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Uruguayan footballer (born 1983) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mario Sebastián Viera Galaín (born 7 March 1983) is a Uruguayan former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
 Viera with Atlético Junior in 2020 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mario Sebastián Viera Galaín[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 7 March 1983[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Florida, Uruguay[1] | ||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2003–2005 | Nacional | 58 | (0) |
| 2005–2009 | Villarreal | 75 | (0) |
| 2009–2010 | AEL | 20 | (0) |
| 2011–2023 | Atlético Junior | 481 | (11) |
| Total | 634 | (11) | |
| International career | |||
| 2004–2009 | Uruguay | 15 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Born in Florida, Florida Department, Viera started his professional career with Club Nacional de Football. After one sole season he was expected to move to Premier League club Arsenal in August 2005, but its manager Arsène Wenger withdrew from the deal when the player did not pass his medical.[2]
Eventually, Viera signed with Villarreal CF in Spain, moving alongside Mariano Barbosa (also a goalkeeper) on a four-year contract.[3] He would be an undisputed starter the following two seasons, although he missed both legs of the 2005–06 UEFA Champions League semi-finals against Arsenal.[4][5]
Viera eventually lost his job midway through the 2007–08 campaign to newly signed Diego López, and never regained it again – no La Liga games in 2008–09 – being released in July 2009.[6] On 11 November he signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with Greek side Athlitiki Enosi Larissa FC,[7] being made eligible to play however only in January 2010; his contract was terminated in December,[8] and he joined Atlético Junior shortly after, remaining in Colombia for several years.[9][10][11]
Viera made his debut for Uruguay on 18 July 2004 in a Copa América quarter-final match against Paraguay, having been called as a late replacement for injured starter Fabián Carini. He also featured in the penalty shootout loss to eventual winners Brazil.[12]
Viera's father, also named Mario, was also a professional footballer – and a goalkeeper.[13]
Nacional
Atlético Junior
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