He became such a leader thanks to his on-pitch efforts and contribution and his overall strong personality that inspired teammates and fans!

The Canelones department of Uruguay has been named after a species of cinnamon (canelón in Spanish) growing along the banks of the homonymous river. Pablo García’s temperament is as spicy. His personality makes him stand out on- and off-pitch and has been instrumental in the course of his career.

Born into a poor family of revolutionary beliefs and left-wing ideology, he knew he would have to fight for every little bit of success. He got to an impressive career start at the ranks of Montevideo Wanderers two decades ago, in 1996 (1 goal in 35 matches). Peñarol banged on the door in the following season and, six months later, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean to join Club Atlético de Madrid.

He found it hard to adjust to the Primera División. After spending three seasons with the “colchoneros’” second string, he moved to Italy for AC Milan in 2000. In winter 2002 he was shipped on loan to Venezia and, in the following season, he returned to Spain and signed for Osasuna. He stayed at Pamplona for three full seasons (78 encounters – 6 goals).

His strong showings there attracted the interest of mighty Real Madrid of the “Galácticos” Raúl, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos. Pablo García was called to fill the void left by Claude Makélélé in midfield. He conjured up 25 appearances in his first season at “Santiago Bernabéu”, but newly-appointed Fabio Capello (who had taken over from Vanderlei Luxemburgo) sent him on loan to Celta de Vigo in the following summer, where he only played 14 matches due to injury setbacks. His Spanish adventure ended at the ranks of Real Murcia (21 matches played in 2007-08). In the summer of 2008 he made the trip to Thessaloniki.

On 30 July 2008 he signed for PAOK and became part of an impressive transfer line-up, alongside Pablo Contreras, Vladan Ivić Zlatan Muslimović who also joined the “Double-Headed Eagle”. After several back-to-back signings, Pablo García found his personal haven at PAOK and Thessaloniki, as he managed to identify at once with the club and their fans. He became a true inspiration for the PAOK faithful and his explosive temperament was a perfect fit at the “Double-Headed Eagle”.

Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu is nice, so is Barcelona’s Camp Nou, but there is no match for the atmosphere of Toumba!

He identified with PAOK right from the start. In an interview conceded a few years later, he reminisced: “Before my first match for PAOK, a friendly against Udinese Calcio at Toumba, a fan came up to me as I was entering the dressing rooms and told me: “You have the look and the eyes of PAOK””.

He had yet to experience the unique atmosphere created by PAOK fans. “I have played in great leagues and huge stadiums. Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu is nice, so is Barcelona’s Camp Nou, but there is no match for the atmosphere of Toumba!” he would admit later in his life, bowing before the club’s faithful. He would add: “I am proud to have played for the world’s best team, Real Madrid. Now I am proud to play for the team with the best fans in the world, PAOK!”

He earned his first of 66 international caps for Uruguay on 13 December 1997, against the United Arab Emirates. He soon became a vital cog of the squad and participated in the 1999 Copa América, while also featuring in all three matches of Uruguay in the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals.