Javier Saviola: A Talented Striker with a Journeyed Career
Early Career and Rise to Barcelona
Javier Pedro Saviola Fernández, commonly known as Javier Saviola, is a retired Argentine professional footballer. He was born on December 11, 1981, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Saviola began his career with River Plate in his home country, where he quickly established himself as a talented striker with a keen eye for goal.
In 2001, at just 19 years old, Saviola made a high-profile move to FC Barcelona. He spent four seasons with the Catalan giants, scoring 72 goals in 148 appearances. During his time at Barcelona, Saviola formed a formidable partnership with Ronaldinho, helping the team win two La Liga titles and one Champions League.
Move to Real Madrid
In 2007, Saviola joined Real Madrid on a three-year deal. Despite being on a financially lucrative contract, he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter due to the presence of other star forwards such as Ruud van Nistelrooy and Gonzalo Higuaín.
During his time at Real Madrid, Saviola made 78 appearances and scored 19 goals. He helped the team win one La Liga title and one Supercopa de España.
Later Career
After leaving Real Madrid, Saviola embarked on a journeyman career, playing for clubs in various countries, including Benfica in Portugal, AS Monaco in France, Sevilla in Spain, and Olympiacos in Greece.
Saviola retired from professional football in 2016. He represented Argentina at the international level, making 41 appearances and scoring 11 goals.
Legacy
Javier Saviola was a quick and agile striker who possessed a natural instinct for scoring goals. He was known for his dribbling skills, clinical finishing, and ability to find space in the penalty area.
Despite his success at Barcelona, Saviola's career was often overshadowed by injuries and a lack of consistency. However, his talent and contributions to the game should not be underestimated.
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