Franco Israel

Franco Israel Wibmer (born 22 April 2000) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Primeira Liga club Sporting CP and the Uruguay national team.

Early life
Israel was born on 22 April 2000 in Nueva Helvecia, Colonia to a family of German descent. He has one older brother named Alec, whom he lived with during his tenure with Nacional. During his youth, Israel played basketball and football as a child, before opting for the latter, when the games of the two teams he represented began being scheduled on the same day. Along with his native Uruguayan passport, Israel also holds an Italian passport.

Early career
Israel started his football career in the youth ranks of local club Artesano, before joining Nacional's youth setup in 2016, moving subsequently to the city of Montevideo.

Having impressed in Nacional's 2018 U-20 Copa Libertadores campaign, which they won, Italian club Juventus decided to sign him on 17 August 2018, on a five-year deal for a transfer worth €2.2 million. He made his professional debut on 28 September 2020 in Juventus U23's 2–1 league win against Pro Sesto. On 24 November, the first team's squad Andrea Pirlo called up Israel for a UEFA Champions League match against Ferencváros; he was eventually called up three other times in the 2020–21 season.

Sporting CP
On 5 July 2022, Israel signed a five-year contract with Portuguese club Sporting CP for a fee of €650,000 for 60% of his economic rights. He made his competitive debut for club, on 4 October, in a Champions League away match against Marseille, where he replaced Marcus Edwards early into first half, after starting goalkeeper Antonio Adán was sent off; he conceded two goals as the match ended in a 4–1 loss. In the reverse fixture a week later, Israel made his first start, featuring in the 2–0 home loss against the same opponent.

International career
Israel is a former Uruguay youth international. He has represented Uruguay at several tournaments including the 2019 South American U-20 Championship and the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

In June 2023, Israel received his first call-up to the senior team. He made his debut on 14 June 2023 in a 4–1 win against Nicaragua. In June 2024, he was named in Uruguay's 26-man squad for the 2024 Copa América.

Honours
Nacional U20
 * U-20 Copa Libertadores: 2018

Sporting CP
 * Primeira Liga: 2023–24

Uruguay U20
 * South American Games silver medal: 2018

Uruguay
 * Copa América third place: 2024