Javier Saviola, born on December 11, 1981, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a retired professional footballer who had a successful career playing for various clubs and the Argentine national team. Here's a detailed look at his career, achievements, and what he's been up to since retiring from professional football.
Professional Football Career
Early Years and Move to Europe
- Saviola began his youth career at Parque Chas before joining River Plate. His senior career started with River Plate, where he made 86 appearances and scored 45 goals from 1998 to 2001.
- In 2001, he made a move to Europe and joined Barcelona, where he played 123 games and scored 49 goals until 2007.
- During his time at Barcelona, he also had loan spells at Monaco and Sevilla, showcasing his talent and goal-scoring ability.
- His successful stint at Barcelona earned him a move to Real Madrid in 2007, where he made 17 appearances and scored 4 goals.
- Saviola then went on to play for Benfica, Málaga, and briefly returned to River Plate before retiring from professional football in 2016.
International Career
- Saviola represented the Argentine national team, earning 40 caps and scoring 11 goals.
- He participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 2004 Copa América, where Argentina reached the final.
- Notably, he won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, showcasing his prowess on the international stage.
Achievements and Accolades
Individual Honors
- Saviola was named the South American Footballer of the Year in 1999 and the Argentina Footballer of the Year in the same year.
- His exceptional performances earned him recognition as one of the 125 greatest living footballers, as he was the youngest player on Pelé's FIFA 100 list in 2004.
Club Titles
- Throughout his career, Saviola won league titles in Argentina, Spain, Portugal, and Greece, as well as a UEFA Cup.
Life After Retirement
Coaching and Futsal Career
- Following his retirement from professional football, Saviola settled in Andorra with his family and took on a coaching role as an assistant manager at FC Ordino in the Primera Divisió.
- He also transitioned to futsal and joined the local team Encamp, winning the principality's futsal league with the side in April 2018.
Current Involvement
- Saviola is currently an assistant manager at Barcelona U19 and continues to be involved in the football scene.
- His contributions to the development of young talents at Barcelona U19 highlight his continued passion for the sport and nurturing the next generation of footballers.
Javier Saviola's journey from his early days in Argentina to his successful career in Europe and international accolades showcases his impact on the world of football. His transition to coaching and involvement in futsal post-retirement demonstrate his enduring love for the sport and commitment to its development.
SHOP Mystery Signed Memorabilia
-
Mystery Signed Football 8x10 Photo
- Regular price
- $29.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $29.99
- Unit price
- per
-
Mystery Signed Baseball Jersey
- Regular price
- $69.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $69.99
- Unit price
- per
-
Mystery Signed Football Jersey
- Regular price
- $69.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $69.99
- Unit price
- per
-
Mystery Signed Baseball 8x10 Photo
- Regular price
- $29.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $29.99
- Unit price
- per
LATEST
- NEWS
- |
- ARTICLES
- |
- VIDEOS
More Stories
FAN ARCH PODCAST NETWORK
