Eduardo "Toto" Salvio
The sixth son of a family of seven children – four boys and three girls -, Salvio was born on the 13 July 1990 in Avellaneda; a town located in the province of Buenos Aires. He was only four years old when he started playing football in a small team of his neighborhood called Sarmiento de Entré Vías. Salvio played with older kids and in all the positions, even at goalkeeper, but, little by little, he shown an incredible capacity to score goals and to assist his teammates. When he was a child, his friends started calling him “El Toto”, the nickname usually given to a person called Eduardo on the Hispanic countries.
Then, he played in Bristol and Vila Ideal before starting his adventure in Lanús, beginning a bond that lasted for 13 years and catapulted Salvio for football stardom.
Before he played in the senior in Lanús, Salvio had been selected for the Argentinean under-17 squad that played in World Cup in 2007, hosted by Canada. With only 17, “El Toto” was in the first eleven in every game, helping the young Argentinean team to reach the quarter-finals.
In the beginning of 2010, a very promising 19 year old winger arrived at the Spanish League. Atlético Madrid paid €10 million to Lanús, an Argentinean club that won Apertura Tournament in 2007, to have this new talent. After this transfer, the Italian newspaper “Gazzetta dello Sport” said that this was the most gifted young player playing in Europe. This winger is called Eduardo Antonio Salvio, or simply “El Toto” Salvio, and nowadays his abilities are unquestionable and in Benfica, his current club, he is one of the most cherished athletes by the team fans.
Salvio started his adventure in professional football begun in Lanús. At the age of 17 he was already training with senior squad e, although haven’t played any minute, was a part of team that won Apertura Tournament in 2007. “El Toto” was humble player outside the field and very committed in the trainings. So on 24 April 2008, he had his debut on the senior team against Boca Juniors. The winger only played for 20 minutes, but convinced the coach Ramón Cabrero that he had talent to be in the first eleven. Since that, Salvio had 31 appearances on 2008/09 season, 27 playing from the start.
Before playing as a professional, Salvio had been selected for the Argentinean under-17 squad that played in World Cup in 2007. In 2009, he played South America under-20 Championship and, with for four goals, was one of the main highlights of the “La Albiceleste” on the competition. In that same year, the young player fulfilled his dream and played for main Argentinean National Team. He was selected by the legendary Diego Armando Maradona for the friendly match against Panama. On the game, the national coach only called players from Argentinean League.
After his debut at the national team, the young winger started being followed closely by some of the major clubs in Europe. Atlético Madrid, one of the most important teams in Spain, takes the leap and, in January 2010, hired the talented Argentinean for €10 million. On a squad full of stars, like Kun Aguero, Diego Fórlan, Simão and José António Reyes, Salvio arrived on the Spanish capital in the second term of season. He played 20 matches and helped on the “colchoneros” triumph in the Europa League.
Concerned with the evolution of the player, Atlético Madrid decided to loan Salvio in the 2010/11 season. Various clubs were interested on this loan, but the young Argentinean wanted to play in the Champions League, so he chooses Benfica. “There were various offers from clubs in Spain, Italy and Portugal. However, when I saw Benfica’s proposal, I decided quickly”, Salvio said, when he joined Benfica.
Playing for most popular club in Portugal, “El Toto” became one of the fan’s favourites. The supporters loved the dynamic he gave to the attack, his velocity and the way he dribbled the opponents. And, of course, they were delighted with ten goals he scored in 26 appearances. I that season, Benfica finished at second in Portuguese League, achieved the semi-finals in the Portuguese Cup and Europa League, and won the Portuguese League Cup.
Salvio returned to Atletico Madrid next year and had to fight again to play regularly. Appearing on 49 matches, 24 in the line up, Salvio won the Europa League for the second time. However, Benfica dreamed of having “El Toto” back. So the Portuguese side made a big investment to count with the winger again.
On 1 August 2012, Benfica bought Salvio for €11 million and he became the most expensive transfer on the club’s history. “I’ll give my best and I hope to do better than the first time. I still have to evolve a lot, but my idea is to grow has a player here in Benfica”, the young Argentinean stated, when he returned to Lisbon. Unquestionable on Benfica’s first eleven, “El Toto” is currently on of the best wingers in Europe and one of the dearest players by the fans.
Main Characteristics: With great technique and a finish capacity above the average for a winger, Salvio plays as a right winger but also can play on the left or behind the forward. He is a fast player that regularly causes trouble to the opposite defence and he can run 30 or 40 metres on the field without getting tired and without losing the site of the goal. Strong in the individual challenge and also very clever in preventing the plays, Salvio is one of the most dynamic forwards of his team and never rejects helping his teammates on the defence.
Favorite movie: Transformers
Favorite Music Group: Los del Fuego
Favorite Food: Milanesa and Gnocchi made by my mum
Countries to live: United States, Spain and Portugal
Favorite Actress: Megan Fox
Favorite Actor: Guillermo Francella.
Favorite Car Brand: Audi
Other Favorite Sporting: Tenis
Idol in football: Juan Román Riquelme
Want do you want to be when you finish your career: Players agent or Sporting Director
Favorite name: Valentino, the name of my son
Favorites places to go on vacation: Cancun and Iguazu Falls
Things you like to do besides playing football: Going to gym, shopping with my wife and my son and seeing TV shows
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