Abel Xavier Explained

Abel Xavier
Fullname:Abel Luís da Silva Costa Xavier
Birth Date:1972 11, df=y[1]
Birth Place:Nampula, Mozambique
Height:1.89 m[2]
Position:Right-back
Years1:1990–1993
Clubs1:Estrela da Amadora
Caps1:85
Goals1:5
Years2:1993–1995
Clubs2:Benfica
Caps2:45
Goals2:4
Years3:1995–1996
Clubs3:Bari (loan)
Caps3:8
Goals3:0
Years4:1996–1998
Clubs4:Real Oviedo
Caps4:58
Goals4:0
Years5:1998–1999
Clubs5:PSV
Caps5:19
Goals5:2
Years6:1999–2002
Clubs6:Everton
Caps6:43
Goals6:0
Years7:2002–2003
Clubs7:Liverpool
Caps7:14
Goals7:1
Years8:2003
Clubs8:Galatasaray (loan)
Caps8:11
Goals8:0
Years9:2003–2004
Clubs9:Hannover 96
Caps9:5
Goals9:0
Years10:2005
Clubs10:Roma
Caps10:3
Goals10:0
Years11:2005–2006
Clubs11:Middlesbrough
Caps11:4
Goals11:0
Years12:2006–2007
Clubs12:Middlesbrough
Caps12:14
Goals12:1
Years13:2007–2008
Clubs13:LA Galaxy
Caps13:21
Goals13:0
Totalcaps:330
Totalgoals:13
Nationalyears1:1988–1989
Nationalteam1:Portugal U16
Nationalcaps1:14
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:1989
Nationalteam2:Portugal U17
Nationalcaps2:6
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:1988–1990
Nationalteam3:Portugal U18
Nationalcaps3:9
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:1990–1991
Nationalteam4:Portugal U20
Nationalcaps4:9
Nationalgoals4:0
Nationalyears5:1991–1994
Nationalteam5:Portugal U21
Nationalcaps5:21
Nationalgoals5:1
Nationalyears6:1993–2002
Nationalteam6:Portugal
Nationalcaps6:20
Nationalgoals6:2
Manageryears1:2013
Managerclubs1:Olhanense
Manageryears2:2014–2015
Managerclubs2:Farense
Manageryears3:2015
Managerclubs3:Aves
Manageryears4:2016–2019
Managerclubs4:Mozambique

Abel Luís da Silva Costa Xavier (pronounced as /pt/; born 30 November 1972) is a Portuguese football manager and former professional footballer who played as a right-back.

Xavier played for clubs in Portugal, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, England, Turkey and Germany before retiring with the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2008. He represented both Merseyside rivals Everton and Liverpool in the Premier League. While at Middlesbrough he was the first Premier League player to test positive for performance-enhancing substances, and was banned for one year.

From his debut in 1993, Xavier played 20 games for the Portugal national team, and was selected in their squads for UEFA Euro 2000 and 2002 FIFA World Cup. He later became a manager for several Portuguese clubs and the Mozambique national team.

Club career

Early career

Xavier debuted in the Portuguese top division with Estrela da Amadora. His play there earned him a transfer to Lisbon club Benfica. He helped Benfica win the Portuguese league in 1994, and a season after, he moved to Serie A side Bari. This stint with the Italian club started a series of transfers across Europe: in 1996, Xavier was sent to Real Oviedo, then after two seasons he moved to PSV.

Everton and Liverpool

Xavier joined English Premier League club Everton in September 1999 on a £1.5 million transfer deal. He was sold to Everton's Merseyside rivals Liverpool on 30 January 2002 for £800,000. He was signed to bolster Liverpool's defence following Markus Babbel's absence through illness.[3] Xavier scored on his Liverpool debut against Ipswich Town.[4] He also scored against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League.[5] Liverpool ended the 2001–02 FA Premier League season as runners-up to Arsenal.

Xavier started the first four league games of the 2002–03 FA Premier League season but later argued with Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier and did not feature in any of the remaining games, though he did play in a League Cup tie against Ipswich in December.[6] On 29 January 2003, he was loaned to Turkish side Galatasaray for the remainder of the season, with an option of a permanent move in the summer.[7] Galatasaray did not take up the option to sign Xavier, who subsequently played for Hannover 96 (2003–04) and Roma in 2004–05.

Middlesbrough

At the start of the 2005–06 season, Xavier was without a club but at the end of August, he signed for Middlesbrough to replace Michael Reiziger after the Dutchman was sold to PSV.[8]

Following the UEFA Cup tie against Skoda Xanthi on 29 September, Xavier was administered a drugs test and failed.[9] On 23 November 2005, he was found guilty of using the anabolic steroid methandrostenolone (also known as dianabol), and banned from professional football for 18 months.[10] He said that the substance came from anti-virus medicine that he had imported from the United States.[10] While other players had failed tests for recreational substances, Xavier became the first Premier League player to be found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs.[11] The suspension caused him to miss Middlesbrough's run to the 2006 UEFA Cup final. Xavier remained employed by the club and unsuccessfully appealed the decision; in January 2006 he said that he would take UEFA to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.[12]

Xavier's ban was shortened to 12 months in June 2006, making him eligible to play again from November 2006.[13] In the summer of 2006, he began training again with Middlesbrough, and on 8 November 2006, was offered a contract with the club for the remainder of the 2006–07 season.[14] He scored his first Boro goal on 20 January 2007 in a 5–1 win against Bolton Wanderers at the Riverside Stadium.[15]

LA Galaxy

On 14 May 2007, it was announced that Xavier was to join the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer (MLS). He played in his first game with the Galaxy on 17 June 2007 at home against Real Salt Lake, setting up fellow new signing Edson Buddle in a 3–2 win.[16]

Xavier was waived by Los Angeles on 18 July 2008. Later, in an interview to an online football site, Xavier criticised Galaxy manager Ruud Gullit and the league itself.[17] [18] [19] In December 2009, Xavier quit professional football.

International career

Xavier was a part of the Portugal squad which came third at the 1989 FIFA U-16 World Championship in Scotland.

Xavier's full international debut for senior team came on 31 March 1993, away in Switzerland in qualification for the 1994 FIFA World Cup.[20] He played three more matches in the unsuccessful qualification campaign that year and did not play for Portugal again until 1998.[21]

Xavier was selected for UEFA Euro 2000 and became one of the key figures in the competition, not only due to playing some of his best football but also due to a distinctly bleached-blonde hairstyle with a matching beard. In the semi-final against France, he went from close to hero, as France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez blocked what looked a sure goal, to a villain, when he deflected a shot by Sylvain Wiltord near the post in the dying seconds of golden goal extra time with his hand. Zinedine Zidane scored the penalty and put France in the final. Xavier was initially given a nine-month ban from football for his vociferous protests against referee Günter Benkö's decision to award the penalty,[22] but it was eventually reduced to six months.[23] In the 2002 World Cup, he was part of the squad but played only as a substitute in the final group stage match against South Korea in his final of 20 international appearances.

Managerial career

In July 2013, Xavier signed to be manager of Portuguese top division club Olhanense for the upcoming 2013–14 Primeira Liga season.[24] He was sacked by the club on 28 October 2013, despite beating Arouca in his last match to reach 11th in the table.[25] [26]

In December 2014, Xavier signed for another team from the Algarve, Farense of the Segunda Liga. He left his position on 28 May, after leading his team to the 11th position.[27]

In July 2015, Xavier signed a one-year deal with another team in the second division, Desportivo das Aves.[28] He was fired in early September after a series of poor results.[29]

On 26 January 2016, he signed a two-year contract as coach of the Mozambique national team, starting work on 1 February.[30] In December 2017, with his contract due to expire, he had it extended until the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.[31] After conceding an added-time goal to Guinea, the Black Mambas missed out on the tournament in Egypt but he was assured of a new deal by the Mozambican Football Federation; this offer was rescinded after a poor performance at the 2019 COSAFA Cup in South Africa.[32]

Personal life

Xavier was born in Mozambique, which was then a Portuguese colony, and moved to Portugal as a child.[30] He settled in Jamor in the western suburbs of Lisbon, where he lived in poverty.[33] He grew up in a strict Catholic background.[34] On retiring from his playing career, Xavier converted to Islam. He said that he was initiated into the faith by a brother of the monarch of the United Arab Emirates in 2009, who gave him the name Faisal. Xavier said "You can call me Abel, you can call me Faisal or Abel ‘Faisal’ Xavier. Deep down, I wanted to keep the same name, but be recognised by a historical name in Islam".[35]

From 2011 to 2014, Xavier was in a relationship with actress Oceana Basílio.[36] In February 2017, with debts of €1.5 million, bankruptcy proceedings were initiated against him.[37]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[38]
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Estrela Amadora1989–90Primeira Divisão100010
1990–91Primeira Liga2203000250
1991–92Segunda Divisão de Honra290290
1992–93Segunda Divisão de Honra345345
Total8653000895
Benfica1993–94Primeira Liga241008110332
1994–95Primeira Liga223205030323
Total 4642013140655
Bari1995–96Serie A800080
Real Oviedo1996–97La Liga27040310
1997–98La Liga32010330
Total 59050640
PSV1998–99Eredivisie192007010272
Everton1999–2000Premier League2002010230
2000–01Premier League110100012 0
2001–02Premier League1201010140
Total 4304020490
Liverpool2001–02Premier League10151152
2002–03Premier League400010001060
Total 14100105110212
Galatasaray (loan)2002–03Süper Lig11010120
Hannover2003–04Bundesliga500050
Roma2004–05Serie A30100040
Middlesbrough2005–06Premier League402060
2006–07Premier League1416000201
Total 181600020261
LA Galaxy2007Major League Soccer1001050160
2008Major League Soccer100100
Total 2001050260
Career total33213200303526039615

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Portugal199340
199850
199921
200041
200120
200230
Total202

Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Xavier goal.

Managerial

TeamFromToRecord
Olhanense7 July 201328 October 2013
Farense1 December 201428 May 2015
Desportivo Aves9 July 20154 September 2015
Mozambique26 January 2016Present
Total

Honours

Estrela da Amadora

1992–93

Benfica

1993–94

PSV

1998

Liverpool

2002–03[39]

Portugal U17

1989

Portugal U18

Portugal U20

1991

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Abel Xavier . Liverpool F.C. . 17 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20021201100633/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/xavier/ . 1 December 2002.
  2. Web site: Abel Xavier: Overview . Premier League . 17 August 2022.
  3. Web site: Xavier completes Mersey move . BBC Sport . 30 January 2002. 14 August 2013 .
  4. News: Liverpool six-hitters stun Ipswich . BBC . 9 February 2002 . 23 October 2009.
  5. News: Liverpool suffer Euro woe . BBC . 9 April 2002 . 3 November 2009.
  6. News: Liverpool spot-on to foil Ipswich . The Guardian . 5 December 2002 . 30 March 2017.
  7. Web site: – Football – Eng Prem – Xavier moves to Galatasaray. BBC Sport. 29 January 2003. 13 July 2015.
  8. News: Boro race to complete Xavier deal . 25 September 2019 . BBC Sport . 31 August 2005.
  9. News: Xavier case on 23 November . 25 September 2019 . UEFA . 11 November 2005.
  10. News: Walker . Michael . Eighteen-month drug ban for Xavier may end Boro player's career . 25 September 2019 . The Guardian . 24 November 2005.
  11. News: Xavier appeals against drugs ban . 25 September 2019 . BBC Sport . 29 November 2005.
  12. News: Xavier vows to contest drugs ban . 25 September 2019 . BBC Sport . 19 January 2006.
  13. Web site: Xavier suspension reduced . 19 July 2008 . 11 July 2006 . UEFA . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071022181820/http://www.uefa.com/uefa/Keytopics/kind%3D64/newsId%3D435881.html . 22 October 2007 .
  14. Web site: Abel back in Boro fold . Sky Sports . 8 November 2006 . 24 July 2013 . Alex . Livie . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140310225742/http://www.skysports.com/story/0%2C%2C11680_2394903%2C00%2Ben-USS_01DBC.html . 10 March 2014.
  15. News: Middlesbrough 5-1 Bolton . BBC . 20 January 2007 . 23 October 2009 . Paul . Fletcher.
  16. News: RSL finds offense but loses to LA, 3-2. 10 March 2014. KSL. 17 June 2007.
  17. Web site: Dominguez added to Galaxy roster . 19 July 2008 . 18 July 2008 . la.galaxy.mlsnet.com.
  18. Web site: McCarthy's Musings: Xavier Speaks Out Against Gullit . 22 July 2008 . goal.com . 24 July 2013 . Kyle . McCarthy.
  19. Web site: McCarthy's Musings: More from Xavier and Welcome to Toronto . 23 July 2008 . goal.com . 24 July 2013 . Kyle . McCarthy.
  20. Web site: Football MATCH: 31.03.1993 Switzerland v Portugal . eu-football.info . 31 March 1993 . 14 August 2013.
  21. Web site: Football PLAYER: Abel Xavier . eu-football.info. 14 August 2013.
  22. News: Portuguese players suspended, federation fined. 29 October 2010. 2 July 2000. CNN Sports Illustrated. 3 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121103133644/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/2000/euro2000/news/2000/07/02/portugal_penalty_ap/. dead.
  23. News: Referees under attack . 29 October 2010 . 18 November 2000 . BBC Sport.
  24. Web site: Abel Xavier é o novo treinador do Olhanense . pt . publico.pt . 7 July 2013 . 14 August 2013.
  25. News: Olhanense despede Abel Xavier. 10 March 2014. O Publico. 28 October 2013.
  26. Web site: Abel Xavier apresentado como treinador do Farense . Abel Xavier presented as Farense coach . pt . ZeroZero . 2 December 2014 . 3 December 2014 . Álvaro . Gonçalves.
  27. News: Abel Xavier deixa Farense. Abel Xavier leaves Farense. ZeroZero. pt. 28 May 2015. 13 July 2015.
  28. News: Abel Xavier é o novo treinador do Aves. Abel Xavier is Aves' new coach. A Bola. pt. 9 July 2015. 13 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150713180942/http://www.abola.pt/nnh/ver.aspx?id=5592413. 13 July 2015. dead.
  29. News: Abel Xavier despedido . Abel Xavier fired . . pt . 4 September 2015 . 11 November 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151020023158/http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/nacional/liga-honra/aves/detalhe/abel-xavier-despedido-973028.html . 20 October 2015.
  30. Web site: Mozambique appoint Abel Xavier as new national coach . BBC Sport . 26 January 2016 . 26 January 2016.
  31. News: Gleeson . Mark . Abel Xavier to continue as coach of Mozambique and develop football . 25 September 2019 . BBC Sport . 19 December 2017.
  32. News: Gleeson . Mark . Matine takes over from Xavier as new Mozambique coach . 25 September 2019 . BBC Sport . 22 July 2019.
  33. News: Simões de Abreu . Alexandra . Vivi na pobreza no Jamor, convivi com o Beckham, jantei com o Cruise e o De Niro em LA, mas guardo roupa suja do pó vermelho de Moçambique . I lived in poverty in Jamor, I lived alongside Beckham, I dined with Cruise and De Niro in LA, but I keep clothes dirty with the red dust of Mozambique. 25 September 2019 . Tribuna Expresso . 20 January 2019 . pt.
  34. News: On Reflection: Abel Xavier – a colourful character who was no stranger to controversy . Anthony Vickers . Teesside Gazette . 15 December 2016 . 21 September 2018.
  35. News: Tavanez . Melissa . Abel ‘Faisal’ Xavier: “Desde que me converti ao islamismo sinto-me mais livre, mais aberto”. Abel 'Faisal' Xavier: "Since I converted to Islam I feel freer, more open". 30 August 2023 . Caras . 2 February 2010 . Portuguese.
  36. News: Abel Xavier confirma fim da relação com Oceana Basílio. Abel Xavier confirms end of relationship with Oceana Basílio . 25 September 2019 . SAPO . 26 March 2015 . pt.
  37. News: Abel Xavier enfrenta processo de insolvência. Abel Xavier faces bankruptcy proceedings . 25 September 2019 . Diário de Notícias . 17 February 2017 . pt.
  38. News: Abel Xavier. ForaDeJogo. 3 November 2017.
  39. Web site: Former Portugal defender Xavier rediscovers himself thanks to Islam. Anadolu Agency. 23 April 2022. 19 June 2023.