1. Overview
Leandro Desábato, nicknamed Chavo, is an Argentine football manager and former player. Primarily a central defender, Desábato is widely recognized for his extensive career, particularly with Estudiantes de La Plata, where he became a pivotal figure in their historic 2009 Copa Libertadores triumph. As a manager, he has coached Estudiantes and currently leads Club Almagro. Desábato's career, however, is also notably marked by a significant controversy: an alleged racial insult during a 2005 Copa Libertadores match, which led to his arrest and sparked widespread debate on racism in football.
2. Early Life
Leandro Desábato was born on January 24, 1979, in Cafferata, a town located in Santa Fe Province, Argentina.
3. Playing Career
Leandro Desábato's playing career as a central defender spanned over two decades, primarily across several Argentine clubs and a brief stint with the national team, marked by significant achievements and a notable controversy.
3.1. Club Career
Desábato's club career began in the late 1990s, where he quickly established himself as a reliable defender, contributing to multiple team successes before becoming a key figure in major continental triumphs.
3.1.1. Early Club Career and Promotions
Leandro Desábato began his professional football career in 1997 playing for Estudiantes de La Plata. In 2001, he joined Olimpo, where he spent one season. Following his time at Olimpo, he moved to Quilmes in 2002. With both Olimpo and Quilmes, Desábato played a significant role in helping these teams achieve promotion from the Primera B Nacional, Argentina's second division, to the top-tier Argentine Primera División.
3.1.2. 2005 Copa Libertadores Racism Controversy
In 2005, during a Copa Libertadores match between Quilmes and São Paulo FC, Desábato was accused of racially insulting São Paulo player Grafite (Edinaldo Batista Libâno). Following the match, Desábato was arrested by Brazilian authorities, an event that generated significant public debate and media attention. Columnist and former Brazilian international footballer Tostão (Eduardo Gonçalves de Andrade) publicly defended Desábato, stating that the insults were not inherently racist but rather a form of "provocation that has always existed in football."
3.1.3. Return to Estudiantes and Major Triumphs
Desábato left Quilmes in 2006 to join Argentinos Juniors, where he played for two years. After this period, he made a notable return to his original club, Estudiantes de La Plata. During the second half of 2008, he became a regular first-team player for Estudiantes, contributing significantly to their 2008 Copa Sudamericana campaign, which saw the team reach the final. Desábato was a pivotal figure in Estudiantes' successful 2009 Copa Libertadores championship run. His importance to the team was highlighted by the fact that he was the only outfield player to play every minute of every game throughout the tournament, maintaining defensive consistency even as his center-back partners, including Agustín Alayes, Cristian Cellay, and Rolando Schiavi, changed around him. His exceptional performance that year earned him a place in the South American Team of the Year, as determined by a traditional journalist poll conducted by the Uruguayan newspaper El País. He continued his playing career with Estudiantes until 2018.
3.2. National Team Career
Leandro Desábato made his debut for the Argentina national football team in 2011. He received a call-up for the Superclásico de las Américas match against the Brazil national football team, stepping in as a replacement for the injured Guillermo Burdisso. His first international appearance occurred on November 15, 2011. Throughout his time with the national team, Desábato earned a total of four caps.
4. Managerial Career
Following the conclusion of his playing career, Leandro Desábato transitioned into football management. In 2020, he took on a managerial role at his former club, Estudiantes de La Plata. He initially served as a caretaker manager alongside Rodrigo Braña, before assuming the full managerial position himself later that year. Currently, he is the manager of Almagro.
5. Personal Life
Leandro Desábato comes from a family with a strong connection to professional football. His cousins, Andrés and Leandro Luis, are also professional footballers.
6. Honours
Leandro Desábato achieved several significant honours during his playing career:
- Olimpo
- Primera B Nacional: 2001-02
- Estudiantes
- Copa Libertadores: 2009
- Argentine Primera División: 2010 Apertura
7. Assessment and Controversies
Leandro Desábato's career is marked by both significant sporting achievements and a notable controversy that has shaped public perception and critical assessment of his professional life.
7.1. Positive Assessment
Leandro Desábato was widely recognized for his technical skills, consistent performance, and strong leadership qualities as a central defender. Standing at 73 in (186 cm), his physical presence and effectiveness as a right-footed player were notable. His reliability was particularly evident during Estudiantes' successful 2009 Copa Libertadores campaign, where his unwavering presence, playing every minute of every game, underscored his critical importance to the team's defensive solidity. He consistently contributed to team successes, helping his clubs achieve crucial promotions to the top division and securing major championships. His selection to the South American Team of the Year in 2009 further solidified his reputation as one of the continent's premier defenders during his playing prime, highlighting his positive impact on the field.
7.2. Criticism and Controversy
The most prominent and widely discussed controversy in Leandro Desábato's career stems from the 2005 incident during a Copa Libertadores match, where he was accused of racially insulting São Paulo player Grafite. This event, which led to his arrest, generated considerable public and media debate regarding the nature of racial discrimination in sports. While some, including former Brazilian international Tostão, defended Desábato by characterizing the remarks as common football "provocation" rather than racism, the incident raised significant questions about acceptable conduct in sports and the harmful impact of discriminatory language. From a broader societal and human rights perspective, such incidents, irrespective of stated intent or historical football culture, underscore the ongoing need for vigilance against racial prejudice and the importance of fostering inclusive environments. The event remains a key aspect of Desábato's public record and continues to be a point of discussion in historical and social re-evaluations of his career, highlighting the persistent challenges of addressing racism within professional sports.