Explosive and nimble Argentine forward nicknamed 'El Conejo' (The Rabbit) who was one of Europe's most coveted strikers in the early 2000s.
Javier Pedro Saviola Fernandez was born in Buenos Aires on 11 December 1981. A technically exceptional, lightning-quick forward, Saviola was regarded as one of the most exciting young players in the world at the turn of the millennium. He made his mark at River Plate before Barcelona paid 24m for him in 2001. At the Camp Nou he never quite fulfilled his enormous potential, though he scored regularly when given the chance. He had loan spells at Monaco and Sevilla before joining Real Madrid in 2007, winning La Liga. Further spells at Benfica, Malaga and Hellas Verona followed before he retired. He was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2004 Olympic gold medal, and he scored prolifically at youth level — winning the 2001 U-20 World Cup Golden Boot. He earned 40 senior caps for Argentina.
Being one of the most promising young strikers of his generation
He won the Golden Boot at the 2001 U-20 World Cup and was considered one of the world's most exciting young forwards — Barcelona paid 24m for him when he was just 19.
Did You Know?How They Played
Clinical finisher with excellent movement in the box and pace
Lasting Impact
Talented striker whose early promise was never fully realized at the highest level
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold 2004
- La Liga 2008 (Real Madrid)
- Olympic Gold Medal 2004
- La Liga 2004-05
- Copa del Rey 2009
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Plate | 1998–2001 | 40 | 14 | #10 |
| Barcelona | 2001–2004 | 139 | 43 | #10 |
| Monaco | 2004–2007 | 82 | 24 | #10 |
| Benfica | 2009–2012 | 119 | 39 | #10 |
| Real Madrid | 2007–2009 | 47 | 11 | — |
| Sevilla | 2009–2012 | 89 | 32 | — |
| Olympiacos | 2013–2015 | 56 | 21 | — |
| Malaga | 2015–2016 | 29 | 4 | — |
| Argentine | — | 40 | 11 | — |