Edinson Cavani: El Matador | OneFootball

As he celebrates his birthday, Cavani’s career stands as a testament to brilliance tempered by brutal reality. Soccer can be unforgiving, and while the end was tough, Edinson Cavani’s name will be remembered with respect.

Happy birthday, El Matador!

Explosive Start

Cavani’s European campaign began at Palermo, where he established himself as a promising talent. His movement, physicality, and clinical finishing caught the attention of Serie A’s Napoli in 2010.

NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 08: Edinson Cavani of Napoli celebrates after scoring the goal 4-2 during the UEFA Europa League Group F match between SSC Napoli and FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk at Stadio San Paolo on November 8, 2012 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)

Napoli was where he truly exploded. In the span of 3 seasons, he scored 104 goals in 138 appearances for the club. He led the club to a Coppa Italia triumph in 2012. At that time, he was arguably the most complete striker in the league – practically impossible to defend. Be it a volley, header, or even shots from absurd distance, Cavani had these tools in his arsenal. Which basically made him an icon for and a fan favorite in Naples.

Paris Saint-Germain

A €64 million move to the jewel of the French league came in 2013, which elevated Cavani to a new level. Sure, playing alongside Zlatan Ibrahimović did force him into a wide position, limiting his lethality as a number 9. But when Zlatan departed in 2016, Cavani then stepped up and became the club’s all-time leading goal scorer. Well, until a young kid named Kylian Mbappé came around and would take it for himself.

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200 goals in 301 appearances, multiple Ligue 1 titles, and performances that were key in domestic competitions. Cavani’s impact was undeniable. Yet, despite the goals. He never truly felt like he was THE superstar of PSG. In 2017, when Neymar and Mbappé arrived, he was relegated to secondary role. It did not help at all as he was an integral part of PSG at the time La Remontada happened. While he scored a goal, it was nothing more than a consolation. He did deliver consistently when it came to Ligue 1, however, his Champions League ambitions with PSG was always questioned. I mean, come on, it’s the PSG Ultras. What else can he do.

Great Career, Despite the Lows

While his final years in Europe were underwhelming. It would be foolish to overlook Cavani’s overall career. A goal tally of over 400 goals and always does what he needs to for club and country. He will be remembered as one of the greats when it comes to strikers from South America.

Yes there were the struggles like his final years in PSG, a stint with Manchester United and Valencia. But in his prime, Cavani was a relentless goal machine.