Franco Armani

Franco Armani (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈfɾaŋko aɾˈmani]; born 16 October 1986) is an Argentinian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Club Atlético River Plate and the Argentina national football 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]
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 River Plate
Number 1
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2008 Ferro Carril Oeste 45 (0)
2008–2010 Deportivo Merlo 39 (0)
2010–2018 Atlético Nacional 135 (0)
2018– River Plate 55 (0)
National team‡
2018– Argentina 11 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14 March 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 4 July 2019

Club career

Franco Armani left Deportivo Merlo in 2010 for Medellin giants 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 with El Verde, 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, Arhemani 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 26 November 2016[2]
Club performance League Cup Continental Other Total
ClubSeason AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Colombia Categoría Primera A Copa Colombia Continental1 Other2 Total
Atlético
Nacional		20102000——20
2011801600000240
201230800010120
2013140608000280
20142103019010440
2015290203020360
20161904024020490
Total 960390540601950
Career total 960390540601950

1 Includes cup competitions such as Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.

2 Includes Superliga Colombiana matches.

International
As of 15 June 2019[15]
Argentina
YearAppsGoals
201830
201930
Total60

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" – via 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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