Walter Nicolás Gaitán Sayavedra (March 13, 1977) is a retired Argentine professional footballer. An attacking midfielder, Gaitán was known for his vision on the pitch, passing, powerful left shot and a classy ball control. Nicknamed Chueco, Gaitán played his best seasons with Liga MX club Tigres UANL. Career Argentina and Spain Walter Gaitán began his career in Argentina with Rosario Central in 1997. He left the team in 1998 and moved to Villarreal of the Spanish Liga. After two years in Spain, he returned to Argentina in early 2001, joining Boca Juniors by request of coach Carlos Bianchi. Gaitán became a regular substitute of Juan Román Riquelme. He scored an early goal in semifinals of the 2001 Copa Libertadores against Palmeiras at the Estádio Palestra Itália. Boca Juniors became the 2001 Copa Libertadores champions. On September 16, 2001, in the Superclásico of the Apertura 2001 season, at 83' he scored the 1-1 tie against River Plate at the Estadio Monumental. He scored eight goals in 12 matches of the Apertura 2001 season. In 2002, now under Óscar Tabárez, he became a regular starter in League and Copa Libertadores 2002, but gradually lower his level and went to the bench by mid-2002. Gaitán finally left Boca Juniors with 14 goals in 51 matches. Mexico Gaitán moved to Mexico for the 2002 Apertura season, signing with Tigres UANL of the Primera División (First Division, now Liga MX) by request of Ricardo Ferretti. After scoring four goals in 15 games in his first season, he scored eight in the 2003 Clausura. Tigres was eliminated in semifinals of the Clausura 2003 playoffs by crosstown archrival Monterrey. After a remarkable Apertura 2003 season under coach Nery Pumpido, Gaitán and Tigres lost the finals against Pachuca in the Estadio Universitario. In the Apertura 2004, as revenge of the elimination on the Clausura 2003 playoffs, Tigres won the Clásico Regiomontano by the biggest difference ever, beating Monterrey by 6-2, he scored twice. Gaitán became the top goal-scorer of the 2005 Apertura. He was also named Best Player of the Clausura 2006 tournament. He scored a goal in the 2-1 victory of Tigres over city rival Monterrey in the finals of the 2006 InterLiga and secured 2006 Copa Libertadores. He was selected to wear the number 7, retired to honor team icon Gerónimo Barbadillo, in Copa Libertadores where regulations command that the number be used. Gaitán scored a