Javier Saviola

"I am grateful to the Club for their confidence and I will do my best to thrill the fans"


Javier Pedro Saviola was officially presented as Real Madrid's new player after the signing of his contract. Approximately 2,000 fans went to the Santiago Bernabéu to give him a warm welcome. The player expressed his happiness with joining the Club.


After his early medical check-up at 9 am and the signing of his contract, Javier Saviola was presented as Real Madrid's new signing for the next four seasons in the Presidential Balcony of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

He arrived with the President at 1 pm and was greeted by fellow Argentine Alfredo Di Stéfano. Board Members Amador Suárez, Luís Bárcena, Luís Guerrero, Melchor Miralles, José Manuel Serrano, Antonio Serrano, Miguel Ángel Arrroyo -Director General of the President's Office- and Pedja Mijatovic sat in the front row during the presentation act.


Close to 2,000 fans sat in the south stand of the stadium and gave the player a very warm welcome. Saviola in turn gratefully waved back at them. The President then took the stand and gave a brief speech.

RAMÓN CALDERÓN: "He is destined for success"
"Good morning to all. To put an end to this intense week full of official presentations we have brought here a great player who is destined to be successful at this Club. His name is Javier Pedro Saviola. He is only 25 years old and was born in Buenos Aires. One of his grandmothers is Spanish. He has characteristics greatly valued at this Club, such as an impressive goal-scoring instinct, great quality, drive, courage and a hard working attitude. I am sure he will give us many unforgettable evenings at this stadium."

Following these opening words, the President summarised Saviola's track-record. "He joined River Plate when he was 8, playing for all the youth systems until he reached the first team. He became the youngest player in the history of Argentina's First Division football when he made his official debut, in which he scored a goal. "Sports newspaper Olé's headline the following day was: 'Star in his debut'. He is till a star and will continue being so here."



"He won the Apertura and Clausura Tournaments in 1999 and 2000, respectively, with River Plate. He was destined to play in Europe and he came over in 2001. He is going to be very successfull here. He won the Silver Medal with Argentina in the Olympic Games of Athens and won the Argentina Under-20 World Cup, becoming the competition's top-scorer and best player."

"I am sure we at Real Madrid are going to enjoy watching him play. Javier, I welcome you to your new home."

SAVIOLA: "I have great responsibility"
"I would like to thank the President for his kind words and those who have faith in me. I wish to have many great seasons at this important Club. I have great responsibility being here, but I'm sure we will form a good team and that people will enjoy my football."

Following his brief speech, Ramón Calderón and Alfredo Di Stéfano gave Saviola a shirt with his name amidst the cheers of the thousands of fans at the stadium.