Edinson Cavani

El Matador: A lethal finisher and tireless worker who conquered Europe and South America.

Edinson Roberto Cavani Gómez (born 14 February 1987) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who last played as a striker for Boca Juniors. Nicknamed "El Matador", he is regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation. He is known for his off the ball movement, work ethic, and finishing. Cavani is one of the few players to have scored 100 goals in two of Europe's big five leagues.

Quick Facts

Full name: Edinson Roberto Cavani Gómez
Born: 14 February 1987
Birthplace: Salto, Uruguay
Height: 1.85 m / 6 ft 1 in
Position: Striker

Lore & Background

Cavani began his career at Danubio in Montevideo, then moved to Palermo in 2007. In 2010 he joined Napoli, initially on loan, for a total fee of €17 million. He helped Napoli win the Coppa Italia in 2012 and was Serie A top scorer in 2012–13. In mid-2013 he joined Paris Saint-Germain for €64 million, then the most expensive signing in French football history.

Although often deployed on the left wing in a 4–3–3 due to Zlatan Ibrahimović's presence, he scored decisive goals in the 2014 Coupe de la Ligue final and the 2015 and 2016 Coupe de France finals. After Ibrahimović left in 2016, Cavani returned to centre-forward. Despite PSG losing the Ligue 1 title in 2016–17, he scored 35 league goals and was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year. In 2017–18 he became the club's all-time top goalscorer and finished as league top scorer for a second consecutive season as PSG reclaimed the title.

He won six Ligue 1 titles with PSG. In 2020 he signed with Manchester United, then Valencia in 2022, and Boca Juniors in 2023. Cavani scored on his Uruguay debut in 2008 and earned 136 caps with 58 goals, behind only Luis Suárez among Uruguayan internationals. He played in four World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022), five Copas América (2011, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021), and the 2013 Confederations Cup.

He helped Uruguay to fourth place in the 2010 World Cup and won the 2011 Copa América. He was the CONMEBOL 2018 World Cup qualification top scorer with ten goals, and received the Golden Foot in 2018.

Reader's Guide

Cavani is a striker known for his movement, work rate, and finishing. He can play as a centre-forward or on the wing. His career highlights include winning the Coppa Italia with Napoli, multiple Ligue 1 titles with PSG, and being a key figure for Uruguay. He is one of few players to score 100 goals in two of Europe's top five leagues.

Did You Know?

Cavani scored on his debut for Palermo in 2007, equalizing against Fiorentina with a goal reminiscent of Marco van Basten's 1988 Euro final strike.
He was part of Napoli's 'Three Tenors' attacking trio with Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamšík.
Cavani scored a hat-trick against Juventus in a 3–0 win in January 2011.
He scored the winning penalty in the 2012 Coppa Italia final against Juventus.