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Franco Armani

Franco Armani (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈfɾaŋko aɾˈmani]; born 16 October 1986) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Argentine Primera División club River Plate. He was a member of the Argentina team that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Early career and Atletico Nacional

Armani with Atlético Nacional in 2016

Franco Armani left Deportivo Merlo in 2010 for Medellin's Atlético 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.[2] Armani would go on to win thirteen trophies, including the Copa Libertadores – South America's Champions League – against Independiente del Valle in 2016.[3]

River Plate

Armani with River Plate in 2019

In January 2018, River Plate paid Armani's buyout clause to Nacional, a reported $3 million.[4] On 11 January 2018, he signed a three-year contract with Los Millonarios, which was renewed for an additional year in May 2018.[5] 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.[6]

International career

Armani playing for Argentina in 2019

Armani married a Colombian and applied for citizenship.[7] 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.[8]

Armani has impressed for River, being described by Olé as a goalkeeper who wins matches.[9]

In June 2018, Armani was named in Argentina's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia by manager Jorge Sampaoli.[10] On 26 June, he made his international debut starting in place of Willy Caballero for Argentina's final group match against Nigeria;[11] Argentina advanced to the second round as group runners-up following a 2–1 victory.[12] 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.[13]

He was named in Argentina's final 23-man squad for the 2019 Copa América by manager Lionel Scaloni. He played every minute of the tournament as Argentina claimed the bronze medal by finishing third after defeating Chile 2–1 in the third place play-off match.[14]

He was named in Argentina's 28-man squad for the 2021 Copa América. He made his only appearance in Argentina's final group match, where they defeated Bolivia 4–1 to progress to the next round.[15] He remained understudy to Emiliano Martínez in the remaining matches as Argentina won the tournament by defeating Brazil 1–0 in the final.[16] On 1 June 2022, Armani remained as an unused substitute as Argentina won 3–0 against reigning European Champions Italy at Wembley Stadium in the 2022 Finalissima.[17]

He was named in Argentina's final 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar by Scaloni. He did not play a single minute in the tournament, with Martínez as first-choice, as Argentina won the World Cup by defeating France 4–2 in a penalty shoot-out to win the final.[18]

In June 2024, Armani was included in Lionel Scaloni's final 26-man Argentina squad for the 2024 Copa América.[19] Again, he didn't play a single minute, since Emiliano Martínez was Argentina's first-choice keeper. Before the tournament he announced he would retire from the national team after the tournament.[20]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 23 June 2023[21]

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

International

As of match played 28 March 2023[22]

Honours

Atlético Nacional

River Plate

Argentina

References

  1. ^ a b c "FIFA World Cup Russia 2018: List of Players: Argentina" (PDF). FIFA. 15 July 2018. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 June 2019.
  2. ^ "World Cup intrigue at River Plate". 26 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Atlético Nacional v Independiente del Valle Live Commentary & Result, 28/07/2016, Copa Libertadores - Goal.com". www.goal.com.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "River blindó a Armani: contrato hasta 2022 y cláusula de 20 millones" (in Spanish). Goal.com. 30 May 2018.
  6. ^ "River Plate keeper wears Burger King crown". 15 March 2018.
  7. ^ "Argentine goalkeeper Armani seeks Colombian citizenship – Xinhua – English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 17 March 2018.
  8. ^ IANS (2 January 2018). "Argentine keeper Armani returns home to chase World Cup dream". Business Standard.
  9. ^ https://www.workdsoccer/news/tim-vickerys-notes-south-america-argentinas-goalkeeping-problem-401024%3Fsource%3Ddam[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - Final 23-man lists - Goal.com". www.goal.com.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "Nigeria 1 – 2 Argentina". BBC. 26 June 2018.
  13. ^ Clarey, Andrew Das and Christopher (30 June 2018). "Argentina vs. France: World Cup 2018 Live". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  14. ^ "Messi sent off as Argentina finish third at Copa". ESPN. 6 July 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  15. ^ "Lionel Messi scores twice as Argentina overrun Bolivia 4-1 at Copa America". ESPN. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  16. ^ "Lionel Messi, Argentina win Copa America over Brazil". ESPN. 11 July 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  17. ^ "Italy 0-3 Argentina: South American champions cruise to Finalissima glory". UEFA. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  18. ^ "Argentina are World Champions!". FIFA. 18 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  19. ^ "Lionel Scaloni dio a conocer la lista de la Selección argentina para la Copa América 2024". Todo Noticias. 15 June 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  20. ^ "Franco Armani le puso una fecha límite a su ciclo en la selección". El Gráfico. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  21. ^ "F. Armani". Soccerway.
  22. ^ "Franco Armani". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  23. ^ Murray, Scott (18 December 2022). "Argentina beat France on penalties after thrilling World Cup final – live reaction". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  24. ^ Graham, Bryan Armen (11 July 2021). "Argentina 1-0 Brazil: Copa América final – live!". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  25. ^ "Argentina defeats Colombia to Become The Champion of CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™". Copa América. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  26. ^ "Italy 0–3 Argentina: Messi and Di Maria shine in impressive Finalissima win". BBC Sport. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Franco Armani.