Franco Jara

Born in Villa María, Córdoba, Jara made his professional debut with Arsenal de Sarandí, first appearing in the Primera División in a 0–1 home loss against Argentinos Juniors on 23 May 2008. He scored his first goal for the club on 10 April of the following year, in a 1–1 draw at Club Atlético Colón. On 30 January 2010, Jara signed a five-year deal with Portuguese champions S.L. Benfica for a transfer fee of €5.5 million, effective for the beginning of 2010–11. He scored in his second official game, a 1–2 home loss to Académica de Coimbra on 15 August, and finished his first season with 43 competitive appearances (11 goals). Jara was loaned to newly promoted La Liga side Granada CF in late August 2011, moving to Andalusia alongside several other Benfica teammates. On 21 July of the following year, still owned by the latter, he joined San Lorenzo de Almagro, and the same happened in the 2013–14 campaign, this time with Estudiantes de La Plata. On 24 January 2015, Jara signed for two and a half years with Olympiacos F.C. in a €1.5 million transfer fee. His Super League Greece debut occurred on 1 February in a 2–0 away win over Veria FC. He scored his first goal two months later, in a 3–1 victory at Panthrakikos FC. On 23 May 2015, Jara intercepted a backward pass inside the area in the last minute of the first half of the final of the Greek Football Cup, helping the Piraeus-based team to a record 27th conquest after defeating Skoda Xanthi F.C. 3–1 at the Olympic Stadium. On 9…

On 19 January 2010, Jara was called up to the Argentina national team for a friendly match with Costa Rica on the 27th. The game finished 3–2, and he scored the match-winning goal. Jara earned his second cap on 10 February 2010, in a 2–1 win against Jamaica.

Club

As of match played 10 December 2024

International

International goals

On 10 September 2014, Jara suffered a car accident and crashed into a tree, but did not suffer major injuries.