Franco Armani
{{short description|Argentine footballer (born 1986)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Franco Armani
| image = Franco Armani 2018.jpg
| caption = Armani during a press conference with Argentina at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|10|16|df=y}}
| birth_place = Casilda, Santa Fe, Argentina
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub = River Plate
| clubnumber = 1
| years1 = 2006–2008
| clubs1 = Ferro Carril Oeste
| caps1 = 2
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2008–2010
| clubs2 = Deportivo Merlo
| caps2 = 37
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2010–2018
| clubs3 = Atlético Nacional
| goals3 = 0
| caps3 = 135
| years4 = 2018–
| clubs4 = River Plate
| caps4 = 211
| goals4 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2018–2024
| nationalteam1 = Argentina
| nationalcaps1 = 19
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|ARG}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|FIFA World Cup}}
{{Medal|Winner|2022 Qatar|}}
{{MedalCompetition|Copa América}}
{{Medal|W|2021 Brazil|}}
{{Medal|Winner|2024 United States|}}
{{Medal|3rd|2019 Brazil|}}
{{MedalComp|CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions}}
{{Medal|W|2022 England|}}
| club-update = 12:53, 14 January 2025 (UTC)
}}
Franco Armani ({{IPA|es|ˈfɾaŋko aɾˈmani}}; born 16 October 1986) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Argentine Primera División club River Plate, which he is captain. He was a member of the Argentina team that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Club career
= Early career and Atletico Nacional =
File:IndDV-AN (5).jpg in 2016]]
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/river-plate/16/blog/post/3360368/franco-armani-and-juan-fernando-quintero-bring-world-cup-intrigue-to-river-plate|title=World Cup intrigue at River Plate|date=26 January 2018 }} Armani would go on to win thirteen trophies, including the Copa Libertadores – South America's Champions League – against Independiente del Valle in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/atl%C3%A9tico-nacional-v-independiente-del-valle/chx2bzsd4rhj7x1ph7u5sh7mx|title=Atlético Nacional v Independiente del Valle Live Commentary & Result, 28/07/2016, Copa Libertadores - Goal.com|website=www.goal.com}}
= River Plate =
File:Palestino - River Plate 20190424 17.jpg in 2019]]
In January 2018, River Plate paid Armani's buyout clause to Nacional, a reported $3 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.trollfootball.me/news/view/river-plate-will-pay-3-million-release-clause-for-atletico-nacionals|title=River Plate will pay the $3 million release clause for Atletico Nacional's Franco Armani. He will sign for 3 years with River|date=3 January 2018}} On 11 January 2018, he signed a three-year contract with Los Millonarios, which was renewed for an additional year in May 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/es/noticias/river-blindo-a-armani-cuatro-anos-de-contrato-y-clausula-de/5xj5j4yo4s041sshdflxcjs8n|title=River blindó a Armani: contrato hasta 2022 y cláusula de 20 millones|language=es|date=30 May 2018|publisher=Goal.com}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/3420842/river-plate-keeper-franco-armani-wears-burger-king-crown-after-super-cup-win|title=River Plate keeper wears Burger King crown|date=15 March 2018 }}
{{Clear}}
International career
File:02 07 2019 Partida de futebol Brasil x Argentina (48190423372) (cropped).jpg in 2019]]
Armani married a Colombian and applied for citizenship.{{cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-09/20/c_136624069.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317102123/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-09/20/c_136624069.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 March 2018|title=Argentine goalkeeper Armani seeks Colombian citizenship – Xinhua – English.news.cn|website=www.xinhuanet.com}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/argentine-keeper-armani-returns-home-to-chase-world-cup-dream-118010200233_1.html|title=Argentine keeper Armani returns home to chase World Cup dream|last=IANS|date=2 January 2018|work=Business Standard}}
Armani has impressed for River, being described by Olé as a goalkeeper who wins matches.https://www.workdsoccer/news/tim-vickerys-notes-south-america-argentinas-goalkeeping-problem-401024%3Fsource%3Ddam{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
In June 2018, Armani was named in Argentina's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia by manager Jorge Sampaoli.{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/revealed-every-world-cup-2018-squad-23-man-preliminary-lists/oa0atsduflsv1nsf6oqk576rb|title=Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - Final 23-man lists - Goal.com|website=www.goal.com}} On 26 June, he made his international debut starting in place of Willy Caballero for Argentina's final group match against Nigeria;{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/argentina-willy-caballero-world-cup-2018-nigeria-formation-lionel-messi-a8416121.html%3Famp|title=Argentina to drop Willy Caballero as players force switch to 4-3-3 in attempt to save World Cup campaign|work=The Independent|last=Malyon|first=Ed|date=26 June 2018}} Argentina advanced to the second round as group runners-up following a 2–1 victory.{{cite news |title=Nigeria 1 – 2 Argentina |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44439263 |agency=BBC |date=26 June 2018}} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/sports/world-cup/argentina-vs-france.html|title=Argentina vs. France: World Cup 2018 Live|work=The New York Times|last=Clarey|first=Andrew Das and Christopher|language=en|date=30 June 2018|access-date=30 June 2018}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/report/_/gameId/549436|title=Messi sent off as Argentina finish third at Copa|publisher=ESPN|date=6 July 2019|accessdate=19 December 2022}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.in/football/report/_/gameId/560500|title=Lionel Messi scores twice as Argentina overrun Bolivia 4-1 at Copa America|publisher=ESPN|date=29 June 2021|accessdate=19 December 2022}} He remained understudy to Emiliano Martínez in the remaining matches as Argentina won the tournament by defeating Brazil 1–0 in the final.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=603182|title=Lionel Messi, Argentina win Copa America over Brazil|publisher=ESPN|date=11 July 2021|accessdate=19 December 2022}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/finalissima/news/0276-1549514538ab-f782a73cf733-1000--argentina-outclass-italy-in-finalissima/ |title=Italy 0-3 Argentina: South American champions cruise to Finalissima glory |publisher=UEFA |date=1 June 2022 |access-date=19 December 2022 }}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/blogs/fwc-2022-live-blog-vi-en#mage-greater-than-fwc-2022-greater-than-kylian-mbappe-of-france-celebrates|title=Argentina are World Champions!|publisher=FIFA|date=18 December 2022|accessdate=19 December 2022}}
In June 2024, Armani was included in Lionel Scaloni's final 26-man Argentina squad for the 2024 Copa América.{{Cite news |date=15 June 2024 |title=Lionel Scaloni dio a conocer la lista de la Selección argentina para la Copa América 2024 |url=https://tn.com.ar/deportes/futbol/2024/06/15/lionel-scaloni-dio-a-conocer-la-lista-de-la-seleccion-argentina-para-la-copa-america-2024/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwqf20BhBwEiwAt7dtdeK13_I24H4iqEBua7UtmDLn6_x-FfDm-gzEseLS8vJCnOlmjC3PlBoCHEwQAvD_BwE |access-date=23 July 2024 |work=Todo Noticias}} 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.{{Cite web |date=17 April 2024 |title=Franco Armani le puso una fecha límite a su ciclo en la selección |url=https://www.elgrafico.com.ar/articulo/seleccion-argentina/76203/franco-armani-le-puso-una-fecha-limite-a-su-ciclo-en-la-seleccion |access-date=24 July 2024 |website=El Gráfico}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 20 November 2024|{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/franco-armani/51301/|title=F. Armani|website=Soccerway}}}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental1 !colspan="2"|Other2 !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Ferro Carril Oeste
|rowspan="2"|Primera B Nacional |1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2007–08
|1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2||0 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="3"|Deportivo Merlo
|2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2009–10
|Primera B Nacional |35 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!37||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||37||0 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="9"|Atlético Nacional
|2010 |rowspan="8"|Categoría Primera A |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2011
|8 | 0 | 16 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 0 | |||
| 2012
|3 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2013
|14 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 28 | 0 | ||
| 2014
|21 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 0 | |
| 2015
|29 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 36 | 0 | |
| 2016
|20 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 52 | 0 | |
| 2017
|38 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 49 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!135||0||42||0||60||0||10||0||247||0 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="9" |River Plate
| rowspan="8" |Argentine Primera División |14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 0 | |
| 2018–19
|20 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 43 | 0 | |
| 2019–20
|21 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 33 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21
|6 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 0 | |||
| 2021
|34 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 0 | |
| 2022
|38 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 48 | 0 | ||
| 2023
|41 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 51 | 0 | |
| 2024
|32 |0 |2 |0 |12 |0 |1 |0 |47 |0 | ||||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!206||0||17||0||72||0||12||0||307||0 | ||||||||||
| colspan="3" |Career total
!380||0||59||0||132||0||22||0||593||0 |
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=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year{{NFT player|71424|Franco Armani|access-date=26 June 2018}} | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="6"|Argentina
|2018 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 19 | 0 |
Honours
Atlético Nacional
- Categoría Primera A: 2011-I, 2013-I, 2013-II, 2014-I, 2015-II, 2017-I
- Copa Colombia: 2012, 2013, 2016
- Superliga Colombiana: 2012, 2016
- Copa Libertadores: 2016
- Recopa Sudamericana: 2017
River Plate
- Argentine Primera División: 2021, 2023
- Supercopa Argentina: 2017, 2019, 2023
- Trofeo de Campeones: 2021, 2023
- Copa Libertadores: 2018; runner-up: 2019
- Recopa Sudamericana: 2019
- Copa Argentina: 2019
Argentina
- FIFA World Cup: 2022{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Scott |date=18 December 2022 |title=Argentina beat France on penalties after thrilling World Cup final – live reaction |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2022/dec/18/argentina-france-world-cup-2022-final-live |access-date=18 December 2022 |work=The Guardian}}
- Copa América: 2021,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/jul/10/argentina-v-brazil-copa-america-final-live |title=Argentina 1-0 Brazil: Copa América final – live! |work=The Guardian |last1=Graham |first1=Bryan Armen |date=11 July 2021 |access-date=11 July 2021 }} 2024{{cite news|url=https://copaamerica.com/en/news/argentina-champion-colombia-copa-america-lautaro-martinez|title=Argentina defeats Colombia to Become The Champion of CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™|website=Copa América|date=15 July 2024|access-date=15 July 2024}}
- CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions: 2022{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61653337|title=Italy 0–3 Argentina: Messi and Di Maria shine in impressive Finalissima win|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 June 2022|access-date=2 June 2022}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{BDFA|id=58798}}
- {{Soccerway}}
{{River Plate squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Argentina squads
| bg = white
| fg = #0074E7
| bordercolor = black
| list1 =
{{Argentina squad 2018 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Argentina squad 2019 Copa América}}
{{Argentina squad 2021 Copa América}}
{{Argentina squad 2022 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Argentina squad 2024 Copa América}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 =
{{2016 South American Team of the Year}}
{{2018 South American Team of the Year}}
{{2019 South American Team of the Year}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Armani, Franco}}
Category:Footballers from Casilda
Category:Argentine sportspeople of Italian descent
Category:Argentine men's footballers
Category:Argentina men's international footballers
Category:Argentine expatriate men's footballers
Category:Argentine Primera División players
Category:Primera Nacional players
Category:Categoría Primera A players
Category:Ferro Carril Oeste footballers
Category:Deportivo Merlo footballers
Category:Atlético Nacional footballers
Category:Club Atlético River Plate footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Colombia
Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Colombia
Category:2018 FIFA World Cup players
Category:2019 Copa América players
Category:2021 Copa América players
Category:2022 FIFA World Cup players
Category:2024 Copa América players
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Copa América–winning players
Category:FIFA World Cup–winning players