Leo Franco
Encyclopedia
Leonardo "Leo" Neoren Franco (born 20 May 1977 in San Nicolás de los Arroyos
, Buenos Aires
) is a professional Argentine
footballer who plays for Real Zaragoza
as a goalkeeper.
, moving at the age of 20 to Spain
, with CP Mérida
, where he did not appear in La Liga
, barred by Colombia
n Carlos Navarro Montoya
, and suffering team relegation. In the following year, he joined RCD Mallorca
, spending his first season with the B team
, again dropping down a level, now in division two
.
Franco would be however promoted to the Balearic Islands
outfit's main squad, going on to establish himself as the starter, replacing compatriot Carlos Roa
in the pecking order. In the 2000–01 season, he appeared in 27 games as Mallorca finished in a best-ever third position, and helped the club win the Copa del Rey
two years after.
Franco was signed by Atlético Madrid in 2004, being first-choice from the beginning. Until the end of 2007–08, he stopped seven penalties
, including two against Sevilla FC
on 23 March 2006 (0–1 home loss), and two more at Real Betis
on December 2 (1–0 win). Precisely during that season, he was challenged by newly-signed Christian Abbiati
(loaned by A.C. Milan
), but regained his starting status in 2008–09, relegating French
veteran Grégory Coupet
to the bench.
On 1 July 2009, aged 32, after not seeing his contract with the Colchoneros renewed, Franco left Atlético - as Coupet- and signed with Galatasaray S.K.
in Turkey
.
Franco returned to Spain after only one year, signing with Real Zaragoza
for two seasons. He made his official debut on 29 August 2010, keeping a clean sheet
at Deportivo de La Coruña
, in a 0–0 draw.
, Franco won the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship
in Malaysia. On 6 May 2006, two years after making his debut for the senior team
, he was selected by coach José Pekerman
- also the manager of the under-20s - to the squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
.
On 30 June 2006, Franco replaced injured Roberto Abbondanzieri
in the quarter-final clash against hosts Germany
, failing to save one single penalty shootout attempt.
|2004||1||0
|-
|2005||2||0
|-
|2006||1||0
|-
!Total||4||0
|}
San Nicolás de los Arroyos
San Nicolás de los Arroyos is a city in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the western shore of the Paraná River, 61 km from Rosario. It has about 138,000 inhabitants . It is the head town of the partido of the same name...
, Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires Province
The Province of Buenos Aires is the largest and most populous province of Argentina. It takes the name from the city of Buenos Aires, which used to be the provincial capital until it was federalized in 1880...
) is a professional Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
footballer who plays for Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
as a goalkeeper.
Club career
Franco started his career at Club Atlético IndependienteClub Atlético Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División....
, moving at the age of 20 to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, with CP Mérida
CP Mérida
Club Polideportivo Mérida was a Spanish football team based in Mérida, in the autonomous community of Extremadura.Having played twice in La Liga , the club disappeared in 2000, due to serious economic debts...
, where he did not appear in La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
, barred by Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n Carlos Navarro Montoya
Carlos Fernando Navarro Montoya
Carlos Fernando Navarro Montoya is a retired Colombian-Argentine footballer who played as a goalkeeper.During a professional career which spanned 25 years, he represented teams in Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay, appearing for 15 different clubs, namely Boca Juniors, and...
, and suffering team relegation. In the following year, he joined RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
, spending his first season with the B team
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
, again dropping down a level, now in division two
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
.
Franco would be however promoted to the Balearic Islands
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands are an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.The four largest islands are: Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The archipelago forms an autonomous community and a province of Spain with Palma as the capital...
outfit's main squad, going on to establish himself as the starter, replacing compatriot Carlos Roa
Carlos Roa
Carlos Ángel Roa is a retired Argentine footballer who played as a goalkeeper.Most of his professional career - which was interrupted due to his Seventh-day Adventist Church beliefs - was spent with Racing Avellaneda and in Spain with Mallorca, winning one major trophy with the latter.Roa was...
in the pecking order. In the 2000–01 season, he appeared in 27 games as Mallorca finished in a best-ever third position, and helped the club win the Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
two years after.
Franco was signed by Atlético Madrid in 2004, being first-choice from the beginning. Until the end of 2007–08, he stopped seven penalties
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
, including two against Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
on 23 March 2006 (0–1 home loss), and two more at Real Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
on December 2 (1–0 win). Precisely during that season, he was challenged by newly-signed Christian Abbiati
Christian Abbiati
Christian Abbiati is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Milan.-Milan:His debut in Serie A came on January 17, 1999 as a 92nd-minute substitute for Sebastiano Rossi...
(loaned by A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
), but regained his starting status in 2008–09, relegating French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
veteran Grégory Coupet
Grégory Coupet
Grégory Coupet is a retired French association football goalkeeper who last played for Paris Saint-Germain. He has played for clubs such as Saint-Étienne, Lyon, Atlético Madrid. He has also played for the France national team....
to the bench.
On 1 July 2009, aged 32, after not seeing his contract with the Colchoneros renewed, Franco left Atlético - as Coupet- and signed with Galatasaray S.K.
Galatasaray S.K. (football team)
Galatasaray Anonim Şirketi is a Turkish football club, part of the Galatasaray S.K. multi-sport club of Istanbul. Galatasaray is a major sports club in Turkey, holding 17 Turkish Super League titles and the highest number of Turkish Cups....
in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
Franco returned to Spain after only one year, signing with Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
for two seasons. He made his official debut on 29 August 2010, keeping a clean sheet
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
at Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
, in a 0–0 draw.
International career
With the Argentina U-20 teamArgentina national under-20 football team
The Argentina national under-20 football team is the representative of Argentina in FIFA sponsored tournaments that pertain to that age level....
, Franco won the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship
1997 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship was the 11th staging of the FIFA World Youth Championship. It was held from June 16 to July 5, 1997 in Malaysia.-Venues:-Qualification:The following 24 teams qualified for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship...
in Malaysia. On 6 May 2006, two years after making his debut for the senior team
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
, he was selected by coach José Pekerman
José Pekerman
José Néstor Pékerman is an Argentine football coach and an ex-football player. He become famous as a youth level coach for Argentina, winning the FIFA World Youth Championship three times, and the U-20 South American Youth Championship twice...
- also the manager of the under-20s - to the squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
.
On 30 June 2006, Franco replaced injured Roberto Abbondanzieri
Roberto Abbondanzieri
Roberto Carlos "Pato" Abbondanzieri is an Argentine former football goalkeeper who had a successful career at Boca Juniors.- Club career :...
in the quarter-final clash against hosts Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
, failing to save one single penalty shootout attempt.
Club
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Independiente Club Atlético Independiente Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División.... |
1995–96 | 1 | 0 | ||||||
| 1 | 0 | ||||||||
| 1996–97 | 1 | 0 | |||||||
| 1 | 0 | ||||||||
| Total | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| CP Mérida CP Mérida Club Polideportivo Mérida was a Spanish football team based in Mérida, in the autonomous community of Extremadura.Having played twice in La Liga , the club disappeared in 2000, due to serious economic debts... |
1997–98 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Mallorca B RCD Mallorca B Real Club Deportivo Mallorca B, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Palma, Majorca, in the autonomous community of Balearic Islands. Founded in 1967, it is the reserve team of RCD Mallorca, and plays in Segunda División B – Group 3, holding home matches at Estadio Son Bibiloni, with a... |
1998–99 | 23 | 0 | ||||||
| 23 | 0 | ||||||||
| Total | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | |
| Mallorca RCD Mallorca Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix.... |
1999–00 | 30 | 0 | ||||||
| 30 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2000–01 | 27 | 0 | |||||||
| 27 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2001–02 | 22 | 0 | |||||||
| 22 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2002–03 | 36 | 0 | |||||||
| 36 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2003–04 | 33 | 0 | |||||||
| 3 | 0 | 36 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 148 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 151 | 0 | |
| Atlético Madrid | 2004–05 2004–05 La Liga 2004–05 season was composed of the following clubs:* Albacete Balompié* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Real Betis* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Levante UD* Málaga CF* Real Mallorca* CD Numancia* CA Osasuna... |
37 | 0 | ||||||
| 37 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2005–06 2005–06 La Liga * Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC... |
34 | 0 | |||||||
| 34 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2006–07 | 32 | 0 | |||||||
| 32 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2007–08 | 18 | 0 | |||||||
| 18 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2008–09 | 32 | 0 | |||||||
| 6 | 0 | 38 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 153 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 159 | 0 | |
| Galatasaray Galatasaray S.K. (football team) Galatasaray Anonim Şirketi is a Turkish football club, part of the Galatasaray S.K. multi-sport club of Istanbul. Galatasaray is a major sports club in Turkey, holding 17 Turkish Super League titles and the highest number of Turkish Cups.... |
2009–10 2009–10 Süper Lig The 2009–10 Süper Lig was the 52nd season since its establishment. The season commenced on 7 August 2009 with Istanbul B.B. hosting defending champions Beşiktaş at Atatürk Olympic Stadium. The last matches were played on 16 May 2010.Bursaspor won the league beating defending champions Beşiktaş 2–1... |
26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 33 | 0 |
| Total | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 33 | 0 | |
| Real Zaragoza Real Zaragoza Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points... |
2010–11 2010–11 La Liga The 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División... |
23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| Total | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | |
| Career total | 375 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 391 | 0 | |
International
|-|2004||1||0
|-
|2005||2||0
|-
|2006||1||0
|-
!Total||4||0
|}