Ezequiel Lavezzi

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Ezequiel Lavezzi

Lavezzi playing for Argentina in 2011
Personal information
Full nameEzequiel Iván Lavezzi
Date of birth (1985-05-03) 3 May 1985
Place of birthVilla Gobernador Gálvez, Argentina
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Playing positionForward / Winger
Club information
Current clubParis Saint-Germain
Number22
Youth career
1995–2003Rosario Central
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2003–2004Estudiantes (BA)39(17)
2004–2005Genoa0(0)
2004–2005→ San Lorenzo (loan)18(8)
2005–2007San Lorenzo66(17)
2007–2012Napoli156(38)
2012–Paris Saint-Germain42(5)
National team‡
2005Argentina U207(5)
2008Argentina Olympic10(6)
2007–Argentina28(4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 26 May 2013.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12 October 2013

Ezequiel Iván Lavezzi (Spanish pronunciation: [eseˈkjel iˈβan laˈβesi]; Italian: [laˈvedd͡zi]; born 3 May 1985) is an Argentine footballer who plays for Paris Saint-Germain and the Argentina national team as a forward or winger. He is known for his pace, hardworking style and dribbling ability.

Early life

As a youngster, Lavezzi had a very keen interest in football and supported his local side Rosario Central; he later got their badge tattooed on his back.

From a very young age, the footballing talent of Lavezzi was recognised, as he played in the youth squads of Rosario Central, after being rejected by Boca Juniors.

Club career

Estudiantes (BA)

Lavezzi moved to the youth side of Estudiantes (BA) in 2003, where over one season, he played 39 games and scored 17 goals.[1]

San Lorenzo

Known as el Pocho or the Chubby One, he was bought by Italian side Genoa in 2004 for €1 million,[1] but was loaned out straight-away to Argentina side San Lorenzo.[2] Here at the age of 19, he competed in the Apertura 2004 tournament scoring eight goals in total over the course of the season; which saw him finish as 4th top scorer.

Lavezzi's most notable contributions included a spectacular effort against River Plate at River Plate Stadium. He scored in the 69th minute to give San Lorenzo a famous victory and seriously damage River's title challenge. This gained him the nickname la Bestia ("the Beast") from the Argentine media.[1]

Although it was planned for Lavezzi to return to Genoa after a season on loan, there were problems: while Lavezzi was playing in Argentina, Genoa were involved in an alleged match-fixing scandal which saw them relegated down to Serie C1, the third level of Italian football. Due to financial constraints, the promising forward was sold to San Lorenzo for €1.2 million.[3]

On his return to San Lorenzo for the Apertura 2005 season, he managed to help the club up into the top half of the table, and with eight goals, he finished as the overall fourth top scorer. His last act as a San Lorenzo player was to help them to the Clausura 2007 title, beating out Boca Juniors by six points.

Napoli

Napoli had recently achieved promotion back to Serie A, after finishing as runners-up the previous season in Serie B. Looking to strengthen their squad for a return to the top level, Napoli signed Lavezzi on a five-year contract on 5 July 2007.[4] The transfer deal was worth around €6 million and he was presented before the fans and given the number seven shirt for his first season.

Lavezzi soon made an impact for the club by scoring a hat-trick in a 3–1 victory over Pisa in the Coppa Italia at the Stadio San Paolo; this was the first hat-trick by a Napoli player in 14 years.[5] The first league goal Lavezzi scored for Napoli came during a 5–0 victory against Udinese on 2 September 2007. After the match, he was described in reports as "inspirational,"[6] with the media proclaiming, "Napoli's star is born."[6] The Neapolitan club hadn't won a league match by such a large margin since 1988, when Diego Maradona was at the club.[7]

The media, as they tend to do to many promising young Argentine players who appear in Italy, have been quick to dub Lavezzi the "New Maradona".[8][9] Lavezzi himself, however, played this down, instead comparing himself to another Argentine player, Carlos Tévez. ESPN described Lavezzi as being "excellent at roaming and finding space in the gap between the opposition's midfield and defence. He has excellent pace and crossing ability and is also adept at beating an opponent or drawing a foul in dangerous areas. He is considered a quality player physically, tactically and technically."[10]

Lavezzi during his spell with SSC Napoli.

He completed the 2007–08 season with eight goals in 35 games. He quickly became a focal point of the fans' affection with his quick feet and sharpness around the box. In the 2008–09 season, he scored seven goals in 30 games. In the season 2009–10 he scored eight goals in 30 games but missed around 10 games because of injuries. Lavezzi stayed at Napoli for the 2010–11 season but was handed the number 22 jersey after he gave his number seven to recently signed striker Edinson Cavani as a welcome gesture.[citation needed] In the same season, he scored two goals in the UEFA Europa League, against IF Elfsborg and Liverpool respectively, scored six and assisted a further 12 in the Serie A, while also finding the back of the net in a Coppa Italia match against Bologna.

Lavezzi scored his first goal of the 2011–12 campaign in a commanding 3–1 victory over Cesena on 10 September, opening the scoring in the third minute after controlling a long-ball from Hugo Campagnaro.[11] Lavezzi was named "Man of the Match" as he volleyed in a lobbed pass from strike partner Edinson Cavani to send Napoli to a 2–0 victory over Udinese on 26 October.[12] Shortly before the winter break, Lavezzi netted once and provided an assist for one of Cavani's goals as Napoli outclassed Lecce 4–2.[13]

In Napoli's commanding 3–0 victory over Fiorentina on 17 February 2012, Lavezzi rounded off the scoring in the 90th minute with a long-range goal.[14] Four days later, he scored his first two Champions League goals; they came in a 3–1 first leg victory over Chelsea in the Round of 16.[15] The following Sunday, 26 February, Lavezzi scored the only goal of the game as Napoli defeated Internazionale and climbed up to fifth place in the Serie A standings.[16]

Lavezzi popped up in the 86th minute to score the winning goal against Parma on 4 March 2012, though the result was controversial, as Lavezzi appeared to be in an offside position.[17] Lavezzi netted a penalty and provided an assist as Napoli tore apart Cagliari 6–3 on 9 March to warm up for their Round of 16 second leg tie against Chelsea.[18] Lavezzi scored his ninth and final Serie A goal of the season in a 3–1 loss to Atalanta on 11 April after receiving the ball from Goran Pandev and pushing it past goalkeeper Andrea Consigli.[19]

Lavezzi won his first piece of silverware with Napoli on 20 May 2012 as the club defeated Juventus 2–0 in the Coppa Italia final.[20] During the match, Lavezzi was fouled in the penalty box by Juventus goalkeeper Marco Storari, and Napoli were awarded a penalty, which Edinson Cavani dispatched to give Napoli their first goal and set the club on their way to their first trophy in more than 20 years.[21]

Paris Saint-Germain

On 2 July 2012, French Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain confirmed that they had agreed with Napoli to a €26.5 million transfer fee for the rights to Lavezzi and signed him to a four-year deal, reportedly worth up to €30 million.[22] On 11 August, Lavezzi made his PSG debut against FC Lorient in a 2–2 draw in the opening match of the 2012–13 Ligue 1 season.[23] His first two goals for PSG came on 21 November in the Champions League, securing qualification to the Round of 16 with a 0–2 away victory over Dynamo Kyiv.[24]

Lavezzi scored his third Champions League goal for PSG on 4 December, netting at the near post of FC Porto goalkeeper Helton shortly after the hour mark; the 2–1 defeat of the Portuguese champions ensured PSG top spot in the group.[25] His first league goal came four days later, on 8 December, in PSG's 4–0 defeat of Evian at the Parc des Princes.[26] On 11 December, Lavezzi scored PSG's fourth goal, after a Zlatan Ibrahimović hat-trick, as the capital club handed Valenciennes FC their first home defeat of the season.[27]

On 12 February 2013, Lavezzi zig-zagged through the Valencia CF defense before scoring the opening goal, helping PSG secure a 1–2 first leg away victory in the Champions League Round of 16.[28] Lavezzi secured the tie, equalizing the game at 1–1 and giving the French side a 3–2 aggregate win, advancing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 1995.[29]

International career

Ezequiel Lavezzi with Argentina in 2011

Lavezzi made his international debut for the Argentine national team team against Chile on 18 April 2007.

In 2008, Lavezzi was selected to the Olympic football team, which represented Argentina at the 2008 Olympics.[30] During the Olympic games, he scored two goals, one against Australia on 10 August 2008 and a penalty against Serbia on 13 August 2008. Lavezzi also appeared in the final minutes of extra time against Nigeria in a game Argentina won 1–0.[31][32]

Lavezzi's club form was not enough to see him included in Diego Maradona's 2010 FIFA World Cup squad, a surprise exclusion along with Newcastle United defender Fabricio Coloccini.[33] On 17 November 2010, Argentina faced Brazil in a friendly match in Qatar, in which Argentina won by a goal from Lionel Messi in injury time after a superb one-two play with Lavezzi.[34]

He has since become a regular member for the senior national team under Sergio Batista, who managed Lavezzi at the 2008 Olympics. He was named in Argentina's 2011 Copa América squad by Batista.[35] In Argentina's final pre-tournament warm-up game, he scored the opening goal in a friendly match played against Albania on 21 June 2011 — the match ended 4–0 in favour of Argentina and was Lavezzi's first goal for the national side.[36]

Career statistics

Club

As of 26 May 2013.
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
AppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssists
Estudiantes (BA) 2003–04 39176------39176
Total 39176------39176
San Lorenzo 2004–05 2993---8013794
2005–06 2294------2294
2006–07 3374---5113885
Total 842511---1312972613
Napoli 2007–08 3588531---40119
2008–09 30781003103488
2009–10 3086110---3196
2010–11 3161211092341915
2011–12 3096402823421111
Total 1563840125320561884849
Paris Saint-Germain 2012–13 283753195042118
2013–14 15302125032245
Total 43677421453641513
Career total 3228664199547111138810681

International

As of match played 12 October 2013.[37]
National team Year Apps Goals
Argentina 2007 2 0
2008 1 0
2009 3 0
2010 3 0
2011 7 2
2012 4 0
2013 7 2
Total 27 4

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 20 June 2011 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina  Albania 1–04–0Friendly
2. 11 November 2011 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina  Bolivia 1–11–12014 World Cup qualification
3. 11 October 2013 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina  Peru 1–13–12014 World Cup qualification
4. 11 October 2013 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina  Peru 2–13–12014 World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

San Lorenzo
Napoli
Paris Saint-Germain

Individual

  • Seria A Foreign Player of the Year: 2009-10
  • Serie A Player of the Year: 2009-10
  • Coppa Italia Player of the Tournament: 2012

International

Argentina

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Il Tabellino - Lavezzi CalcioNapoliNews.it (Italian)
  2. ↑ Lavezzi fue presentado en el Genoa Clarin.com, 16 July 2005
  3. ↑ Toccata e fuga per Lavezzi che lascia il Genoa IlGiornale.it, 2 August 2005 (Italian)
  4. ↑ "Ezequiel Lavezzi al Napoli". SSC Napoli (in Italian). 7 July 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2010. 
  5. ↑ Extra-Football.com
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Channel4.com
  7. ↑ Torneo 1988/1989 Napolissimo (Italian)
  8. ↑ Channel4.com
  9. ↑ Livewire Lavezzi sparks Napoli into life, before the inevitable guardian.co.uk, 4 September 2007
  10. ↑ "Ezequiel Lavezzi". Soccernet. ESPN. Retrieved 25 July 2012. 
  11. ↑ Cesena 1-3 Napoli Goal.com, 10 September 2011
  12. ↑ Napoli 2-0 Udinese Goal.com, 26 October 2011
  13. ↑ "Napoli 4-2 Lecce: Cavani nets brace as Mazzari's men demolish Lecce" Goal.com, 3 December 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2012
  14. ↑ Cavani at the double ESPN Soccernet, 17 February 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2012
  15. ↑ Lawton, Matt. "Napoli 3 Chelsea 1: Villas-Boas gets it wrong and Cavani doubles his misery". Mail Online. 
  16. ↑ "Napoli 1-0 Inter" Goal.com, 26 February 2012
  17. ↑ "Napoli claim controversial win ESPN Soccernet, 4 March 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2012
  18. ↑ "Warning for Chelsea as Ezequiel Lavezzi shines again for Napoli". guardian.co.uk. 9 March 2012. 
  19. ↑ Napoli 1-3 Atalanta: Partenopei’s Slump Continues With Shock Loss Forza Italian Football, 11 April 2012
  20. ↑ "Napoli sink Juve to lift Coppa". Eurosport. 20 May 2012. 
  21. ↑ "Juventus 0-2 Napoli: Cavani and Hamsik clinch Coppa Italia and dash double dreams of Turin giants". GOAL. 20 May 2012. 
  22. ↑ "Lavezzi signs, Dani Alves & Moutinho could follow - how PSG are shaping up for a Champions League assault". Goal.com. 3 July 2012. 
  23. ↑ "Ibrahimovic rescues PSG in 2-2 draw with Lorient". Yahoo Sports. 11 August 2012. 
  24. ↑ "Lavezzi double seals place". ESPNFC. 21 November 2012. 
  25. ↑ "Lavezzi sinks Porto to put PSG top". UEFA. 4 December 2012. 
  26. ↑
  27. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain handed Valenciennes FC a first home defeat of the season, sweeping aside the northerners 4-0 on Tuesday.". LFP. 11 December 2012. 
  28. ↑ "Rami strike halves PSG advantage". UEFA. 12 February 2013. 
  29. ↑ "PSG survive stern Valencia examination". UEFA. 6 March 2013. 
  30. ↑ "Argentina 2008 Olympic Football Squad". Soccer Lens. 10 July 2008. 
  31. ↑ "Nigeria 0 - 1 Argentina". ESPNFC. 22 August 2008. 
  32. ↑ "Argentina brave heat to take gold". BBC Sport. 23 August 2008. 
  33. ↑ "Lavezzi and Coloccini left out". ESPNFC. 20 May 2010. 
  34. ↑ "Argentina 1-0 Brazil - as it happened". Guardian. 17 November 2010. 
  35. ↑ "Argentina National Squad". Copa America. Retrieved 6 March 2013. 
  36. ↑ "Argentina ease past Albania". FIFA. 21 June 2011. 
  37. ↑ "Lavezzi, Ezequiel". National Football Teams. Retrieved 6 February 2013. 

External links

Paris Saint-Germain F.C. – current squad

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