Sávio Explained

Sávio
Upright:1.1
Full Name:Sávio Bortolini Pimentel
Birth Date:9 January 1974
Birth Place:Vila Velha, Brazil
Height:1.76 m
Position:Winger
Youthyears1:1986–1988
Youthclubs1:Desportiva Capixaba
Youthyears2:1988–1993
Caps1:74
Goals1:20
Years1:1993–1997
Caps2:105
Goals2:16
Years2:1998–2003
Caps3:27
Goals3:7
Years3:2002–2003
Clubs3:Bordeaux (loan)
Years4:2003–2006
Caps4:95
Goals4:16
Years5:2006
Caps5:10
Goals5:0
Years6:2007
Caps6:19
Goals6:5
Years7:2007
Caps7:12
Goals7:0
Years8:2008
Caps8:9
Goals8:6
Years9:2008–2009
Caps9:16
Goals9:4
Years10:2010
Caps10:8
Goals10:0
Totalcaps:375
Totalgoals:74
Nationalyears1:1994–2000
Nationalcaps1:21
Nationalgoals1:4

Sávio Bortolini Pimentel (born 9 January 1974), known simply as Sávio (pronounced as /pt/), is a Brazilian retired professional footballer who played as a left winger.

Known as "Anjo Loiro" ("Blonde Angel") and "Diabo Loiro" ("Blonde Devil"), he played most of his professional career in Spain, being a part of Real Madrid's setup during four-and-a-half seasons and appearing in more than 300 official games with four teams.

A Brazilian international in the mid and late 1990s, Sávio represented the nation in the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Club career

Flamengo and Real Madrid

Born in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Sávio started his footballing career at the Desportiva Capixaba youth team. Still as a junior he was transferred to Rio de Janeiro's Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, where he made his professional debut –[1] – he was hailed as the new Zico by the fans and the press due to his footballing ability, but also due to his frail physique.

In 1995, as part of Flamengo's centennial celebrations, Sávio teamed up with the volatile Romário and Edmundo. After clashing with the former he was transferred to Real Madrid in 1998, helping the La Liga powerhouse to three UEFA Champions League titles and the 2001 national championship; in the 2002–03 season he served a loan stint in France, at FC Girondins de Bordeaux. He holds French nationality.[2]

Zaragoza and Flamengo

In the following season, Sávio returned to Spain and was one of the most important players in Real Zaragoza, for which he played three years. In his first the Aragonese won the Copa del Rey, precisely against Real Madrid;[3] in the second, he scored a career-best ten league goals.[4]

In May 2006, Sávio returned to Brazil and Flamengo on a free transfer, signing a contract until December 2007. However, on 5 January of the following year, it was announced that he would be transferred to Real Sociedad also in Spain, for which he played his first league game on the 21st against Valencia CF;[5] in late June, after the Basques' relegation, he joined fellow league team Levante UD, and played there until January of the following year, leaving as many teammates due to unpaid wages.[6] [7]

Later years

After a spell back in Brazil with his very first club, Desportiva Capixaba,[8] Sávio signed in August 2008 with Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta FC, appearing with them in the 2008–09 Champions League.[9] In January 2010 the 36-year-old returned to his country, joining Avaí Futebol Clube.[10]

After a few months with the Santa Catarina club, Sávio retired at the end of 2010.[11]

International career

Never a part of any FIFA World Cup finals squad, Sávio did however play with Brazil at the 1995 Copa América, where the nation lost the final to Uruguay on penalties. He also achieved the bronze medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, going on to collect a total of 21 full caps with four goals.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Real Madrid1997–98La Liga1231020153
1998–9934661734910
1999–0025420114429
2000–0126311111405
2001–02801142143
Total10516113351016030
Bordeaux (loan)2002–03Ligue 127752413610
Real Zaragoza2003–04La Liga2925100343
2004–053610101044714
2005–063042000324
Total95168110411321
Real Sociedad2006–07La Liga1950000195
Levante2007–08La Liga1200000120
Anorthosis Famagusta2008–09Cypriot First Division1640041205

Honours

Flamengo

1992

1996

1996

2006

Real Madrid

2000–01

2001

1997–98, 1999–2000, 2001–02

1998

2002

Zaragoza

2003–04; runner-up 2005–06

2004

Desportiva Capixaba

2008

Avaí

2010

Brazil

Bronze medal 1996

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. "Sávio de pancada", Placar edition 1109, November 1995, Editora Abril, p. 60
  2. Web site: 2023-03-14 . Et aussi L'Humanité . 2023-11-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314161945/https://www.humanite.fr/et-aussi-270573 . 14 March 2023 .
  3. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/3516028.stm Beckham misses out on Cup
  4. Web site: La afición pide la renovación de Savio. Fans want Savio to be renewed. Aragón Digital. es. 10 January 2005. 13 May 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160112202037/http://www.aragondigital.es/noticia.asp?notid=17444&secid=15. 12 January 2016.
  5. Web site: Villa pone la sexta. Sixth one courtesy of Villa. El Mundo. es. 21 January 2007. 11 March 2017.
  6. Web site: El Levante libera a Savio, Storari, Viqueira y Bruno si perdonan lo que les adeudan. Levante free Savio, Storari, Viqueira and Bruno if they forgive debt. El Mundo. es. 8 January 2008. 4 December 2013.
  7. Web site: Vive en su país a la espera de ofertas. Lives in his country waiting for offers. Marca. es. 3 May 2011. 13 May 2013.
  8. Web site: Savio Bortolini ficha por un equipo brasileño. Savio Bortolini signs for Brazilian team. Diario AS. es. 8 February 2008. 13 May 2013.
  9. Web site: Anorthosis claim Greek double on glory night. UEFA. 25 November 2009.
  10. Web site: Sávio foi apresentado no Avaí. Sávio presented at Avaí. Avaí FC. pt. 23 January 2010.
  11. http://gazetaonline.globo.com/_conteudo/2011/09/gazetaesportes/futebol/futebol_capixaba/967888-aposentado-savio-revela-o-sonho-de-voltar-para-a-desportiva-como-gestor.html Aposentado, Sávio revela o sonho de voltar para a Desportiva como gestor (Retired, Sávio talks of dream of returning to Desportiva as manager)