Estudiantes de La Plata
Encyclopedia
Club Estudiantes de La Plata (kluβ ˈestuˈðjaŋˈtes ðe la ˈplata), simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine
professional sports club
based in La Plata
. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history.
The club is amongst the most successful teams in Argentina. In 1967, Estudiantes was the first team outside of the traditional "big five" to win a professional league title. Since then, the squad has won four more league titles to bring a total to five. It has had even greater international success, having won six international titles. Estudiantes' international silverware consists of four Copa Libertadores (including three straight from 1968–70), an Intercontinental Cup
, and an Interamerican Cup.
The club was founded in 1905 when a group of players and fans decided to breakaway from present-day rival Gimnasia de La Plata
. Matches between the two clubs are known as the Clásico Platense
. The club currently counts with the support of over 40,000 members and their home stadium is Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi
.
, the major club in the city, since Gimnasia's management neglected football after the closure of their field on 13th and 71st streets).
Thus, on August 4, 1905, in the shoestore "New York" on 7th Street, between 57 and 58 of the city of La Plata, the club was founded under the name "Club Atlético Estudiantes". Its first president, Miguel Gutiérrez, was elected on the very same night, when the club charter was drafted by card-carrying member #1, Alfredo Lartigue. Since its inception, the organization primarily was dedicated to football, but over the years the club expanded and incorporated basketball
, handball
, field hockey
, tennis
, swimming
and golf
, among others.
In those days, teams like Lomas Athletic
, Quilmes
, Belgrano Athletic
, Estudiantil Porteño, Reformer, San Isidro Club
and Argentino de Quilmes
, among others, faced each other in successive tournaments organized by the Argentine Football Association
(then called the Argentine Association Football League), with Alumni
(graduates of the Buenos Aires English High School) being one of the most successful.
On 28 February 1906 Estudiantes adopted a jersey design of striped red and white, in honor of Alumni's, who had won ten amateur championships between 1900 and 1911. However, during the early years, Estudiantes had to use a red shirt with a white stripe in the chest, because league authorities decided the uniform was too similar to Alumni's.
Estudiantes's first pitch was located at the intersection of 19th and 53rd streets in La Plata (now Plaza Islas Malvinas), with the first match being played on November 7, 1905, when Estudiantes faced Nacional Juniors from Buenos Aires. A year later, Estudiantes enrolled in the Argentine Amateur Association.
The stadium on 1st Avenue opened on 25 December 1907.
Before the advent of professionalism, Estudiantes won the 1913 league
title http://antifierro.blogspot.com/2010/11/la-la7a-amateur-no-alienta.html.
, Alejandro Scopelli, Alberto Zozaya
, Manuel Ferreira
and Enrique Guaita
, known as Los Profesores ("The Professors"), and still regarded as one of Argentina's all-time finest http://cartasesfericas.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/los-profesores/. Alberto Zozaya scored the first goal of professional football in Argentina and was the top goalscorer of the first professional tournament. Ferreira played for the national team
in the 1928 Olympic Games and the 1930 World Cup; Guaita and Scopelli played for Italian national team
that won the 1934 FIFA World Cup
. Saúl Calandra
, the Sbarra brothers (Raúl and Roberto) and Armando Nery were feared defensive players.
In 1937, a pioneering lighting system was installed in the stadium, allowing to play night games.
The 1950s saw the rise of goalkeeper Gabriel Ogando, and players such as Walter Garcerón, Alberto Bouché, Juan Eulogio Urriolabeitía, Ricardo Infante
, Héctor Antonio, as well as the final seasons of striker Manuel Pelegrina, who remains Estudiantes' all-time top scorer with 221 goals. Following a confrontation with the Peronist government of Buenos Aires Province
, the club's management was removed by authorities (allegedly for refusing to distribute copies of Eva Perón
's book to club members) The government-appointed management disbanded the team: top scorers Infante and Pelegrina signed with Huracán
. The decimated team was relegated in 1953, but after the return of Pelegrina (who tricked Huracán by becoming a free agent
without the club's consent) http://antifierro.blogspot.com/2010/11/razones-del-corazon.html, Estudiantes was promoted the following year. The club was allowed to govern itself soon thereafter.
In the 1960s, Miguel Ignomiriello coached the Estudiantes under-19 team known as La Tercera que Mata ("The Killer Juveniles"), which would evolve, with a few acquisitions, into the team coached by Osvaldo Zubeldía
that won the 1967 Metropolitano championship. With this title, Estudiantes became the first club outside of the "big five" (Boca Juniors
, River Plate
, Racing Club
, Independiente
and San Lorenzo) to obtain a professional title. This opened the floodgates, and soon other "small" clubs would do likewise (Vélez Sársfield
in 1968, Chacarita Juniors
one year later, and soon other teams joined as well).
Estudiantes went on to win the Copa Libertadores three years in a row (1968, 1969 and 1970), and the 1968 Intercontinental Cup
against Manchester United
. The latter game is still remembered for the violent behaviour of Estudiantes' players. They lost the Intercontinental title against A.C. Milan
(1969
) and Feyenoord (1970
). Estudiantes won the maiden edition of the Copa Interamericana
in a three-legged final against the reigning CONCACAF
title-holders, Mexican
club Toluca (the games were played in 1969, but official references call it the 1968 edition).
The last part of the Zubeldía era was marred by the antics of some players. Following a violent Intercontinental match against Milan, the entire team was arrested on orders from Argentine President Juan Carlos Onganía
. In an unprecedented step, goalkeeper Alberto Poletti was suspended for life (he was later pardoned) and did time in jail, together with teammates Ramón Aguirre Suárez
and Raúl Madero
. Because of these events, it became a cliché to refer to Zubeldía's football as el antifútbol ("the anti-football"), not only because of its physical violence, but also due to its frequent resort to timewasting
tactics http://www.pasionalbiceleste.com.ar/wiki/Osvaldo_Zubeld%C3%ADa. The Times
went so far as to call Estudiantes "one of the most despicable teams ever to emerge from South America."
Zubeldía hired former referees to lecture the team on regulations, so that his players would be able to exploit every loophole in the book. Also, he incorporated tactics that were unheard of at the time, such as playbook drills for free-kicks and corner kicks, the offside trap, and double-marking opponents http://www.pasionalbiceleste.com.ar/wiki/Osvaldo_Zubeldía.
The Zubeldía team counted two physicians among its stars: Carlos Bilardo
and Raúl Madero graduated from the University of Buenos Aires
Faculty of Medicine
during their playing days. Juan Ramón Verón
was a gifted player who could play left wing, but would also join the midfielders or attack from the right. He profited from the no-nonsense playing of Marcos Conigliaro, Juan Miguel Echecopar and Madero, and the tactical guidance provided by Bilardo. Right-back Eduardo Luján Manera
was a very talented player, but suffered from repeated injuries and did not reach his full potential. Fullback Aguirre Suárez was noted for his often violent play, and so was Luis Medina.
After the 1970 season, Carlos Bilardo retired from play and got involved in his family's furniture business. As the team's fortunes were declining and relegation seemed a possibility, he was called by management in mid-1971 to coach the team. Under his guidance, Estudiantes lost the 1975 Nacional title in the last day of play and made it to the 1976 Copa Libertadores
.
In the ensuing years, Bilardo alternated between coaching Estudiantes and Colombia
n teams. He was briefly the coach of the Colombian national team
, but was called again by Estudiantes in 1982. Soon after, the team won the 1982 Metropolitano championship. Under his successor Eduardo Luján Manera, also a member of the Zubeldía's team, Estudiantes won the 1983 Nacional tournament as well. Both wins were at the expense of a star-studded Independiente.
Those championship teams were anchored by a solid defense (Julián Camino
on the right and Abel Ernesto Herrera
on the left were also fearsome attackers, and José Luis Brown provided security as a sweeper), and also had three creative midfielders (José Daniel Ponce
, Alejandro Sabella
and Marcelo Trobbiani
, with Miguel Ángel Russo
to guard their backs) and two top-notch strikers (Hugo Gottardi and Guillermo Trama).
Bilardo went on to coach the Argentine national team
, that won the 1986 FIFA World Cup
. The captain of Estudiantes' 1982 champions, José Luis Brown, scored the opening goal in the final match against West Germany. Four years later, Bilardo's Argentina reached the final of the 1990 FIFA World Cup
. Madero was team physician
for both events, and Ricardo Echevarría, also from Estudiantes, was fitness coach.
Estudiantes was relegated for the second time after the 1993–94 season, and again returned to the first division the very next season, which was the breakout year for Juan Sebastián Verón
(son of former player Juan Ramón). In the ensuing years, the club had irregular results, and became known mostly as the breeding ground for strikers such as Martín Palermo
, Luciano Galletti
, Bernardo Romeo, Ernesto Farías
and Mariano Pavone
, as well as other quality players such as José Ernesto Sosa
and Pablo Piatti
.
Bilardo returned as coach in 2003, with new management bent on rebuilding the club in his winning ways. Some young players were promoted, such as Marcos Angeleri
and José Ernesto Sosa. When Bilardo departed, the team remained a contender under coaches Reinaldo Merlo and Jorge Burruchaga
. The team made history when it came from behind (0–3 in midtime) to win 4–3 against Peru
vian Sporting Cristal
in a Libertadores match played on 21 February 2006.
On May 18, 2006, Burruchaga was replaced with another former Argentine international, Diego Simeone, who built the team around Juan Sebastián Verón, who returned to Estudiantes after 11 years. Simeone's team was eliminated by São Paulo
in a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals of the 2006 Copa Libertadores, but went on to an impressive campaign in the local league during the 2006 Apertura. It amassed ten straight wins (tying the club record), including an unprecedented 7–0 win against Gimnasia in the La Plata derby
, played 15 October 2006. Estudiantes finished the regular season tied for first place with Boca Juniors
(per Argentine league rules, goal difference is not used to define the champion). A winner-take-all final match was played on December 13, 2006. Estudiantes came from behind to defeat Boca Juniors 2–1, thus securing its first first division title in 23 years. During this campaign, Estudiantes defeated all the "big five", allowed the least goals, and three of their players (Pavone, Verón and Braña
) were ranked as the league's top three by sports diary Olé.
Simeone left the team after the 2007 Apertura, and was replaced by former S.S. Lazio
teammate Roberto Sensini. After a weak finish in the 2008 Clausura, Sensini was replaced with Leonardo Astrada
. Under his guidance, Estudiantes reached the final of the 2008 Copa Sudamericana, which it lost to Brazilian side SC Internacional
. Shortly thereafter, a string of bad results caused Astrada's departure.
On March 2009, former player Alejandro Sabella
became head coach, his first such engagement (his coaching experience was limited to being an assistant to Daniel Passarella
). The team improved their standing in the local league and advanced to the final of the 2009 Copa Libertadores, winning 2–1 on aggregate over Cruzeiro
after a goal-less draw in La Plata and an away win on 15 July 2009. Verón was chosen as the competition's most valuable player, and Mauro Boselli
was its top goalscorer, with a decisive header in the final match. Thus, Estudiantes earned the right to play the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup
in Abu Dhabi
.
In that event, Estudiantes won their semifinal match against Pohang Steelers
2–1, and lost the final against FC Barcelona
2–1 in extra time, after a 1–1 tie in regulation time.
After the Club World Cup participation, Estudiantes finished second in the 2010 Clausura (with local favorite José Sosa playing on loan), and won the 2010 Apertura after a protracted battle against Vélez Sarsfield
. The team was in transition following the departure of Sosa and the sales of Boselli, right back Marcos Angeleri
, and other key players.
Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium is located on 1st Avenue, between 55th and 57th Streets, in La Plata. In its previous incarnation, it had room for 23,000. The wooden stands behind the goal-lines were standing-room only. The stands next to the avenue were sitting-room, and were separated from the avenue by a row of tile trees. The opposite side was roofed and had the best seating arrangements. The noisiest fans used to occupy the 55th Street popular, while visiting fans were often directed to the 57th St. popular, opposite a technical high school (whose inconvenient location was responsible for the relatively small size of the pitch, at 105 x 68 m).
For many international games in the Zubeldía era, Estudiantes played in Boca Juniors
' La Bombonera
, noted for its intimidating acoustics.
With the erection of Estadio Ciudad de La Plata
in the 1990s, both Estudiantes and Gimnasia decided initially against relocating their home games. However, Estudiantes's field was closed down in September 2005 because of new safety regulations which forbid standing-only wooden stands. This began a sequence of political infighting between the club and City Hall.
During the 2005 Apertura tournament, Estudiantes played its home games in the nearby Gimnasia stadium, and after that in Quilmes Atlético Club
's Centenario
field. There, Estudiantes made history with a come-from-behind 4–3 Libertadores win against Sporting Cristal.
On April 2006 a court decree allowed the re-opening of 1 y 57, but mayor Julio Alak
intervened again to prevent this from happening. In August 2006, an agreement was reached to build sitting room for 20,000 (later amended to 23,000) and using the city stadium for games exceeding that capacity. Renovation work on the stadium started in 2007, and has met with opposition from several groups, notably the "Hoja de Tilo" NGO, who claims that the works would damage the environmental balance of the park behind the stadium.
Meanwhile, Estudiantes settled in the city stadium, where it earned five consecutive derby wins, and had a streak of 37 games undefeated in the local league (2007–2009). When roofing work began in August 2009 to install a new roof in the city stadium, Estudiantes moved once again to Quilmes. As the city stadium will host the 2011 Copa América, it is expected to reopen in time for the 2011 Clausura.
Estudiantes' training grounds are located in the Country Club premises in City Bell
, north of La Plata. Many facilities were paid for by Juan Sebastián Verón while he played in Europe. Verón was also instrumental in the negotiations over the stadium, meeting then president Néstor Kirchner
to unlock the process that was being stalled by mayor Alak.
, while rival side Gimnasia y Esgrima was identified with the working class
. This characterization seems to be outdated. While the two clubs have roughly the same pull in and around La Plata, Estudiantes has more of a nation-wide following, especially after its international successes in the 1960s. There used to be much discussion about which club has the larger following, but Estudiantes seems to have pulled forward.
For several periods in the club's history, a cadre of fans from Buenos Aires (los porteños) were a powerful element within the base. A famous fan since the 1960s is Raúl Bernechea, known as el pelapapas (the "potato peeler") after his job as a kitchen hand, famous for lighting bonfires during games, juggling and performing other stunts http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WBDudQMCcSg/StYxB1VEIvI/AAAAAAAAGoE/35cagBii8Gg/s1600-h/pelap1.jpg.
Author Ernesto Sabato
is an Estudiantes sympathizer, and was honored with a ceremony where he was given a No. 10 jersey. Arturo Jauretche
mentioned Estudiantes in one of his books .
Other noted fans include tennis player Juan Mónaco
, actor Jorge D'Elía
, filmmaker and politician Fernando Solanas
, and journalist Osvaldo Príncipi.
In the 1983 presidential election, Estudiantes fans were, together with their peers from Vélez Sársfield
, the first to voice their support for eventual winner Raúl Alfonsín
in his bid against the Peronistas
. The friendship with Vélez supporters has since vanished, especially after an Estudiantes win denied Vélez the 2003 championship.
Estudiantes is on friendly terms with several clubs from the South side of Greater Buenos Aires
; especially Quilmes
and Témperley
. Platense
, from the North side of Greater Buenos Aires, held a special place in the hearts of Estudiantes fans, as it cemented Gimnasia's relegation in 1979 (Platense currently plays in the lower divisions).
Estudiantes is also friendly with the Uruguay
an fan base of Peñarol, once their classic Libertadores rivals.
Estudiantes shares colors with Spanish side Athletic Bilbao
, and during a period in the 1950s, both institutions shared a reputation for confronting the government (Bilbao as a Basque
nationalist side against the Franco regime
, and Estudiantes against Peronism
). During these times, Bilbao donated a set of jerseys to Estudiantes. The relationship has been rekindled in the 2000s through Argentine expatriates and partisan blogs http://antifierro.blogspot.com/2009/11/bienvenidos-hermanos-de-bilbao.html.
students among the club's early members.
This nickname extends to the fans. It is common to hear fans say "soy del pincha" ("I am pincha").
Fans also call the team el león (the lion), el orgullo de la ciudad (the pride of the city), los capos de La Plata (the bosses of La Plata), and el único campeón de la ciudad (the only one champion of the city), because they are the only one team in the city that won an official tournament.
For several years, many chants incorporated the word Tricampeón (three-time champion) because of the Libertadores three-peat
. After the 2009 Libertadores final, some of the newer lyrics use the word Tetracampeón (four-time champion).
see also
(235 goals in 489 matches) Ricardo Roberto Infante
(180 goals in 328 matches) Alberto Máximo Zozaya
(144 goals in 181 matches) Hugo Ernesto Gottardi
(125 goals in 310 matches)
International
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
professional sports club
Sports club
A sports club or sport club, sometimes athletics club or sports association is a club for the purpose of playing one or more sports...
based in La Plata
La Plata
La Plata is the capital city of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and of La Plata partido. According to the , the city proper has a population of 574,369 and its metropolitan area has 694,253 inhabitants....
. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history.
The club is amongst the most successful teams in Argentina. In 1967, Estudiantes was the first team outside of the traditional "big five" to win a professional league title. Since then, the squad has won four more league titles to bring a total to five. It has had even greater international success, having won six international titles. Estudiantes' international silverware consists of four Copa Libertadores (including three straight from 1968–70), an Intercontinental Cup
Intercontinental Cup (football)
The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
, and an Interamerican Cup.
The club was founded in 1905 when a group of players and fans decided to breakaway from present-day rival Gimnasia de La Plata
Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata
Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata Gimnasia y Esgrima was promoted to the first division after becoming champions of the División Intermedia of Argentine football in 1915. Later, in 1929, the club would become champions of the Primera División...
. Matches between the two clubs are known as the Clásico Platense
La Plata derby
The La Plata derby is one of the most fiercely contested derbies in Argentine football. It is played between Estudiantes de La Plata and Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata....
. The club currently counts with the support of over 40,000 members and their home stadium is Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi
Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi
Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi is a football stadium in La Plata, Argentina. It is the home field of Estudiantes de La Plata.The stadium, named after Jorge Luis Hirschi, who served as Estudiantes' president between 1927 and 1932, is located on 1st Avenue between 55th and 57th Streets, and thus is also...
.
History
In 1905, a group of football players and fans in the city of La Plata decided to break away from Gimnasia y EsgrimaClub de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata
Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata Gimnasia y Esgrima was promoted to the first division after becoming champions of the División Intermedia of Argentine football in 1915. Later, in 1929, the club would become champions of the Primera División...
, the major club in the city, since Gimnasia's management neglected football after the closure of their field on 13th and 71st streets).
Thus, on August 4, 1905, in the shoestore "New York" on 7th Street, between 57 and 58 of the city of La Plata, the club was founded under the name "Club Atlético Estudiantes". Its first president, Miguel Gutiérrez, was elected on the very same night, when the club charter was drafted by card-carrying member #1, Alfredo Lartigue. Since its inception, the organization primarily was dedicated to football, but over the years the club expanded and incorporated basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, handball
Team handball
Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team...
, field hockey
Field hockey
Field Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...
, tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
and golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
, among others.
In those days, teams like Lomas Athletic
Lomas Athletic Club
Lomas Athletic Club is a sports club from Lomas de Zamora, Buenos Aires, Argentina. One of Argentina's oldest clubs still in existence, Lomas is one of the four clubs that founded the Argentine Rugby Union...
, Quilmes
Quilmes Atlético Club
Quilmes Atlético Club is a sports clubs of Argentina, based on the Partido de Quilmes, Buenos Aires Province. Quilmes is one of the oldest clubs of Argentina, having been founded in 1887. Its football squad currently plays in the Primera B Nacional Division....
, Belgrano Athletic
Belgrano Athletic Club
Belgrano Athletic Club is an amateur sports club from the Belgrano neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. One of Argentina's oldest institutions still in existence, Belgrano is one of the four clubs that founded the Argentine Rugby Union....
, Estudiantil Porteño, Reformer, San Isidro Club
San Isidro Club
The San Isidro Club is a rugby union and field hockey club sited in Boulogne Sur Mer, Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina. The club is also member of the Unión de Rugby de Buenos Aires .-The beginning:...
and Argentino de Quilmes
Argentino de Quilmes
Club Atlético Argentino de Quilmes is a football club from Quilmes in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The team currently plays in Primera D Metropolitana, which is the regionalised fifth tier of the Argentine Football Association league system....
, among others, faced each other in successive tournaments organized by the Argentine Football Association
Argentine Football Association
The Argentine Football Association is the governing body of football in Argentina. It organises the Argentine football league and the Argentina national football team. It is based in Buenos Aires...
(then called the Argentine Association Football League), with Alumni
Alumni Athletic Club
Asociación Alumni, usually just Alumni, is a rugby union and former football club located in Tortuguitas, Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina.-The beginning:...
(graduates of the Buenos Aires English High School) being one of the most successful.
On 28 February 1906 Estudiantes adopted a jersey design of striped red and white, in honor of Alumni's, who had won ten amateur championships between 1900 and 1911. However, during the early years, Estudiantes had to use a red shirt with a white stripe in the chest, because league authorities decided the uniform was too similar to Alumni's.
Amateur Era
The stadium on 1st Avenue opened on 25 December 1907.
Before the advent of professionalism, Estudiantes won the 1913 league
1913 in Argentine football
1913 in Argentine football saw Racing Club de Avellaneda win their first league championship, they also won the Copa de Honor Municipalidad de Buenos Aires and the Copa de Honor Cousenier....
title http://antifierro.blogspot.com/2010/11/la-la7a-amateur-no-alienta.html.
Professional era
When professionalism was adopted in Argentine football in 1931, Estudiantes had a famous offensive lineup: Miguel Ángel LauriMiguel Angel Lauri
Miguel Ángel Lauri, known in France as Michel Lauri was an Argentine footballer , he played for Estudiantes de La Plata and the Argentina national football team....
, Alejandro Scopelli, Alberto Zozaya
Alberto Zozaya
Alberto Maximo Zozaya is a former Argentine football striker, he played most of his career for Estudiantes de La Plata and represented the Argentina national football team.-Playing career:...
, Manuel Ferreira
Manuel Ferreira
Manuel Ferreira was an Argentine footballer who was a member of the Argentina national team....
and Enrique Guaita
Enrique Guaita
Enrique Guaita commonly known as "Enrico Guaita" was an Italian Argentine footballer who played for both Argentina and Italy...
, known as Los Profesores ("The Professors"), and still regarded as one of Argentina's all-time finest http://cartasesfericas.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/los-profesores/. Alberto Zozaya scored the first goal of professional football in Argentina and was the top goalscorer of the first professional tournament. Ferreira played for the national team
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
in the 1928 Olympic Games and the 1930 World Cup; Guaita and Scopelli played for Italian national team
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
that won the 1934 FIFA World Cup
1934 FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
. Saúl Calandra
Saúl Calandra
Saúl H. Calandra was an Argentine football midfielder who competed in the 1928 Olympic games....
, the Sbarra brothers (Raúl and Roberto) and Armando Nery were feared defensive players.
In 1937, a pioneering lighting system was installed in the stadium, allowing to play night games.
The 1950s saw the rise of goalkeeper Gabriel Ogando, and players such as Walter Garcerón, Alberto Bouché, Juan Eulogio Urriolabeitía, Ricardo Infante
Ricardo Infante
Ricardo Roberto "Beto" Infante is a former Argentine football striker. He is the 2nd highest scoring player in the history of Estudiantes de La Plata and the 6th highest scoring player in the professional era of the Primera División Argentina.Infante made his professional debut in 1942 for...
, Héctor Antonio, as well as the final seasons of striker Manuel Pelegrina, who remains Estudiantes' all-time top scorer with 221 goals. Following a confrontation with the Peronist government of Buenos Aires Province
Buenos Aires Province
The Province of Buenos Aires is the largest and most populous province of Argentina. It takes the name from the city of Buenos Aires, which used to be the provincial capital until it was federalized in 1880...
, the club's management was removed by authorities (allegedly for refusing to distribute copies of Eva Perón
Eva Perón
María Eva Duarte de Perón was the second wife of President Juan Perón and served as the First Lady of Argentina from 1946 until her death in 1952. She is often referred to as simply Eva Perón, or by the affectionate Spanish language diminutive Evita.She was born in the village of Los Toldos in...
's book to club members) The government-appointed management disbanded the team: top scorers Infante and Pelegrina signed with Huracán
Club Atlético Huracán
Club Atlético Huracán is a sports club from the Parque Patricios neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The football team currently plays in the Primera B Nacional, the second level of the Argentine football league system. Huracán home stadium is the Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó.Huracán was...
. The decimated team was relegated in 1953, but after the return of Pelegrina (who tricked Huracán by becoming a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
without the club's consent) http://antifierro.blogspot.com/2010/11/razones-del-corazon.html, Estudiantes was promoted the following year. The club was allowed to govern itself soon thereafter.
In the 1960s, Miguel Ignomiriello coached the Estudiantes under-19 team known as La Tercera que Mata ("The Killer Juveniles"), which would evolve, with a few acquisitions, into the team coached by Osvaldo Zubeldía
Osvaldo Zubeldía
Osvaldo Juan Zubeldía, was a football player and an influential Argentine coach.-Playing career:...
that won the 1967 Metropolitano championship. With this title, Estudiantes became the first club outside of the "big five" (Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
, River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
, Racing Club
Racing Club de Avellaneda
Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football...
, Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División....
and San Lorenzo) to obtain a professional title. This opened the floodgates, and soon other "small" clubs would do likewise (Vélez Sársfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield is a sports club based in the Liniers neighborhood of western Buenos Aires, Argentina. Vélez is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División, the top level of the Argentine league system...
in 1968, Chacarita Juniors
Chacarita Juniors
Club Atlético Chacarita Juniors is an Argentine sports club from Villa Maipú, General San Martín Partido in Greater Buenos Aires, which football squad is currently playing in the Primera B Nacional, the second division of the Argentine football league system.The club was founded on May 1, 1906, in...
one year later, and soon other teams joined as well).
Estudiantes went on to win the Copa Libertadores three years in a row (1968, 1969 and 1970), and the 1968 Intercontinental Cup
1968 Intercontinental Cup
The 1968 Intercontinental Cup was a football tie held over two legs in 1968 between the winners of the 1967–68 European Cup, Manchester United, and Estudiantes de La Plata, winners of the 1968 Copa Libertadores....
against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. The latter game is still remembered for the violent behaviour of Estudiantes' players. They lost the Intercontinental title against A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
(1969
1969 Intercontinental Cup
- Match details :-External links:* at RSSSF.com* at UEFA.com...
) and Feyenoord (1970
1970 Intercontinental Cup
The 1970 Intercontinental Cup was a football tie held over two legs in August and September 1970 between the winners of the 1969–70 European Cup, Feyenoord, and winners of the 1970 Copa Libertadores, Estudiantes....
). Estudiantes won the maiden edition of the Copa Interamericana
Copa Interamericana
Copa Interamericana was a football trophy contested between the champions of CONMEBOL's Copa Libertadores de América and the winners of CONCACAF's Champions' Cup...
in a three-legged final against the reigning CONCACAF
CONCACAF
The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football is the continental governing body for association football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean...
title-holders, Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
club Toluca (the games were played in 1969, but official references call it the 1968 edition).
The last part of the Zubeldía era was marred by the antics of some players. Following a violent Intercontinental match against Milan, the entire team was arrested on orders from Argentine President Juan Carlos Onganía
Juan Carlos Onganía
Juan Carlos Onganía Carballo was de facto president of Argentina from 29 June 1966 to 8 June 1970. He rose to power as military dictator after toppling, in a coup d’état self-named Revolución Argentina , the democratically elected president Arturo Illia .-Economic and social...
. In an unprecedented step, goalkeeper Alberto Poletti was suspended for life (he was later pardoned) and did time in jail, together with teammates Ramón Aguirre Suárez
Ramón Aguirre Suárez
Ramón Alberto Aguirre Suárez is an Argentine former footballer, famous for his play in the successful Estudiantes de La Plata team of 1967-1970.-Career:...
and Raúl Madero
Raúl Madero
Raúl Horacio Madero is an Argentine sports physician and former football player. He served two terms as the physician of the Argentina national football team.-Sporting career:...
. Because of these events, it became a cliché to refer to Zubeldía's football as el antifútbol ("the anti-football"), not only because of its physical violence, but also due to its frequent resort to timewasting
Timewasting
Timewasting in the context of sports refers to the actions of one team which expend time, but do not otherwise have a tactical purpose. This is usually done by a team that is winning by a slim margin near the end of a game, in order to reduce the time available for the opposing team to score...
tactics http://www.pasionalbiceleste.com.ar/wiki/Osvaldo_Zubeld%C3%ADa. The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
went so far as to call Estudiantes "one of the most despicable teams ever to emerge from South America."
Zubeldía hired former referees to lecture the team on regulations, so that his players would be able to exploit every loophole in the book. Also, he incorporated tactics that were unheard of at the time, such as playbook drills for free-kicks and corner kicks, the offside trap, and double-marking opponents http://www.pasionalbiceleste.com.ar/wiki/Osvaldo_Zubeldía.
The Zubeldía team counted two physicians among its stars: Carlos Bilardo
Carlos Bilardo
Carlos Salvador Bilardo is an Argentine former football player and coach, who is currently the General Manager of the Argentina national football team....
and Raúl Madero graduated from the University of Buenos Aires
University of Buenos Aires
The University of Buenos Aires is the largest university in Argentina and the largest university by enrollment in Latin America. Founded on August 12, 1821 in the city of Buenos Aires, it consists of 13 faculties, 6 hospitals, 10 museums and is linked to 4 high schools: Colegio Nacional de Buenos...
Faculty of Medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
during their playing days. Juan Ramón Verón
Juan Ramón Verón
Juan Ramón Verón is an Argentine football coach and former professional player.-Estudiantes:Nicknamed La Bruja , Juan Ramón Verón was a midfielder and striker renowned for his technical ability. He played for Estudiantes de La Plata, who were a dominant force in Argentine football during the late...
was a gifted player who could play left wing, but would also join the midfielders or attack from the right. He profited from the no-nonsense playing of Marcos Conigliaro, Juan Miguel Echecopar and Madero, and the tactical guidance provided by Bilardo. Right-back Eduardo Luján Manera
Eduardo Luján Manera
Eduardo Luján Manera was an Argentine football defender, and a manager who won the Argentine Primera with Estudiantes de La Plata as player and manager.-Titles:As a player...
was a very talented player, but suffered from repeated injuries and did not reach his full potential. Fullback Aguirre Suárez was noted for his often violent play, and so was Luis Medina.
After the 1970 season, Carlos Bilardo retired from play and got involved in his family's furniture business. As the team's fortunes were declining and relegation seemed a possibility, he was called by management in mid-1971 to coach the team. Under his guidance, Estudiantes lost the 1975 Nacional title in the last day of play and made it to the 1976 Copa Libertadores
1976 Copa Libertadores
The Copa Libertadores 1976 was the 17th edition of the Copa Libertadores, CONMEBOL's annual international club tournament. The tournament began on February 23 and ended on July 30....
.
In the ensuing years, Bilardo alternated between coaching Estudiantes and Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n teams. He was briefly the coach of the Colombian national team
Colombia national football team
The Colombian national football team represents Colombia in international football competitions and is controlled by the Colombian Football Federation. It is a member of the CONMEBOL...
, but was called again by Estudiantes in 1982. Soon after, the team won the 1982 Metropolitano championship. Under his successor Eduardo Luján Manera, also a member of the Zubeldía's team, Estudiantes won the 1983 Nacional tournament as well. Both wins were at the expense of a star-studded Independiente.
Those championship teams were anchored by a solid defense (Julián Camino
Julián Camino
Julián Camino is a former Argentine football right back who won two league titles with Estudiantes de La Plata and was part of the Argentina squad for Copa América 1983, and since August 2011 is a member of the coaching squad of the Argentina national football team as field assistant to Alejandro...
on the right and Abel Ernesto Herrera
Abel Ernesto Herrera
Abel Ernesto Herrera is a former Argentine football left back. He holds the record for the most league appearances for Estudiantes de La Plata in the professional era with 467....
on the left were also fearsome attackers, and José Luis Brown provided security as a sweeper), and also had three creative midfielders (José Daniel Ponce
José Daniel Ponce
José Daniel Ponce is a former Argentine football player, who was part of the Estudiantes de La Plata team that won two back-to-back championships in 1982 and 1983....
, Alejandro Sabella
Alejandro Sabella
Alejandro Sabella is an Argentine football manager and former player. He is currently the coach of the Argentina national football team.-Early career:...
and Marcelo Trobbiani
Marcelo Trobbiani
Marcelo Antonio Trobbiani Ughetto is an Argentine football coach and a former player, he works as the manager of Cienciano in Peru.-Playing career:...
, with Miguel Ángel Russo
Miguel Ángel Russo
Miguel Ángel Russo is an Argentine football coach and former player, who now coaches Estudiantes.-Career:...
to guard their backs) and two top-notch strikers (Hugo Gottardi and Guillermo Trama).
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
, that won the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
. The captain of Estudiantes' 1982 champions, José Luis Brown, scored the opening goal in the final match against West Germany. Four years later, Bilardo's Argentina reached the final of the 1990 FIFA World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
. Madero was team physician
Team physician
The team physician for a sports team is the physician who is in charge of coordinating the medical staff and medical services for a sports team. They are also subject to activities involving team building...
for both events, and Ricardo Echevarría, also from Estudiantes, was fitness coach.
Estudiantes was relegated for the second time after the 1993–94 season, and again returned to the first division the very next season, which was the breakout year for Juan Sebastián Verón
Juan Sebastián Verón
Juan Sebastián Verón is an Argentinian professional football player who is the current captain and midfielder for Estudiantes de La Plata in the Argentine Primera División....
(son of former player Juan Ramón). In the ensuing years, the club had irregular results, and became known mostly as the breeding ground for strikers such as Martín Palermo
Martín Palermo
Martín Palermo is a retired Argentine footballer who formerly played for Boca Juniors of Argentina, and the Argentina national team...
, Luciano Galletti
Luciano Galletti
Luciano Martín Galletti is a former Argentine football right winger Forward last playing for Olympiacos CFP in Greece.-Playing career:...
, Bernardo Romeo, Ernesto Farías
Ernesto Farías
Ernesto Antonio Farías is an Argentine footballer who plays for Cruzeiro Esporte Clube in Brazil, as a striker.-Club career:...
and Mariano Pavone
Mariano Pavone
Hugo Mariano Pavone is an Argentine footballer who plays for Club Atlético Lanús in the Argentine Primera División, as a striker.-Estudiantes:...
, as well as other quality players such as José Ernesto Sosa
José Ernesto Sosa
José Ernesto Sosa is an Argentine football attacking midfielder who plays for Ukrainian club Metalist Kharkiv.- Career :Sosa played for Estudiantes between 2002 and 2007...
and Pablo Piatti
Pablo Piatti
Pablo Daniel Piatti is an Argentine footballer who plays for Valencia CF in Spain. He operates mainly as a left winger, but can also play as a second striker or a forward.-Estudiantes:...
.
Bilardo returned as coach in 2003, with new management bent on rebuilding the club in his winning ways. Some young players were promoted, such as Marcos Angeleri
Marcos Angeleri
Marcos Alberto Angeleri is an Argentine footballer who plays for Sunderland as a defender.-Estudiantes:Born in La Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Angeleri made his first appearance for Estudiantes in 2002...
and José Ernesto Sosa. When Bilardo departed, the team remained a contender under coaches Reinaldo Merlo and Jorge Burruchaga
Jorge Burruchaga
Jorge Luis Burruchaga is a former Argentine professional football player, and last manager of Arsenal de Sarandí in the Primera División Argentina...
. The team made history when it came from behind (0–3 in midtime) to win 4–3 against Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
vian Sporting Cristal
Sporting Cristal
Club Sporting Cristal is a Peruvian football team. Based in the Rímac District, in the department of Lima, it plays in the professional league known as the Peruvian First Division. Founded on November 16, 1926 in the Rimac District given its approval to the merger and Snuff Sporting merging with...
in a Libertadores match played on 21 February 2006.
On May 18, 2006, Burruchaga was replaced with another former Argentine international, Diego Simeone, who built the team around Juan Sebastián Verón, who returned to Estudiantes after 11 years. Simeone's team was eliminated by São Paulo
São Paulo Futebol Clube
São Paulo Futebol Clube , commonly known as São Paulo, is a professional football club based in São Paulo, Brazil. They play in the Campeonato Paulista, São Paulo's state league, and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A or Brasileirão, Brazil's national league, and are one of the only five clubs to...
in a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals of the 2006 Copa Libertadores, but went on to an impressive campaign in the local league during the 2006 Apertura. It amassed ten straight wins (tying the club record), including an unprecedented 7–0 win against Gimnasia in the La Plata derby
La Plata derby
The La Plata derby is one of the most fiercely contested derbies in Argentine football. It is played between Estudiantes de La Plata and Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata....
, played 15 October 2006. Estudiantes finished the regular season tied for first place with Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
(per Argentine league rules, goal difference is not used to define the champion). A winner-take-all final match was played on December 13, 2006. Estudiantes came from behind to defeat Boca Juniors 2–1, thus securing its first first division title in 23 years. During this campaign, Estudiantes defeated all the "big five", allowed the least goals, and three of their players (Pavone, Verón and Braña
Rodrigo Braña
Rodrigo Braña is an Argentine football midfielder. He currently plays for Estudiantes de La Plata of the Argentine Primera División.-Career:...
) were ranked as the league's top three by sports diary Olé.
Simeone left the team after the 2007 Apertura, and was replaced by former S.S. Lazio
S.S. Lazio
Società Sportiva Lazio, commonly referred to as Lazio, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. The team, founded in 1900, play in the Serie A and have spent most of their history in the top tier of Italian football...
teammate Roberto Sensini. After a weak finish in the 2008 Clausura, Sensini was replaced with Leonardo Astrada
Leonardo Astrada
Leonardo Rubén Astrada is a retired Argentine football player, who went on to become a football manager. He currently manages Paraguayan team Cerro Porteño.-Playing career:...
. Under his guidance, Estudiantes reached the final of the 2008 Copa Sudamericana, which it lost to Brazilian side SC Internacional
Sport Club Internacional
Sport Club Internacional is a Brazilian football team and multi-sport club from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, founded on April 4, 1909, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Cruzeiro. They play in red shirts, white shorts and...
. Shortly thereafter, a string of bad results caused Astrada's departure.
On March 2009, former player Alejandro Sabella
Alejandro Sabella
Alejandro Sabella is an Argentine football manager and former player. He is currently the coach of the Argentina national football team.-Early career:...
became head coach, his first such engagement (his coaching experience was limited to being an assistant to Daniel Passarella
Daniel Passarella
Daniel Alberto Passarella is a former Argentine football centre back and former manager of the Argentine and Uruguayan national football teams. He was captain of the Argentina team that won the 1978 World Cup...
). The team improved their standing in the local league and advanced to the final of the 2009 Copa Libertadores, winning 2–1 on aggregate over Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube is a Brazilian football team, from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Internacional. Founded on January 2, 1921, they are only one of three clubs to have participated in...
after a goal-less draw in La Plata and an away win on 15 July 2009. Verón was chosen as the competition's most valuable player, and Mauro Boselli
Mauro Boselli
Mauro Boselli is an Argentine football forward who currently plays for Estudiantes on loan from Wigan Athletic.-Boca Juniors:...
was its top goalscorer, with a decisive header in the final match. Thus, Estudiantes earned the right to play the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup
2009 FIFA Club World Cup
-Play-off for Quarter-finals:-Quarter-finals:-----Semi-finals:-----Match for fifth place:-Match for third place:-Final:-Scorers:4 goals Denilson...
in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
.
In that event, Estudiantes won their semifinal match against Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...
2–1, and lost the final against FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
2–1 in extra time, after a 1–1 tie in regulation time.
After the Club World Cup participation, Estudiantes finished second in the 2010 Clausura (with local favorite José Sosa playing on loan), and won the 2010 Apertura after a protracted battle against Vélez Sarsfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield is a sports club based in the Liniers neighborhood of western Buenos Aires, Argentina. Vélez is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División, the top level of the Argentine league system...
. The team was in transition following the departure of Sosa and the sales of Boselli, right back Marcos Angeleri
Marcos Angeleri
Marcos Alberto Angeleri is an Argentine footballer who plays for Sunderland as a defender.-Estudiantes:Born in La Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Angeleri made his first appearance for Estudiantes in 2002...
, and other key players.
Facilities
For many international games in the Zubeldía era, Estudiantes played in Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
' La Bombonera
Estadio Alberto J. Armando
The Estadio Alberto J. Armando is a stadium located in the La Boca district of Buenos Aires. Widely known as La Bombonera due to its shape, with a "flat" stand on one side of the pitch and three steep stands round the rest of the stadium...
, noted for its intimidating acoustics.
With the erection of Estadio Ciudad de La Plata
Estadio Ciudad de La Plata
The Estadio Ciudad de La Plata is a multi-purpose stadium located in the city of La Plata, Argentina. It is also known popularly as the Estadio Único and is owned by the Province of Buenos Aires, administered jointly by the provincial government, the Municipality of La Plata, and the football clubs...
in the 1990s, both Estudiantes and Gimnasia decided initially against relocating their home games. However, Estudiantes's field was closed down in September 2005 because of new safety regulations which forbid standing-only wooden stands. This began a sequence of political infighting between the club and City Hall.
During the 2005 Apertura tournament, Estudiantes played its home games in the nearby Gimnasia stadium, and after that in Quilmes Atlético Club
Quilmes Atlético Club
Quilmes Atlético Club is a sports clubs of Argentina, based on the Partido de Quilmes, Buenos Aires Province. Quilmes is one of the oldest clubs of Argentina, having been founded in 1887. Its football squad currently plays in the Primera B Nacional Division....
's Centenario
Estadio José Luis Meiszner
Estadio Centenario Dr. José Luis Meiszner is football stadium in Quilmes, Argentina. The stadium has a capacity of 30,200 people. It was re-built in 1998....
field. There, Estudiantes made history with a come-from-behind 4–3 Libertadores win against Sporting Cristal.
On April 2006 a court decree allowed the re-opening of 1 y 57, but mayor Julio Alak
Julio Alak
Julio César Alak is an Argentine politician, the former mayor of provincial capital La Plata, and currently the President's Attorney General.-Political career:Alak was born in Benito Juárez, a pampas town in Buenos Aires Province...
intervened again to prevent this from happening. In August 2006, an agreement was reached to build sitting room for 20,000 (later amended to 23,000) and using the city stadium for games exceeding that capacity. Renovation work on the stadium started in 2007, and has met with opposition from several groups, notably the "Hoja de Tilo" NGO, who claims that the works would damage the environmental balance of the park behind the stadium.
Meanwhile, Estudiantes settled in the city stadium, where it earned five consecutive derby wins, and had a streak of 37 games undefeated in the local league (2007–2009). When roofing work began in August 2009 to install a new roof in the city stadium, Estudiantes moved once again to Quilmes. As the city stadium will host the 2011 Copa América, it is expected to reopen in time for the 2011 Clausura.
Estudiantes' training grounds are located in the Country Club premises in City Bell
City Bell
City Bell is a small town located in the partido of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is located some 50 kilometers from Buenos Aires and 10 from La Plata. It forms part of the Greater La Plata urban agglomeration....
, north of La Plata. Many facilities were paid for by Juan Sebastián Verón while he played in Europe. Verón was also instrumental in the negotiations over the stadium, meeting then president Néstor Kirchner
Néstor Kirchner
Néstor Carlos Kirchner was an Argentine politician who served as the 54th President of Argentina from 25 May 2003 until 10 December 2007. Previously, he was Governor of Santa Cruz Province since 10 December 1991. He briefly served as Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations ...
to unlock the process that was being stalled by mayor Alak.
Supporters
Within the La Plata area, Estudiantes was traditionally regarded as the club of the middle classMiddle class
The middle class is any class of people in the middle of a societal hierarchy. In Weberian socio-economic terms, the middle class is the broad group of people in contemporary society who fall socio-economically between the working class and upper class....
, while rival side Gimnasia y Esgrima was identified with the working class
Working class
Working class is a term used in the social sciences and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs , often extending to those in unemployment or otherwise possessing below-average incomes...
. This characterization seems to be outdated. While the two clubs have roughly the same pull in and around La Plata, Estudiantes has more of a nation-wide following, especially after its international successes in the 1960s. There used to be much discussion about which club has the larger following, but Estudiantes seems to have pulled forward.
For several periods in the club's history, a cadre of fans from Buenos Aires (los porteños) were a powerful element within the base. A famous fan since the 1960s is Raúl Bernechea, known as el pelapapas (the "potato peeler") after his job as a kitchen hand, famous for lighting bonfires during games, juggling and performing other stunts http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WBDudQMCcSg/StYxB1VEIvI/AAAAAAAAGoE/35cagBii8Gg/s1600-h/pelap1.jpg.
Author Ernesto Sabato
Ernesto Sabato
Ernesto Sabato , was an Argentine writer, painter and physicist. According to the BBC he "won some of the most prestigious prizes in Hispanic literature" and "became very influential in the literary world throughout Latin America"...
is an Estudiantes sympathizer, and was honored with a ceremony where he was given a No. 10 jersey. Arturo Jauretche
Arturo Jauretche
Arturo Martín Jauretche was an Argentine writer, politician, and philosopher.-Early years:...
mentioned Estudiantes in one of his books .
Other noted fans include tennis player Juan Mónaco
Juan Mónaco
Juan Mónaco , nicknamed "Pico", is a male tennis player from Argentina. He reached a career-high ranking of World No. 14 on February 4, 2008. He is sponsored by Adidas and Yonex.-Biography:...
, actor Jorge D'Elía
Jorge D'Elía
Jorge D'Elía is a film and television actor.Two of his most recent films have been critically well received: El Abrazo partido and El Aura .-Filmography :...
, filmmaker and politician Fernando Solanas
Fernando Solanas
Fernando Ezequiel 'Pino' Solanas is an Argentine film director, screenwriter and politician....
, and journalist Osvaldo Príncipi.
In the 1983 presidential election, Estudiantes fans were, together with their peers from Vélez Sársfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield is a sports club based in the Liniers neighborhood of western Buenos Aires, Argentina. Vélez is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División, the top level of the Argentine league system...
, the first to voice their support for eventual winner Raúl Alfonsín
Raúl Alfonsín
Raúl Ricardo Alfonsín was an Argentine lawyer, politician and statesman, who served as the President of Argentina from December 10, 1983, to July 8, 1989. Alfonsín was the first democratically-elected president of Argentina following the military government known as the National Reorganization...
in his bid against the Peronistas
Peronism
Peronism , or Justicialism , is an Argentine political movement based on the programmes associated with former President Juan Perón and his second wife, Eva Perón...
. The friendship with Vélez supporters has since vanished, especially after an Estudiantes win denied Vélez the 2003 championship.
Estudiantes is on friendly terms with several clubs from the South side of Greater Buenos Aires
Greater Buenos Aires
Greater Buenos Aires is the generic denomination to refer to the megalopolis comprising the autonomous city of Buenos Aires and the conurbation around it, over the province of Buenos Aires—namely the adjacent 24 partidos or municipalities—which nonetheless do not constitute a single administrative...
; especially Quilmes
Quilmes Atlético Club
Quilmes Atlético Club is a sports clubs of Argentina, based on the Partido de Quilmes, Buenos Aires Province. Quilmes is one of the oldest clubs of Argentina, having been founded in 1887. Its football squad currently plays in the Primera B Nacional Division....
and Témperley
Club Atlético Temperley
Club Atlético Temperley is a sports club from the city of Temperley in Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina. The club is mostly known for its football team, which currently plays in the Primera B Metropolitana, the regionalised third division of the Argentine football league system.-History:Temperley...
. Platense
Club Atlético Platense
Club Atlético Platense is an Argentine sports club based in Vicente López, in the north side of Greater Buenos Aires. The club nickname is Calamar after the journalist Palacio Zino said that the team moved "like a squid in its ink"....
, from the North side of Greater Buenos Aires, held a special place in the hearts of Estudiantes fans, as it cemented Gimnasia's relegation in 1979 (Platense currently plays in the lower divisions).
Estudiantes is also friendly with the Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
an fan base of Peñarol, once their classic Libertadores rivals.
Estudiantes shares colors with Spanish side Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
, and during a period in the 1950s, both institutions shared a reputation for confronting the government (Bilbao as a Basque
Basque people
The Basques as an ethnic group, primarily inhabit an area traditionally known as the Basque Country , a region that is located around the western end of the Pyrenees on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and straddles parts of north-central Spain and south-western France.The Basques are known in the...
nationalist side against the Franco regime
Spanish State
Francoist Spain refers to a period of Spanish history between 1936 and 1975 when Spain was under the authoritarian dictatorship of Francisco Franco....
, and Estudiantes against Peronism
Peronism
Peronism , or Justicialism , is an Argentine political movement based on the programmes associated with former President Juan Perón and his second wife, Eva Perón...
). During these times, Bilbao donated a set of jerseys to Estudiantes. The relationship has been rekindled in the 2000s through Argentine expatriates and partisan blogs http://antifierro.blogspot.com/2009/11/bienvenidos-hermanos-de-bilbao.html.
Nicknames
The nickname pincharratas (rat stabbers), often shortened to pinchas, comes from the nickname of Felipe Montedónica, who spent much time chasing after rats in the La Plata market in the 1910s and 1920s, and hence was known as "el pincharratas". Pictures exist of Montedónica with some of the players, where his nickname is mentioned http://antifierro.blogspot.com/2010/09/yo-conoci-pincharrata.html. Traditionally, the nickname is also associated with the laboratory work done by the many MedicineMedicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
students among the club's early members.
This nickname extends to the fans. It is common to hear fans say "soy del pincha" ("I am pincha").
Fans also call the team el león (the lion), el orgullo de la ciudad (the pride of the city), los capos de La Plata (the bosses of La Plata), and el único campeón de la ciudad (the only one champion of the city), because they are the only one team in the city that won an official tournament.
For several years, many chants incorporated the word Tricampeón (three-time champion) because of the Libertadores three-peat
Three-peat
Three-peat is a contraction of the words three and repeat, which has been trademarked for commercial use by retired basketball coach Pat Riley; the active trademarks in force are registered under numbers 1552980, 1878690, and 1886018...
. After the 2009 Libertadores final, some of the newer lyrics use the word Tetracampeón (four-time champion).
Notable players
To appear in this section a player must have played at least 50 games for the clubLos Profesores Miguel Ángel Lauri Miguel Angel Lauri Miguel Ángel Lauri, known in France as Michel Lauri was an Argentine footballer , he played for Estudiantes de La Plata and the Argentina national football team.... (1928–37)  Alejandro "Conejo" Scopelli (1928–33) Alberto "Don Padilla" ZozayaAlberto Zozaya Alberto Maximo Zozaya is a former Argentine football striker, he played most of his career for Estudiantes de La Plata and represented the Argentina national football team.-Playing career:... (1930–39) Manuel "El Piloto Olímpico" Ferreira Manuel Ferreira Manuel Ferreira was an Argentine footballer who was a member of the Argentina national team.... (1924–33), (1935–36) Enrique GuaitaEnrique Guaita Enrique Guaita commonly known as "Enrico Guaita" was an Italian Argentine footballer who played for both Argentina and Italy... (1931–33), (1938–40) |
1930's-1960's Armando "El Nene" Nery (1931–37) Saúl "Toro" Calandra Saúl Calandra Saúl H. Calandra was an Argentine football midfielder who competed in the 1928 Olympic games.... (1920's & 30's) Roberto Sbarra (1931–41) Raúl Sbarra (1931–36) José Rafael Meza Ivankovich (1930's) Manuel "Payo" Pellegrina Manuel Pellegrina Manuel Gregorio Pelegrina "" is a former Argentine football striker. He is the highest scoring player in the history of Estudiantes de La Plata and represented the Argentina national football team.... (1938–52), (1954–56) Juan José "Pichón" Negri (1938–47), (1958) Gabriel Ogando (1939–52) Walter Garcerón (1941–55) Ricardo "Beto" Infante Ricardo Infante Ricardo Roberto "Beto" Infante is a former Argentine football striker. He is the 2nd highest scoring player in the history of Estudiantes de La Plata and the 6th highest scoring player in the professional era of the Primera División Argentina.Infante made his professional debut in 1942 for... (1942–52), (1957–60) Héctor "El Cochero" Antonio (1948–61) Alberto Bouché (1946–55) Juan Urriolabeitia (1952–56) Rafael Albrecht Rafael Albrecht José Rafael Albrecht is a retired Argentine football defender. He represented Argentina at the 1962 and 1966 World Cups.... (1960–62) Zubeldía's team Eduardo "Bocha" Flores Eduardo Flores Eduardo Raúl Flores is a former Argentine football striker. He played for Estudiantes de La Plata in Argentina and Nancy in France.... (1962–71) Oscar "Cacho" Malbernat Oscar Malbernat Oscar Miguel Malbernat is a retired Argentine footballer, who was the captain of Estudiantes de La Plata between 1967 and 1972, when the team won a local championship in 1967, three consecutive Copa Libertadores titles and one Intercontinental Cup , where he marked Manchester United's George... (1962–72) Juan Ramón Verón Juan Ramón Verón Juan Ramón Verón is an Argentine football coach and former professional player.-Estudiantes:Nicknamed La Bruja , Juan Ramón Verón was a midfielder and striker renowned for his technical ability. He played for Estudiantes de La Plata, who were a dominant force in Argentine football during the late... "La Bruja" (1962–72), (1975), (1980–81) Dr. Raúl Horacio Madero Raúl Madero Raúl Horacio Madero is an Argentine sports physician and former football player. He served two terms as the physician of the Argentina national football team.-Sporting career:... (1963–69) Carlos Pachamé Carlos Pachamé Carlos Oscar Pachamé is a former Argentine footballer and coach.-Playing career:As a player, Pachamé was a defensive midfielder for the Estudiantes de La Plata team that won three successive editions of the Copa Libertadores.... (1963–71), (1973–76) Dr. Carlos Salvador Bilardo Carlos Bilardo Carlos Salvador Bilardo is an Argentine former football player and coach, who is currently the General Manager of the Argentina national football team.... (1965–70) Alberto Poletti (1965–70) Ramón Aguirre Suárez Ramón Aguirre Suárez Ramón Alberto Aguirre Suárez is an Argentine former footballer, famous for his play in the successful Estudiantes de La Plata team of 1967-1970.-Career:... (1966–71) Eduardo Luján Manera Eduardo Luján Manera Eduardo Luján Manera was an Argentine football defender, and a manager who won the Argentine Primera with Estudiantes de La Plata as player and manager.-Titles:As a player... (1966–71) Néstor Togneri Néstor Togneri Néstor Rubén Togneri was an Argentine footballer.He played mostly for Estudiantes de La Plata as a central defender or defensive midfielder, and was part of the 1974 FIFA World Cup Argentina national football team... (1968–75) Marcos Conigliaro (1965–70) Juan Echecopar (1966–71) José Hugo Medina (1968–74) 1970's-1980's Oscar Pezzano Oscar Pezzano Oscar Pezzano was an Argentine football goalkeeper, notable for his years in Estudiantes de La Plata.Pezzano started his career in Buenos Aires minor-league club Sacachispas, and joined Estudiantes in 1970... (1970–76) Vicente Pernía Vicente Pernía Vicente Alberto Pernía , known as El Tano , is a former Argentine professional footballer. He then went on to a second career as a car racing driver.-Club career:... (1969–72) Ignacio "Chango" Peña Rubén Oscar Pagnanini Rubén Pagnanini Rubén Oscar Pagnanini is an Argentine former football player who played for the Argentina national team.... (1968–77) Patricio Hernández Patricio Hernández Patricio Hernández is an Argentine football coach and former player.Hernández started his career in 1974 at Estudiantes de La Plata, a club that he would later manage. He soon earned a reputation as a skillful attacking midfielder, with a very precise shot. He was transferred to Italian team... (1973–82) Rubén Horacio Galletti Rubén Horacio Galletti Rubén Horacio Galletti is a former Argentine football who two Primera División championships and played for the Argentina national team.... (1973–77), (1980–82) Franco Frasoldatti (1975–77) Alfredo Letanú (1976–78) Sergio Elio Fortunato (1978–79), (1984) |
Bilardo's champions José Luis Brown (1975–83) Miguel Angel Russo Miguel Ángel Russo Miguel Ángel Russo is an Argentine football coach and former player, who now coaches Estudiantes.-Career:... (1975–88) Hugo Ernesto Gottardi Hugo Ernesto Gottardi Hugo Ernesto Gottardi is a former Agentine football player and coach.-Playing career:Gottardi made his mark as a striker, first with Racing Club de Avellaneda and then with Estudiantes de La Plata, where he scored most of his goals, as top scorer of the team that won back-to-back championship... (1976–83) Abel Ernesto Herrera Abel Ernesto Herrera Abel Ernesto Herrera is a former Argentine football left back. He holds the record for the most league appearances for Estudiantes de La Plata in the professional era with 467.... (1977–88) José Daniel Ponce José Daniel Ponce José Daniel Ponce is a former Argentine football player, who was part of the Estudiantes de La Plata team that won two back-to-back championships in 1982 and 1983.... (1980–84), (1988) Guillermo Trama (1981–86) Alejandro Sabella Alejandro Sabella Alejandro Sabella is an Argentine football manager and former player. He is currently the coach of the Argentina national football team.-Early career:... (1982–85), (1987) Julián Camino Julián Camino Julián Camino is a former Argentine football right back who won two league titles with Estudiantes de La Plata and was part of the Argentina squad for Copa América 1983, and since August 2011 is a member of the coaching squad of the Argentina national football team as field assistant to Alejandro... (1982–87) Marcelo Antonio Trobbiani (1982–83), (1987–88) Luis Islas Luis Islas Luis Alberto Islas Ranieri is a former football goalkeeper. He played for the Argentina national team, Independiente, Estudiantes de La Plata and León.... (1983–86) 1980's-present Ricardo Iribarren Ricardo Iribarren Ricardo Iribarren is an Argentine footballer who played for a number of teams in Argentina, Ecuador, and United States .... (1986–1991, 1992–1994) Néstor Craviotto Néstor Craviotto Néstor Oscar Craviotto is an Argentine football manager and former player, who last managerial job was with The Strongest in the Bolivian first division.- Career :... (1983–90), (1995–96) Rodolfo Cardoso Rodolfo Esteban Cardoso Rodolfo Esteban Cardoso is a retired Argentine football midfielder who spent the majority of his playing career in Germany. He is head coach of the reserve team of Hamburger SV.-Career:... (1987~89, 1998~99) Edgardo Prátola Edgardo Prátola Edgardo Fabián Prátola was an Argentine football player.His career started as a defender with Estudiantes de La Plata, where his devotion was noted as one of the reasons the club returned from relegation in 1995. Prátola owned the No... (1988–96), (2000–02) Rubén "El Mago" Capria Rubén Capria Rubén Oscar Capria . is a former Argentine football midfielder who played professional football in Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile and Uruguay.... (1989–95) Martín "El Loco" Palermo Martín Palermo Martín Palermo is a retired Argentine footballer who formerly played for Boca Juniors of Argentina, and the Argentina national team... (1991–97) Carlos Bossio Carlos Bossio Carlos Gustavo Bossio is an Argentine football goalkeeper who currently plays for Querétaro FC of the Mexico.... (1994–99) Luciano Galletti Luciano Galletti Luciano Martín Galletti is a former Argentine football right winger Forward last playing for Olympiacos CFP in Greece.-Playing career:... (1998–2000) Ernesto "Tecla" Farías Ernesto Farías Ernesto Antonio Farías is an Argentine footballer who plays for Cruzeiro Esporte Clube in Brazil, as a striker.-Club career:... (1998–2004) Juan Ángel Krupoviesa (1999-05) Pablo "Payaso" Luguercio Pablo Lugüercio Pablo Ariel Lugüercio is an Argentine football striker, who currently plays for Racing Club de Avellaneda of the Primera Division Argentina.... (2001–02), (2003–04), (2006–08) Marcos Alberto Angeleri Marcos Angeleri Marcos Alberto Angeleri is an Argentine footballer who plays for Sunderland as a defender.-Estudiantes:Born in La Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Angeleri made his first appearance for Estudiantes in 2002... (2002–10) Mariano Pavone Mariano Pavone Hugo Mariano Pavone is an Argentine footballer who plays for Club Atlético Lanús in the Argentine Primera División, as a striker.-Estudiantes:... (2002–07) José Ernesto Sosa José Ernesto Sosa José Ernesto Sosa is an Argentine football attacking midfielder who plays for Ukrainian club Metalist Kharkiv.- Career :Sosa played for Estudiantes between 2002 and 2007... (2002–07), (2010) Fernando Ortiz Fernando Ortiz (footballer) Fernando Ortiz is an Argentine football defender who currently plays for Vélez Sársfield in the Argentine Primera División.-Career:... (2004–06) Pablo Sebastián Alvarez Pablo Sebastián Álvarez Pablo Sebastián Álvarez Valeira is an Argentine football defender who currently plays for Calcio Catania, in the Italian Serie A... (2005–07) Pablo Piatti Pablo Piatti Pablo Daniel Piatti is an Argentine footballer who plays for Valencia CF in Spain. He operates mainly as a left winger, but can also play as a second striker or a forward.-Estudiantes:... (2006–08) Mariano Andújar Mariano Andújar Mariano Gonzalo Andújar is an Argentine football goalkeeper. He currently plays for Calcio Catania in the Italian Serie A.-Club Atlético Huracán:... (2006–09) José Luis Calderón José Luis Calderón José Luis Calderón is an Argentine former football striker. He played for 17 years between 1989 and 2006 without winning a trophy, but since then, between the ages of 36 and 39 he won four major championships with three different teams.... (1992–95), (2005–07), (2008–09) Mauro Boselli Mauro Boselli Mauro Boselli is an Argentine football forward who currently plays for Estudiantes on loan from Wigan Athletic.-Boca Juniors:... (2008–10) Marcos Rojo Marcos Rojo Faustino Marcos Alberto Rojo , is an Argentine football defender who plays for FC Spartak Moscow of the Russian Premier League.... (2008–11) |
see also
Top goalscorers
Manuel Gregorio PelegrinaManuel Pellegrina
Manuel Gregorio Pelegrina "" is a former Argentine football striker. He is the highest scoring player in the history of Estudiantes de La Plata and represented the Argentina national football team....
(235 goals in 489 matches) Ricardo Roberto Infante
Ricardo Infante
Ricardo Roberto "Beto" Infante is a former Argentine football striker. He is the 2nd highest scoring player in the history of Estudiantes de La Plata and the 6th highest scoring player in the professional era of the Primera División Argentina.Infante made his professional debut in 1942 for...
(180 goals in 328 matches) Alberto Máximo Zozaya
Alberto Zozaya
Alberto Maximo Zozaya is a former Argentine football striker, he played most of his career for Estudiantes de La Plata and represented the Argentina national football team.-Playing career:...
(144 goals in 181 matches) Hugo Ernesto Gottardi
Hugo Ernesto Gottardi
Hugo Ernesto Gottardi is a former Agentine football player and coach.-Playing career:Gottardi made his mark as a striker, first with Racing Club de Avellaneda and then with Estudiantes de La Plata, where he scored most of his goals, as top scorer of the team that won back-to-back championship...
(125 goals in 310 matches)
Top goalscorers in Primera
- 1931 Campeonato Argentino : Alberto Máximo ZozayaAlberto ZozayaAlberto Maximo Zozaya is a former Argentine football striker, he played most of his career for Estudiantes de La Plata and represented the Argentina national football team.-Playing career:...
(33 goals in 34 matches) - 1973 Metropolitano : Ignacio "Chango" Peña (17 goals in 32 matches)
- 1977 Nacional : Alfredo Letanú (13 goals in 16 matches)
- 1979 Metropolitano : Sergio Elio Fortunato (14 goals in 19 matches)
- 1995 Apertura : José Luis CalderónJosé Luis CalderónJosé Luis Calderón is an Argentine former football striker. He played for 17 years between 1989 and 2006 without winning a trophy, but since then, between the ages of 36 and 39 he won four major championships with three different teams....
(13 goals in 18 matches) - 2003 Apertura : Ernesto Tecla FaríasErnesto FaríasErnesto Antonio Farías is an Argentine footballer who plays for Cruzeiro Esporte Clube in Brazil, as a striker.-Club career:...
(12 goals in 16 matches) - 2005 Clausura : Mariano PavoneMariano PavoneHugo Mariano Pavone is an Argentine footballer who plays for Club Atlético Lanús in the Argentine Primera División, as a striker.-Estudiantes:...
(16 goals in 19 matches) - 2010 Clausura : Mauro BoselliMauro BoselliMauro Boselli is an Argentine football forward who currently plays for Estudiantes on loan from Wigan Athletic.-Boca Juniors:...
(13 goals in 14 matches)
Honors
National- Amateur EraAmateur Era in Argentine footballThe amateur era in Argentine football lasted between 1891 and 1931.-History:The first league tournament outside the United Kingdom took place in Argentina in 1891, it was dominated by British expatriate players and teams. The Scottish influence is evident in the names of the league's first winners...
(1): FAF 19131913 in Argentine football1913 in Argentine football saw Racing Club de Avellaneda win their first league championship, they also won the Copa de Honor Municipalidad de Buenos Aires and the Copa de Honor Cousenier.... - Primera División (5): 1967 Metropolitano, 1982 Metropolitano, 1983 Nacional, 2006 Apertura, 2010 Apertura
- Segunda División (4): 1911, 1935, 1954, 1994–95
International
- Copa Libertadores (4): 1968, 1969, 1970, 2009
- Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
(1): 19681968 Intercontinental CupThe 1968 Intercontinental Cup was a football tie held over two legs in 1968 between the winners of the 1967–68 European Cup, Manchester United, and Estudiantes de La Plata, winners of the 1968 Copa Libertadores.... - Interamerican Cup (1): 1969