Leo Franco

Born in San Nicolás de los Arroyos, Buenos Aires Province, Franco started his career at Club Atlético Independiente, moving at the age of 20 to Spain with CP Mérida where he did not appear in La Liga, barred by Carlos Navarro Montoya and suffering relegation. In the following year he joined RCD Mallorca, spending his first season with their reserves and again dropping down a tier, now in the Segunda División. Franco would be however promoted to the Balearic Islands club's first team, going on to establish himself as the starter after replacing compatriot Carlos Roa in the pecking order. In the 2000–01 campaign he appeared in 27 matches as Mallorca finished in a best-ever third position to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, and helped to win the Copa del Rey in 2003. Franco was acquired by Atlético Madrid in June 2004, being first choice from the beginning. Until the end of 2007–08 he saved seven penalties, including two against Sevilla FC on 23 March 2006 (0–1 home loss) and two more at Real Betis on 2 December (1–0 win). Precisely during that season, he was challenged by newly signed Christian Abbiati (loaned by AC Milan), but regained his starting status in 2008–09, relegating veteran Grégory Coupet to the bench. On 1 July 2009, aged 32, after not seeing his contract renewed, Franco left the Vicente Calderón Stadium – as Coupet– and signed with Galatasaray S.K. from Turkey. His first Süper Lig appearance took place on 9 August, in a 3–2 away victory over…

With the Argentina under-20 team, Franco won the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship in Malaysia. On 6 May 2006, two years after making his debut for the senior side, he was selected by coach José Pekerman – also the manager of the under-20s – to the squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. On 30 June 2006, Franco replaced the injured Roberto Abbondanzieri in the quarter-final tie against hosts Germany, failing to save one single penalty shootout attempt following a 1–1 draw.

Club

International

Mallorca

Copa del Rey: 2002–03 Argentina

FIFA World Youth Championship: 1997