Franco Israel


Franco Israel Wibmer is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Torino and the Uruguay national team.

Early life

Israel was born on 22 April 2000 in Nueva Helvecia, a city in the Colonia Department of Uruguay. He is of maternal German descent, whereas his father's side is of Italian heritage, tracing his ancestry to Bobbio Pellice, a comune in the Piedmont region. Along with his native Uruguayan passport, Israel also holds an Italian passport. Israel has one older brother, Alec, whom he lived with during his tenure with Nacional de Football|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.

Club career

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.

Juventus U23

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.

Torino

On 27 July 2025, Israel joined Serie A club Torino on a three-year contract.

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.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Nacional U20
Sporting CP
Uruguay U20
Uruguay