Mario Santana

Mario Santana

Personal information
Date of birth	23 December 1981 (1981-12-23)
Place of birth	Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina
Height	1.8 m
Playing position	Second striker[citation needed], Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Cesena (on loan from Napoli)
Number	7
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1999–2001	San Lorenzo	33	(2)
2002	Venezia	4	(0)
2002–2006	Palermo	91	(4)
2003–2004	→ Chievo (loan)	28	(3)
2006–2011	Fiorentina	100	(15)
2011–	Napoli	8	(0)
2012–	→ Cesena (loan)	1	(0)
National team‡
2004–2005	Argentina	7	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16 May 2010. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 2005

Mario Alberto Santana (born 23 December 1981) is a footballer who plays as a second striker^{[citation needed]} for Serie A club A.C. Cesena on loan from Napoli.

Club career

He started his career for Argentinian team San Lorenzo. After his contract with San Lorenzo expired,^{[citation needed]} he decided to try his luck in European football, moving to Italy in January 2002 for Serie A team Venezia, then relegated at the end of the season. He then followed his chairman Maurizio Zamparini to Serie B team Palermo, where he showed high qualities in his role.

In 2003, he was then loaned to Serie A side A.C. ChievoVerona (along with Stefano Morrone with Eugenio Corini moved to opposite direction), becoming one of the most interesting wingers in the Italian top division, and being first capped for the Argentina national football team in a friendly match against Japan on 18 August 2004. He then came back to Palermo, that was just promoted in Serie A at the time, for the following season.

In May 2006, he was signed by la viola for €6.5 million (€5 million plus 50% of Parravicini) to prepare for 2006–07 UEFA Champions League 3rd qualifying round. But due to 2006 Serie A scandal, Fiorentina finished 9th and did not qualified for any European competitions.

In summer 2007, La Viola signed Franco Semioli, but Santana continued to play as a regular starter.

In 2009–10 season, La Viola signed Marco Marchionni, made Santana at first became a backup player, likes the first group stage of 2009–10 UEFA Champions League match against Lyon, substituted Marchionni in the 72 minutes. He started the third group stage match, as Marchionni was rested. In the 4th match he lost his starting place again, to Marchionni. He substituted Juan Vargas in the 77th minutes in that match. In the last 2 match of the group stage, Santana played a new role, as attacking midfielder, as Adrian Mutu was rested.

In the league Santana was moved to left midfield position (rotated with Vargas), attacking midfielder, second striker (when Mutu was unavailable and later the coach preferred Jovetić) or right midfielder when Marchionni was rested.

Santana initially had more chance to play after the left of Martin Jørgensen in January 2010.

On 14 February 2010, Santana was injured on the league match against Sampdoria, missed the Champions League match against Bayern Munich.

In April 2010, Santana was injured and expected to out of 5 months after clash with opponent goalkeeper in a club friendly against San Miniato Basso.

On July 12, 2011, Santana finally agreed to sign with Napoli over Cesena, leaving Fiorentina after 5 years. He moved on loan to A.C. Cesena on 31 January 2012.

International career

He also played for Argentina at the Confederations Cup 2005 and has been frequently capped for the 2006 World Cup qualification matches.

International goals

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	August 18, 2004	Shizuoka Stadium, Fukuroi Japan	Japan	1 – 2	1 – 2	Friendly

Personal life

Santana acquired his Italian nationality by marriage to Italian wife. His nationality was granted in February 2008.

External links

• Profile at ACF Fiorentina official site
• Guardian statistics
• Career details at National Football Teams
• Mario Santana – FIFA competition record