Ricardo Tavarelli

Ricardo Javier Tavarelli Paiva (born 2 August 1970 in Asunción, Paraguay) is a former Paraguayan footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.

Ricardo Tavarelli
Personal information
Full name Ricardo Javier Tavarelli Paiva
Date of birth (1970-08-02) 2 August 1970
Place of birth Asunción, Paraguay
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
Tacuary
– Olimpia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–2003 Olimpia
2004 Grêmio
2005 Olimpia
2005 Sportivo Luqueño
National team
1998–2004 Paraguay 31 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Tavarelli started his career in the youth divisions of Tacuary and then moved to the youth divisions of Club Olimpia, where he made his debut in the first team squad in 1992, playing the Torneo Republica.[1] In Olimpia he would go on to win several national and international championships, becoming a fan-favorite. Tavarelli was a pivotal part of the 2002 Olimpia team that won the Copa Libertadores. His skills helped Olimpia win two key penalty shoot-outs against Grêmio of Porto Alegre (semi-finals) and São Caetano (finals). In 2004, he played for Grêmio of Brazil with little success. Tavarelli returned to Club Olimpia and also had a brief sting playing for Sportivo Luqueño before finally retiring. He earned the nickname "Mono" (monkey) because of his quick goalkeeping skills. He was also called "Lettuce Hands".

Tavarelli was also part of the Paraguayan national team in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, playing the team's first two matches following the suspension of captain José Luis Chilavert prior to the tournament.[2]

Tavarelli's sister, Giselle, is the wife of Paraguayan footballer Roque Santa Cruz.

Titles
Season Team Title
1992OlimpiaTorneo República
1993OlimpiaParaguayan 1st division
1995OlimpiaParaguayan 1st division
1997OlimpiaParaguayan 1st division
1998OlimpiaParaguayan 1st division
1999OlimpiaParaguayan 1st division
2000OlimpiaParaguayan 1st division
2002OlimpiaCopa Libertadores
2003OlimpiaRecopa Sudamericana

References
  1. Entrevista a Tavarelli Archived 9 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  2. FIFA Profile


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