Javier Saviola Biography: The Life of a Talented Footballer
Javier Saviola, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 11, 1981, is a retired international football player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation. Standing at just 5’6″, Saviola overcame his short stature to become one of the best strikers in the history of Argentine football.
Saviola’s career began at the age of 16 when he made his debut for Club Atlético River Plate. He quickly established himself as a prolific goalscorer and helped River to win the 1999 Apertura and 2000 Clausura championships. Saviola’s performances earned him the 1999 South American Footballer of the Year award, and he soon caught the attention of Europe’s top clubs.
Saviola went on to play for some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Barcelona and Real Madrid. He also represented the Argentine national team and played in two World Cups. Despite his success on the pitch, Saviola is also known for his charitable work off the field.
Key Takeaways
- Javier Saviola is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of his generation.
- Saviola began his career at Club Atlético River Plate and went on to play for some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Barcelona and Real Madrid.
- Saviola is also known for his charitable work off the field.
Early Life
Javier Saviola was born on December 11, 1981, in Belgrano, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He grew up in a football-loving family, and his father was a coach at a local club. As a child, Saviola showed a keen interest in football and began playing at a young age.
At the age of seven, Saviola joined the youth academy of River Plate, one of the most successful clubs in Argentina. He quickly established himself as a promising talent, and his skills on the field earned him the nickname “El Conejo” or “The Rabbit.”
Saviola’s talent did not go unnoticed, and he was soon called up to the Argentine national youth team. He played in several youth tournaments, including the Under-17 World Cup in Egypt in 1997, where he was the tournament’s top scorer and helped Argentina win the championship.
In 1998, Saviola made his professional debut for River Plate at the age of 16. He quickly became a regular player and helped his team win several titles, including the Argentine Primera Division and the Copa Libertadores. His performances on the field caught the attention of several European clubs, including Barcelona, who signed him in 2001.
Career Beginnings
Javier Saviola started his professional career with Club Atlético River Plate at the age of 16. He quickly became known for his exceptional goal-scoring ability and helped River Plate win the 1999 Apertura and 2000 Clausura championships.
In 1999, Saviola was named the South American Footballer of the Year, becoming the youngest player ever to receive the award at the age of 18. He continued to impress with his performance on the field and was named the best player in Argentina and South America in 1999.
Saviola’s success at River Plate caught the attention of major European football clubs. In 2001, he signed with FC Barcelona, where he played for four seasons. Despite his individual success, Saviola was unable to help Barcelona win any major titles during his time there.
After leaving Barcelona, Saviola went on loan to AS Monaco and then to Sevilla. He won the 2005-2006 UEFA Cup with Sevilla, scoring a crucial goal in the final against Middlesbrough.
Overall, Saviola’s early career was marked by his exceptional talent and goal-scoring ability, which helped him become one of the most promising young players in the world.
Time at Barcelona
Javier Saviola’s time at Barcelona was marked by his impressive performances on the pitch. He joined the club in 2001 from River Plate, and quickly became a fan favorite.
During his first season at Barcelona, Saviola scored 17 goals in 34 league appearances, helping the club win the La Liga title. He also scored an important goal in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals against Panathinaikos.
In the following season, Saviola continued to impress, scoring 14 goals in 36 league appearances. He also helped Barcelona reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League, scoring a crucial goal against Chelsea in the round of 16.
Despite his impressive performances, Saviola was not always a regular starter under coach Frank Rijkaard. He was often used as a substitute, and his playing time decreased in his third season at the club.
Saviola left Barcelona in 2007, having scored a total of 49 goals in 123 league appearances. His time at the club was marked by his skill, speed, and clinical finishing in front of goal.
Move to Real Madrid
After a successful stint at Barcelona, Javier Saviola moved to Real Madrid in 2007. The transfer fee was reported to be around €5 million, and Saviola signed a four-year contract with the club.
Saviola’s time at Real Madrid was not as successful as his time at Barcelona. In his first season, he struggled to find playing time and was often used as a substitute. He scored only eight goals in 28 appearances that season.
The following season, Saviola was loaned out to Benfica. He had a much better season there, scoring 20 goals in 35 appearances and helping the club win the Portuguese Liga title. However, Real Madrid decided not to bring him back and instead sold him to Benfica for €5 million.
Saviola spent four seasons at Benfica, where he was a key player and helped the club win two league titles. He then moved to Málaga, where he played for two seasons before retiring in 2015.
Overall, Saviola’s move to Real Madrid was not as successful as he had hoped, but he was able to find success at other clubs later in his career.
International Career
Saviola made his debut for the Argentina national team on August 16, 2000, in a friendly match against Paraguay. He went on to score 11 goals in 40 appearances for the national team.
He played a crucial role in Argentina’s qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring a hat-trick in a crucial qualifier against Venezuela. However, he was not a regular starter during the tournament, making only one start in four appearances.
Saviola was also part of Argentina’s squad for the 2004 Copa America, where he scored two goals in three appearances. He was a regular starter during the tournament and helped Argentina reach the final, where they lost to Brazil.
In 2006, Saviola was named in Argentina’s squad for the FIFA World Cup in Germany. He made two appearances in the tournament, both as a substitute.
Saviola’s last appearance for the national team came on November 19, 2013, in a friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was substituted in the 71st minute of the match.
Post-Playing Career
After retiring from professional football, Javier Saviola took up coaching. In 2018, he was appointed as the head coach of FC Ordino, a club in the Andorran First Division. He led the team to a second-place finish in his first season in charge.
In addition to coaching, Saviola is also involved in various business ventures. He co-owns a chain of restaurants in Buenos Aires called “El Pibe” and has also invested in real estate.
Saviola is also active in charity work. In 2015, he participated in a charity match organized by Lionel Messi and played alongside other football legends such as Ronaldinho and Diego Maradona. The match raised funds for the victims of the earthquake that struck Nepal that year.
Overall, Saviola has successfully transitioned from a successful playing career to coaching and business ventures while also giving back to the community through his charitable work.
Legacy
Despite not achieving the same level of success as some of his fellow Argentine footballers, Javier Saviola’s legacy in the sport is still significant.
Saviola is widely regarded as one of the most talented players of his generation, and his performances for both club and country earned him a place on Pele’s list of the 100 greatest living players in 2004.
Throughout his career, Saviola was known for his speed, agility, and technical ability, which made him a nightmare for defenders to mark. He was also a prolific goalscorer, with a career total of over 200 goals for club and country.
Saviola’s success on the pitch has inspired a generation of young footballers in Argentina and beyond. Many of today’s top players, including Lionel Messi, have spoken about how Saviola’s performances influenced them during their formative years.
Off the pitch, Saviola is known for his charitable work and dedication to helping underprivileged children. He has established several foundations and initiatives aimed at providing education and sports opportunities to disadvantaged youth in Argentina.
Overall, Javier Saviola’s legacy in football goes beyond his impressive statistics and individual accolades. He will always be remembered as a player who brought joy and excitement to the game, both through his performances on the pitch and his commitment to making a positive impact off it.
Personal Life
Javier Saviola was born on December 11, 1981, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He grew up in the city where he developed a strong passion for soccer. Although he was born in Argentina, his ancestors descended from Spain, and he became a Spanish citizen.
Saviola is married to Romanela Amato, and the couple has two children together. They have been together since 2006 and got married in 2011. Saviola is known for being a private person and rarely shares details about his personal life with the media.
In his free time, Saviola enjoys spending time with his family and traveling. He is also a fan of music and enjoys playing the guitar. Saviola is actively involved in charity work and has participated in several initiatives to help underprivileged children in Argentina.
Charitable Work
Throughout his career, Javier Saviola has been involved in various charitable causes. In 2006, he participated in a charity match organized by UNICEF and the FC Barcelona Foundation to raise funds for children affected by the conflict in Lebanon. Saviola played alongside other football stars such as Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o, and Deco.
In 2013, Saviola donated a signed jersey to the “Camisetas con Historia” (Shirts with History) initiative, which aimed to raise funds for the fight against cancer. The shirt was auctioned off and the proceeds were donated to the Spanish Association Against Cancer.
In addition, Saviola has been involved in several initiatives aimed at promoting sports among young people. In 2014, he participated in a football clinic organized by the FC Barcelona Foundation in the Dominican Republic, where he shared his experience and knowledge with local children.
Saviola has also been a supporter of the “Futbol Mas” (More Football) project, which promotes the social integration of disadvantaged children through football. In 2016, he participated in a charity match organized by the project in Barcelona, where he played alongside other football legends such as Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Cafu.
Overall, Javier Saviola has used his platform as a professional footballer to support various charitable causes and promote the positive impact of sports on society.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Javier Saviola known for?
Javier Saviola is known for being 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. He was named as the youngest player on Pelé’s FIFA 100 list of the 125 greatest living footballers.
What is Javier Saviola’s nickname?
Javier Saviola’s nickname is “El Conejo” which means “The Rabbit” in Spanish. The nickname was given to him due to his speed and agility on the football pitch.
Who is Javier Saviola’s wife?
Javier Saviola’s wife is Romanela Amato. The couple got married in 2009 and they have three children together.
What was Javier Saviola’s shirt number?
Javier Saviola’s shirt number varied throughout his career. During his time at Barcelona, he wore the number 7 shirt. At Real Madrid, he wore the number 24 shirt. At Benfica, he wore the number 30 shirt. And at Olympiacos, he wore the number 9 shirt.
Where is Javier Saviola currently playing?
Javier Saviola is currently retired from professional football. However, he is still involved in the sport as a coach. He has worked as an assistant coach for the Argentine national team and as a youth coach for River Plate.
When did Javier Saviola leave Barcelona?
Javier Saviola left Barcelona in 2007. He had spent six seasons at the club, scoring 70 goals in 172 appearances. He then went on to play for Real Madrid, Benfica, Málaga, Hellas Verona, and Olympiacos before retiring in 2016.