Editing Javier Saviola (section)

==Club career==
===River Plate===
Nicknamed ''El Conejo'' (''The [[Rabbit]]''),<ref>[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')]; [[Mundo Deportivo]], 22 July 2001 (in Spanish)</ref> [[Buenos Aires]]-born Saviola made his debut for [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] at the age of 16, and went on to be a prolific goalscorer for the club.<ref>[http://www.theargentimes.com/culture/sport/interview-with-javier-saviola-/ Interview with Javier Saviola] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921131800/http://www.theargentimes.com/culture/sport/interview-with-javier-saviola-/|date=21 September 2011}}; The Argentina Independent, 10 October 2008</ref>

He helped River to the 1999 ''[[Apertura and Clausura|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 [[New Maradona|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/u20worldcup/argentina2001/news/newsid=78076/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727003527/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/u20worldcup/argentina2001/news/newsid=78076/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 July 2013|title=Can Saviola repeat Maradona's feat?|publisher=FIFA|date=15 June 2001|access-date=3 March 2015}}</ref>

===Barcelona===
In 2001, aged 19, Saviola moved abroad to play for [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in a [[Pound sterling|£]]15 million transfer.<ref name=CDS/> He obtained [[Spanish nationality law|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 [[2001–02 La Liga|his first season]], finishing joint-fourth top scorer in [[La Liga]].<ref name=BARCELONA>{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/diario/2006/09/26/deportes/1159221604_850215.html|title=Saviola, de solución a problema|trans-title=Saviola, from solution to problem|newspaper=[[El País]]|first=Luis|last=Martín|language=es|date=26 September 2006|access-date=29 August 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Javier Saviola 15abr2007.jpg|thumb|left|Saviola with [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in 2007]]
Saviola's [[2002–03 La Liga|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 La Liga|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]].<ref name=BARCELONA/>

Saviola was sent [[Loan (association football)|on loan]] in the summer of 2004, moving to [[AS Monaco FC|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 FC|Sevilla]] who were seeking to replace [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]]-bound [[Júlio Baptista]]; with the [[Andalusia]]ns he won his first title in Europe, [[2005–06 UEFA Cup|conquering]] the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]] — he also scored nine times in the league, good enough [[2005–06 La Liga|for fifth]].

Saviola returned to Barcelona for [[2006–07 La Liga|2006–07]],<ref>[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)]; [[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]], 31 August 2006 (in Spanish)</ref> 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 [[2006–07 Copa del Rey|that season]]'s [[Copa del Rey]], notably a [[hat-trick]] against [[Deportivo Alavés|Alavés]] (3–2 win at home, 5–2 aggregate).<ref>[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)]; [[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]], 8 November 2006 (in Spanish)</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025103119/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=497539.html Sublime Saviola sinks Alavés]; UEFA, 17 January 2007</ref>

===Real Madrid===
On 10 July 2007, Real Madrid signed Saviola after his Barcelona contract expired, on a three-year deal.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025103135/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=552710.html Saviola to sign off at Barça]; UEFA, 18 June 2007</ref> 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.<ref>[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")]; Marca, 7 April 2008 (in Spanish)</ref><ref>[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")]; Marca, 24 January 2009 (in Spanish)</ref>

===Benfica===
[[File:Saviola_celebrating.jpg|thumb|Saviola celebrating a goal for Benfica, 2011]]
On 26 June 2009, [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] and Real Madrid agreed on a [[Euro|€]]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 [[2009 Guadiana Trophy|Guadiana Trophy finals]] after defeating [[Athletic Bilbao]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://expresso.sapo.pt/desporto/benfica-vence-bilbao-com-bis-de-saviola=f526489#gs.iNdaQ=0|title=Benfica vence Bilbao com 'bis' de Saviola|trans-title=Benfica beat Bilbao with Saviola brace|publisher=[[Expresso (newspaper)|Expresso]]|language=pt|date=16 July 2009|access-date=30 August 2018}}</ref>

Saviola netted twice on 22 October 2009, guiding his side to a 5–0 victory over [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] for the [[2009–10 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]] (he would also score in their 2–0 win in [[Liverpool]] in the second match),<ref>[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=688188&sec=uefaeuropaleague&cc=5739 Europa League: Everton humbled, Fulham denied] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020121633/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=688188&sec=uefaeuropaleague&cc=5739 |date=20 October 2012 }}; [[ESPN FC|ESPN Soccernet]], 22 October 2009</ref> adding another brace four days later in a 6–1 routing of [[C.D. Nacional]] for the [[Primeira Liga]].<ref>[http://portugoal.net/index.php/more-liga-sagres-news/4983-unstoppable-benfica-crush-nacional Unstoppable Benfica crush Nacional] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319055331/http://portugoal.net/index.php/more-liga-sagres-news/4983-unstoppable-benfica-crush-nacional |date=19 March 2013 }}; PortuGOAL, 26 October 2009</ref>

On 6 December 2009, Saviola scored through a chip shot against [[Associação Académica de Coimbra – O.A.F.|Académica de Coimbra]] in a 4–0 home win.<ref>[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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319055315/http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-liga-sagres-news/6087-cardozo-a-saviola-fire-benfica-to-win |date=19 March 2013 }}; PortuGOAL, 6 December 2009</ref> On 20 December, he netted the game's only goal as Benfica defeated rivals [[FC Porto|Porto]] at home;<ref>[http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-liga-sagres-news/6436-benfica-v-fc-porto-live-commentary Saviola fires Benfica to victory in classico] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091219181629/http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-liga-sagres-news/6436-benfica-v-fc-porto-live-commentary|date=19 December 2009}}; PortuGOAL, 20 December 2009</ref> during the victorious campaign, he formed a deadly attacking partnership with Paraguayan [[Óscar Cardozo]], with the pair combining for more than 50 goals overall.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/2--liga/olhanense/detalhe/djalmir-foi-o-marcador-mais-eficaz.html|title=Djalmir foi o marcador mais eficaz|trans-title=Djalmir was the most effective scorer|publisher=[[Record (Portuguese newspaper)|Record]]|language=pt|date=10 May 2010|access-date=21 February 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222111618/http://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/2--liga/olhanense/detalhe/djalmir-foi-o-marcador-mais-eficaz.html|archive-date=22 February 2017}}</ref>

On 3 January 2010, shortly before receiving the [[SJPF Player of the Month]] award,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira-liga/artigos/saviola-eleito-melhor-jogador-de-dezembro|title=Saviola eleito melhor jogador de Dezembro|trans-title=Saviola voted best player in December|publisher=SAPO|language=pt|date=7 January 2010|access-date=30 August 2018}}</ref> Saviola scored another [[2009–10 Taça da Liga|winning goal]] against Nacional, now for the [[Taça da Liga]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/amp/taca-da-liga-benfica-nacional-1-0-cronica|title=Taça da Liga: Benfica-Nacional, 1–0 (crónica)|trans-title=League Cup: Benfica-Nacional, 1–0 (match report)|publisher=Maisfutebol|last=Gouveia|first=Ricardo|language=pt|date=3 January 2010|access-date=30 August 2018}}</ref> again being the game's only scorer in an away defeat of [[Rio Ave F.C.|Rio Ave]], netting in the 48th minute.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/rio-ave-benfica-0-1-cronica2|title=Rio Ave-Benfica, 0–1 (crónica)|trans-title=Rio Ave-Benfica, 0–1 (match report)|publisher=Maisfutebol|last=Alvarenga|first=Vítor Hugo|language=pt|date=9 January 2010|access-date=30 August 2018}}</ref> He scored his 19th goal overall in a 3–1 home triumph against [[F.C. Paços de Ferreira|Paços de Ferreira]] on 7 March,<ref>[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] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319055315/http://portugoal.net/index.php/more-liga-sagres-news/8313-liedson-hits-four-benfica-pull-clear|date=19 March 2013}}; PortuGOAL, 7 March 2010</ref> and the [[Lisbon]] club was eventually [[2009–10 Primeira Liga|crowned league champions]]

===Málaga===
In the last hours of the [[2012–13 La Liga|2012–13]] summer [[transfer window]], Saviola agreed on a move to [[Málaga CF|Málaga]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vavel.com/es/futbol/malaga/183996-saviola-tratare-de-aportar-lo-maximo-al-equipo.html|title=Saviola: "Trataré de aportar lo máximo al equipo"|trans-title=Saviola: "I will give of myself as much as i can to this team"|publisher=[[Vavel]]|last=Bonachera|first=Rocío|language=es|date=31 August 2012|access-date=31 August 2012}}</ref> He played 45 minutes in his first appearance, a 1–0 win at [[Real Zaragoza]] on 1 September.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/348482/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|title=Real Zaragoza 0–1 Málaga|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=1 September 2012|access-date=3 September 2012}}</ref>

On 15 September 2012, Saviola scored once and provided one [[Assist (football)|assist]] in a 3−1 home win against [[Levante UD|Levante]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2012_13/primera/jornada_4/mga_lev/|title=Mágico Saviola, histórico Málaga|trans-title=Magical Saviola, historical Málaga|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=15 September 2012|access-date=17 September 2012}}</ref> He continued with his streak the following game, Málaga's first-ever in the [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League|Champions League group stage]], netting in a 3–0 home win over [[FC Zenit Saint Petersburg|Zenit Saint Petersburg]].<ref>[https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0201-0e7f1706a0b1-9602134c09f5-1000--magical-malaga-make-it-a-debut-to-remember/ Magical Málaga make it a debut to remember]; UEFA, 18 September 2012</ref>

===Olympiacos===
On 25 July 2013, Saviola signed a two-year contract with Greek champions [[Olympiacos F.C.|Olympiacos]].<ref>[http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/8839191/transfer-news-javier-saviola-completes-switch-to-olympiacos Javier Saviola completes switch to Olympiacos]; [[Sky Sports]], 24 July 2013</ref> He scored his first goal in the [[Superleague Greece|Superleague]] on 25 August, [[Substitute (association football)|coming on]] at [[half-time]] and helping his team come from behind to win 2–1 at home to [[Atromitos F.C.|Atromitos]] On 10 December, he netted a brace – and also missed a [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] – in a 3–1 success over [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]] also at the [[Karaiskakis Stadium]] in [[2013–14 UEFA Champions League|the group stage's last round]], which helped the [[Piraeus]] team finish second and qualify at the expense of former side Benfica.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0210-0e881dbc6322-b67c2bc3ef36-1000--saviola-the-hero-as-olympiacos-squeeze-through/|title=Saviola the hero as Olympiacos squeeze through|publisher=UEFA|date=10 December 2013|access-date=10 December 2013}}</ref>

===Verona===
On 2 September 2014, Saviola joined [[Serie A]] club [[Hellas Verona F.C.|Hellas Verona]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calciomercato/02-09-2014/verona-saviola-bomber-argentino-barcellona-real-madrid-olympiacos-messi-marquez-90335393808.shtml|title=Verona, ecco Saviola, il bomber argentino del Barcellona prima di Messi|trans-title=Verona, here is Saviola, Barcelona's Argentine bomber before Messi|newspaper=[[La Gazzetta dello Sport]]|language=it|date=2 September 2014|access-date=19 October 2014}}</ref> He made his official debut on 22 September, starting in a 2–2 home draw against [[Genoa C.F.C.|Genoa]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/323249/report|title=Verona salvage stalemate|publisher=Sky Sports|date=24 September 2014|access-date=19 October 2014}}</ref> and scored his first goal on 2 December, netting the only in a [[2014–15 Coppa Italia|home win]] over [[Perugia Calcio|Perugia]] for the [[Coppa Italia]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Coppa-Italia/Verona/02-12-2014/verona-perugia-1-0-saviola-manda-gialloblu-ottavi-la-juve-100122100900.shtml|title=Verona-Perugia 1–0: Saviola manda i gialloblù agli ottavi con la Juve|trans-title=Verona 1–0 Perugia: Saviola sends the yellow-and-blue into the last 16 against ''Juve''|newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|date=2 December 2014|access-date=5 December 2014}}</ref> His sole goal of the league season came on 25 January 2015, the only one in a home victory over [[Atalanta B.C.|Atalanta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/verona-vs-atalanta/report/323406|title=Serie A: Javier Saviola nets winner for Verona against Atalanta|publisher=Sky Sports|date=25 January 2015|access-date=27 June 2015}}</ref>

===Return to River===
On 30 June 2015, River Plate announced that Saviola had returned to the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cariverplate.com.ar/entrevista-javier-saviola-vuelta-river-plate/|title=Saviola, mano a mano en su vuelta a River|trans-title=Saviola, one-on-one on his return to River|publisher=River Plate|language=es|date=30 June 2015|access-date=1 July 2015}}</ref> He left in January of the following year, after failing to find the net in his second spell,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/argentina/2016/01/07/568ea2deca4741b6398b45c0.html|title=Saviola deja River|trans-title=Saviola leaves River|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=7 January 2016|access-date=9 February 2016}}</ref> and subsequently retired from professional football at the age of 34.<ref name="fúbol sala">{{cite web |url=https://argentina.as.com/argentina/2018/02/15/futbol/1518701169_656082.html |title=Saviola se pasa al fúbol sala |trans-title=Saviola moves to futsal |publisher=[[Diario AS]] Argentina |author1=Javier de Paz Seguir |language=es |date=15 February 2018 |access-date=13 April 2019 }}</ref>

===Retirement, coaching, and futsal career===
Immediately after retiring, Saviola settled in [[Andorra]] with his family and was appointed assistant manager at [[FC Ordino|Ordino]] in the [[Primera Divisió]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/futbol-internacional/2016/09/19/57dfc6e646163f04638b45f1.html|title=Saviola ficha por el Ordino de Andorra|trans-title=Saviola signs for Andorra's Ordino|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=19 September 2016|access-date=19 September 2016}}</ref> In February 2018, he joined local [[futsal]] team [[FC Encamp|Encamp]].<ref name="fúbol sala"/> In April of that year, he won the principality's futsal league with the side.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://as.com/masdeporte/2018/04/20/polideportivo/1524233884_084367.html|title=Saviola gana la liga de fútbol sala de Andorra con el Encamp|trans-title=Saviola wins the Andorran futsal league with Encamp|newspaper=[[Diario AS]]|language=es|date=20 April 2018|access-date=5 October 2018}}</ref>