Steven Gerrard is a former English professional footballer who played as a central midfielder for Liverpool FC and the England national team. After retiring from professional football, he began working as an academy instructor at Liverpool. He played for Liverpool for the majority of his 18-year tenure and has been captain of his club team for over a decade. By the time he departed Liverpool for LA Galaxy, he had become the third player in Premier League history to make at least 500 appearances for one club. He has also served as captain of the England national team for an extended period of time. He has appeared in 114 international matches for England, ranking him fourth behind Peter Shilton, Wayne Rooney, and David Beckham. He has scored a total of 125 goals during his senior club career and 21 goals for his national team, making him one of the greatest midfielders of his era. Outside of football, he has documented his personal and professional voyage in two ghostwritten autobiographies, ‘My Story’ and ‘Gerrard: My Autobiography’ Additionally, he has appeared in the British sports drama film Will.
Youth and Early Life
Steven George Gerrard was born in Whiston, Merseyside, on May 30, 1980. His eldest brother’s name is Paul. Anthony Gerrard, his cousin, is also a professional footballer who defends Oldham Athletic. He was discovered by Liverpool scouts at the age of nine while playing for his hometown club, Whiston Juniors, and subsequently joined the Liverpool Academy. At the age of 14, he tried out for several clubs, including Manchester United, but was never selected for the England schoolboys team.
Steven’s Club Position
On November 5, 1997, at the age of 17, Steven Gerrard inked his first professional contract with Liverpool. One year later, on November 29, 1998, he made his professional debut as a substitute for Vegard Heggem in a Premier League match against Blackburn Rovers. During the 1999-2000 season, he scored his first goal against Sheffield Wednesday in a 4-1 victory for his team.
However, a growth spurt caused him to experience recurrent back problems, and he underwent multiple operations for groin injuries. His team won the FA Cup, Football League Cup, and UEFA Cup during the 2000-2001 season, during which he made fifty starts and scored ten goals. He was named ‘PFA Young Player of the Year’ and continued his impressive play the following year, winning the FA Charity Shield and the UEFA Super Cup.
Gerrard, who had previously served as vice-captain, was named captain of Liverpool in October 2003 and subsequently penned a new four-year contract with the club. After a difficult 2003-04 season, he contemplated joining Chelsea but ultimately turned down a £20 million offer to remain with Liverpool.
Beginning the 2004–05 season with ailments, he returned to the field and scored decisive goals for his team, despite the fact that his same-side goal in the 2005 League Cup final resulted in a loss. However, he helped his club overcome a three-goal deficit to tie the 2005 Champions League final against A.C. Milan, a match they ultimately won by a score of 3-2 on penalties. Later, he was selected UEFA Club Footballer of the Year.
He led the team to the 2006 FA Cup Final against West Ham United and scored two goals to win the match the following season. That year, he became the first Liverpool player since John Barnes in 1988 to be voted “PFA Player of the Year.”On February 26, 2012, he assisted his team win the Football League Cup Final against Cardiff City after six years. On March 13, 2012, in his 400th Premier League match, he scored three goals against Everton.
During the 2011-12 season, he turned down an offer to join Bayern Munich because he wanted Liverpool to win a few more trophies. As the club delayed renewing his contract and he was left off the starting lineup against Real Madrid in the Champions League, he decided to depart Liverpool at the conclusion of the 2014-2015 season.
In January 2015, he inked an 18-month Designated Player contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. On July 11, he made his début for his new team in a friendly match against Club América. Later that month, he was selected as one of the 22 players for the 2015 MLS All-Star Game roster.
Late in 2015, he announced that he was contemplating retirement in 2016, and on November 24, 2016, after his contract with the club expired, he retired from professional football. On November 6, 2016, he played his last game for LA Galaxy in an MLS Cup match.
Steven’s International Profession
On May 31, 2000, Steven Gerrard began his international career against Ukraine. Later that year, he was selected for the Euro 2000 team, but he featured in only one match, a substitute appearance against Germany. In September 2001, he earned his first international goal in a 2002 World Cup qualifying match against Germany. Although England won the match 5-1, he did not play in the subsequent matches due to his groin injury.
During Euro 2004, he was a member of the starting eleven, but his team was eliminated after losing to Portugal in the quarterfinals. After England’s second loss to Portugal in the quarterfinals of his first World Cup in 2006, he became England’s leading scorer with two goals.
During England’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008, he served as captain temporarily before being replaced by John Terry. During Euro 2012, he was again named England’s captain and led his team to the quarterfinals. In addition, he was the only English player to reach the UEFA Tournament Team.
He led England to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where they were eliminated in group play for the first time since 1958. In their final group match, he was removed as captain, and on July 21, 2014, he announced his retirement from international football.
Awards & Achievements
Steven Gerrard helped Liverpool win two FA Cups, three League Cups, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Cup, and one UEFA Super Cup over the course of his career. Steven Gerrard was awarded the ‘Ballon d’Or Bronze Award’ and ‘UEFA Club Footballer of the Year’ in 2005. Queen Elizabeth II conferred upon him the honor of Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2007. In 2015, he was among the 18 players chosen for the UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year.
Personal History and Legacy
On June 16, 2007, Steven Gerrard wed Alex Curran, his childhood love, in a Catholic ceremony in Wymondham. They have four children: Lilly-Ella, Lexie, and Lourdes, all females, and Lio, a son.
Estimated Net Worth
The English footballer Steven Gerrard has a net worth of $90 million. Steven Gerrard’s career as a central midfielder/second striker in European soccer competitions has contributed to his wealth. He has also led the Premier League club Liverpool as captain. His birthplace was Whiston, Merseyside, England.
Trivia
Jon-Paul Gilhooley, the 10-year-old cousin of Steven Gerrard, was the youngest victim of the 1989 Hillsborough catastrophe. He paid tribute to him in his autobiography with the line “I play for Jon-Paul.”