Leo Franco

Leonardo Noeren Franco (born May 29, 1977 in San Nicolás de los Arroyos, Argentina), commonly known as Leo Franco is a professional Argentina football (soccer) goalkeeper (football) who currently plays in Spain for Atlético Madrid.

Franco started his career at Club Atlético Independiente before moving to Spanish Mérida UD. In 1998 he transferred to Real Mallorca, where he would later become a regular starter for the club, and win the 2003 Copa del Rey. He was signed by Atlético Madrid in 2004.

With the Argentina national football team, Leo Franco won the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship. On May 6, 2006 he was named as a definite squad member for the 2006 FIFA World Cup by coach José Pekerman.

Franco replaced an injured Roberto Abbondanzieri in Argentina's quarter-final clash with Germany during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Many view this sudden replacement as a key factor in Argentina's loss to Germany during the deciding Penalty shootout (football), as Leo Franco failed to save a single shot. Franco had otherwise had good performances stopping penalties in the La Liga that year, saving two on March 23 in a match against Sevilla FC, and two more on December 3 in a match against Valencia CF.