Juan Sebastián Verón

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Verón's journey began at Estudiantes de La Plata before moving to Boca Juniors in 1996, where he played alongside Diego Maradona. His international debut came that same year against Poland. He represented his nation at three FIFA World Cups and the 2007 Copa América. Unlike many of his era, Verón maintained a deep connection with his boyhood club, returning to Estudiantes in 2006 after spells in Italy and England. He remained there until his initial retirement in 2014, aside from a brief stint with Brandsen. His legacy includes being named the best player of the 2009 Copa Libertadores by visitors to fifa.com, leading Estudiantes to their first final since 1971 and a dramatic victory over Cruzeiro.

In Their Own Story

In December 2016, Verón made headlines by returning to professional football. He had vowed to come back if fans purchased 65% of the boxes at the club's new stadium, a promise he fulfilled by signing an 18-month contract for the 2017 Copa Libertadores. This return was not his first; in mid-2006, after leaving Chelsea, he chose Estudiantes over offers from Boca Juniors and River Plate. On December 13, 2006, he helped the team win the Apertura 2006 tournament, ending a 23-year drought against rival Boca Juniors in a final play-off match. Despite some rival fans booing him due to his 2002 World Cup performances, sports newspaper Olé ranked him among the top three players in the Argentine League that year.

Reader's Guide

Verón's national team statistics are precise: he obtained exactly 72 caps for Argentina between 1996 and 2010, scoring nine goals. He participated in three FIFA World Cups and the 2007 Copa América. His club career included stints in Serie A where he won the Scudetto with Lazio and Inter Milan, and a UEFA Cup with Parma. In England, he played for Manchester United and Chelsea, though his time there was marked by high transfer fees and mixed reception. He returned to Italy on loan at Inter Milan before settling back in Argentina. His leadership extended beyond playing; he personally engaged then-President Néstor Kirchner to help update Estudiantes' historic stadium.

Did You Know?

• Verón's nickname 'La Brujita' refers to his father Juan Ramón, who was known as 'La Bruja'.
• He holds both Argentine and Italian citizenship.
• In 2004, he was named to the FIFA 100 list by Pelé.
• He scored eight goals for Lazio in the 2000 season when they won the Scudetto, Coppa Italia, and Italian Super Cup.
• His transfer to Manchester United in 2001 cost £28.1 million, making him the most expensive footballer in history at that time with a cumulative total of £77 million.