{{short description|Argentine professional footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Franco Calero | image = | image_size = | caption = | fullname = Franco Néstor Calero | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|3|9|df=y}} | birth_place = Rosario, Argentina | height = 1.80 m<ref name="Soccerway"/> | position = Forward | currentclub = | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = 1993–2004 | youthclubs1 = Newell's Old Boys | years1 = 2004 | clubs1 = Newell's Old Boys | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2005 | clubs2 = Nacional | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2005–2008 | clubs3 = Durazno | caps3 = 20 | goals3 = 8 | years4 = 2008 | clubs4 = Atlético Madrid B | caps4 = ? | goals4 = ? | years5 = 2009 | clubs5 = Zürich | caps5 = ? | goals5 = ? | years6 = 2009–2010 | clubs6 = 1860 Munich | caps6 = ? | goals6 = ? | years7 = 2010–2011 | clubs7 = Argentino | caps7 = 23 | goals7 = 2 | years8 = 2011–2012 | clubs8 = Estudiantes | caps8 = 2 | goals8 = 0 | years9 = 2012 | clubs9 = Real Zaragoza B | caps9 = ? | goals9 = ? | years10 = 2012 | clubs10 = Villarreal B | caps10 = ? | goals10 = ? | years11 = 2013 | clubs11 = Sariñena | caps11 = 0 | goals11 = 0 | years12 = 2013 | clubs12 = → Robres (loan) | caps12 = 2 | goals12 = 0 | years13 = 2014 | clubs13 = Alfonso Ugarte | caps13 = 18 | goals13 = 8 | years14 = 2014–2015 | clubs14 = Kissamikos | caps14 = 14 | goals14 = 7 | years15 = 2015 | clubs15 = Ansar | caps15 = ? | goals15 = ? | years16 = 2015 | clubs16 = Ironi Kiryat Shmona | caps16 = 0 | goals16 = 0 | years17 = 2016 | clubs17 = Rio Claro | caps17 = 0 | goals17 = 0 | years18 = 2016 | clubs18 = Rangers | caps18 = ? | goals18 = ? | years19 = 2016 | clubs19 = Unión Rosario | caps19 = ? | goals19 = ? | years20 = 2017 | clubs20 = Aucas | caps20 = 8 | goals20 = 1 | years21 = 2018 | clubs21 = Kabuscorp | caps21 = ? | goals21 = ? | years22 = 2019 | clubs22 = El Farolito | caps22 = 6 | goals22 = 1 | years23 = 2019 | clubs23 = Cumbayá | caps23 = ? | goals23 = ? | nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 = | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 = | club-update = | nationalteam-update = | medaltemplates = }} '''Franco Néstor Calero''' (born 9 March 1989) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward.<ref name="Soccerway">{{cite news|title=Argentina - F. Calero|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/franco-nestor-calero/312974/|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=Soccerway}}</ref>
Calero has played in five of FIFA's six confederations: AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL and UEFA.<ref name="IAM1"/>
==Career== Calero started with Newell's Old Boys from 1993, though never made a senior appearance.<ref name="La Capital 1">{{cite news|title=Ser goleador no garantiza llegar|url=https://www.lacapital.com.ar/ovacion/ser-goleador-no-garantiza-llegar-n1133902.html|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=La Capital|date=11 July 2016}}</ref> He moved to Uruguay with Nacional in 2005 and, months later, Durazno.<ref name="Soccerway"/> He scored eight goals in twenty fixtures for the latter in the Segunda División in 2008.<ref name="BDFA">{{cite news|title=Ficha Estadistica de FRANCO CALERO|url=https://www.bdfa.com.ar/jugadores-FRANCO-NESTOR-CALERO-35299.html|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=BDFA}}</ref><ref name="La Capital 2">{{cite news|title=Newell's les hizo 6 a los suplentes salaítos|url=http://archivo.lacapital.com.ar/2004/07/25/ovacion/noticia_119195.shtml|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=La Capital|date=25 July 2004}}</ref> The aforementioned year saw Calero join La Liga side Atlético Madrid B; though he wouldn't feature competitively.<ref name="Soccerway"/> Further stints in Europe occurred with Zürich (Switzerland) and 1860 Munich (Germany), prior to Calero returning to Argentina with Primera D Metropolitana's Argentino.<ref name="Soccerway"/> Twenty-three games and two goals followed.<ref name="BDFA"/> Estudiantes of Torneo Argentino B signed Calero in June 2011.<ref name="Soccerway"/>
After just two appearances for Estudiantes, Calero went back to Spanish football with Real Zaragoza B; and subsequently Villarreal B.<ref name="Soccerway"/><ref name="BDFA"/> In the following six months from August 2013, Calero spent time with fellow lower league teams Sariñena and Robres.<ref name="Soccerway"/><ref name="Diario del AltoAragón 1">{{cite news|title=El argentino Franco Calero y el gambiano Gassama, refuerzos para el Sariñena|url=https://www.diariodelaltoaragon.es/NoticiasImprimir.aspx?Id=829369|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=Diario del AltoAragón|date=1 September 2013|archive-date=22 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322072959/http://www.diariodelaltoaragon.es/NoticiasImprimir.aspx?Id=829369|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Diario del AltoAragón 2">{{cite news|title=Franco Calero y el Sariñena sellan su adiós|url=http://www.diariodelaltoaragon.es/Deportes/NoticiasDetalle.aspx?Id=844303|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=Diario del AltoAragón|date=26 November 2013|archive-date=23 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723064035/https://www.diariodelaltoaragon.es/Deportes/NoticiasDetalle.aspx?Id=844303|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2014, Calero joined Peruvian Segunda División side Alfonso Ugarte.<ref name="Los Andes">{{cite news|title=El delantero argentino del Alfonso Ugarte de Puno busca el título|url=http://www.losandes.com.pe/oweb/Deportes/20140326/79216.html|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=Los Andes|date=26 March 2014|archive-date=21 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721110542/http://www.losandes.com.pe/oweb/Deportes/20140326/79216.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Primera B de Chile">{{cite news|title=Rangers de Talca presentó a su nuevo refuerzo|url=https://www.primerabchile.cl/rangers-de-talca/rangers-de-talca-presento-a-su-nuevo-refuerzo/|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=Primera B de Chile|date=20 February 2016}}</ref> He scored eight goals in a few months with the club.<ref name="Soccerway"/> On 14 August, Kissamikos of the Gamma Ethniki in Greece became Calero's fourteenth senior team.<ref name="Soccerway"/> Seven goals in fourteen fixtures soon arrived in 2014–15 as they won promotion to tier two.<ref name="Soccerway"/> Calero left in 2015, securing a deal with Lebanon's Ansar.<ref name="Soccerway"/><ref name="Kooora">{{cite news|title=الارجنتيني كاليرو يكمل عقد أجانب الانصار اللبناني|url=http://www.kooora.com/?n=426133|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=Kooora|date=18 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="An-Nahar">{{cite news|title=الأنصار تعادل والبقاع في تدشين ملعب "شكيب هاشم" بالقرعون|url=https://www.annahar.com/article/263532-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%84-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%B4%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A8-%D8%B4%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A8-%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%B4%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%B9%D9%88%D9%86|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=An-Nahar|date=30 August 2015}}</ref>
Calero joined Ironi Kiryat Shmona in mid-2015 in Israel, though only played in the Toto Cup against Maccabi Haifa in October.<ref name="Soccerway"/><ref name="Galilole">{{cite news|title=הפרוטוקול מחייב|url=https://www.galilole.org.il/%D7%94%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%98%D7%95%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%9C-%D7%9E%D7%97%D7%99%D7%99%D7%91|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=Galilole|date=28 October 2015|archive-date=5 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105014726/http://www.galilole.org.il/%D7%94%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%98%D7%95%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%9C-%D7%9E%D7%97%D7%99%D7%99%D7%91|url-status=dead}}</ref> Moves to Rio Claro, Rangers and Unión Rosario came in 2016.<ref name="FEF">{{cite news|title=Franco Néstor Calero|url=http://ecuafutbol.org/web/modal.php?cedula=13474|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=FEF}}</ref><ref name="Jornal Cidade">{{cite news|title=Argentino chega ao Rio Claro FC|url=https://www.jornalcidade.net/argentino-chega-ao-rio-claro-fc/27716/|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=Jornal Cidade|date=6 January 2016}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref name="Futebol Interior">{{cite news|title=Paulistão: Rio Claro acerta com atacante Franco Calero|url=https://www.futebolinterior.com.br/futebol/Rio-Claro-SP/noticias/2016-01/Paulistao:-Rio-Claro-acerta-com-atacante-Franco-Calero|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=Futebol Interior|date=7 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="CDF">{{cite news|title=Rangers presentó a su nuevo refuerzo|url=https://www.cdf.cl/cdf/primera-b/rangers-presento-a-su-nuevo-refuerzo/2016-02-29/140156.html|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=CDF|date=29 February 2016}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Aucas of the Ecuadorian Serie B agreed terms with Calero in early 2017.<ref name="FEF"/><ref name="Fútbol Ecuador">{{cite news|title=Se siguen sumando a Papá|url=http://www.futbolecuador.com/site/noticia/se-siguen-sumando-a-papa-oficial/75834|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=Fútbol Ecuador|date=10 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="INFOCancha">{{cite news|title=Delantero Argentino Franco Calero es nueva incorporación para proyecto 2017 del Aucas|url=http://www.infocancha.com/es/Contenido/Noticia/1-14488-delantero-argentino-franco-calero-es-nueva-incorporacion-para-proyecto-2017-del-aucas|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=INFOCancha|date=11 February 2017}}</ref> He netted once over Imbabura, on the way to promotion.<ref name="Soccerway"/><ref name="El Comercio">{{cite news|title=Franco Calero fue separado de Aucas tras un 'cortocircuito' con Darío Tempesta|url=https://www.elcomercio.com/deportes/futbol-serieb-francocalero-aucas-dariotempesta.html|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=El Comercio|date=9 May 2017}}</ref> Calero had a spell in Angola with Kabuscorp in 2018, before moving to the United States with El Farolito of the NPSL.<ref name="Jornal dos Desportos">{{cite news|title=Traguil projecta estrear reforços|url=http://jornaldosdesportos.sapo.ao/23/0/traguil_projecta_estrear_reforos|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=Jornal dos Desportos|date=1 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="Clarín 1">{{cite news|title=La vida del argentino que juega en el mismo equipo de Angola en el que estuvo Rivaldo|url=https://www.clarin.com/deportes/futbol/vida-argentino-juega-mismo-equipo-angola-rivaldo_0_SJ-pPQbXX.html|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=Clarín|date=14 July 2018}}</ref><ref name="Clarín 2">{{cite news|title=Un trotamundos del fútbol, que disfruta conocer países y culturas distintas|url=https://www.pressreader.com/argentina/clarin/20180714/282355450514812|accessdate=16 May 2019|work=Clarín|date=14 July 2018}}</ref><ref name="LC2">{{cite news|title=Franco Calero, un verdadero trotamundos|url=https://www.lacapital.com.ar/ovacion/franco-calero-un-verdadero-trotamundos-n2504156.html|accessdate=21 October 2019|work=La Capital|date=7 June 2019}}</ref> He appeared in games with Academica, FC Davis and East Bay FC Stompers in his opening months, alongside an eleven-minute cameo in the U.S. Open Cup versus Fresno FC.<ref name="Soccerway"/>
To end 2019, Calero had a stint in the Ecuadorian Serie B with Cumbayá FC.<ref name="IAM1">{{cite news|title=La pandemia frenó, por ahora, el periplo de Franco Calero por el mundo del fútbol|url=https://www.iamnoticias.com.ar/2020/05/19/la-pandemia-freno-por-ahora-el-periplo-de-franco-calero-por-el-mundo-del-futbol/|accessdate=28 August 2020|work=IAM Noticias|date=19 May 2020}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|16 May 2019}}.<ref name="Soccerway"/><ref name="BDFA"/><ref name="FEF"/><ref>* {{cite web |title=Game Report - El Farolito - Academica SC |publisher=NPSL |url=http://npsl.bonzidev.com/sam/standings/ss/view_game_report.php?eventId=5986253&teamId=10080380 |accessdate=16 May 2019 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930212652/http://npsl.bonzidev.com/sam/standings/ss/view_game_report.php?eventId=5986253&teamId=10080380 |url-status=dead }} * {{cite web |title=Game Report - FC Davis - El Farolito |publisher=NPSL |url=http://npsl.bonzidev.com/sam/standings/ss/view_game_report.php?eventId=5986259&teamId=10080380 |accessdate=16 May 2019 |archive-date=16 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516012329/http://npsl.bonzidev.com/sam/standings/ss/view_game_report.php?eventId=5986259&teamId=10080380 |url-status=dead }} * {{cite web |title=Game Report - East Bay FC Stompers - El Farolito |publisher=NPSL |url=http://npsl.bonzidev.com/sam/standings/ss/view_game_report.php?eventId=5986268&teamId=10080380 |accessdate=16 May 2019 |archive-date=16 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516012335/http://npsl.bonzidev.com/sam/standings/ss/view_game_report.php?eventId=5986268&teamId=10080380 |url-status=dead }} * {{cite web |title=Game Report - Sonoma County Sol FC - El Farolito |publisher=NPSL |url=http://npsl.bonzidev.com/sam/standings/ss/view_game_report.php?eventId=5986275&teamId=10088860 |accessdate=28 August 2020 |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812070020/http://npsl.bonzidev.com/sam/standings/ss/view_game_report.php?eventId=5986275&teamId=10088860 |url-status=dead }} * {{cite web |title=Game Report - El Farolito - East Bay FC Stompers |publisher=NPSL |url=http://npsl.bonzidev.com/sam/standings/ss/view_game_report.php?eventId=5986280&teamId=10080380 |accessdate=28 August 2020 |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812071338/http://npsl.bonzidev.com/sam/standings/ss/view_game_report.php?eventId=5986280&teamId=10080380 |url-status=dead }} * {{cite web|title=Game Report - El Farolito - Sacramento Gold FC|publisher=NPSL|url=http://npsl.bonzidev.com/sam/standings/ss/view_game_report.php?eventId=5986287&teamId=10080380|accessdate=28 August 2020|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930221703/http://npsl.bonzidev.com/sam/standings/ss/view_game_report.php?eventId=5986287&teamId=10080380|url-status=dead}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="1"|Nacional |2005 |rowspan="1"|Uruguayan Primera División |0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |rowspan="1"|Durazno |2007–08 |rowspan="1"|Uruguayan Segunda División |20||8||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0||20||8 |- |rowspan="1"|Argentino |2010–11 |rowspan="1"|Primera D Metropolitana |23||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0||23||2 |- |rowspan="1"|Estudiantes |2011–12 |rowspan="1"|Torneo Argentino B |2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0||2||0 |- |rowspan="1"|Sariñena |2013–14 |rowspan="1"|Segunda División B |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||0||0 |- |rowspan="1"|Robres (loan) |2013–14 |rowspan="1"|Regional Preferente |2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0||2||0 |- |rowspan="1"|Alfonso Ugarte |2014 |rowspan="1"|Peruvian Segunda División |18||8||4||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0||22||9 |- |rowspan="1"|Kissamikos |2014–15 |rowspan="1"|Gamma Ethniki |14||7||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0||14||7 |- |rowspan="1"|Ironi Kiryat Shmona |2015–16 |rowspan="1"|Premier League |0||0||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||1||0 |- |rowspan="1"|Rio Claro |2016 |rowspan="1"|Campeonato Paulista |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0||0||0 |- |rowspan="1"|Aucas |2017 |rowspan="1"|Serie B |8||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0||8||1 |- |rowspan="1"|El Farolito |2019 |rowspan="1"|NPSL |6||1||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0||7||1 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !91!!27!!5!!1!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!97!!28 |} {{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
==Honours== ;Kissamikos<ref name="Soccerway"/> *Gamma Ethniki: 2014–15 Group 4
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerway|franco-nestor-calero/312974}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Calero, Franco}} Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Rosario, Santa Fe Category:Argentine men's footballers Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Argentine expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Uruguay Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Switzerland Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Peru Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Lebanon Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Israel Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Chile Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Brazil Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Ecuador Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Angola Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Uruguay Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Spain Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Germany Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Peru Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Greece Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Lebanon Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Israel Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Chile Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Brazil Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Ecuador Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Angola Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in the United States Category:Primera D Metropolitana players Category:Torneo Argentino B players Category:Divisiones Regionales de Fútbol players Category:Peruvian Segunda División players Category:Gamma Ethniki players Category:Lebanese Premier League players Category:Ecuadorian Serie B players Category:National Premier Soccer League players Category:Newell's Old Boys footballers Category:Club Nacional de Football players Category:Atlético Madrileño players Category:FC Zürich players Category:TSV 1860 Munich players Category:Argentino de Rosario footballers Category:Estudiantes de Río Cuarto footballers Category:Deportivo Aragón players Category:Villarreal CF B players Category:CD Sariñena players Category:CD Robres players Category:Alfonso Ugarte de Puno players Category:PGS Kissamikos players Category:Al Ansar FC players Category:Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona F.C. players Category:Rio Claro Futebol Clube players Category:Rangers de Talca footballers Category:S.D. Aucas footballers Category:Kabuscorp S.C.P. players Category:El Farolito SC players Category:21st-century Argentine sportsmen