How Old Is Abel Xavier? Bio, Wife, Career, Net Worth, Other Details

• 52 year-old Portuguese international Abel Xavier had a career span of over 20 years until he retired in 2013
• The former Liverpool defender played for several clubs including Benfica, LA Galaxy, and Everton during his playing career
• The Portuguese defender has coached quite a few teams including Mozambique national team

Known for his distinctive hairstyle, Abel Xavier played full back as a professional footballer before he started his career as a manager in 2013. The 52 year-old Mozambique-born defender has thrived in his career despite the challenges he encountered while growing up.

Despite having a strict catholic background, he reportedly converted to Islam after his retirement. He did not change his religion alone but also his name. His new name became Faisal Xavier.

Abel Xavier Lived in Abject Poverty on the Streets of Lisbon As a Child

The former La Galaxy defender was born on November 30, 1972, in Mozambique. However, his family emigrated to Portugal after the colonization and civil war that erupted in Mozambique when he was a child. Half of his family fled while the other half stayed back.

The football coach revealed his family settled in Jamor in the western suburbs of Lisbon. While living in abject poverty, the only thing that was free to him was football.

He is reportedly not the only one that has played football in his family Both his brother, André Xavier and nephew, Diogo Santos is footballers.

Is He Married?

At the moment, it is unclear if the football coach has ever been married. However, in May 2011,  he announced his relationship with actress Oceana Basilio when they appeared on the red carpet at SIC’s Golden Globes gala at the Coliseu dos Recreis in Lisbon.

Despite being in the limelight, the two maintained a discreet relationship while living in two separate places. At that time, Oceana was reportedly staying with her daughter in Lisbon while the coach was in the United States.

After dating for about three years, the relationship came to an end. Xavier confirmed to journalists on the sidelines of a sports gala on March 24, 2014, that they had ended the relationship.

The football coach has been linked with Portuguese model, Merche Romero and also American model Gabrielle Tuite in the past.

His ex-girlfriend, Oceana was previously married to actor Pedro Laginha in 2007 but the marriage ended in 2009. Also, after her relationship with Xavier ended, there were rumors that she might have dated Jose Fidalgo in 2017.

Abel Xavier’s Playing Career Lasted For Almost 20 Years

At the age of 18, Xavier was already playing for clubs in Portugal. He made his debut in the Portuguese top division with Estrela da Amadora before he was later transferred to Lisbon club Benfica. During the Portuguese league in 1994, he was part of the team that helped Benfica win the league.

He played for a few years before he was sent to Real Oviedo and later PSV. In September 199, he joined the English Premier League club, Everton, on a transfer deal of £1.5 million before he was again sold to Liverpool on January 30 2002 for £800,000.

For the 2005-06 season, Abel Xavier signed for Middlesbrough after having a tough time with his manager in Liverpool. His manager reportedly did not feature him in any game until he was loaned to the Turkish side Galatasaray and later Hannover 96 and Roma.

The former Portuguese defender joined the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer in 2007. He made his debut for the club on 17 June 2007 in a 3-2 win against Real Salt Lake. However, despite his performance, he was waived by LA Galaxy on July 18, 2008. The following year marked the end of his professional career. The former player decided to quit playing football professionally in December 2009 at the age of 38.

He Made 20 International Appearances

During his playing career, the 52 year-old coach reportedly played 20 games for the Portugal national team. While playing for the under-16, he was part of the Portugal squad that came third at the 1989 FIFA U-16 World Championship.

In March 1993, the player made his senior international debut. He was later selected for UEFA Euro 2000. However, it was not all rosy for the bleached-blonde hair player as he was given a six months ban during the tournament following an incident between himself and the referee Gunter Benko in the semi-final against France.

His Managerial Career Has Not Been Quite Successful

After retiring as a football player, Abel Xavier thought he was prepared to start a new career as a manager. However, his decision has been questioned a couple of times. In July 2013, he became the manager of Portuguese top division club Olhanense for the 2013-14 Primeira Liga season. Unfortunately, he did not start on the right footing as he was soon sacked by the club in October 2013.

In December 2014, he signed for the Algrave, Farense of the Segunda Liga but he left the position on May 28. In July 2015, he signed another deal with Desportivo das Aves but he was again fired in September because of poor results.

He got another contract on January 26, 2016, as the Mozambique national team coach. After a poor performance at the 2019 COSAFA Cup in South Africa, Xavier

What Is His Net Worth?

The six feet two inches tall manager started his career well by earning almost 800k Euros but since he did not however live up to the expectations of many of the clubs that signed him, his salary continued to drop.

At the moment, it is speculated that the former Portuguese defender’s net worth might not be less than $500,000 despite being declared bankrupt in 2017.

Read Also: Naby Keita: 10 Fascinating Facts To Know About The Footballer

Other Interesting Facts About the Former Player

1. Abel Xavier Was the First Premier League Player to Use Performance-Enhancing Drugs

In November 2005, Abel Xavier was given a drug test but he failed. He was later found guilty of using the anabolic steroid methandrostenolone. The former player claimed the substance was from anti-virus medicine that he imported from the United States. He was reportedly the first Premier League player to be guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs.

2. The Former Portuguese International Reportedly Found Comfort in Islam

According to reports, the former Portuguese international changed his name to Faisal Xavier after he converted to Islam. The player who was reportedly raised in a strict catholic home claimed he found happiness in his newfound faith.

He also added that, at the time he was going through a lot of troubles, he found comfort in Islam and that made him understand that the religion professes peace, freedom, and hope.

3. He Was Declared Bankrupt in 2017

In 2017, Abel Xavier allegedly had debts in Portugual that were up to 1.5 million euros and he did not have enough assets to pay. According to reports, the former player owed Augusto Fernandes, a car dealer over 59,000 euros and when he could not pay back, the car dealer had to take legal action against him.

His two buildings in Cascais were pledged for his debts to Montepio, the Tax Authority, and a condominium hence bankruptcy proceedings were initiated against him.

4. He Has a Unique Hairstyle

The former Liverpool player was also famous for his choice of hairstyle. His distinctively bleached hair matched his beard. Xavier did not keep a particular haircut for long, he displayed many weird and unique hairstyles during his playing days.

5. He Earned a Few Honors and Titles in His Career

During his playing career days, Abel Xavier received the following honors:

International

• UEFA European Under-16 Championship: 1989
• FIFA U-16 World Cup: Third Place 1989
• UEFA Under-18 Championship: Runner-up 1990
• FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1991

Clubs

• Segunda Liga: 1992–93 (Estrela da Amadora)
• Primeira Liga: 1993–94 (Benfica)
• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: Runner-up 1994 (Benfica)
• Johan Cruijff Shield: 1998–99 (PSV)
• FA Community Shield: Runner-up 2002 (Liverpool)

Complete profile of Abel Xavier