Franco Armani

Franco Armani (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈfɾaŋko aɾˈmani]; born 16 October 1986) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Club Atlético River Plate and the Argentina national team.[2]

Franco Armani
Armani during a press conference with Argentina at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Franco Armani[1]
Date of birth (1986-10-16) 16 October 1986[1]
Place of birth Casilda, Santa Fe, Argentina
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 River Plate
Number 1
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2008 Ferro Carril Oeste 2 (0)
2008–2010 Deportivo Merlo 39 (0)
2010–2018 Atlético Nacional 135 (0)
2018– River Plate 60 (0)
National team‡
2018– Argentina 15 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 5 January 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17 November 2020

Club career

Franco Armani left Deportivo Merlo in 2010 for Medellin's Atletico Nacional. He stayed for 8 seasons and became their first choice goalkeeper. He was described as a hero to the Nacional fans, particularly being praised as an effective and reliable shot-stopper.[3] Armani would go on to win thirteen trophies, including the Copa Libertadores – South America's Champions League – against Independiente del Valle in 2016.[4]

In January 2018, River Plate paid Armani's buyout clause to Nacional, a reported $3 million.[5] On 11 January 2018, he signed a three-year contract with Los Millonarios, which was renewed for an additional year in May 2018.[6]

On 14 March 2018, he was named man of the match in River's 2–0 triumph over arch rivals Boca Juniors for the 2017 Supercopa Argentina. The man of the match award was sponsored by the fast food company Burger King and he was literally 'crowned' on the pitch after the game.[7]

International career

Armani married a Colombian and applied for citizenship.[8] Colombia were reportedly interested in naturalising Armani so that he could play for their national team; however, he wished to return to Argentina to press his case for a World Cup berth with the nation of his birth.[9]

Armani has impressed for River, being described by Olé as a goalkeeper who wins matches.[10]

In June 2018, Armani was named in Argentina's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia by manager Jorge Sampaoli.[11] On 26 June, he made his international debut starting in place of Willy Caballero for Argentina's final group match against Nigeria;[12] Argentina advanced to the second round as group runners-up following a 2–1 victory.[13] On 30 June, Armani started in the Round of 16 match against France, which saw Argentina eliminated from the tournament following a 4–3 defeat.[14]

Career statistics

Club
As of 25 November 2020[2]
Club Season League Cup Continental1 Other2 Total
AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Ferro Carril Oeste2006–0710———10
2007–0810———10
Total 20———20
Deportivo Merlo2008–0920———20
2009–10350———350
Total 370———370
Atlético Nacional20102000——20
201180160——240
201230800010120
20131406080—280
20142103019010440
2015290203020360
20162004024040520
2017380306020490
Total 13504206001002470
River Plate2017–181403014020330
2018–192003010060390
2019–202102020—250
2020200050—70
Total 57080310801040
Career total 23105009101803900

1 Includes Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana
2 Includes Superliga Colombiana, Recopa Sudamericana, FIFA Club World Cup, Supercopa Argentina and Copa de la Superliga

International
As of 17 November 2020[15]
Argentina
YearAppsGoals
201830
201980
202040
Total150

Honours

Atlético Nacional

River Plate

References
  1. "FIFA World Cup Russia 2018: List of players: Argentina" (PDF). FIFA. 15 July 2018. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 December 2019.
  2. "Argentina – F. Armani – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com.
  3. "World Cup intrigue at River Plate".
  4. "Atlético Nacional v Independiente del Valle Live Commentary & Result, 28/07/2016, Copa Libertadores - Goal.com". www.goal.com.
  5. "River Plate will pay the $3 million release clause for Atletico Nacional's Franco Armani. He will sign for 3 years with River". 3 January 2018.
  6. "River blindó a Armani: contrato hasta 2022 y cláusula de 20 millones" (in Spanish). Goal.com. 30 May 2018.
  7. "River Plate keeper wears Burger King crown".
  8. "Argentine goalkeeper Armani seeks Colombian citizenship – Xinhua – English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com.
  9. IANS (2 January 2018). "Argentine keeper Armani returns home to chase World Cup dream". Business Standard.
  10. https://www.workdsoccer/news/tim-vickerys-notes-south-america-argentinas-goalkeeping-problem-401024%3Fsource%3Ddam%5B%5D
  11. "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - Final 23-man lists - Goal.com". www.goal.com.
  12. Malyon, Ed (26 June 2018). "Argentina to drop Willy Caballero as players force switch to 4-3-3 in attempt to save World Cup campaign". The Independent.
  13. "Nigeria 1 – 2 Argentina". BBC. 26 June 2018.
  14. Clarey, Andrew Das and Christopher (30 June 2018). "Argentina vs. France: World Cup 2018 Live". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  15. "Franco Armani". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
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