Franco Jara

Franco Daniel Jara (born 15 July 1988) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Instituto.

Jara is the all-time leading scorer for Pachuca.

Club career Born in Villa María, Córdoba, Jara made his professional debut with Arsenal de Sarandí, first appearing in the Primera División in a 0–1 home loss against Argentinos Juniors on 23 May 2008. He scored his first goal for the club on 10 April of the following year, in a 1–1 draw at Club Atlético Colón.

On 30 January 2010, Jara signed a five-year deal with Portuguese champions S.L. Benfica for a transfer fee of €5.5 million, effective for the beginning of 2010–11. He scored in his second official game, a 1–2 home loss to Académica de Coimbra on 15 August, and finished his first season with 43 competitive appearances (11 goals).

Jara was loaned to newly promoted La Liga side Granada CF in late August 2011, moving to Andalusia alongside several other Benfica teammates. On 21 July of the following year, still owned by the latter, he joined San Lorenzo de Almagro, and the same happened in the 2013–14 campaign, this time with Estudiantes de La Plata.

On 24 January 2015, Jara signed for two and a half years with Olympiacos F.C. in a €1.5 million transfer fee. His Super League Greece debut occurred on 1 February in a 2–0 away win over Veria FC. He scored his first goal two months later, in a 3–1 victory at Panthrakikos FC.

On 23 May 2015, Jara intercepted a backward pass inside the area in the last minute of the first half of the final of the Greek Football Cup, helping the Piraeus-based team to a record 27th conquest after defeating Skoda Xanthi F.C. 3–1 at the Olympic Stadium. On 9 September, he joined Mexican club C.F. Pachuca on a free transfer. He scored a career-best 17 times while at the service of the latter side in 2015–16's Liga MX, helping them win the Clausura tournament, adding six in eight matches for the champions of the following season's CONCACAF Champions League and being voted the competition's best player.

Jara signed for FC Dallas of the Major League Soccer on 21 January 2020, with the deal being made effective in July. On 10 January 2023, Jara and Dallas mutually agreed to terminate his contract at the club.

On 11 January 2023, Jara signed a contract with Belgrano while he was a free agent.

International career On 19 January 2010, Jara was called up to the Argentina national team for a friendly match with Costa Rica on the 27th. The game finished 3–2, and he scored the match-winning goal.

Jara earned his second cap on 10 February 2010, in a 2–1 win against Jamaica.

Personal life On 10 September 2014, Jara suffered a car accident and crashed into a tree, but did not suffer major injuries.

Career statistics Club

International

International goals

Taça da Liga: 2010–11 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2014 Greek Cup: 2014–15

Individual CONCACAF Champions League Golden Ball: 2016–17