Javier Saviola Explained

Javier Saviola
Full Name:Javier Pedro Saviola Fernández
Birth Date:11 December 1981
Birth Place:Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height:1.68 m
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Barcelona U19 (assistant)Encamp (futsal)
Youthclubs1:Parque Chas
Youthclubs2:River Plate
Years1:1998–2001
Clubs1:River Plate
Caps1:86
Goals1:45
Years2:2001–2007
Clubs2:Barcelona
Caps2:123
Goals2:49
Years3:2004–2005
Clubs3:Monaco (loan)
Caps3:29
Goals3:7
Years4:2005–2006
Clubs4:Sevilla (loan)
Caps4:29
Goals4:9
Years5:2007–2009
Clubs5:Real Madrid
Caps5:17
Goals5:4
Years6:2009–2012
Clubs6:Benfica
Caps6:69
Goals6:24
Years7:2012–2013
Clubs7:Málaga
Caps7:27
Goals7:8
Years8:2013–2014
Clubs8:Olympiacos
Caps8:26
Goals8:12
Years9:2014–2015
Clubs9:Verona
Caps9:15
Goals9:1
Years10:2015–2016
Clubs10:River Plate
Caps10:14
Goals10:0
Totalcaps:434
Totalgoals:159
Nationalyears1:2001
Nationalteam1:Argentina U20
Nationalcaps1:7
Nationalgoals1:11
Nationalyears2:2000–2007
Nationalteam2:Argentina
Nationalcaps2:39
Nationalgoals2:11
Manageryears1:2016–2022
Managerclubs1:Ordino (assistant)
Manageryears2:2022–
Managerclubs2:Barcelona U19 (assistant)

Javier Pedro Saviola Fernández (pronounced as /es/; born 11 December 1981) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a forward.

He represented both Barcelona and Real Madrid, also having notable spells with Benfica and Olympiacos, 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.

Saviola won league titles in Argentina, Spain, Portugal and Greece during his playing career, as well as a UEFA Cup. An Argentine international for seven years, he represented his country at the 2006 World Cup and the 2004 Copa América, where Argentina reached the final. He also won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Club career

River Plate

Nicknamed El Conejo (The Rabbit),[1] Buenos Aires-born Saviola made his debut for River Plate at the age of 16, and went on to be a prolific goalscorer for the club.[2]

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.[3]

Barcelona

In 2001, aged 19, Saviola moved abroad to play for Barcelona in a £15 million transfer. 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 team; under coach Carles Rexach, he scored 17 goals in his first season, finishing joint-fourth top scorer in La Liga.[4]

Saviola's second year at the Camp Nou did not start well, as he only scored two goals in the first half of the season. Radomir Antić became the new coach after Louis van Gaal was fired, and he went on to net eleven goals in the latter half of the campaign; Frank Rijkaard was subsequently appointed as new manager for 2003–04, and the player scored 14 times in the league alone, but was deemed surplus at the club as was longtime attacking partner Patrick Kluivert.[4]

Saviola was sent on loan in the summer of 2004, moving to Monaco in Ligue 1. As he did not fit into Rijkaard's plans, he was again loaned out the following year, this time to Sevilla who were seeking to replace Real Madrid-bound Júlio Baptista; with the Andalusians 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 2006–07,[5] 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 Alavés (3–2 win at home, 5–2 aggregate).[6] [7]

Real Madrid

On 10 July 2007, Real Madrid signed Saviola after his Barcelona contract expired, on a three-year deal.[8] 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.[9] [10]

Benfica

On 26 June 2009, 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. On 16 July, he scored two goals to send his team into the Guadiana Trophy finals after defeating Athletic Bilbao.[11]

Saviola netted twice on 22 October 2009, guiding his side to a 5–0 victory over Everton for the UEFA Europa League (he would also score in their 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 Porto at home;[15] during the victorious campaign, he formed a deadly attacking partnership with Paraguayan Óscar Cardozo, with the pair combining for more than 50 goals overall.[16]

On 3 January 2010, shortly before receiving the SJPF Player of the Month award,[17] Saviola scored another winning goal against Nacional, now for the Taça da Liga,[18] again being the game's only scorer in an away defeat of Rio Ave, netting in the 48th minute.[19] He scored his 19th goal overall in a 3–1 home triumph against Paços de Ferreira on 7 March,[20] and the Lisbon club was eventually crowned league champions

Málaga

In the last hours of the 2012–13 summer transfer window, Saviola agreed on a move to Málaga.[21] He played 45 minutes in his first appearance, a 1–0 win at Real Zaragoza on 1 September.[22]

On 15 September 2012, Saviola scored once and provided one assist in a 3−1 home win against Levante.[23] 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 Zenit Saint Petersburg.[24]

Olympiacos

On 25 July 2013, Saviola signed a two-year contract with Greek champions Olympiacos.[25] He scored his first goal in the Superleague on 25 August, coming on at half-time and helping his team come from behind to win 2–1 at home to Atromitos On 10 December, he netted a brace – and also missed a penalty – in a 3–1 success over Anderlecht also at the Karaiskakis Stadium in the group stage's last round, which helped the Piraeus team finish second and qualify at the expense of former side Benfica.[26]

Verona

On 2 September 2014, Saviola joined Serie A club Hellas Verona.[27] He made his official debut on 22 September, starting in a 2–2 home draw against Genoa,[28] and scored his first goal on 2 December, netting the only in a home win over Perugia for the Coppa Italia.[29] His sole goal of the league season came on 25 January 2015, the only one in a home victory over Atalanta.[30]

Return to River

On 30 June 2015, River Plate announced that Saviola had returned to the club.[31] He left in January of the following year, after failing to find the net in his second spell,[32] and subsequently retired from professional football at the age of 34.[33]

Retirement, coaching, and futsal career

Immediately after retiring, Saviola settled in Andorra with his family and was appointed assistant manager at Ordino in the Primera Divisió.[34] In February 2018, he joined local futsal team Encamp.[33] In April of that year, he won the principality's futsal league with the side.[35]

International career

thumb|upright|left|Saviola in the Argentina national team, 2007Saviola 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.[36]

Three 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 Pékerman, 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[37] and one in the latter.

Saviola was called up to represent Argentina at the 2006 World CupLuciano 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 Ivory Coast in the country's opening game, and made two assists in the 6–0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro also in the group phase.[38]

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.

Style of play

Saviola was known for his speed, agility, dribbling and ability to score from almost any attacking position on the field.[39] [40] [41] A diminutive, talented, and prolific forward, with a slender build, he was capable of playing as a striker, in a more creative role as a second striker, or even in a playmaking role as an attacking midfielder.[40] [42] [43] [44] [45] Throughout his career, Saviola was nicknamed El Conejo (The Rabbit, in Spanish), due to his appearance, and also El Pibito (The Little Kid, in Spanish), a reference to compatriot Diego Maradona, who was nicknamed El Pibe de Oro (The Golden Kid, in Spanish), and to whom Saviola was often compared in his youth.[41] [46] [47]

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".[48] [49]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[50]
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
River Plate1998–99Argentine Primera División196196
1999–200033193319
2000–0134203420
Total86458645
Barcelona2001–02La Liga3617101144821
2002–033613101475120
2003–04331452734519
2006–0718555102410
Total1234912700331416870
Monaco (loan)2004–05Ligue 12975610744217
Sevilla (loan)2005–06La Liga299001364215
Real Madrid2007–08La Liga936020173
2008–09812120122
Total174810040295
Benfica2009–10Primeira Liga271121411164419
2010–1124963311214514
2011–12184215160316
Total692410512329712039
Málaga2012–13La Liga2784061379
Olympiacos2013–14Super League Greece251240523414
2014–1510000010
Total261240523514
Verona2014–15Serie A15111162
River Plate2015Argentine Primera División1300020150
Career total43415944201339934590216

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[51]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Argentina200010
200100
200230
200383
2004105
200581
200651
200741
Total3911

Scores and results list Argentina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Saviola goal.

List of international goals scored by Javier Saviola
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1 20 April 2003 June 11, Tripoli, Libya 1–0 3–1 Friendly
2 8 June 2003 Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan 1–0 4–1 Friendly
3 11 June 2003 Seoul World Cup, Seoul, South Korea 1–0 1–0 Friendly
4 30 June 2004 Giants Stadium, New Jersey, United States 2–0 2–1 Friendly
5 7 July 2004 Elías Aguirre, Chiclayo, Peru 2–1 6–1 2004 Copa América
6 3–1
7 4–1
8 17 November 2004 El Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina 3–1 3–2 2006 World Cup qualification
9 15 June 2005 RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne, Germany 2–0 2–1 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup
10 10 June 2006 Imtech Arena, Hamburg, Germany 2–0 2–1 2006 FIFA World Cup
11 7 February 2007 Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France 1–0 1–0 Friendly

Honours

River Plate

1999 Apertura, 2000 Clausura[50]

2015

2015

Sevilla

2005–06[50]

Real Madrid[50]

2007–08

2008

Benfica[50]

2009–10

2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12

Olympiacos

2013–14[50]

Argentina

2001

2004

Individual

1999 Apertura Top scorer

1999

1999

Golden Shoe 2001[53]

Golden Ball 2001[53]

2001–02

Player of the Month December 2009

2010

Notes and References

  1. http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD03/PUB/2001/07/22/EMD20010722005MDP.pdf El 'Mono' Burgos bautizó a Saviola como el 'Conejo' ('Mono' Burgos dubbed Saviola 'Conejo')
  2. http://www.theargentimes.com/culture/sport/interview-with-javier-saviola-/ Interview with Javier Saviola
  3. Web site: Can Saviola repeat Maradona's feat?. https://web.archive.org/web/20130727003527/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/u20worldcup/argentina2001/news/newsid=78076/index.html. dead. 27 July 2013. FIFA. 15 June 2001. 3 March 2015.
  4. News: Saviola, de solución a problema. Saviola, from solution to problem. El País. Luis. Martín. es. 26 September 2006. 29 August 2018.
  5. http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2006/08/31/futbol/1157027406.html Saviola seguirá en el Barça aunque Rijkaard no cuenta con él (Saviola to continue in Barça even though Rijkaard does not want him)
  6. http://archivo.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/copa_del_rey/previaxcronica/es/desarrollo/707505.html El Barcelona golea sin problemas al Badalona y Saviola se aprovecha (Barcelona have no problems routing Badalona and Saviola seizes chance)
  7. http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=497539.html Sublime Saviola sinks Alavés
  8. http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=552710.html Saviola to sign off at Barça
  9. http://archivo.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/1a_division/real_madrid/es/desarrollo/1108825.html Saviola: "Voy a dar la vuelta a esta situación" (Saviola: "I am going to turn things around")
  10. http://www.marca.com/2009/01/24/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1232791468.html Saviola: "Mi situación en el Madrid es intolerable" (Saviola: "My situation in Madrid is intolerable")
  11. News: Benfica vence Bilbao com 'bis' de Saviola. Benfica beat Bilbao with Saviola brace. Expresso. pt. 16 July 2009. 30 August 2018.
  12. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=688188&sec=uefaeuropaleague&cc=5739 Europa League: Everton humbled, Fulham denied
  13. http://portugoal.net/index.php/more-liga-sagres-news/4983-unstoppable-benfica-crush-nacional Unstoppable Benfica crush Nacional
  14. http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-liga-sagres-news/6087-cardozo-a-saviola-fire-benfica-to-win Cardozo and Saviola show fires Benfica to another big win
  15. http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-liga-sagres-news/6436-benfica-v-fc-porto-live-commentary Saviola fires Benfica to victory in classico
  16. News: Djalmir foi o marcador mais eficaz. Djalmir was the most effective scorer. Record. pt. 10 May 2010. 21 February 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170222111618/http://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/2--liga/olhanense/detalhe/djalmir-foi-o-marcador-mais-eficaz.html. 22 February 2017.
  17. Web site: Saviola eleito melhor jogador de Dezembro. Saviola voted best player in December. SAPO. pt. 7 January 2010. 30 August 2018.
  18. Web site: Taça da Liga: Benfica-Nacional, 1–0 (crónica). League Cup: Benfica-Nacional, 1–0 (match report). Maisfutebol. Gouveia. Ricardo. pt. 3 January 2010. 30 August 2018.
  19. Web site: Rio Ave-Benfica, 0–1 (crónica). Rio Ave-Benfica, 0–1 (match report). Maisfutebol. Alvarenga. Vítor Hugo. pt. 9 January 2010. 30 August 2018.
  20. http://portugoal.net/index.php/more-liga-sagres-news/8313-liedson-hits-four-benfica-pull-clear Liedson hits four for Sporting; Benfica go three points clear at table top
  21. Web site: Saviola: "Trataré de aportar lo máximo al equipo". Saviola: "I will give of myself as much as i can to this team". Vavel. Bonachera. Rocío. es. 31 August 2012. 31 August 2012.
  22. Web site: Real Zaragoza 0–1 Málaga. ESPN Soccernet. 1 September 2012. 3 September 2012.
  23. News: Mágico Saviola, histórico Málaga. Magical Saviola, historical Málaga. Marca. es. 15 September 2012. 17 September 2012.
  24. http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2013/matches/round=2000347/match=2009500/postmatch/report/index.html Magical Málaga make it a debut to remember
  25. http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/8839191/transfer-news-javier-saviola-completes-switch-to-olympiacos Javier Saviola completes switch to Olympiacos
  26. Web site: Saviola the hero as Olympiacos squeeze through. UEFA. 10 December 2013. 10 December 2013.
  27. News: Verona, ecco Saviola, il bomber argentino del Barcellona prima di Messi. Verona, here is Saviola, Barcelona's Argentine bomber before Messi. La Gazzetta dello Sport. it. 2 September 2014. 19 October 2014.
  28. Web site: Verona salvage stalemate. Sky Sports. 24 September 2014. 19 October 2014.
  29. News: Verona-Perugia 1–0: Saviola manda i gialloblù agli ottavi con la Juve. Verona 1–0 Perugia: Saviola sends the yellow-and-blue into the last 16 against Juve. La Gazzetta dello Sport. it. 2 December 2014. 5 December 2014.
  30. Web site: Serie A: Javier Saviola nets winner for Verona against Atalanta. Sky Sports. 25 January 2015. 27 June 2015.
  31. Web site: Saviola, mano a mano en su vuelta a River. Saviola, one-on-one on his return to River. River Plate. es. 30 June 2015. 1 July 2015.
  32. News: Saviola deja River. Saviola leaves River. Marca. es. 7 January 2016. 9 February 2016.
  33. Web site: Saviola se pasa al fúbol sala . Saviola moves to futsal . Diario AS Argentina . Javier de Paz Seguir . es . 15 February 2018 . 13 April 2019 .
  34. News: Saviola ficha por el Ordino de Andorra. Saviola signs for Andorra's Ordino. Marca. es. 19 September 2016. 19 September 2016.
  35. News: Saviola gana la liga de fútbol sala de Andorra con el Encamp. Saviola wins the Andorran futsal league with Encamp. Diario AS. es. 20 April 2018. 5 October 2018.
  36. Web site: 10 Facts About FIFA's U-20.
  37. News: Copa América 2004. 17 February 2015. live. RSSSF. https://web.archive.org/web/20081022185106/http://rsssf.com/tables/2004safull.html. 22 October 2008.
  38. News: Argentina 6–0 Serbia & Montenegro. BBC Sport. 16 June 2006. 17 February 2015.
  39. News: Saviola come Diego, al Barcellona da re. Saviola like Diego, at Barcelona as a king. Corriere della Sera. Monti. Fabio. it. 7 July 2001. 7 February 2015.
  40. Web site: Cocu wary of old team-mate . UEFA.com . 22 February 2005 . 9 January 2020 .
  41. Web site: Javier Saviola; 'El pibito' the goalscorer . FC Barcelona . 9 January 2020 .
  42. News: Saviola, ancora l'Italia nel futuro? Lo cercano Bologna, Genoa e Atalanta . Saviola, still Italy in his future? Bologna, Genoa and Atalanta are looking to get him . . it . 17 February 2016 . 9 January 2020 .
  43. Web site: Aimar al River, Saviola Resta a Verona . Aimar to Rivre, Saviola Remains at Verona . Hellas 1903 . it . 31 December 2014 . 9 January 2020 .
  44. News: Saviola makes Henry pitch . The Guardian . 16 March 2004 . 9 January 2020 .
  45. Web site: Aguero shows his versatility . ESPN FC . Cox . Michael . 29 October 2013 . 17 May 2020 .
  46. Web site: 2001 World Youth Championship Preview: Eight to Watch . Soccer America . Kennedy . Paul . 12 June 2001 . 9 January 2020 .
  47. Web site: Che fine ha fatto? Il 'conejo' Saviola: da nuovo Maradona alla tristezza Verona . What ever happened to him? The 'conejo' Saviola: from the new Maradona to the sadness of Verona . Calciomercato . Di Gioia . Alessandro . it . 9 December 2017 . 9 January 2020 .
  48. Web site: A lighter shoe, cooler kits, a faster ball, a Secret Tournament – every touch counts. Nike. 26 May 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20020602055510/http://www.nikebiz.com/story/stry_scorpion.shtml. 2 June 2002.
  49. News: Cantona hosts World Cup with a difference. The Guardian. Cozens. Claire. 3 April 2002. 26 May 2015.
  50. Web site: J. Saviola. Soccerway. 4 January 2014.
  51. Web site: Argentina – Record International Players. 9 February 2016. live. RSSSF. https://web.archive.org/web/20100113172740/http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/arg-recintlp.html. 13 January 2010.
  52. News: South American Team of the Year. 16 January 2009. 10 March 2015. live. . https://web.archive.org/web/20150121064015/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/sam-toy.html. 21 January 2015.
  53. Web site: FIFA World Youth Championship Argentina 2001 – Awards. https://web.archive.org/web/20130328164455/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/u20worldcup/argentina2001/awards/index.html. dead. 28 March 2013. FIFA. 2 February 2015.