Darío Silva

Peñarol and Cagliari

Born in Treinta y Tres in the namesake department, Silva began his career in 1991 with Defensor Sporting (having been a Boca Juniors player for six hours previous to that), signing shortly after with Montevideo and Primera División powerhouse Peñarol; In 1995, aged 22, he switched to Italy and signed with Cagliari Calcio, where he was nicknamed Sa pibinca (Sardinian for nuisance) due to his frenzied attacking style. In his last season he helped the club return to Serie A, posting his best individual record with 13 goals; during his three-year spell, he also briefly returned to Peñarol on loan.

Spain and Portsmouth

Silva then moved to Spain, where he would remain for nearly one full decade. He started at RCD Espanyol where he failed to impress, and signed for Málaga CF in 1999. With the Andalusians he formed an efficient attacking partnership with Julio Dely Valdés, also helping to the conquest of the 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup and consecutive mid-table La Liga finishes; during his tenure with the club, the temperamental player was also sent off six times. In 2003, aged nearly 31, Silva joined Málaga neighbours Sevilla FC. Two years later, as the club purchased Luís Fabiano, Frédéric Kanouté and Javier Saviola, he was deemed surplus to requirements by manager Joaquín Caparrós and cancelled the last year of his contract, joining Premier League side Portsmouth on a free transfer. At Pompey, Silva failed to make an impact after suffering an…

Silva made his debut for Uruguay on 19 October 1994, in a friendly match against Peru in the Estadio Nacional José Díaz in Lima (1–0 win). He appeared for the national team at the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup, the 2002 FIFA World Cup – no goals in three matches in an eventual group stage exit– and the 2004 Copa América. Silva was crucial in helping Uruguay qualify for the 2002 World Cup, scoring the first of their three goals against Australia during the second leg of the 2001 OFC–CONMEBOL play-off in Montevideo. Silva also played in the 2005 OFC–CONMEBOL play-off, where Uruguay ended up losing on penalties to Australia during the second leg in Sydney. Silva retired from international play after Uruguay failed to qualify to the 2006 World Cup, having played 49 times and scored 14 goals.

International

Scores and results list Uruguay's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Silva goal.

Peñarol

Uruguayan Primera División: 1993, 1994, 1995 Málaga

UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2002