Pablo Calandria

Pablo Ignacio Calandria (born 15 March 1982) is an Argentine naturalized Chilean retired footballer who played as a striker.

Nicknamed Cracklandia, he spent most of his professional career in Spain and Chile, notably representing O'Higgins.

Early years / Spain
Born in Ituzaingó, Buenos Aires, Calandria played his first professional game for Club Atlético Huracán at the age of only 16. He was almost immediately linked with a transfer to country giants Club Atlético River Plate for a US$850,000 fee, but nothing came of it and was instead acquired by French side Olympique de Marseille.

Calandria was very unsuccessful in his first spells abroad, only scoring once in three full seasons combined with Marseille, RC Lens and Málaga CF. Released by L'OM in summer 2002 he continued playing in Spain in the following six years, representing four teams in Segunda División, mainly CD Leganés and Sporting de Gijón.

Return to Argentina
Calandria scored his first goal in the Argentine Primera División while playing for Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy, in a 1–2 away defeat against San Lorenzo de Almagro for the 2008 Apertura tournament.

After being relegated he joined Atlético Tucumán, netting in his debut.

Chile
In 2010, Calandria signed for Santiago Morning in the Chilean Primera División, going on to remain in the country in the following years, with Club Deportivo Universidad Católica and Santiago Wanderers. In 2013 he won the Apertura with O'Higgins FC, scoring nine goals in 17 matches including a penalty against C.S.D. Rangers in the final minute that resulted in a 4–3 home win and qualified to the final against Club Deportivo Universidad Católica.

Calandria participated with the team in the 2014 edition of the Copa Libertadores. In the tournament, he scored through a penalty against Cerro Porteño but also missed one against Club Atlético Lanús in the last match, in an eventual group stage exit.

On 3 May 2014, whilst playing in the Supercopa de Chile against Deportes Iquique, Calandria suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his knee, being sidelined for six months. He returned to action in January of the following year, against Unión La Calera.

International career
Calandria played for Argentina at under–17 and under–20 levels.

Style of play
Calandria stood out for his aerial ability, and was also a competent penalty taker.

Honours
Universidad Católica
 * Copa Chile: 2011

O'Higgins
 * Primera División de Chile: 2013–14 Apertura
 * Supercopa de Chile: 2014