Javier Pedro Saviola Fernández (born 11 December 1981 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine footballer who currently plays as a striker for Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the Portuguese first division.
Known for his speed and ability to score from almost any position, he is also an Argentine international, and was named, as the youngest player, to Pelé's FIFA 100 list of the 125 greatest living footballers. Saviola also holds Spanish nationality.
Nicknamed...
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Javier Pedro Saviola Fernández (born 11 December 1981 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine footballer who currently plays as a striker for Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the Portuguese first division.
Known for his speed and ability to score from almost any position, he is also an Argentine international, and was named, as the youngest player, to Pelé's FIFA 100 list of the 125 greatest living footballers. Saviola also holds Spanish nationality.
Nicknamed El conejo (rabbit), Saviola made his debut for River Plate at the age of 16, and went on to be a prolific goalscorer for the club. He helped River to the 1999 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 phenomenol prospect.
In 2001, aged 19, Saviola moved abroad to play for FC Barcelona in a £15 million transfer. He obtained Spanish citizenship shortly after, thereby not being restricted by the Spanish league maximum on the number of non...
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