Franco Armani (; born 16 October 1986) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Liga DIMAYOR club Atlético Nacional.
Club career Early career and Atletico Nacional
Armani left Deportivo Merlo in 2010 for Medellin's Atlético Nacional. He stayed for 8 seasons and became their first choice goalkeeper. He was described as a hero to the Nacional fans, particularly being praised as an effective and reliable shot-stopper. Armani would go on to win thirteen trophies, including the Copa Libertadores – South America's Champions League – against Independiente del Valle in 2016.
River Plate
In January 2018, River Plate paid Armani's buyout clause to Nacional, a reported $3 million. On 11 January 2018, he signed a three-year contract with Los Millonarios, which was renewed for an additional year in May 2018. On 14 March 2018, he was named man of the match in River's 2–0 triumph over arch rivals Boca Juniors for the 2017 Supercopa Argentina.
International career
Armani married a Colombian and applied for citizenship. Colombia were reportedly interested in naturalising Armani so that he could play for their national team; however, he wished to return to Argentina to press his case for a World Cup berth with the nation of his birth.
Armani has impressed for River, being described by Olé as "a goalkeeper who wins matches".https://www.workdsoccer/news/tim-vickerys-notes-south-america-argentinas-goalkeeping-problem-401024%3Fsource%3Ddam
In June 2018, Armani was named in Argentina's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia by manager Jorge Sampaoli. On 26 June, he made his international debut starting in place of Willy Caballero for Argentina's final group match against Nigeria; Argentina advanced to the second round as group runners-up following a 2–1 victory. On 30 June, Armani started in the Round of 16 match against France, which saw Argentina eliminated from the tournament following a 4–3 defeat.
He was named in Argentina's final 23-man squad for the 2019 Copa América by manager Lionel Scaloni. He played every minute of the tournament as Argentina claimed the bronze medal by finishing third after defeating Chile 2–1 in the third place play-off match.
He was named in Argentina's 28-man squad for the 2021 Copa América. He made his only appearance in Argentina's final group match, where they defeated Bolivia 4–1 to progress to the next round. He remained understudy to Emiliano Martínez in the remaining matches as Argentina won the tournament by defeating Brazil 1–0 in the final. On 1 June 2022, Armani remained as an unused substitute as Argentina won 3–0 against reigning European Champions Italy at Wembley Stadium in the 2022 Finalissima.
He was named in Argentina's final 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar by Scaloni. He did not play a single minute in the tournament, with Martínez as first-choice, as Argentina won the World Cup by defeating France 4–2 in a penalty shoot-out to win the final.
In June 2024, Armani was included in Lionel Scaloni's final 26-man Argentina squad for the 2024 Copa América. Again, he didn't play a single minute, since Emiliano Martínez was Argentina's first-choice keeper. Before the tournament he announced he would retire from the national team after the tournament.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinental1Other2TotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFerro Carril Oeste2006–07Primera B Nacional10———102007–0810———10Total20———20Deportivo Merlo2008–09Primera B Metropolitana20———202009–10Primera B Nacional350———350Total370———370Atlético Nacional2010Categoría Primera A2000——20201180160——24020123080001012020131406080—280201421030190104402015290203020360201620040240405202017380306020490Total13504206001002470River Plate2017–18Argentine Primera División14040140103202018–1920050110704302019–202103011080430202134000901044020223803070—4802023410108020520202437020120—510202533040100405102026100010—20Total23902208302303660Atlético Nacional2026Categoría Primera A9020——110Career total422066014303306630 1 Includes Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana 2 Includes Superliga Colombiana, Recopa Sudamericana, FIFA Club World Cup, Supercopa Argentina, Copa de la Superliga and Trofeo de Campeones de la Liga Profesional
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsArgentina201830201980202040202110202220202310Total190
Honours Atlético Nacional Categoría Primera A: 2011-I, 2013-I, 2013-II, 2014-I, 2015-II, 2017-I Copa Colombia: 2012, 2013, 2016 Superliga Colombiana: 2012, 2016 Copa Sudamericana runner-up: 2014 Copa Libertadores: 2016 Recopa Sudamericana: 2017
River Plate Argentine Primera División: 2021, 2023 Supercopa Argentina: 2017, 2019, 2023 Trofeo de Campeones: 2021, 2023 Copa Libertadores: 2018; runner-up: 2019 Recopa Sudamericana: 2019 Copa Argentina: 2019
Argentina FIFA World Cup: 2022 Copa América: 2021, 2024 CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions: 2022
References
External links