20 years since Saviola joined Barça

It was 20 years ago today that Javier Pedro Saviola joined FC Barcelona from River Plate. He would play for the club for four seasons, scoring 72 goals in 172 appearances. 

Having starred for Argentina at the U20 World Cup, he was one of the most talking-about rising stars of the era, and continued a tradition of great Argentines at Barça. He was the second of seven since the turn of the century, including the club’s very latest acquisition, Sergio Agüero. 

72 goals

‘The Rabbit’ was a thrilling player to watch. With the number seven on his back, he scored relentlessly in his first three seasons in blaugrana, netting 21 times in his first season and being named the best South American in La Liga. 

In his second season, 2003/04, he was not a favourite pick of coach Louis Van Gaal, but when Radomir Antic replaced the Dutchman, Saviola became a regular started again, and scored 11 goals in the league and seven more in Europe.

The following season under Frank Rijkaard, he scored 19 goals and went to the Athens 2004 Olympics, where Argentina came back with gold. 

In 2004/05, Saviola went on loan to Monaco and the year after to Sevilla. He was back at Barça for a final season in 2006/07, scoring 12 goals before being sold to Real Madrid.

He went on to represent Benfica, Malaga, Olympiacos and Verona before sending his playing days back at River Plate.

He has since returned to FC Barcelona to play alongside fellow veterans in the Barça Legends.