Ezequiel Lavezzi

Ezequiel Lavezzi

Lavezzi in action for Paris Saint-Germain in 2013
Personal information
Full name Ezequiel Iván Lavezzi
Date of birth (1985-05-03) 3 May 1985
Place of birth Villa Gobernador Gálvez, Argentina
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Playing position Forward / Winger
Club information
Current team
 Hebei China Fortune
Number 10
Youth career
1995–2003 Rosario Central
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Estudiantes 39 (17)
2004–2007 San Lorenzo 84 (25)
2007–2012 Napoli 156 (38)
2012–2016 Paris Saint-Germain 107 (22)
2016– Hebei China Fortune 10 (0)
National team‡
2005 Argentina U20 17 (5)
2008 Argentina Olympic 10 (9)
2007– Argentina 51 (9)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13:30, 28 May 2016 (UTC).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21 June 2016

Ezequiel Iván Lavezzi (Spanish pronunciation: [eseˈkjel iˈβan laˈβesi]; Italian: [laˈveddzi]; born 3 May 1985) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays for Chinese club Hebei China Fortune and the Argentina national team as a forward. He is known for his pace, hardworking style of play, technique, creativity, and dribbling ability; although he is usually deployed as a winger, he has also been used as a second striker or as an attacking midfielder on occasion.[2][3]

He began his career at Estudiantes (BA), and after one season was signed by Genoa, who loaned him to San Lorenzo, where he eventually moved on a permanent basis. In 2007, he was signed by Napoli where he won the 2012 Coppa Italia. His performances there earned him a €26.5 million move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2012, where he made over 150 appearances for the club and won three Ligue 1 championships, two Coupes de la Ligue and one Coupe de France before joining Hebei China Fortune in 2016.

A full international for Argentina since 2007, Lavezzi was part of their team which won an Olympic Gold medal in 2008, and also helped them reach the finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the 2015 Copa América, and the Copa América Centenario.

Club career

Estudiantes (BA)

Lavezzi moved to the youth side of Estudiantes (BA) in 2003, where over one season, he played 39 games and scored 17 goals.[4]

San Lorenzo

Known as el Pocho or the Chubby One, he was bought by Italian side Genoa in 2004 for €1 million,[4] but was loaned out straight-away to Argentina side San Lorenzo.[5] Here at the age of 19, he competed in the Apertura 2004 tournament scoring eight goals in total over the course of the season; which saw him finish as 4th top scorer.

Lavezzi's most notable contributions included a spectacular effort against River Plate at River Plate Stadium. He scored in the 69th minute to give San Lorenzo a famous victory and seriously damage River's title challenge. This gained him the nickname la Bestia ("the Beast") from the Argentine media.[4]

Although it was planned for Lavezzi to return to Genoa after a season on loan, there were problems: while Lavezzi was playing in Argentina, Genoa were involved in an alleged match-fixing scandal which saw them relegated down to Serie C1, the third level of Italian football. Due to financial constraints, the promising forward was sold to San Lorenzo for €1.2 million.[6]

On his return to San Lorenzo for the Apertura 2005 season, he managed to help the club up into the top half of the table, and with eight goals, he finished as the overall fourth top scorer. His last act as a San Lorenzo player was to help them to the Clausura 2007 title, beating out Boca Juniors by six points.

Napoli

Lavezzi with Napoli in 2009.

Napoli had recently achieved promotion back to Serie A, after finishing as runners-up the previous season in Serie B. Looking to strengthen their squad for a return to the top level, Napoli signed Lavezzi on a five-year contract on 5 July 2007.[7] The transfer deal was worth around €6 million and he was presented before the fans and given the number seven shirt for his first season.

Lavezzi soon made an impact for the club by scoring a hat-trick in a 3–1 victory over Pisa in the Coppa Italia at the Stadio San Paolo; this was the first hat-trick by a Napoli player in 14 years.[8] The first league goal Lavezzi scored for Napoli came during a 5–0 victory against Udinese on 2 September 2007. After the match, he was described in reports as "inspirational,"[9] with the media proclaiming, "Napoli's star is born."[9] The Neapolitan club hadn't won a league match by such a large margin since 1988, when Diego Maradona was at the club.[10]

The media, as they tend to do to many promising young Argentine players who appear in Italy, have been quick to dub Lavezzi the "New Maradona".[11][12] Lavezzi himself, however, played this down, instead comparing himself to another Argentine player, Carlos Tevez. ESPN described Lavezzi as being "excellent at roaming and finding space in the gap between the opposition's midfield and defence. He has excellent pace and crossing ability and is also adept at beating an opponent or drawing a foul in dangerous areas. He is considered a quality player physically, tactically and technically."[13]

He completed the 2007–08 season with eight goals in 35 games. He quickly became a focal point of the fans' affection with his quick feet and sharpness around the box. In the 2008–09 season, he scored seven goals in 30 games. In the season 2009–10 he scored eight goals in 30 games but missed around 10 games because of injuries. Lavezzi stayed at Napoli for the 2010–11 season but was handed the number 22 jersey after he gave his number seven to recently signed striker Edinson Cavani as a welcome gesture. In the same season, he scored two goals in the UEFA Europa League, against IF Elfsborg and Liverpool respectively, scored six and assisted a further 12 in the Serie A, while also finding the back of the net in a Coppa Italia match against Bologna.

Lavezzi scored his first goal of the 2011–12 campaign in a commanding 3–1 victory over Cesena on 10 September, opening the scoring in the third minute after controlling a long-ball from Hugo Campagnaro.[14] Lavezzi was named "Man of the Match" as he volleyed in a lobbed pass from strike partner Edinson Cavani to send Napoli to a 2–0 victory over Udinese on 26 October.[15] Shortly before the winter break, Lavezzi netted once and provided an assist for one of Cavani's goals as Napoli outclassed Lecce 4–2.[16]

Lavezzi in 2009, during his spell with Napoli.

In Napoli's commanding 3–0 victory over Fiorentina on 17 February 2012, Lavezzi rounded off the scoring in the 90th minute with a long-range goal.[17] Four days later, he scored his first two Champions League goals; they came in a 3–1 first leg victory over Chelsea in the Round of 16.[18] The following Sunday, 26 February, Lavezzi scored the only goal of the game as Napoli defeated Internazionale and climbed up to fifth place in the Serie A standings.[19]

Lavezzi popped up in the 86th minute to score the winning goal against Parma on 4 March 2012, though the result was controversial, as Lavezzi appeared to be in an offside position.[20] Lavezzi netted a penalty and provided an assist as Napoli tore apart Cagliari 6–3 on 9 March to warm up for their Round of 16 second leg tie against Chelsea.[21] Lavezzi scored his ninth and final Serie A goal of the season in a 3–1 loss to Atalanta on 11 April after receiving the ball from Goran Pandev and pushing it past goalkeeper Andrea Consigli.[22]

Lavezzi won his first piece of silverware with Napoli on 20 May 2012 as the club defeated Juventus 2–0 in the Coppa Italia final.[23] During the match, Lavezzi was fouled in the penalty box by Juventus goalkeeper Marco Storari, and Napoli were awarded a penalty, which Edinson Cavani dispatched to give Napoli their first goal and set the club on their way to their first trophy in more than 20 years.[24]

Paris Saint-Germain

Lavezzi in PSG's Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea in April 2014

On 2 July 2012, Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain confirmed that they had agreed with Napoli to a €26.5 million transfer fee for the rights to Lavezzi and signed him to a four-year deal, reportedly worth up to €30 million.[25] On 11 August, Lavezzi made his PSG debut against FC Lorient in a 2–2 draw in the opening match of the 2012–13 Ligue 1 season.[26] His first two goals for PSG came on 21 November in the Champions League, securing qualification to the Round of 16 with a 0–2 away victory over Dynamo Kyiv.[27]

Lavezzi scored his third Champions League goal for PSG on 4 December, netting at the near post of FC Porto goalkeeper Helton shortly after the hour mark; the 2–1 defeat of the Portuguese champions ensured PSG top spot in the group.[28] His first league goal came four days later, on 8 December, in PSG's 4–0 defeat of Evian at the Parc des Princes.[29] On 11 December, Lavezzi scored PSG's fourth goal, after a Zlatan Ibrahimović hat-trick, as the capital club handed Valenciennes FC their first home defeat of the season.[30]

On 12 February 2013, Lavezzi scored the opening goal against Valencia CF in the Champions League Round of 16, helping PSG secure a 1–2 first leg away victory.[31] Lavezzi secured the tie, equalizing the game at 1–1 and giving the French side a 3–2 aggregate win, advancing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 1995.[32]

Lavezzi scored the 83rd-minute winner in a 3–2 win at Metz on 21 November 2014 to put PSG into first place in Ligue 1 ahead of Marseille.[33]

In January 2015, Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani were fined and suspended for two matches by PSG manager Laurent Blanc for missing a mid-season training camp in Morocco and the first training session after the break.[34]

On 25 April 2015, Lavezzi scored a hat-trick in PSG's 6–1 defeat of Lille.[35] On 16 May, he scored the winning goal in a 2–1 win at Montpellier to confirm a third consecutive French league title for Paris Saint-Germain.[36]

Hebei China Fortune

On 17 February 2016, Lavezzi signed with Hebei China Fortune on a two-year deal where it is reported he will earn £10 million a year.[37] Due to picking up an injury in June 2016 on international duty for Argentina in the Copa América, Lavezzi was restricted to just 10 appearances in his debut season for Hebei China Fortune.

International career

Lavezzi playing for Argentina in 2011.
Lavezzi challenging Germany's Benedikt Höwedes in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final

Lavezzi made his international debut for the Argentine national team against Chile on 18 April 2007.

In 2008, Lavezzi was selected to the Olympic football team, which represented Argentina at the 2008 Olympics.[38] During the Olympic games, he scored two goals, one against Australia on 10 August 2008 and a penalty against Serbia on 13 August 2008. Lavezzi also appeared in the final minutes of extra time of the gold-medal match against Nigeria, which Argentina won 1–0.[39][40]

Lavezzi's club form was not enough to see him included in Diego Maradona's 2010 FIFA World Cup squad, a surprise exclusion along with Newcastle United defender Fabricio Coloccini.[41] On 17 November 2010, Argentina faced Brazil in a friendly match in Qatar, in which Argentina won by a goal from Lionel Messi in injury time after a superb one-two play with Lavezzi.[42]

He has since become a regular member for the senior national team under Sergio Batista, who managed Lavezzi at the 2008 Olympics. He was named in Argentina's 2011 Copa América squad by Batista.[43] In Argentina's final pre-tournament warm-up game, he scored the opening goal in a friendly match played against Albania on 21 June 2011 — the match ended 4–0 in favour of Argentina and was Lavezzi's first goal for the national side.[44] In the final tournament on home soil, Lavezzi made three appearances in the group stage,[45] but was suspended for the quarter-final match,[46] in which the hosts were knocked out by the eventual champions Uruguay on penalties.[47]

Lavezzi was chosen by new manager Alejandro Sabella for Argentina's 23-man 2014 FIFA World Cup squad. He made six appearances throughout the tournament,[48] setting up Messi's match-winning goal against Iran after coming off the bench,[49] as well as Rojo's goal against Nigeria.[50] In the final against Germany he set up a goal for Higuaín, but it was correctly ruled off-side; Lavezzi was replaced by Sergio Agüero at half-time, and Argentina were defeated 1–0 in extra time.[51]

Lavezzi was a member of the Argentina squad that reached the final of the 2015 Copa América, only to be defeated by hosts Chile on penalties.[52]

In May 2016, Lavezzi was included in Gerardo Martino's final 23-man Argentina squad for the Copa América Centenario.[53] Lavezzi made his first start of the tournament in Argentina's final group match against Bolivia on 14 June, scoring a goal and setting up another in a 3–0 win;[54] he was named Man of the Match.[55] In the semi-finals of the tournament, a 4–0 win against hosts USA, Lavezzi opened the scoring in the third minute of play and later set up Gonzalo Higuaín's first goal, although he broke his left elbow after he tumbled over the advertisement hoarding while chasing the ball.[56] Due to this injury he was ruled out of the final against Chile where Argentina were defeated 2–4 on penalties following a 0–0 draw after extra time.[57]

Personal life

Lavezzi is Catholic and has a tattoo of Jesus on his chest, a tattoo of the Virgin Mary on his right arm and a tattoo of a pair of rosary beads on his right abdomen.[58][59][60]

Career statistics

Club

As of 27 January 2016.
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Estudiantes (BA) 2003–04 3917----3917
Total 3917----3917
San Lorenzo 2004–05 299--80379
2005–06 229----229
2006–07 337--51388
Total 8425--1319726
Napoli 2007–08 35853--4011
2008–09 3071031348
2009–10 30811--319
2010–11 3161192419
2011–12 30940824211
Total 1563812520518848
Paris Saint-Germain 2012–13 28353954211
2013–14 329611024812
2014–15 3187180459
2015–16 1624140243
Total 1072222631716335
Career total 38610234116413484126

International

As of match played 21 June 2016.[61]
National team Year Apps Goals
Argentina 2007 2 0
2008 1 0
2009 3 0
2010 3 0
2011 7 2
2012 4 0
2013 8 2
2014 9 0
2015 11 3
2016 3 2
Total 51 9

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 20 June 2011 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina  Albania 1–04–0Friendly
2. 11 November 2011 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina  Bolivia 1–11–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
3. 11 October 2013 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina  Peru 1–13–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
4. 11 October 2013 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina  Peru 2–13–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
5. 4 September 2015 BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, United States  Bolivia 1–07–0Friendly
6. 4 September 2015 BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, United States  Bolivia 3–07–0Friendly
7. 13 November 2015 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina  Brazil 1–01–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification
8. 14 June 2016 CenturyLink Field, Seattle, United States  Bolivia 2–03–0Copa America Centenario
9. 21 June 2016 NRG Stadium, Houston, United States  United States 1–04–0Copa America Centenario

Honours

Club

San Lorenzo[62]
Napoli[62]
Paris Saint-Germain[62]

International

Argentina[62]

References

  1. ↑ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA.com. 11 June 2014. p. 2. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  2. ↑ "Fenomeni sbiaditi: Napoli rivuole Lavezzi" (in Italian). TuttoMercatoWeb.com. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  3. ↑ Petri, Leonardo (25 October 2009). "Il Napoli è un'incognita ma in attacco fa paura". repubblica.it (in Italian). La Repubblica. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Il Tabellino - Lavezzi CalcioNapoliNews.it (Italian)
  5. ↑ Lavezzi fue presentado en el Genoa Clarin.com, 16 July 2005
  6. ↑ Toccata e fuga per Lavezzi che lascia il Genoa IlGiornale.it, 2 August 2005 (Italian)
  7. ↑ "Ezequiel Lavezzi al Napoli". SSC Napoli (in Italian). 7 July 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  8. ↑ Extra-Football.com Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  9. 1 2 Channel4.com Archived 20 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ↑ Torneo 1988/1989 Napolissimo (Italian)
  11. ↑ Channel4.com Archived 23 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  12. ↑ Livewire Lavezzi sparks Napoli into life, before the inevitable guardian.co.uk, 4 September 2007
  13. ↑ "Ezequiel Lavezzi". Soccernet. ESPN. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  14. ↑ Cesena 1-3 Napoli Goal.com, 10 September 2011
  15. ↑ Napoli 2-0 Udinese Goal.com, 26 October 2011
  16. ↑ "Napoli 4-2 Lecce: Cavani nets brace as Mazzari's men demolish Lecce" Goal.com, 3 December 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2012
  17. ↑ Cavani at the double ESPN Soccernet, 17 February 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2012
  18. ↑ Lawton, Matt (21 February 2012). "Napoli 3 Chelsea 1: Villas-Boas gets it wrong and Cavani doubles his misery". Mail Online. London.
  19. ↑ "Napoli 1-0 Inter" Goal.com, 26 February 2012
  20. ↑ "Napoli claim controversial win ESPN Soccernet, 4 March 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2012
  21. ↑ "Warning for Chelsea as Ezequiel Lavezzi shines again for Napoli". guardian.co.uk. London. 9 March 2012.
  22. ↑ Napoli 1-3 Atalanta: Partenopei’s Slump Continues With Shock Loss Forza Italian Football, 11 April 2012
  23. ↑ "Napoli sink Juve to lift Coppa". Eurosport. 20 May 2012.
  24. ↑ "Juventus 0-2 Napoli: Cavani and Hamsik clinch Coppa Italia and dash double dreams of Turin giants". GOAL. 20 May 2012.
  25. ↑ "Lavezzi signs, Dani Alves & Moutinho could follow - how PSG are shaping up for a Champions League assault". Goal.com. 3 July 2012.
  26. ↑ "Ibrahimovic rescues PSG in 2-2 draw with Lorient". Yahoo Sports. 11 August 2012.
  27. ↑ "Lavezzi double seals place". ESPNFC. 21 November 2012.
  28. ↑ "Lavezzi sinks Porto to put PSG top". UEFA. 4 December 2012.
  29. ↑
  30. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain handed Valenciennes FC a first home defeat of the season, sweeping aside the northerners 4-0 on Tuesday.". LFP. 11 December 2012.
  31. ↑ "Rami strike halves PSG advantage". UEFA. 12 February 2013.
  32. ↑ "PSG survive stern Valencia examination". UEFA. 6 March 2013.
  33. ↑ "Metz 2-3 Paris St G". BBC Sport. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  34. ↑ "Paris St-Germain punish Ezequiel Lavezzi & Edinson Cavani". BBC Sport. 4 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  35. ↑ "Paris St G 6-1 Lille". BBC. 25 April 2015.
  36. ↑ "Montpellier 1-2 Paris St G". BBC. 16 May 2015.
  37. ↑ "OFFICIAL: HEBEI CHINA FORTUNE SIGN LAVEZZI FROM PSG". 17 February 2016.
  38. ↑ "Argentina 2008 Olympic Football Squad". Soccer Lens. 10 July 2008.
  39. ↑ "Nigeria 0 - 1 Argentina". ESPNFC. 22 August 2008.
  40. ↑ "Argentina brave heat to take gold". BBC Sport. 23 August 2008.
  41. ↑ "Lavezzi and Coloccini left out". ESPNFC. 20 May 2010.
  42. ↑ Glendenning, Barry (17 November 2010). "Argentina 1-0 Brazil - as it happened". London: Guardian.
  43. ↑ "Argentina National Squad". Copa America. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  44. ↑ "Argentina ease past Albania". FIFA. 21 June 2011.
  45. ↑ Calamai, Luca (12 July 2011). "Juve, hai visto Aguero? Doppietta e l'Argentina va" [Juve, did you see Aguero? Two goals and Argentina move ahead]. gazzetta.it (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  46. ↑ "Tabellino Argentina-Costarica Lavezzi giallo, scatta la squalifica" [Match ratings Argentina-Costa Rica, Lavezzi's yellow card leads to suspension]. gazzetta.it (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  47. ↑ "Dramma Argentina, Uruguay in semifinale" [Argentina Drama, Uruguay go through to the semifinals]. gazzetta.it (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 17 July 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  48. ↑ "Ezequiel LAVEZZI - International Competitions and Statistics". fifa.com. FIFA. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  49. ↑ Greenberg, Chris (21 June 2014). "Messi Saved Argentina With This Brilliant Goal In Stoppage Time Against Iran". huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  50. ↑ "Argentina pip Nigeria thriller". football-italia.ne. Football Italia. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  51. ↑ Sargeant, Jack (13 July 2014). "Here's how Argentina's coach screwed up the World Cup final". sbnation.com/. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  52. ↑ Tom Webber (5 July 2015). "Messi's Argentina trophy will come at some point - Lavezzi". Goal.com. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  53. ↑ "Carlos Tevez, Paulo Dybala left off Argentina's Copa America squad". ESPN FC. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  54. ↑ "Argentina beat Bolivia to secure top spot in Group D". ESPN FC. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  55. ↑ "Match 24 : Argentina vs Bolivia". Copa América Centenario. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  56. ↑ "U.S. vs. Argentina - Copa America semifinal: As it happened". ESPN FC. 21 June 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  57. ↑ "Lavezzi breaks elbow in dramatic fall over advertising board". Retrieved 2016-07-05.
  58. ↑ "Chelsea beware – Edinson Cavani has faith in Napoli's success".
  59. ↑ "PSG 1 Valencia 1 (agg 3-2): Beckham celebrates from the bench as Lavezzi secures progression to the last eight". Daily Mail. London. 6 March 2013.
  60. ↑ "10 players with more tattoos". Latest News. 17 June 2014.
  61. ↑ Lavezzi, Ezequiel at National-Football-Teams.com
  62. 1 2 3 4 "E. Lavezzi". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  63. ↑ "Chile 0–0 Argentina (Chile win 4–1 on penalties)". BBC Sport. 5 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
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