Name: Javier Marcelo Páez

Nickname: "Satanás"



Country: Argentina
Club: Club Olimpo / Hapoel Tel Aviv
Shirt Number: 5, 15, 16, 26
Position: ★CB
Side: RF/BS
Age: 28-32 years (23/09/1975)

Height: 186 cm
Weight: 79 kg

Attack: 62
Defence: 76
Balance: 84
Stamina: 77
Top Speed: 73
Acceleration: 74
Response: 79
Agility: 72
Dribble Accuracy: 71
Dribble Speed: 68
Short Pass Accuracy: 71
Short Pass Speed: 71
Long Pass Accuracy: 69
Long Pass Speed: 71
Shot Accuracy: 63
Shot Power: 84
Shot Technique: 64
Free Kick Accuracy: 60
Swerve: 63
Heading: 83
Jump: 84
Technique: 67
Aggression: 63
Mentality: 81
Goalkeeper Skills: 50
Team work: 70

Injury Tolerance: B
Condition/Fitness: 5
Weak Foot Accuracy: 3
Weak Foot Frequency: 3
Consistency: 4
Growth type: Standard

CARDS: -

SPECIAL ABILITIES: -

Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Defence-Minded

INFO:
Javier Páez is an Argentinian former footballer who played as a center-back. Born in Merlo (23/09/1975), 'Satanás', as he was called (Satan in Spanish), began his career at Deportivo Merlo, at 17 years of age. There he stood out in the 40 games he played, which led him to become the captain of the team at just 19 years old. Then he moved to Independiente, where he played 15 matches, 8 as a starter and 7 coming off the bench. During his time at Independiente, he did not score any goals. In 1997, the club's directors decided to loan him to Deportivo Español where he had few appearances. He then moved to Talleres de Córdoba on loan, where he played 19 matches. The team missed promotion to the Primera División by just 1 point, but Independiente once again considered him due to his outstanding performances with La T. During his second spell at Independiente, he was given the opportunity to play in the Copa Libertadores, where he scored his 1st international goal. At Deportivo Quito, he had his first international experience as a footballer. In total, he played a total of 41 matches and scored 5 goals, before being transferred to Olimpo de Bahía Blanca. At Olimpo, he became a key piece of the defense. During his first spell at the Aurinegro, he played a total of 90 matches and scored 5 goals. After his first spell at Olimpo, Páez would try his luck abroad again. This time it would be at Hapoel Tel Aviv. There, he played 1 match in the UEFA Champions League in one of the knockout phase duels. He would then play 3 matches in the Europa League: 2 against Fiorentina (home and away matches) and in the first leg against Dinamo Zagreb, where he got injured. Amid his absence, his team would be eliminated without being able to count on him to play the second leg. He played a total of 31 matches and scored 2 goals at Hapoel Tel Aviv before being repatriated by Olimpo. Upon his return to Olimpo in 2007, he had the enormous challenge of helping the club remain in the top flight, however, it was not enough. In 2008, he moved to Atlético de Tucumán. There, he won the Primera B Nacional, helping the Decano get promoted to Primera. Satanás left the Tucuman club being idolized by the fans. His last years were spent at Chacarita Juniors, Gimnasia (J), Ferro Carril Oeste, Deportivo Merlo, and Sol de Mayo, where he retired in 2018.

'Satanás' Páez played over 560 matches throughout his career, forming memorable center-back partnerships, with his most notable pairing with Mauro Laspada during his first spell at Olimpo de Bahía Blanca particularly remembered for its violent and strong style of play. Satanás was an aggressive player and is remembered as one of Argentina's most fierce and tenacious defenders, both in the Primera División and in lower divisions. Like Laspada, he had good defensive positioning but was prone to committing fouls: Páez often pressed higher up the pitch than his defensive partner against rival forwards and also possessed good aerial ability, with notable jumping and heading skills. He lacked technical ability to pass or control the ball, but adapted well to his limitations. Satanás is considered one of Club Olimpo's great idols and a player cherished by Atlético Tucumán fans.