Mario Alberto Santana is an Argentine footballer who plays as a winger for Italian club Palermo.
Club career
Early career
He started his career for Argentinian team San Lorenzo. After his contract with San Lorenzo expired, he decided to try his luck in European football, moving to Italy in January 2002 for Serie A team Venezia, then relegated at the end of the season. He then followed his chairman Maurizio Zamparini to Serie B team Palermo, where he showed high qualities in his role. In 2003, he was then loaned to Serie A side A.C. ChievoVerona, becoming one of the most interesting wingers in the Italian top division, and being first capped for the Argentina national football team in a friendly match against Japan on 18 August 2004. He then came back to Palermo, that was just promoted in Serie A at the time, for the following season.
In May 2006, he was signed by la viola for €6.5 million to prepare for 2006–07 UEFA Champions League 3rd qualifying round. But due to 2006 Serie A scandal, Fiorentina finished 9th and did not qualified for any European competitions. In 2009–10 season, La Viola signed Marco Marchionni, made Santana at first became a backup player, likes the first group stage of 2009–10 UEFA Champions League match against Lyon, substituted Marchionni in the 72 minutes. He started the third group stage match, as Marchionni was rested. In the 4th match he lost his starting place again, to Marchionni. He substituted Juan Vargas in the 77th minutes in that match. In the last 2 match of the group stage, Santana played a new role, as attacking midfielder, as Adrian Mutu was rested. In the league Santana was moved to left midfield position, attacking midfielder, second striker or right midfielder when Marchionni was rested. Santana initially had a better chance to play after Martin Jørgensen left in January 2010. On 14 February 2010, Santana was injured on the league match against Sampdoria, missed the Champions League match against Bayern Munich. In April 2010, Santana was injured and expected to be out for 5 months after clash with opponent goalkeeper in a club friendly against San Miniato Basso.
On 12 July 2011, Santana finally agreed to sign with Napoli over Cesena, leaving Fiorentina after 5 years. He moved on loan to A.C. Cesena on 31 January 2012. On 12 July 2012, Santana was loaned out to newly promoted Torino F.C. for the 2012–2013 Serie A campaign.
On 19 July 2013, Santana completed a move from Napoli to Genoa. In the January 2014 transfer window, he left Italy after 12 years competing in Serie A, signing a loan deal with Olhanense in Portugal. He left Frosinone in January 2016 to sign a permanent deal with Lega Pro club Pro Patria, staying at the club also after the club's relegation to Serie D the following season. On 22 June 2018, after Pro Patria won the Serie D title, he signed a contract extension until 2019. He left Pro Patria by the end of the 2018–19 season. In August 2019, he became the first signing of the refounded Palermo, who will restart from Serie D, thus marking his personal return with the Rosanero after thirteen years. He was also named team captain for the club's 2019–20 season.
