Leo Franco

Leo Franco

Personal information
Full name	Leonardo Noeren Franco
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Atletico Madrid
Number	25
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:44, 28 April 2009 (UTC)

Leonardo Noeren Franco (born 20 May 1977 in San Nicolás, Argentina), commonly known as Leo Franco is a professional Argentine football goalkeeper who currently plays in Spain for Atlético Madrid.

Franco started his career at Independiente before moving to Spanish Mérida UD. In 1998 he transferred to Real Mallorca, where he would later become a regular starter for the club, and win the 2003 Copa del Rey. He was signed by Atlético Madrid in 2004.

With the Argentina U-20 team, Leo Franco won the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship. On 6 May 2006 he was named as a definite squad member for the 2006 World Cup by coach José Pekerman.

Franco replaced an injured Roberto Abbondanzieri in Argentina's quarter-final clash with Germany during the 2006 World Cup. Argentina lost on penalties, 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.

External links

• Statistics at Guardian Stats Centre
• Leo Franco at National-Football-Teams.com