- Leo Franco
Football player infobox
playername= Leo Franco
fullname = Leonardo Noeren Franco
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1977|5|20
cityofbirth = San Nicolás
countryofbirth =Argentina
height = height|ft=6|in=2
currentclub =Atlético Madrid
clubnumber = 25
position = Goalkeeper
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1995–1997 1997–1998 1998–2004 2004–
clubs = Independiente MéridaReal Mallorca Atlético Madrid
caps(goals) = 2 (0) 0 (0) 148 (0) 118 (0)
nationalyears = 2004-
nationalteam = Argentina
nationalcaps(goals) = 4 (0)
pcupdate = 3 May 2008
ntupdate = 3 May 2008Leonardo Noeren Franco (born
May 20 ,1977 in San Nicolás,Argentina ), commonly known as Leo Franco is a professional Argentine football goalkeeper who currently plays inSpain forAtlético Madrid .Franco started his career at Independiente before moving to Spanish
Mérida UD . In 1998 he transferred toReal Mallorca , where he would later become a regular starter for the club, and win the 2003Copa del Rey . He was signed by Atlético Madrid in 2004.With the Argentina Under-20 team, Leo Franco won the
1997 FIFA World Youth Championship . OnMay 6 ,2006 he was named as a definite squad member for the2006 FIFA World Cup by coachJosé Pekerman .Franco replaced an injured
Roberto Abbondanzieri inArgentina 's quarter-final clash withGermany during the2006 FIFA World Cup . Many view this sudden replacement as a key factor in Argentina's loss to Germany during the deciding penalty shootout, as Leo Franco failed to save a single shot. Franco had otherwise had good performances saving penalties in the Spanish Liga that year, saving two on March 23 in a match against Sevilla, and two more on December 3 in a match against Valencia [ [http://www.ole.clarin.com/jsp/v4/pagina.jsp?pagId=01320725&fecha=20061203 Ole Article] es icon] .References
External links
* [http://touchline.onthespot.co.uk/guardian/StatsCentre.asp?Lang=0&CTID=29&CPID=68&pStr=Player&PLID=42024&TEID=533 Statistics] at Guardian Stats Centre
* [http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=324 Career details] at National Football Teams
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