Ernesto Javier Chevantón

Lecce

Chevantón was scouted by US Lecce sports director Pantaleo Corvino and signed in the summer of 2001. Despite his 12 goals in 27 games, Lecce were relegated that season into Serie B and Chevantón stayed with them. His presence would prove vital, scoring 18 goals in 30 games to promote Lecce straight back into top flight domestic football. In the 2003–04 Serie A he was the fourth goalscorer of the tournament with 19 goals and became the all-time goalscorer for Lecce, overcoming former Argentina national team and Lecce player Pedro Pablo Pasculli.

Monaco

Following the loss of Fernando Morientes (returning to Real Madrid after his loan period expired) and Dado Pršo (who became free agent after failed to agree a new contract), Didier Deschamps was looking to reinforce his frontguard and so made an offer for Chevantón. In July 2004, he signed a 4-year contract with Monaco for a reported €10M. A few weeks later Mohamed Kallon was signed and the duo was expected to become striking partner. Unfortunately, he was injured in August 2004 and Javier Saviola was signed as replacement. He was fit again in October but injured again in January. Since returned in February, he finally netted a goal in Ligue 1 on 16 April 2005. That season he scored 10 league goals, 1 goal behind Kallon and but ahead rising star Emmanuel Adebayor, Saviola and out-favoured Shabani Nonda. The 2004 UEFA Champions League finalist also exited in the round 16 of 2004–05 UEFA Champions League…

Run-ins with the Uruguay head coach Jorge Fossati have restricted his playing time for the national team, most strikingly obvious was his omission from the last stage of 2006 World Cup qualification. Uruguay failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. After a long spell out of the national side Chevantón was finally included back in the Uruguay national squad for 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification in September 2008 for the matches against Argentina and Bolivia in October. It was partially due to the injury of Diego Forlán. Chevantón played the match against Argentina as substitute in the 73rd minutes for Sebastián Abreu while Abreu partnered mainly with Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani during the match. Chevantón was then dropped against Bolivia and was not called up again due to personal fitness and competition among Uruguay's top strikers.