Franco Di Santo
A nomadic Argentine striker whose career spanned continents, bringing his physical presence and work ethic to clubs from the Premier League to the Bundesliga.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Argentine footballer·Birthday: April 7·Millennials
Biography
Born in Mendoza, Argentina, Franco Di Santo's football journey was one of constant adaptation. His potential was spotted early, leading him to Chelsea's youth academy in London as a teenager. While breaking into a star-studded Chelsea side proved difficult, it set the stage for a professional path defined by resilience. Di Santo carved out a solid career not as a global superstar, but as a reliable and hard-working forward, most notably in England's top flight with Wigan Athletic and in Germany's Bundesliga with Werder Bremen. His style combined a tall, imposing frame with a surprising technical touch, making him a persistent challenge for defenders. Though he never became a regular for the Argentine national team, his club career, which later saw him play in Spain, Mexico, and Brazil, stands as a testament to the global journeyman professional, succeeding through determination across multiple football cultures.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Franco was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Franco Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Franco's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Made over 100 Premier League appearances for clubs including Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers.
- Scored 13 goals in the 2012-13 Premier League season for Wigan Athletic, a personal best in the competition.
- Won the 2015 DFL-Supercup with Bayern Munich, having joined the club that summer.
- Represented Argentina at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, winning a gold medal.
- Played professionally in seven different countries across Europe and the Americas.
Did You Know?
He was signed by Chelsea from Chilean club Audax Italiano at the age of 18.
Di Santo holds an Italian passport due to his family heritage, which facilitated his move to Europe.
He scored his first Premier League goal for Blackburn Rovers against local rivals Bolton Wanderers.
After leaving Europe, he played for clubs in Mexico's Liga MX and Brazil's Série A before returning to Argentina.
“You move for the team, you finish for the team, that's the job.”
