David de Gea
A Spanish goalkeeper whose lightning-quick reflexes and spectacular shot-stopping defined Manchester United's defense for over a decade.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Spanish footballer·Birthday: November 7·Millennials
Biography
David de Gea made 190 clean sheets for Manchester United, a club record for a goalkeeper. Signed from Atlético Madrid as a 20-year-old, he initially struggled with the Premier League's physical demands. His slender frame drew criticism during rocky early seasons. But De Gea possessed an elastic, reactive ability to turn certain goals into denials. He strengthened his body and game, becoming the backbone of United teams in transition. He won the club's Player of the Year award four times, a measure of how his performances single-handedly secured points. His tenure yielded four major trophies. His highlight reel catalogs athletic marvels that defined an era of goalkeeping in English football.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
David was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- He won the Premier League title with Manchester United in the 2012-13 season.
- He was named Manchester United's Players' Player of the Year a record four times.
- He kept over 150 clean sheets during his Manchester United career, a club record.
Did You Know?
He originally played as a striker before switching to goalkeeper at age 14.
He is married to Spanish pop singer Edurne García.
He was part of the Spain squad that won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2011 and 2013.
“You have to be strong mentally. The criticism makes you stronger.”
