Javier Saviola

Javier Saviola

Saviola celebrating a goal for Benfica in 2011
Personal information
Full name Javier Pedro Saviola Fernández
Date of birth (1981-12-11) 11 December 1981
Place of birth Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current team
 FC Ordino (assistant)
Youth career
Parque Chas
River Plate
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2001 River Plate 86 (45)
2001–2007 Barcelona 123 (49)
2004–2005 → Monaco (loan) 29 (7)
2005–2006 → Sevilla (loan) 29 (9)
2007–2009 Real Madrid 17 (4)
2009–2012 Benfica 69 (24)
2012–2013 Málaga 27 (8)
2013–2014 Olympiacos 26 (12)
2014–2015 Verona 15 (1)
2015–2016 River Plate 13 (0)
Total 434 (159)
National team
2001 Argentina U20 7 (11)
2000–2007 Argentina 39 (11)
Teams managed
2016– FC Ordino (assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

Javier Pedro Saviola Fernández (Spanish pronunciation: [xaˈβjeɾ ˈpeðɾo saˈβjola feɾˈnandes]; born 11 December 1981) is a retired Argentine professional footballer who played as a forward.

Known for his speed, dribbling and ability to score from almost any attacking position on the field,[1] he represented both Barcelona and Real Madrid and was named as the youngest player on Pelé's FIFA 100 list of the 125 greatest living footballers in 2004. Due to his ancestry he also holds Spanish nationality since 2004, and he amassed La Liga totals of 196 games and 70 goals over the course of eight seasons; he started and finished his career at River Plate.

An Argentine international for seven years, Saviola represented his country at the 2006 World Cup and the 2004 Copa América, where his team reached the final. He also won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics.

Club career

River Plate

Nicknamed El Conejo (The Rabbit),[2] Buenos Aires-born Saviola made his debut for Club Atlético River Plate at the age of 16, and went on to be a prolific goalscorer for the club.[3]

He helped River to the 1999 Apertura and 2000 Clausura championships, and earned the 1999 South American Footballer of the Year award. Still only 18, he gained a reputation as a phenomenal prospect, and was even regarded as a potential heir to Diego Maradona, in particular after he broke the latter's 1978 record by becoming the youngest player to win the Golden Boot award.[4][5]

Barcelona

In 2001, aged 19, Saviola moved abroad to play for FC Barcelona in a £15 million transfer.[1] He obtained Spanish citizenship shortly after, thereby not being restricted by the Spanish league maximum on the number of non-European Union citizens allowed in each club. Under coach Carles Rexach, he scored 17 goals in his first season, finishing joint-fourth top scorer in La Liga.

Saviola with Barcelona

Saviola's second year at the club did not start well, as he only scored two goals in the first half of the season. When Van Gaal was fired and Radomir Antić became the new Barcelona manager, he went on to net 11 goals in the latter half of the campaign; at the start of the following season Frank Rijkaard was appointed as new manager, and the player scored 14 times in the league alone, but was deemed surplus at the club as longtime offensive partner Patrick Kluivert.

Saviola was sent on loan in the summer of 2004, moving to AS Monaco FC in Ligue 1. As he did not fit into Rijkaard's plans he was again loaned out the following year, this time to Spanish club Sevilla FC, in order to replace Real Madrid-bound Júlio Baptista; with his new club he won his first title in Europe, conquering the UEFA Cup — he also scored nine times in the league, good enough for fifth.

Saviola returned to Barcelona for the 2006–07 season,[6] playing in 18 league games, six as a starter, and netting five goals. He benefited greatly from injuries to teammates, most notably to Samuel Eto'o, and added five in as many matches in that season's Copa del Rey, notably a hat-trick against Deportivo Alavés (3–2 win at home, 5–2 aggregate).[7][8]

Real Madrid

On 10 July 2007, Real Madrid signed Saviola after his Barcelona contract expired, on a three-year deal.[9] Although on a financially lucrative contract, he endured a difficult time at Real, being mainly restricted to cup matches and sporadic appearances (mainly as a substitute) in the league and the UEFA Champions League.

The arrival of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar limited Saviola's opportunities even more, and he finished his Real Madrid spell with five goals in 28 overall appearances.[10][11]

Benfica

Saviola's official presentation as a Benfica player

On 26 June 2009, S.L. Benfica and Real Madrid agreed on a €5 million deal that would see Saviola play in Portugal for the next three years, with an option for one more; a €30 million clause was added. He scored his first goal for the club on a penalty in a friendly match against FC Sion and, on 16 July, netted twice to send his team into the Guadiana Trophy finals.

On 22 October 2009, Saviola scored two goals for Benfica, guiding them to a 5–0 victory over Everton for the UEFA Europa League (he would also score in the club's 2–0 win in Liverpool in the second match),[12] adding another brace four days later in a 6–1 routing of C.D. Nacional for the Primeira Liga.[13]

On 6 December 2009, Saviola scored through a chip shot against Académica de Coimbra in a 4–0 home win.[14] On 20 December he netted the game's only goal as Benfica defeated rivals FC Porto at home;[15] during the victorious campaign, he formed a deadly offensive partnership with Paraguayan Óscar Cardozo, with the pair combining for more than 50 goals overall.[16]

On 3 January 2010, after receiving the Portuguese Liga Player of the Month award, Saviola scored another winning goal against Nacional, again being the game's only scorer in an away defeat of Rio Ave FC, netting in the 46th minute. He netted his 19th goal overall in a 3–1 home triumph against F.C. Paços de Ferreira on 7 March,[17] and Benfica were eventually crowned league champions after a five-year wait.

Málaga

In the last hours of the 2012–13 summer transfer window, Saviola agreed on a move to Málaga CF.[18] He played 45 minutes in his first appearance, a 1–0 win at Real Zaragoza on 1 September.[19]

On 15 September 2012, Saviola scored once and provided one assist in a 3−1 home win against Levante UD.[20] He continued with his streak the following game, Málaga's first-ever in the Champions League group stage, netting in a 3–0 home win over FC Zenit Saint Petersburg.[21]

Olympiacos

On 25 July 2013, Saviola signed a two-year contract with Greek champions Olympiacos FC.[22] He scored his first goal in the Superleague on 25 August, coming in at half-time and helping his team come from behind to win it 2–1 against Atromitos F.C. at home. On 10 December he netted a brace – and also missed a penalty – in a 3–1 success over R.S.C. Anderlecht also at the Karaiskakis Stadium for the group stage's last round, which helped the Piraeus outfit to the second position and the subsequent qualification, at the expense of former side Benfica.[23]

Verona

On 2 September 2014, Saviola joined Serie A club Hellas Verona FC.[24] He made his official debut on 22 September, starting in a 2–2 home draw against Genoa CFC,[25] and scored his first goal on 2 December, netting the only in a home win over Perugia Calcio for the Coppa Italia.[26] His sole goal of the league season came on 25 January 2015, the only one in a home victory over Atalanta BC.[27]

Return to River

On 30 June 2015, River Plate announced that Saviola had returned to the club.[28] He left in January of the following year, after failing to find the net in his second spell.[29]

Immediately after retiring, 34-year-old Saviola was appointed assistant manager at FC Ordino in the Andorran Primera Divisió.[30]

International career

Saviola starred in the 2001 edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, held in Argentina. He was top scorer and was voted player of the tournament, as the national team won the competition; with 11 goals in seven games, he became the record goal-scorer in the tournament's history.[5]

Two years later, Saviola played in the 2004 Olympic Games and won the gold medal. Under coach Marcelo Bielsa he was given few playing opportunities for the senior team but, after the former's resignation in 2004, new manager José Pekerman, who also worked with him at youth level, turned the tide in the player's favour; he was also a member of the squads that reached final of the 2004 Copa América and the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, netting three times in the former tournament[31] and one in the latter.

Saviola was called up to represent Argentina at the 2006 World Cup – Luciano Figueroa and Luciano Galletti were also in contention for a place on the roster, but his excellent form for Sevilla secured his place in the squad. He scored against Côte d'Ivoire in the country's opening game, and made two assists in the 6–0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro also in the group phase.[32]

Saviola retired from international football on 5 December 2009, although not yet 28. He stated that he felt his career as an Argentina player had come to an end, and that he wanted to concentrate on club football.

Media

Saviola was sponsored by sportswear company Nike, and appeared in commercials for the brand. In a global advertising campaign in the run-up to the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, he starred in a "Secret Tournament" commercial (branded "Scopion KO") directed by Terry Gilliam, appearing alongside footballers such as Luís Figo, Thierry Henry, Hidetoshi Nakata, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Francesco Totti, with former player Eric Cantona the tournament "referee".[33][34]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 30 May 2015[35]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Argentina League Cup League Cup South America Total
River Plate 1998–99 196 ——196
1999–2000 3319 ——3319
2000–01 3420 ——3420
Spain League Copa del Rey Supercopa de España Europe Total
Barcelona 2001–02 361710—1144821
2002–03 361310—1475120
2003–04 331452—734519
France League Coupe de France Coupe de la Ligue Europe Total
Monaco (loan) 2004–05 2970010743711
Spain League Copa del Rey Supercopa de España Europe Total
Sevilla (loan) 2005–06 29900—1364215
Barcelona 2006–07 18555—102410
Real Madrid 2007–08 9360—20173
2008–09 8121—20122
Portugal League Taça de Portugal Taça da Liga Europe Total
Benfica 2009–10 271121411164419
2010–11 24963311214514
2011–12 184215160316
Spain League Copa del Rey Supercopa de España Europe Total
Málaga 2012–13 27840—61379
Greece Superleague Greek Cup — Europe Total
Olympiacos 2013–14 251240—523414
2014–15 1000—0010
Italy Seria A Italian Cup — Europe Total
Verona 2014–15 15111——162
Argentina 8645——8645
Spain 196702481335621289102
France 2970010743711
Portugal 692410512329712039
Greece 261240—523514
Italy 15111——162
Career total 42115939142669734583213

International

[36]

Argentina
YearAppsGoals
200010
200100
200230
200383
2004105
200581
200651
200741
Total3911

International goals

Argentina's goal tally first
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 20 April 2003 June 11, Tripoli, Libya Libya Libya 1–0 3–1 Friendly
2. 8 June 2003 Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan  Japan 1–0 4–1 Friendly
3. 11 June 2003 Seoul World Cup, Seoul, South Korea  South Korea 1–0 1–0 Friendly
4. 30 June 2004 Giants Stadium, New Jersey, United States  Peru 2–0 2–1 Friendly
5. 7 July 2004 Elías Aguirre, Chiclayo, Peru  Ecuador 2–1 6–1 2004 Copa América
6. 7 July 2004 Elías Aguirre, Chiclayo, Peru  Ecuador 3–1 6–1 2004 Copa América
7. 7 July 2004 Elías Aguirre, Chiclayo, Peru  Ecuador 4–1 6–1 2004 Copa América
8. 17 November 2004 El Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina  Venezuela 3–1 3–2 2006 World Cup qualification
9. 15 June 2005 RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne, Germany  Tunisia 2–0 2–1 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup
10. 10 June 2006 Imtech Arena, Hamburg, Germany  Ivory Coast 2–0 2–1 2006 FIFA World Cup
11. 7 February 2007 Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France  France 1–0 1–0 Friendly

Honours

Club

River Plate
Sevilla
Real Madrid[35]
Benfica[35]
Olympiacos

Argentina U-20

Argentina

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 Monti, Fabio (7 July 2001). "Saviola come Diego, al Barcellona da re" [Saviola like Diego, at Barcelona as a king] (in Italian). Corriere della Sera. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  2. ↑ El 'Mono' Burgos bautizó a Saviola como el 'Conejo' ('Mono' Burgos dubbed Saviola 'Conejo'); Mundo Deportivo, 22 July 2001 (in Spanish)
  3. ↑ Interview with Javier Saviola; The Argentina Independent, 10 October 2008
  4. ↑ "Can Saviola repeat Maradona's feat?". FIFA.com. 15 June 2001. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  5. 1 2 Williamson, Laura (28 May 2009). "Is United's destroyer Lionel Messi the first 'New Maradona' worthy of the name?". Daily Mail. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  6. ↑ Saviola seguirá en el Barça aunque Rijkaard no cuenta con él (Saviola to continue in Barça even though Rijkaard does not want him); El Mundo, 31 August 2006 (in Spanish)
  7. ↑ El Barcelona golea sin problemas al Badalona y Saviola se aprovecha (Barcelona routs Badalona easily and Saviola profits); Marca, 8 November 2006 (in Spanish)
  8. ↑ Sublime Saviola sinks Alavés; UEFA.com, 17 January 2007
  9. ↑ Saviola to sign off at Barça; UEFA.com, 18 June 2007
  10. ↑ Saviola: "Voy a dar la vuelta a esta situación" (Saviola: "I am going to turn things around"); Marca, 7 April 2008 (in Spanish)
  11. ↑ Saviola: "Mi situación en el Madrid es intolerable" (Saviola: "My situation in Madrid is intolerable"); Marca, 24 January 2009 (in Spanish)
  12. ↑ Europa League: Everton humbled, Fulham denied; ESPN Soccernet, 22 October 2009
  13. ↑ Unstoppable Benfica crush Nacional; PortuGOAL, 26 October 2009
  14. ↑ Cardozo and Saviola show fires Benfica to another big win; PortuGOAL, 6 December 2009
  15. ↑ Saviola fires Benfica to victory in classico Archived 19 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine.; PortuGOAL, 20 December 2009
  16. ↑ "Djalmir foi o marcador mais eficaz" [Djalmir was the most effective scorer] (in Portuguese). Record. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  17. ↑ Liedson hits four for Sporting; Benfica go three points clear at table top; PortuGOAL, 7 March 2010
  18. ↑ Bonachera, Rocío (31 August 2012). "Saviola: "Trataré de aportar lo máximo al equipo"" [Saviola: "I will give of myself as much as i can to this team"] (in Spanish). Vavel. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  19. ↑ "Real Zaragoza 0–1 Málaga". ESPN Soccernet. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  20. ↑ "Mágico Saviola, histórico Málaga" [Magical Saviola, historical Málaga] (in Spanish). Marca. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  21. ↑ Magical Málaga make it a debut to remember; UEFA.com, 18 September 2012
  22. ↑ Javier Saviola completes switch to Olympiacos; Sky Sports, 24 July 2013
  23. ↑ "Saviola the hero as Olympiacos squeeze through". UEFA.com. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  24. ↑ "Verona, ecco Saviola, il bomber argentino del Barcellona prima di Messi" [Verona, here is Saviola, Barcelona's Argentine bomber before Messi] (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  25. ↑ "Verona salvage stalemate". Sky Sports. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  26. ↑ "Verona-Perugia 1–0: Saviola manda i gialloblù agli ottavi con la Juve" [Verona 1–0 Perugia: Saviola sends the gialloblù into the last 16 against Juve] (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 2 December 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  27. ↑ "Serie A: Javier Saviola nets winner for Verona against Atalanta". Sky Sports. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  28. ↑ "Saviola, mano a mano en su vuelta a River" [Saviola, one-on-one on his return to River] (in Spanish). Club Atlético River Plate. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  29. ↑ "Saviola deja River" [Saviola leaves River] (in Spanish). Marca. 7 January 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  30. ↑ "Saviola ficha por el Ordino de Andorra" [Saviola signs for Andorra's Ordino] (in Spanish). Marca. 19 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  31. ↑ "Copa América 2004". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 22 October 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  32. ↑ "Argentina 6–0 Serbia & Montenegro". BBC Sport. 16 June 2006. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  33. ↑ "A lighter shoe, cooler kits, a faster ball, a Secret Tournament – every touch counts". Nike. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  34. ↑ Cozens, Claire (3 April 2002). "Cantona hosts World Cup with a difference". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "J. Saviola". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  36. ↑ "Argentina – Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 17 January 2010. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  37. ↑ "South American Team of the Year". RSSSF. 16 January 2009. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  38. 1 2 "FIFA World Youth Championship Argentina 2001 – Awards". FIFA.com. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
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