Banega came through the youth ranks at Boca Juniors, reaching the first team at 18, and winning immediate recognition thanks to his passing skills and his performances in the first division. After teammate midfielder Fernando Gago moved to Real Madrid in January 2007, Banega was named as his successor, despite his young age.
He made his professional debut in the 4-0 victory against Club Atlético Banfield on 10 February 2007. On 2 April, just a few matches afterwards, he was given an ovation when he left the field.
Valencia CF
On 5 January 2008, Banega signed with Spanish side Valencia CF on a five and-a-half year deal, for a fee of around ¤18 million. He had his first training session with the club on the 7th.
On 13 January 2008, Banega made his debut, coming on as a substitute during the break, in a final 0-1 loss at Atlético Madrid.
Atlétcio Madrid
Banega was loaned to Atlético for the 2008/2009 season. He made his official debut as a substitute during the Colchoneros's 3-0 win at PSV Eindhoven, in the first group stage match of the UEFA Champions League.
However, Banega failed to settle at Atlético's starting XI, also being sent off twice, in away draws against Villarreal CF and UD Almería. He also scored his first ever goal, against CD Numancia in a 3-0 Atletico victory.
Valencia CF
Banega returned to Los Che for the 2009/2010 season after Atletico decided not to make his loan deal permanent. He had an excellent preseason with Los Che. At the end of the summer transfer window, rumors swirled that the Argentine international would go to Everton on loan, but this proved to be false. Just days later though, it was revealed that Valencia Sporting Director Fernando Gomez accepted a bid of ¤7.5 million from German side Stuttgart, and if certain incentives were reached, the fee would rise to ¤9 million. When Banega was told about the deal, he immediately turned it down, wishing to instead stay at Valencia and earn his place in the team.
And Banega did much more than that in the 2009/2010 season. He was unquestionably one of VCF's three best players that season, along with David Villa and César Sánchez. After scoring the first goal of his career the year before with Atlético, Éver scored two for Los Che (against Villarreal and Valladolid). He also had numerous assists and key passes.
With the sale of playmaker David Silva to Manchester City in the summer of 2010, Valencia will heavily be relying on Banega to pull the strings in midfield.
International Career
Banega was selected for the U-20 team, alongside future Atlético teammate Sergio Agüero for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada, which they won.
During the summer of 2008, he appeared for the Argentina U-23 side at the Summer Olympics, helping to an eventual gold medal.
Banega made his debut for the senior national team on 22 December 2009 against Catalunya. He came on as a substitute for Fernando Gago in the 79th minute.
The midfielder would make his first start, on 11 August 2010, for the senior Argentina squad in a 1-0 friendly win over Ireland in Dublin.
