Get to know Erwin Saavedra, the Mamelodi Sundowns football player

Get to know Erwin Saavedra, the Mamelodi Sundowns football player

Ciku Njuguna
updated at February 13, 2024 at 11:54 AM

Erwin Saavedra is a Bolivian right midfielder who currently plays for South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns. Since January 2014, the midfielder has played in top-tier teams in South Africa, Brazil, and Bolivia. Here is a deep dive into the professional and personal life of the DSTV Premiership's football star.

Erwin Saavedra
Bolivia's Erwin Saavedra in action during an international friendly match against Japan at Noevir Stadium Kobe on March 26, 2019, in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan. Photo by Etsuo Hara.
Source: Getty Images

Where is Erwin Saavedra? In 2022, Bolívar La Paz's owner, Marcelo Claure, announced the departure of the midfielder whose career started in the club's youth side. Dig into this article for all the details about Erwin Saavedra's life.

Erwin Saavedra's profile summary and bio

Full name

Erwin Mario Saavedra Flores

Nickname

Erwin

Gender

Male

Date of birth

22 February 1996

Age

27 years old as of November 2023

Zodiac sign

Pisces

Place of birth

Oruro, Bolivia

Nationality

Bolivian

Ethnicity

Andean

Height

173 centimetres (5'6")

Weight

66 kilograms (145.5 lbs)

Mother

Samandra Flores

Father

Mario Saavedra

Relationship status

Married

Spouse

Jhessi Córdova

Children

1

Education

Bolívar boarding school

Current team

Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.

Playing position (s)

Right. central, attacking midfield

Profession

Professional football player

Net worth

$1 million - $5 million

Social media pages

X (Twitter), Instagram

How old is Erwin Saavedra?

Born on the 22nd of February 1996, the two-time South African champion is 27 years old as of November 2023. Based on Erwin Saavedra's age, his zodiac sign is Pisces.

How much did Erwin Saavedra transfer for?
Erwin Saavedra (#16) controls the ball against Matias Viña (#17) during a match between Bolivia and Uruguay at Arena Pantanal on June 24, 2021, in Cuiaba, Brazil. Photo by Rogerio Florentino.
Source: Getty Images

How tall is Erwin Saavedra?

According to LiveFutbol, the Ururo native is five feet and six inches tall (173 centimetres). His weight is estimated to be 145.5 lbs (66 kilograms).

Biography

The Bolivian international was born in the city of Ururo to a family of passionate indoor soccer players. His father, Mario Saavedra, and uncles, Aldo and Jesús, were members of the Bolivian futsal team that became runners-up in the 2000 International Indoor Football Federation's Indoor Soccer World Cup.

According to reports by Cábala, the attacking midfielder credits his father with his success in football. Mario Saavedra coached the budding soccer player in his early years. In the publication, Saavedra said,

How old is Erwin Saavedra?
Roger Martinez (R) vies for the ball against Saavedra (L) during a match between Racing Club and Bolivar at Presidente Peron on February 24, 2016, in Argentina. Photo by Gabriel Rossi/Latin Content.
Source: Getty Images
"My dad is very demanding. He has the character of a crazy coach. I missed a penalty, and he scolded me. I lived with my uncle and had to look for work in Oruro in 2010 because my father kicked me out of the house. I thought it was very bad at the time, but I learned a lot. It was an unforgettable experience."

Erwin Saavedra's family

In April 2021, Saavedra got married to Jhessi Córdova. On the 26th of November in 2021, the couple announced the arrival of their son, André Saavedra Córdova, on their social media accounts. In a Fathers' Day report by Premium Sports Bolivia, the former Bolivar captain shared his dreams and expectations for the future, saying,

"My son will be a Bolivarian. I will teach him football, and I hope he likes it."

What is Erwin Saavedra's nationality?

Although the midfielder plays for South Africa's Sundowns, he is a Bolivian national. Between 2015 and 2022, the Bolivian football player represented the country in various tournaments, including the Copa América Centenario, World Cup qualifications, the Copa América, and international friendlies.

Where is Erwin Saavedra?
Saavedra (R) and Oscar Romero (L) fight for the ball during a match between Paraguay and Bolivia at Defensores del Chaco on November 17, 2015, in Asuncion, Paraguay. Photo by Luis Vera/Latin Content.
Source: Getty Images

Career

On the 10th of January 2013, he began his football journey with Bolivar's youth team in La Paz. The team, whose quarters were housed at the Libertador Simón Bolívar Stadium, became the midfielder's home as he honed his skills. Here is a chronological summary of his teams according to Transfermarkt.

2022 - 2023

Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.

2015 - 2023

Bolivian National Football Team

2018 - 2022

Bolívar La Paz

2017 - 2018

Goiás E.C.

2014 - 2017

Bolívar La Paz

2015

Bolivian National Under-20 Football Team

2013 - 2014

Bolívar La Paz Under-20

Erwin Saavedra's stats

For a decade, the Bolivian football player has grown to become one of the country's top talents. Here is a detailed summary of his football performance in various tournaments as of November 2023.

Tournament

Appearances

Goals

Assists

CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores

28

2

20

CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana

17

4

16

Bolivian Liga Profesional

251

47

191

Brazilian Serie B

4

0

1

CAF Champions League

3

0

1

South African Premier Soccer League

7

0

1

Awards

Erwin's football talent makes him one of the best players 2023/24. Here are a few of his awards over the years.

  • 2016/17, 2014/15 Bolivian Clausura League winner - Bolívar La Paz
  • 2021, 2019, 2016 Copa América participant - Bolivian national football team
  • 2021/22, 2022/23 South African champion - Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.
How old is Erwin Saavedra?
Erwin Saavedra (In green) and Nahuel Molina (In white) fight for the ball during a match between Argentina and Bolivia at Estadio Monumental on September 09, 2021. Photo by Juan I. Roncoroni - Pool.
Source: Getty Images

Quick facts

1. How much is Erwin Saavedra's net worth?

The number 26 Sundowns midfielder is one of the wealthiest Bolivian footballers. Several reports reveal that his net worth ranges between $1 million and $5 million.

2. How much is Erwin Saavedra's salary?

Various publications rank the midfielder among Mamelodi Sundowns' highest-paid players. The Oruro-born soccer player receives $19,082 (R350,000).

3. When did Erwin Saavedra transfer to Mamelodi Sundowns?

On the 9th of February 2022, the midfielder transferred from División Profesional Clausura to DStv Premiership's Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. under coach Steve Komphela. At the time of his move from Bolívar La Paz, the central midfielder was 25 years old.

4. How much did Erwin Saavedra transfer for?

Erwin's move from Bolívar La Paz is considered one of Mamelodi's most expensive transfers of 2023. On the 21st of January 2022, the team's owner, Marcelo Claure, announced that the transfer cost Mamelodi $800,000 (R12 million).

5. Is Erwin Saavedra on Instagram?

The Sundowns number 26 player has amassed a significant following on various social media accounts. As of November 2023, the famous Bolivian athlete has 19,100 followers on Instagram and over 5,200 followers on X(Twitter).

Where is Erwin Saavedra?
Saavedra (In green) battles for possession with Guido Rodriguez (In white) during a match between Argentina and Bolivia at Estadio Arena on June 28, 2021, in Cuiaba, Brazil. Photo by MB Media.
Source: Getty Images

Final word

Erwin Saavedra is Bolivia's pride as one of the country's widely celebrated athletes. However, his injury and current performance for South African Mamelodi Sundowns cast a shadow on his past accomplishments.

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Authors
Ciku Njuguna photo
Ciku Njuguna
Ciku Njuguna is a journalist with 3 year’s experience in content creation based in Kenya. She currently covers sports personnel as well as team biographies.
Tags
South AfricaSouth Africa Football Association (SAFA)