Sávio Bortolini Pimentel (born 9 January 1974), known simply as Sávio (), is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a left winger.
Known as "Anjo Loiro" ("Blonde Angel") and "Diabo Loiro" ("Blonde Devil"), he played most of his professional career in Spain, being a part of Real Madrid's setup during four-and-a-half seasons and appearing in more than 300 official games with four teams.
A Brazilian international in the mid and late 1990s, Sávio represented the nation in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Club career Flamengo and Real Madrid Born in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Sávio started his footballing career at the Desportiva Capixaba youth team. Still as a junior he was transferred to Rio de Janeiro's Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, where he made his professional debut –"Sávio de pancada", Placar edition 1109, November 1995, Editora Abril, p. 60– he was hailed as the new Zico by the fans and the press due to his footballing ability, but also due to his frail physique.
In 1995, as part of Flamengo's centennial celebrations, Sávio teamed up with the volatile Romário and Edmundo. After clashing with the former he was transferred to Real Madrid in 1998, helping the La Liga powerhouse to three UEFA Champions League titles and the 2001 national championship; in the 2002–03 season he served a loan stint in France, at FC Girondins de Bordeaux. He holds French nationality.
Zaragoza and Flamengo In the following season, Sávio returned to Spain and was one of the most important players in Real Zaragoza, for which he played three years. In his first the Aragonese won the Copa del Rey, precisely against Real Madrid;Beckham misses out on Cup; BBC Sport, 17 March 2004 in the second, he scored a career-best ten league goals.
In May 2006, Sávio returned to Brazil and Flamengo on a free transfer, signing a contract until December 2007. However, on 5 January of the following year, it was announced that he would be transferred to Real Sociedad also in Spain, for which he played his first league game on the 21st against Valencia CF; in late June, after the Basques' relegation, he joined fellow league team Levante UD, and played there until January of the following year, leaving as many teammates due to unpaid wages.
Later years After a spell back in Brazil with his very first club, Desportiva Capixaba, Sávio signed in August 2008 with Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta FC, appearing with them in the 2008–09 Champions League. In January 2010 the 36-year-old returned to his country, joining Avaí Futebol Clube.
After a few months with the Santa Catarina club, Sávio retired at the end of 2010.Aposentado, Sávio revela o sonho de voltar para a Desportiva como gestor (Retired, Sávio talks of dream of returning to Desportiva as manager); Gazeta Online, 20 September 2011 (in Portuguese)
International career Never a part of any FIFA World Cup finals squad, Sávio did play for Brazil at the 1995 Copa América, where the Seleção lost the final to Uruguay on penalties. He also won the bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, going on to collect a total of 21 full caps with four goals.
Career statistics
Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsReal Madrid1997–98La Liga12310201531998–99346617349101999–00254201144292000–01263111114052001–02801142143Total10516113351016030Bordeaux (loan)2002–03Ligue 127752413610Real Zaragoza2003–04La Liga29251003432004–0536101010447142005–063042000324Total95168110411321Real Sociedad2006–07La Liga1950000195Levante2007–08La Liga1200000120Anorthosis Famagusta2008–09Cypriot First Division1640041205
1 Including one appearance in 1998 Intercontinental Cup, one appearance in 1998 UEFA Super Cup. 2 Including four appearances and one goal in 2000 FIFA Club World Championship. 3 Including one appearance in 2000 Intercontinental Cup, one appearance in 2000 UEFA Super Cup. 4 Including one appearance in 2001 Supercopa de España.
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsBrazil1994201995121199663199910200010Total224
Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sávio goal.
+ List of international goals scored by SávioNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan5–15–1Friendly2Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, United States3–04–11996 CONCACAF Gold Cup3Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, United States4–05–01996 CONCACAF Gold Cup 4Teixeirão, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil2–08–2Friendly
Honours Flamengo Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1992 Campeonato Carioca: 1996 Copa de Oro: 1996 Copa do Brasil: 2006
Real Madrid La Liga: 2000–01 Supercopa de España: 2001 UEFA Champions League: 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2001–02 Intercontinental Cup: 1998 UEFA Super Cup: 2002
Zaragoza Copa del Rey: 2003–04; runner-up 2005–06 Supercopa de España: 2004
Desportiva Capixaba Copa Espírito Santo: 2008
Avaí Campeonato Catarinense: 2010
Brazil Summer Olympic Games: Bronze medal 1996
Individual Copa de Oro top scorer: 1996
References
External links
Brazilian FA Database