Javier Pastore
An Argentine playmaker whose elegant dribbling and creative vision made him a cult hero at Paris Saint-Germain during the club's transformative era.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Argentine footballer·Birthday: June 20·Millennials
Biography
Javier Pastore emerged from the football pitches of his native Córdoba, Argentina, with a languid grace that belied his competitive edge. His breakthrough at Huracán caught the eye of Italian club Palermo, where his tall, slender frame and silky skills in midfield made him an instant Serie A standout. In 2011, he became the most expensive signing in French football at the time, joining a rising Paris Saint-Germain project. There, 'El Flaco' (The Skinny One) was the early artistic heartbeat of a squad being built for domination, threading passes and gliding past defenders with a distinctive, almost nonchalant style. While injuries later curtailed his influence, his tenure is remembered for its moments of pure technical beauty, symbolizing the glamorous ambition of the Qatari-owned club. Pastore's career, which later included spells in Rome and back in Argentina, represents the archetype of the classic Argentine number 10 in a modern, high-pressure football world.
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.
Javier 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 Javier Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Javier'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
- Won 18 major trophies with Paris Saint-Germain, including five Ligue 1 titles.
- Named the Serie A Young Footballer of the Year in 2010 after his debut season with Palermo.
- Played a key role in Argentina's run to the 2015 Copa América final, starting in the knockout stages.
- Scored in his final match for the Argentine national team, a 2-0 win over Singapore in 2018.
Did You Know?
His father built him a small concrete football pitch in their backyard when he was a child.
He is known for his love of horses and owns a ranch in Argentina.
Pastore scored PSG's first goal at the Parc des Princes after the club's Qatari takeover in 2011.
He turned professional with Talleres de Córdoba, but his debut was delayed because the club forgot to register him with the football association.
“I always tried to play with joy, to make people happy watching me. That is the Argentine way.”
