Sebastián Leto
Encyclopedia
Sebastián Eduardo Leto Lées (born 30 August 1986 in Alejandro Korn
, Buenos Aires
) is an Argentine
footballer who currently plays on the left wing for Panathinaikos.
, making his first team debut on 25 June 2005. He spent three seasons at the club, making 52 appearances and scoring 8 goals.
for £1.85 million ($3.6million). He made his debut for the Merseyside
club in a friendly against Shanghai Shenhua
on 3 August 2007 His competitive debut shortly followed in a 4–0 victory, against French side Toulouse FC
, in a UEFA Champions League
qualifying round fixture on 28 August 2007.
Following this he featured in another Champions League
game and two Football League Cup
matches. He never made his Premier League debut due to problems with his passport, forcing him to play in the Liverpool reserve team instead. Leto was granted an Italian passport in mid-2007 but this was later revoked, making the Argentine need to apply for a work permit; a request which was later refused. Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez
criticised the decision given the player's track record in the Champions League and national selection for the Olympics
.
On 16 September 2008, Leto scored the second goal in the 2–0 UEFA Cup
1st round, 1st leg victory away against FC Nordsjælland
. He scored his first and only league goal in a 2–1 home win against Thrassyvoulos in December 2008.
accepted an offer from Panathinaikos believed to be in the region of £5m. On 1 July 2009, the player signed a 5 year contract for about 1.2 million (with bonus fees).
On July 28, Leto made his debut appearance for the greens on the away UEFA Champions League
qualifying stages game against Sparta Prague, coming from the bench on the second half. On August 8 in Athens, Panathinaikos needed a two goal margin victory and Leto was one of the starting eleven for the Greek side who dominated the game 3–0 and qualified to the next round.
On August 19, Leto came from the bench to score in Panathinaikos 2–3 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League play-off first leg.
On the 22nd of August Leto scored two goals against the Cretan side Ergotelis away in a 3–0 victory.
On the 13th of September, Leto scored the only goal against the Thracians Panthrakikos in an important 1–0 away victory.
On 24 April 2010 he scored the victorious goal of Panathinaikos at the Greek Cup final against Aris Thessaloniki. The previous week he also won the Greek championship, thus achieving the double (second consequent double of his career, after the first one with Olympiacos in 2009).
After the departure of captain Djibril Cisse
and vice-captain Gilberto Silva
he was chosen after two seasons serving the club to be the 4th Captain.
in commanding form, netting a brace in a 3-2 victory over Xanthi on 16 October. He followed this up by notching another brace against Ergotelis on 22 October, in which Panathinaikos ran out 4-0 winners. Leto's good perfromances were enough for Serie B table-toppers Torino F.C.
to report interest in the Argentine, as they look to regain status in the Italian top flight
.
On 30 October, Panathinaikos faced PAOK, Leto grabbed a goal as his side won 3-1 and maintained their lead at the top of the Greek first division. In the following game against Ergotelis, Leto added two more goals as his side won 4-0. Leto's inspired start to the sesaon resulted with ten goals and one assist from the first seven games. His performances were enough to guide Panathinaikos to the top of the table on 19 points, having played fewer games than most of their title challengers.
Alejandro Korn, Buenos Aires
Alejandro Korn is a city in the Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, located in the San Vicente Partido.The settlement was founded on August 14, 1865 and renamed in honour of Argentine physician, philosopher and reformist, Alejandro Korn ....
, 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 an 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 currently plays on the left wing for Panathinaikos.
Lanús
Leto began his career with Buenos Aires club LanúsClub Atlético Lanús
Club Atlético Lanús is a sports club from Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Founded on 3 January 1915, the club's main sports are football and basketball. In both sports, Lanús plays in Argentina's top divisions: Primera División and Liga Nacional de Básquet...
, making his first team debut on 25 June 2005. He spent three seasons at the club, making 52 appearances and scoring 8 goals.
Liverpool
On 10 August 2007, Leto signed for LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
for £1.85 million ($3.6million). He made his debut for the Merseyside
Merseyside
Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. It encompasses the metropolitan area centred on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary, and comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool...
club in a friendly against Shanghai Shenhua
Shanghai Shenhua
Shanghai Shenhua is a professional Chinese football club currently playing in Chinese Super League. The club is currently owned by Zhu Jun , Shanghai SVA Group, SMEG and Huangpu Investment Ltd. . The current head coach is Dražen Besek...
on 3 August 2007 His competitive debut shortly followed in a 4–0 victory, against French side Toulouse FC
Toulouse FC
Toulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by...
, in a UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
qualifying round fixture on 28 August 2007.
Following this he featured in another Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
game and two Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
matches. He never made his Premier League debut due to problems with his passport, forcing him to play in the Liverpool reserve team instead. Leto was granted an Italian passport in mid-2007 but this was later revoked, making the Argentine need to apply for a work permit; a request which was later refused. Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez
Rafael Benítez
Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudes is a football manager, and former player. He is currently unemployed, after leaving as manager of Internazionale in December 2010....
criticised the decision given the player's track record in the Champions League and national selection for the Olympics
Summer Olympic Games
The Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
.
Olympiacos
Leto joined the Greek team Olympiacos in June 2008 on a one-year loan deal.On 16 September 2008, Leto scored the second goal in the 2–0 UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
1st round, 1st leg victory away against FC Nordsjælland
FC Nordsjælland
Football Club Nordsjælland is a professional Danish football team from the North Zealand town of Farum, Denmark. Founded as Farum Boldklub from the merger of the town's two football clubs Farum IK and Stavnsholt BK in 1991, the club changed its name to F.C...
. He scored his first and only league goal in a 2–1 home win against Thrassyvoulos in December 2008.
Panathinaikos
On 23 June 2009, LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
accepted an offer from Panathinaikos believed to be in the region of £5m. On 1 July 2009, the player signed a 5 year contract for about 1.2 million (with bonus fees).
On July 28, Leto made his debut appearance for the greens on the away UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
qualifying stages game against Sparta Prague, coming from the bench on the second half. On August 8 in Athens, Panathinaikos needed a two goal margin victory and Leto was one of the starting eleven for the Greek side who dominated the game 3–0 and qualified to the next round.
On August 19, Leto came from the bench to score in Panathinaikos 2–3 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League play-off first leg.
On the 22nd of August Leto scored two goals against the Cretan side Ergotelis away in a 3–0 victory.
On the 13th of September, Leto scored the only goal against the Thracians Panthrakikos in an important 1–0 away victory.
On 24 April 2010 he scored the victorious goal of Panathinaikos at the Greek Cup final against Aris Thessaloniki. The previous week he also won the Greek championship, thus achieving the double (second consequent double of his career, after the first one with Olympiacos in 2009).
After the departure of captain Djibril Cisse
Djibril Cissé
Djibril Aruun Cissé is a French international footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Lazio as a striker. He is noted particularly for his speed and acceleration. Since 2005, he has held the title of Lord of the Manor of Frodsham....
and vice-captain Gilberto Silva
Gilberto Silva
Gilberto Aparecido da Silva, commonly known as Gilberto Silva, is a Brazilian footballer. He currently plays for Grêmio.Gilberto was raised in a poor family and as a child he balanced playing football with various labour jobs. He began his football career in 1997 with América Mineiro, where good...
he was chosen after two seasons serving the club to be the 4th Captain.
2011-12
Leto started the 2011–12 Superleague Greece2011–12 Superleague Greece
The 2011–12 Superleague Greece is the 53rd season of the highest football league of Greece and the sixth under the name Superleague. The season will begin in late August or early September 2011 and will end in May 2012 with the last matches of the European playoff round...
in commanding form, netting a brace in a 3-2 victory over Xanthi on 16 October. He followed this up by notching another brace against Ergotelis on 22 October, in which Panathinaikos ran out 4-0 winners. Leto's good perfromances were enough for Serie B table-toppers Torino F.C.
Torino F.C.
Torino Football Club, commonly referred to as simply Torino, is a professional Italian football club based in Turin, Piedmont, that was founded in 1906. The club has spent most of its history in the top tier in Italian football....
to report interest in the Argentine, as they look to regain status in the Italian top flight
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
.
On 30 October, Panathinaikos faced PAOK, Leto grabbed a goal as his side won 3-1 and maintained their lead at the top of the Greek first division. In the following game against Ergotelis, Leto added two more goals as his side won 4-0. Leto's inspired start to the sesaon resulted with ten goals and one assist from the first seven games. His performances were enough to guide Panathinaikos to the top of the table on 19 points, having played fewer games than most of their title challengers.
Olympiacos
- Super League GreeceSuper League GreeceThe Superleague Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on July 16, 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each...
: 2009 - Greek Football CupGreek football CupThe Greek Football Cup , commonly known as the Greek Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Football Cup OPAP, is a Greek football competition, run by the Hellenic Football Federation....
: 2009
Panathinaikos
- Super League GreeceSuper League GreeceThe Superleague Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on July 16, 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each...
: 20102009–10 Super League GreeceThe 2009–10 Super League Greece season is the fourth since its establishment. The league consists of 16 teams. Participants are the 13 best teams from the 2008–09 season and three teams that have been promoted from the Beta Ethniki... - Greek Football CupGreek football CupThe Greek Football Cup , commonly known as the Greek Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Football Cup OPAP, is a Greek football competition, run by the Hellenic Football Federation....
: 2010
Career statistics
| Club | Season |  Primera DivisiónPrimera División Argentina The Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs... |
- | - | South America CONMEBOL The South American Football Confederation , commonly known as CONMEBOL , is the continental governing body of association football in South America and it is one of FIFA's six continental confederations... |
Total | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goal | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||||||||||||||
| Lanús Club Atlético Lanús Club Atlético Lanús is a sports club from Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Founded on 3 January 1915, the club's main sports are football and basketball. In both sports, Lanús plays in Argentina's top divisions: Primera División and Liga Nacional de Básquet... (Primera División Primera División Argentina The Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs... ) |
Clausura 2005 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Apertura 2005 | 5 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | 0 | |||||||||||||
| Clausura 2006 | 16 | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 16 | 4 | |||||||||||||
| Apertura 2006 | 11 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11 | 1 | |||||||||||||
| Clausura 2007 | 18 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 18 | 2 | |||||||||||||
| Club Total | 52 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 52 | 8 | |||||||||||||
 Premier League |
FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup League Cup In association football, a League Cup or Secondary Cup generally signifies a cup competition for which entry is restricted only to teams in a particular league. The first national association football tournament to be called "League Cup" was held in Scotland in 1946/47 and was entitled the Scottish... |
Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Liverpool Liverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... (Premier League) |
2007–08 Premier League 2007–08 The 2007–08 Premier League season was the sixteenth since its establishment. The first matches of the season were played on 11 August 2007, and the season ended on 11 May 2008... |
0 | 0 | - | - | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Club Total | 0 | 0 | – | – | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||||||||||||
 Super LeagueSuper League Greece The Superleague Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on July 16, 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each... |
Greek Cup | - | Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Olympiacos (Super League Super League Greece The Superleague Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on July 16, 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each... ) |
2008–09 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 8 | 1 | 33 | 2 | ||||||||||||
| Club Total | 22 | 1 | 3 | 0 | – | – | 8 | 1 | 33 | 2 | |||||||||||||
| Panathinaikos (Super League Super League Greece The Superleague Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on July 16, 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each... ) |
2009–10 | 25 | 6 | 6 | 1 | - | - | 13 | 1 | 44 | 8 | ||||||||||||
| 2010–11 | 22 | 2 | 3 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 0 | 25 | 3 | |||||||||||||
| 2011–12 2011–12 Superleague Greece The 2011–12 Superleague Greece is the 53rd season of the highest football league of Greece and the sixth under the name Superleague. The season will begin in late August or early September 2011 and will end in May 2012 with the last matches of the European playoff round... |
9 | 11 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 1 | 13 | 12 | |||||||||||||
| Club Total | 56 | 19 | 9 | 2 | – | – | 20 | 2 | 82 | 23 | |||||||||||||
| Career totals | 129 | 28 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 3 | 170 | 32 | Last updated 24 October 2010 | ||||||||||||
External links
- http://www.sebastianleto.gr/ official site (Greek and Spanish)
- http://clubs.pathfinder.gr/SebastianLeto fan club
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua7whWydu5Y Best YouTube Tribute Video (For Season 09-10)
- Sebastián Leto statistics
- Sebastián Leto player page on Lanús's official site
- UEFA Champions League profile
- LFChistory.net player profile