Ricardo Pavoni

Football player infobox
playername = Ricardo Pavoni


fullname = Ricardo Elvio Pavoni Cúneo
height =
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1943|8|8
cityofbirth = Montevideo
countryofbirth = Uruguay
currentclub =
clubnumber =
position = Left Full-back
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1960-1964
1965-1976
clubs = Defensor Sporting Club
Independiente
caps(goals) = ? (?)
423 (57)
nationalyears = 1962-1974
nationalteam = Uruguay
nationalcaps(goals) = 13 (2)
pcupdate = March 2008

Ricardo Elvio Pavoni Cúneo (born August 8 1943 in Montevideo) is an Uruguayan former football (soccer) defender who played the majority of his career for Club Atlético Independiente in the Argentine First Division.

Biography

Pavoni was born in Montevideo, Uruguay and began his footballing career with the Montevidean club Defensor. Disillusioned with life as a footballer, he was on the point of abandoning the game completely and going to work in a casino as a croupier until he was convinced to play football for Independiente of Argentina. Undeniably one of Independiente's all-time stars, the left-sided full-back has been described as a natural leader and the perfect man-marker. He was also responsible for scoring 57 goals.

He arrived to Independiente at age 21 to replace Tomás Rolan, another Uruguayan who had suffered a serious injury. No-one could have predicted that Pavoni would make people forget about Rolan and would be part of one of the most memorable periods in the club's history. His first match for Independiente was on March 24 1965 in a Copa Libertadores match. Independiente beat Boca Juniors by two goals to nil.

For twelve seasons (1965-1976) he was idolised by the Independiente fans. He was particularly remembered for his powering runs along the left wing, putting away free kicks with his left foot and for his frequent last-ditch efforts to clear the ball from the goal-line. He is considered by many to be the archetypal Uruguayan footballer.

Pavoni (affectively known as "el Chivo") won many honours during his career, including the Argentine first division championships three times, the Copa Libertadores 5 times, the Copa Interamericana on three occasions and one Copa Intercontinental. He was also a member of the Uruguayan squad that took part in the World Cup of 1974, in West Germany. Since retirement, he has been involved with the club as a trainer with reserve and youth teams. He has also been caretaker manager of the first team on several occasions.

Clubs

* Defensor Sporting (Uruguay) ~1965
* Club Atlético Independiente (Argentina) 1965-1976

Honours

National Competitions

* Independiente - Nacional 1967
* Independiente - Metropolitano 1970
* Independiente - Metropolitano 1971

International Club Competitions

* Independiente - Copa Libertadores de América 1965
* Independiente - Copa Libertadores de América 1972
* Independiente - Copa Interamericana 1973
* Independiente - Copa Libertadores de América 1973
* Independiente - Copa Intercontinental 1973
* Independiente - Copa Interamericana 1974]
* Independiente - Copa Libertadores de América 1974
* Independiente - Copa Libertadores de América 1975
* Independiente - Copa Interamericana 1976

International career

* Pavoni played 13 times for the Uruguay national team between 1962 and 1974, scoring two goals [ [http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/uru-recintlp.html rsssf: Uruguay record international footballers] ] . He was part of the Uruguay squad for the 1974 FIFA World Cup [ [http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/uru-squad-wc.html#1974 rsssf: Uruguay 1974 World Cup Squad] ] .

External links

*es icon [http://www.futbolfactory.futbolweb.net/index.php?ff=historicos&f2=00001&idjugador=871 Futbol Factory profile]

References