Full Name: Javier Saviola
Alias: Saviola
Place of Birth: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Date of Birth: 1981 12 11
Position: Forward
Weight: 134 lbs / 61 kg
Height: 5′5″ / 168 cm
Nationality: Argentine
There’s something special about Javier Saviola. He landed at Real Madrid’s doorstep at the age of 26, which for many footballers is the peak of their careers, having already graced the dressing rooms of River Plate, Barcelona, Monaco, and Sevilla.
The striker has a killer goal-scoring instinct. Short-statured with an angelic face, Saviola is a devil when he gets hold of the ball in his opponent’s box. It’s at that moment that the ‘Rabbit’ turns into a true predator capable of destroying any defender with his speed and first stride, both of which have earned him comparisons to legendary Brazilian forward Romario.
Saviola always stood out as a member of River Plate’s youth system, the same team he debuted with in Argentina’s Primera Division at the age of 16. He scored his first goal in his first match in top flight football and is the youngest player to accomplish such a feat. He would go on to win the 1999 Torneo Apertura as the top scorer of the competition. Only 18-years and one day old, he was the second youngest player to pick up the honor, coming within eight days of Maradona’s record. Saviola also won the following year’s Torneo Clausura. He scored 45 goals in 85 matches with River Plate, plus another ten when including Copa Libertadores action.
Following his first World Cup appearance, and still only 19-years old, Saviola was signed by none other than FC Barcelona. After becoming a naturalized Spanish citizen in 2004, he was sent on loan to AS Monaco, where he played the entire 2004/05 season in the Ligue 1 and the Champions League. Upon returning to Catalonia he was again sent on loan to Sevilla, who went on to win the 2006 UEFA Cup. He returned to Barcelona at season’s end and in 2007 joined Real Madrid in the Spanish capital.
In 2001 Saviola was named MVP of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup after leading Argentina to the title as the competitions top scorer. He debuted with the Argentine national team on 16 August 2000, a match that ended in a 1-1 draw against Paraguay. He also played in the 2006 World Cup and scored one goal.
