period of transition as then-manager John Toshack shipped out the old guard and blooded plenty of youngsters. Gunter, who has played for Cardiff, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Reading and current club Charlton, had grown up with the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale and soon made the right-back spot his own. He made 63 consecutive appearances for Wales between February 2011 and September 2018.

Euro 2016

Wales v Belgium – UEFA Euro 2016 – Quarter Final – Stade Pierre Mauroy
Chris Gunter, a Wales hero at Euro 2016, celebrates after the quarter-final victory over Belgium (Joe Giddens/PA)

Gunter's composure and experience played a vital part in Wales qualifying for Euro 2016, the country's first major tournament for 58 years. He played right wing-back as manager Chris Coleman opted for a three-man central defence and Wales reached the semi-finals. Gunter's special bond with the Wales fans was confirmed by his 'chin up' gesture following the group defeat to England and his pinpoint cross to Sam Vokes in the quarter-final, with the striker's header sealing a famous 3-1 victory over Belgium.

Record-breaker

Gunter became Wales' most capped player in November 2018. He captained Wales for the second time in surpassing Neville Southall's 92-cap mark in a friendly against Albania. As Gunter struggled to find flights for friends and family to the European outpost, he quipped about Gareth Bale and his private jet: "I'll ask Gaz if I can borrow his plane." Despite losing his place to Swansea's Connor Roberts in recent years, Gunter remains a valued member of the squad and is set to feature at his second European Championship this summer as Wales' first centurion.

ID:440768: cacheID:440768:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9777:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Gareth Bale warms up for Spurs on February 7, 2021
Read Next:
Gareth Bale's agent insists future remains undecided
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal291610353242958
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest29166749351454
4Chelsea29147853371649
5Manchester CityMan City29146955401548
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29121164842647
8Fulham2912984338545
9Aston Villa2912984145-445
10Bournemouth29128948361244
11Brentford29125125045541
12Crystal Palace2810993633339
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd29107123740-337
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs291041555431234
15Everton2971393236-434
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2997133349-1634
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2975174058-1826
18Ipswich TownIpswich2938182862-3417
19Leicester CityLeicester2945202565-4017
20Southampton2923242170-499


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!