Editing Javier Saviola

{{short description|Argentine footballer (born 1981)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{family name hatnote|Saviola|Fernández|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Javier Saviola
| image = Javier Saviola - S.L. Benfica player.jpg
| image_size = 
| caption = Saviola during his presentation as a [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] player, 2009
| full_name = Javier Pedro Saviola Fernández
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|12|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Buenos Aires]], Argentina
| height = 1.68 m
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| currentclub = [[FC Barcelona (youth)|Barcelona U19]] (assistant)
[[FC Encamp|Encamp]] (futsal)
| youthyears1 = 
| youthclubs1 = Parque Chas
| youthyears2 = 
| youthclubs2 = [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]]
| years1 = 1998–2001
| clubs1 = [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]]
| caps1 = 86
| goals1 = 45
| years2 = 2001–2007
| clubs2 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
| caps2 = 123
| goals2 = 49
| years3 = 2004–2005
| clubs3 = → [[AS Monaco FC|Monaco]] (loan)
| caps3 = 29
| goals3 = 7
| years4 = 2005–2006
| clubs4 = → [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] (loan)
| caps4 = 29
| goals4 = 9
| years5 = 2007–2009
| clubs5 = [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]]
| caps5 = 17
| goals5 = 4
| years6 = 2009–2012
| clubs6 = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
| caps6 = 69
| goals6 = 24
| years7 = 2012–2013
| clubs7 = [[Málaga CF|Málaga]]
| caps7 = 27
| goals7 = 8
| years8 = 2013–2014
| clubs8 = [[Olympiacos F.C.|Olympiacos]]
| caps8 = 26
| goals8 = 12
| years9 = 2014–2015
| clubs9 = [[Hellas Verona F.C.|Verona]]
| caps9 = 15
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2015–2016
| clubs10 = [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]]
| caps10 = 14
| goals10 = 0
| totalcaps = 434
| totalgoals = 159
| nationalyears1 = 2001
| nationalteam1 = [[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina U20]]
| nationalcaps1 = 7
| nationalgoals1 = 11
| nationalyears2 = 2000–2007
| nationalteam2 = [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]
| nationalcaps2 = 39
| nationalgoals2 = 11
| manageryears1 = 2016–2022
| managerclubs1 = [[FC Ordino|Ordino]] (assistant)
| manageryears2 = 2022–
| managerclubs2 = [[FC Barcelona (youth)|Barcelona U19]] (assistant)
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[association football|football]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|ARG}}}}
{{MedalOlympics}}
{{MedalGold|[[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2004 Athens]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA U-20 World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2001 FIFA World Youth Championship|2001 Argentina]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Copa América]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2004 Copa América|2004 Peru]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2005 Confederations Cup|2005 Germany]]|}}
}}
'''Javier Pedro Saviola Fernández''' ({{IPA|es|xaˈβjeɾ ˈpeðɾo saˈβjola feɾˈnandes}}; born 11 December 1981) is an Argentine former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]].

He represented both [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] and [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]], also having notable spells with [[SL Benfica|Benfica]] and [[Olympiacos F.C.|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 law|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 [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]].

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

==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>

==International career==
[[file:Javier_Saviola_-_07FEB2007_-_Francia_-_presidencia-govar.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Saviola in the Argentina national team, 2007]]
Saviola starred in the [[2001 FIFA World Youth Championship|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 [[Argentina national under-20 football team|national team]] won the competition; with 11 goals in seven games, he became the record goal-scorer in the tournament's history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.goalstudio.com/product/10-facts-about-fifas-u-20/568/|title = 10 Facts About FIFA's U-20}}</ref>

Three years later, Saviola played in the [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Olympic Games]] and [[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics|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<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2004safull.html|title=Copa América 2004|access-date=17 February 2015|url-status=live|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022185106/http://rsssf.com/tables/2004safull.html|archive-date=22 October 2008}}</ref> and one in the latter.

Saviola was called up to represent Argentina at the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]] – [[Luciano 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 national football team|Ivory Coast]] in the country's opening game, and made two assists in the 6–0 victory over [[Serbia and Montenegro national football team|Serbia and Montenegro]] also in the group phase.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853028.stm|title=Argentina 6–0 Serbia & Montenegro|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=16 June 2006|access-date=17 February 2015}}</ref>

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#Association football|dribbling]] and ability to score from almost any attacking position on the field.<ref name=CDS>{{cite news|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2001/luglio/07/Saviola_come_Diego_Barcellona_re_co_0_0107072735.shtml|title=Saviola come Diego, al Barcellona da re|trans-title=Saviola like Diego, at Barcelona as a king|publisher=[[Corriere della Sera]]|last=Monti|first=Fabio|language=it|date=7 July 2001|access-date=7 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="team-mate">{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01a6-0e6c9f9be533-2eac6449fdad-1000--cocu-wary-of-old-team-mate/ |title=Cocu wary of old team-mate |publisher=[[UEFA]] |date=22 February 2005 |access-date=9 January 2020 }}</ref><ref name="FCB_Profile">{{cite web |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/barca-legends/players/1198379/saviola |title=Javier Saviola; 'El pibito' the goalscorer |publisher=FC Barcelona |access-date=9 January 2020 }}</ref> A diminutive, talented, and prolific forward, with a slender build, he was capable of playing as a [[Striker (association football)|striker]], in a more creative role as a [[Forward (association football)#Second striker|second striker]], or even in a [[Playmaker|playmaking]] role as an [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]].<ref name="team-mate"/><ref name="futuro">{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Estero/17-02-2016/saviola-ancora-l-italia-suo-futuro-cercano-3-140694243415.shtml |title=Saviola, ancora l'Italia nel futuro? Lo cercano Bologna, Genoa e Atalanta |trans-title=Saviola, still Italy in his future? Bologna, Genoa and Atalanta are looking to get him |newspaper=[[La Gazzetta dello Sport]] |language=it |date=17 February 2016 |access-date=9 January 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hellas1903.it/senza-categoria/aimar-al-river-saviola-resta-a-verona/?refresh_ce-cp |title=Aimar al River, Saviola Resta a Verona |trans-title=Aimar to Rivre, Saviola Remains at Verona |publisher=Hellas 1903 |language=it |date=31 December 2014 |access-date=9 January 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/16/newsstory.sport4 |title=Saviola makes Henry pitch |newspaper=The Guardian |date=16 March 2004 |access-date=9 January 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/name/93/post/1839773/headline |title=Aguero shows his versatility |publisher=ESPN FC |last1=Cox |first1=Michael |date=29 October 2013 |access-date=17 May 2020 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="FCB_Profile"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/10961/2001-world-youth-championship-preview-eight-to-wa.html |title=2001 World Youth Championship Preview: Eight to Watch |publisher=Soccer America |last=Kennedy |first=Paul |date=12 June 2001 |access-date=9 January 2020 |archive-date=3 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603162511/https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/10961/2001-world-youth-championship-preview-eight-to-wa.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/che-fine-ha-fatto-il-conejo-saviola-da-nuovo-maradona-alla-trist-52012 |title=Che fine ha fatto? Il 'conejo' Saviola: da nuovo Maradona alla tristezza Verona |trans-title=What ever happened to him? The 'conejo' Saviola: from the new Maradona to the sadness of Verona |publisher=Calciomercato |last1=Di Gioia |first1=Alessandro |language=it |date=9 December 2017 |access-date=9 January 2020 |archive-date=3 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603162511/https://www.calciomercato.com/news/che-fine-ha-fatto-il-conejo-saviola-da-nuovo-maradona-alla-trist-52012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Media==
Saviola was sponsored by sportswear company [[Nike, Inc.|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 (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] and [[Francesco Totti]], with former player [[Eric Cantona]] the tournament "referee".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nikebiz.com/story/stry_scorpion.shtml|title=A lighter shoe, cooler kits, a faster ball, a Secret Tournament – every touch counts|publisher=Nike|access-date=26 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602055510/http://www.nikebiz.com/story/stry_scorpion.shtml|archive-date=2 June 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/apr/03/advertising.worldcupfootball2002?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487|title=Cantona hosts World Cup with a difference|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|last=Cozens|first=Claire|date=3 April 2002|access-date=26 May 2015}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name="SW">{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/javier-pedro-saviola/121/|title=J. Saviola|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=4 January 2014}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup
!colspan="2"|League cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]]
|[[1998–99 Argentine Primera División|1998–99]]
|[[Argentine Primera División]]
|19||6|| || ||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||19||6
|-
|[[1999–2000 Argentine Primera División|1999–2000]]
|Argentine Primera División
|33||19|| || ||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||33||19
|-
|[[2000–01 Argentine Primera División|2000–01]]
|Argentine Primera División
|34||20|| || ||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||34||20
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!86||45||||||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||86||45
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
|[[2001–02 FC Barcelona season|2001–02]]
|[[La Liga]]
|36||17||1||0||colspan="2"|—||11||4||48||21
|-
|[[2002–03 FC Barcelona season|2002–03]]
|La Liga
|36||13||1||0||colspan="2"|—||14||7||51||20
|-
|[[2003–04 FC Barcelona season|2003–04]]
|La Liga
|33||14||5||2||colspan="2"|—||7||3||45||19
|-
|[[2006–07 FC Barcelona season|2006–07]]
|La Liga
|18||5||5||5||colspan="2"|—||1||0||24||10
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!123||49||12||7||0||0||33||14||168||70
|-
|[[AS Monaco FC|Monaco]] (loan)
|[[2004–05 AS Monaco FC season|2004–05]]
|[[Ligue 1]]
|29||7||5||6||1||0||7||4||42||17
|-
|[[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] (loan)
|[[2005–06 Sevilla FC season|2005–06]]
|La Liga
|29||9||0||0||colspan="2"|—||13||6||42||15
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]]
|[[2007–08 Real Madrid C.F. season|2007–08]]
|La Liga
|9||3||6||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0||17||3
|-
|[[2008–09 Real Madrid C.F. season|2008–09]]
|La Liga
|8||1||2||1||colspan="2"|—||2||0||12||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!17||4||8||1||0||0||4||0||29||5
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|[[2009–10 S.L. Benfica season|2009–10]]
|[[Primeira Liga]]
|27||11||2||1||4||1||11||6||44||19
|-
|[[2010–11 S.L. Benfica season|2010–11]]
|Primeira Liga
|24||9||6||3||3||1||12||1||45||14
|-
|[[2011–12 S.L. Benfica season|2011–12]]
|Primeira Liga
|18||4||2||1||5||1||6||0||31||6
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!69||24||10||5||12||3||29||7||120||39
|-
|[[Málaga CF|Málaga]]
|[[2012–13 Málaga CF season|2012–13]]
|La Liga
|27||8||4||0||colspan="2"|—||6||1||37||9
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Olympiacos F.C.|Olympiacos]]
|[[2013–14 Olympiacos F.C. season|2013–14]]
|[[Super League Greece]]
|25||12||4||0||colspan="2"|—||5||2||34||14
|-
|[[2014–15 Olympiacos F.C. season|2014–15]]
|Super League Greece
|1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!26||12||4||0||colspan="2"|—||5||2||35||14
|-
|[[Hellas Verona F.C.|Verona]]
|[[2014–15 Hellas Verona F.C. season|2014–15]]
|[[Serie A]]
|15||1||1||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||16||2
|-
|[[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]]
|[[2015 Club Atlético River Plate season|2015]]
|Argentine Primera División
|13||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0||15||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!434!!159!!44!!20!!13!!3!!99!!34!!590!!216
|}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/arg-recintlp.html|title=Argentina – Record International Players|access-date=9 February 2016|url-status=live|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113172740/http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/arg-recintlp.html|archive-date=13 January 2010}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="8"|[[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]
|2000||1||0
|-
|2001||0||0
|-
|2002||3||0
|-
|2003||8||3
|-
|2004||10||5
|-
|2005||8||1
|-
|2006||5||1
|-
|2007||4||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!39!!11
|}

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

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Javier Saviola
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 20 April 2003 || [[June 11 Stadium|June 11]], [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]], Libya || {{flagicon|LBA|1977}} [[Libya national football team|Libya]] || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–1 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || 8 June 2003 || [[Nagai Stadium]], [[Osaka]], Japan || {{fb|JPN}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|4–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|3 || 11 June 2003 || [[Seoul World Cup Stadium|Seoul World Cup]], [[Seoul]], South Korea || {{fb|KOR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|4 || 30 June 2004 || [[Giants Stadium]], [[New Jersey]], United States || {{fb|PER}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|5 || rowspan="3"| 7 July 2004 || rowspan="3"| [[Estadio Elías Aguirre|Elías Aguirre]], [[Chiclayo]], Peru || rowspan="3"| {{fb|ECU}} || align="center"|2–1 || rowspan="3"; align="center"|6–1 || rowspan="3"| [[2004 Copa América]]
|-
| align="center"|6 || align="center"|3–1 
|-
| align="center"|7 || align="center"|4–1 
|-
| align="center"|8 || 17 November 2004 || [[Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti|El Monumental]], [[Buenos Aires]], Argentina || {{fb|VEN|1954}} || align="center"|3–1 || align="center"|3–2 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2006 World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|9 || 15 June 2005 || [[RheinEnergieStadion]], [[Cologne]], Germany || {{fb|TUN}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–1 || [[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|10 || 10 June 2006 || [[Imtech Arena]], [[Hamburg]], Germany || {{fb|CIV}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–1 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|11 || 7 February 2007 || [[Stade de France]], [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]], France || {{fb|FRA}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || Friendly
|}

==Honours==
'''River Plate'''
*[[Argentine Primera División]]: [[1999–2000 Argentine Primera División#Torneo Apertura|1999 Apertura]], [[1999–2000 Argentine Primera División#Torneo Clausura|2000 Clausura]]<ref name="SW"/>
*[[Copa Libertadores]]: [[2015 Copa Libertadores|2015]]
*[[Suruga Bank Championship]]: [[2015 Suruga Bank Championship|2015]]
*[[FIFA Club World Cup]] runner-up: [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup|2015]]

'''Sevilla'''
*[[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]: [[2005–06 UEFA Cup|2005–06]]<ref name="SW"/>

'''Real Madrid'''<ref name="SW"/>
*[[La Liga]]: [[2007–08 La Liga|2007–08]]
*[[Supercopa de España]]: [[2008 Supercopa de España|2008]]

'''Benfica'''<ref name="SW"/>
*[[Primeira Liga]]: [[2009–10 Primeira Liga|2009–10]]
*[[Taça da Liga]]: [[2009–10 Taça da Liga|2009–10]], [[2010–11 Taça da Liga|2010–11]], [[2011–12 Taça da Liga|2011–12]]
*[[Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira]] runner-up: [[Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira|2010]]

'''Olympiacos'''
*[[Super League Greece]]: [[2013–14 Super League Greece|2013–14]]<ref name="SW"/>

'''Argentina'''
*[[FIFA U-20 World Cup]]: [[2001 FIFA World Youth Championship|2001]]
*[[Summer Olympic Games]]: [[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics|2004]]
*[[Copa América]] runner-up: [[2004 Copa América|2004]]<ref name="SW"/>
*[[FIFA Confederations Cup]] runner-up: [[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup|2005]]<ref name="SW"/>

'''Individual'''
*[[Argentine Primera División]]: [[1999–2000 Argentine Primera División#Top scorers|1999 Apertura Top scorer]]
*[[South American Footballer of the Year]]: 1999
*South American Team of the Year: 1999<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/sam-toy.html |title=South American Team of the Year|date=16 January 2009|access-date=10 March 2015|url-status=live|website=[[RSSSF]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121064015/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/sam-toy.html|archive-date=21 January 2015}}</ref>
*[[Player of the Year of Argentina]]: 1999
*[[FIFA World Youth Championship]]: [[2001 FIFA World Youth Championship#Awards|Golden Shoe 2001]]<ref name="FIFA">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/u20worldcup/argentina2001/awards/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328164455/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/u20worldcup/argentina2001/awards/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 March 2013|title=FIFA World Youth Championship Argentina 2001 – Awards|publisher=FIFA|access-date=2 February 2015}}</ref>
*[[FIFA World Youth Championship]]: [[2001 FIFA World Youth Championship#Awards|Golden Ball 2001]]<ref name="FIFA"/>
*[[Trofeo EFE]]: 2001–02
*[[Copa del Rey]] Top scorer: [[2006–07 Copa del Rey#Top goalscorers|2006–07]]
*[[Primeira Liga]]: [[SJPF Player of the Month|Player of the Month]] December 2009
*[[Portuguese Golden Ball]]: 2010
*[[FIFA 100]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{BDFutbol}}
* {{ForaDeJogo}}
* {{NFT player}}
* {{FIFA player}}

{{Navboxes
|title= Argentina squads
| bg          = #6AB5FF
| fg          = white
| bordercolor = #00355E
|list1=
{{Argentina squad 2004 Copa América}}
{{Argentina men's football squad 2004 Summer Olympics}}
{{Argentina squad 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Argentina squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title= Awards
|bg= gold
|fg= navy
|list1=
{{FIFA U-20 World Cup awards}}
{{South American Footballer of the Year}}
{{Argentine Footballer of the Year}}
{{Trofeo EFE}}
{{Portuguese Golden Ball}}
{{Argentina Primera Division top scorers}}
{{Copa del Rey top scorers}}
{{1999 South American Team of the Year}}
{{FIFA 100}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saviola, Javier}}
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Argentine sportspeople of Italian descent]]
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