Hugo Gatti
Encyclopedia
Hugo Orlando Gatti, Loco Gatti (born August 19, 1944) is a former Argentine
professional football
goalkeeper who played in the Argentine First Division for 26 seasons and set a record of 765 appearances. He won three national championships, two Copa Libertadores tournaments, and one Intercontinental Cup
with Boca Juniors
, and played professionally until the age of 44.
Gatti, nicknamed El Loco (The Madman) was recognized for his charisma, his innovative playing style for his position and his eccentricity. He developed himself into a goalkeeper who relied on positional play rather than on his reflexes. He would frequently leave the penalty area
to function as an additional field player, and join his teammates in defense – and many times in attack. Unlike most goalkeepers of his era, he made extensive use of his feet, head, and chest to control or strike the ball. He was one of the pioneers of the achique, the goalkeeping technique of running out to challenge an oncoming opposing player. He was also notable at facing penalty kicks, saving 26 of them throughout his career, tied for the most ever in Primera División with contemporary goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol
.
Gatti was voted Player of the Year of Argentina
in 1982, and was ranked as the third best Argentine goalkeeper of the 20th Century in a poll by the IFFHS.
, Province of Buenos Aires, Gatti was the youngest of four brothers. During his youth he was adept of playing as a forward
, which according to himself was the best way of knowing how forwards tend to think and behave.
In 1960, at the age of 16, he attended a C.A. River Plate match and saw Amadeo Carrizo
play, who would become one of his role model
s as a goalkeeper. He then started playing for Atlanta
in the Argentine sixth division. His Primera División debut came in 1962 against Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata
.
, until he was transferred to Gimnasia y Esgrima, for which he appeared in 244 league matches between 1969 and 1974. In 1975, he joined Unión de Santa Fe
, which put on an impressive season with coach Juan Carlos Lorenzo.
, it was in that club where he became legendary, and it is Boca Juniors the club he is historically most associated with. Gatti played a total 381 league matches and 47 Copa Libertadores matches for the Xeneizes
from 1976 until his retirement in 1988. He is the goalkeeper with the most appearances in Boca Juniors history and the second overall player behind Roberto Mouzo
, who played in 396 league matches.
His debut with Boca occurred on February 15, 1976. In 1977 he won the double
of the Metropolitano
and the Copa Libertadores. In the Copa Libertadores final, he saved a crucial penalty kick by Cruzeiro
player Vanderlei. The following year, Boca won the Copa Libertadores again, and then beat Borussia Mönchengladbach
in the final of the Intercontinental Cup
. He won his third Metropolitano in 1981.
The 1980s were a difficult time for Boca, and Gatti had periods of inactivity during those years. His last match was on September 11, 1988, a day in which an error by him cost him Boca the result. He was made a reserve after that, and he would never play an official match again.
On January 24, 1984, a friendly match between Boca Juniors and Gimnasia y Esgrima was played as a tribute to him.
, Gatti won 18 caps
. between 1967 and 1977. His international debut was on August 13, 1967 against Paraguay
. He was part of the 1966 World Cup
squad, but did not play as the first choice keeper was Antonio Roma
. Argentina did not qualify for the 1970
, and for the 1974 tournament
, he was not selected to the squad. He was a starter during many friendlies prior to the 1978 World Cup
under coach Cesar Menotti, but Gatti was left out of the finals squad in favour of Ubaldo Fillol
.
His last international match was on June 5, 1977.
Individual honours
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 football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
goalkeeper who played in the Argentine First Division for 26 seasons and set a record of 765 appearances. He won three national championships, two Copa Libertadores tournaments, and one 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...
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....
, and played professionally until the age of 44.
Gatti, nicknamed El Loco (The Madman) was recognized for his charisma, his innovative playing style for his position and his eccentricity. He developed himself into a goalkeeper who relied on positional play rather than on his reflexes. He would frequently leave the penalty area
Penalty area
The penalty area , is an area of an association football pitch. It is rectangular and extends to each side of the goal and in front of it. Within the penalty area is the penalty spot , which is from the goal line, directly in-line with the centre of the goal...
to function as an additional field player, and join his teammates in defense – and many times in attack. Unlike most goalkeepers of his era, he made extensive use of his feet, head, and chest to control or strike the ball. He was one of the pioneers of the achique, the goalkeeping technique of running out to challenge an oncoming opposing player. He was also notable at facing penalty kicks, saving 26 of them throughout his career, tied for the most ever in Primera División with contemporary goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol
Ubaldo Fillol
Ubaldo Matildo Fillol , nicknamed el Pato , is an Argentine football coach and former goalkeeper. He took part in the 1974, 1978 and 1982 World Cups representing the Argentine national team...
.
Gatti was voted Player of the Year of Argentina
Player of the Year of Argentina
The Footballer of the Year of Argentina is a yearly award given by the Argentine Sports Journalists' Circle as one of the Olimpia Awards, the most important sports award in Argentina.The Olimpia...
in 1982, and was ranked as the third best Argentine goalkeeper of the 20th Century in a poll by the IFFHS.
Early life and career
Born in Carlos TejedorCarlos Tejedor
Carlos Tejedor may refer to:*Carlos Tejedor , governor of Buenos Aires *Carlos Tejedor Partido, an administrative district in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina*Carlos Tejedor, Buenos Aires, a city in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina...
, Province of Buenos Aires, Gatti was the youngest of four brothers. During his youth he was adept of playing as a forward
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
, which according to himself was the best way of knowing how forwards tend to think and behave.
In 1960, at the age of 16, he attended a C.A. River Plate match and saw Amadeo Carrizo
Amadeo Carrizo
Amadeo Raúl Carrizo is a former football goalkeeper. His nickname was 'Tarzán'. Carrizo was a pioneer, helping to innovate techniques and strategies for goalkeepers....
play, who would become one of his role model
Role model
The term role model generally means any "person who serves as an example, whose behaviour is emulated by others".The term first appeared in Robert K. Merton's socialization research of medical students...
s as a goalkeeper. He then started playing for Atlanta
Club Atlético Atlanta
Club Atlético Atlanta is an Argentine sports club from Buenos Aires. Nicknamed Los Bohemios , its football team won the 2010/11 Primera B Metropolitana championship and promoted to the Primera B Nacional for the 2011/12 season.-History:The club was founded on October the 12th, 1904 in Buenos...
in the Argentine sixth division. His Primera División debut came in 1962 against Gimnasia y Esgrima 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...
.
Professional club career
Gatti played 38 matches for Atlanta, and after that he was acquired by River Plate. He played 77 matches for River between 1964 and 1968, alternating as the first choice goalkeeper with Amadeo CarrizoAmadeo Carrizo
Amadeo Raúl Carrizo is a former football goalkeeper. His nickname was 'Tarzán'. Carrizo was a pioneer, helping to innovate techniques and strategies for goalkeepers....
, until he was transferred to Gimnasia y Esgrima, for which he appeared in 244 league matches between 1969 and 1974. In 1975, he joined Unión de Santa Fe
Unión de Santa Fe
Club Atlético Unión is a sports club from Santa Fe, the capital city of the province with the same name in Argentina. The club, founded in 1907, has a strong rivalry with Colón de Santa Fe....
, which put on an impressive season with coach Juan Carlos Lorenzo.
Boca Juniors
Although Gatti was already famous prior to his arrival to Boca JuniorsBoca 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....
, it was in that club where he became legendary, and it is Boca Juniors the club he is historically most associated with. Gatti played a total 381 league matches and 47 Copa Libertadores matches for the Xeneizes
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....
from 1976 until his retirement in 1988. He is the goalkeeper with the most appearances in Boca Juniors history and the second overall player behind Roberto Mouzo
Roberto Mouzo
Roberto Mouzo is a retired Argentine football defender. He was born on January 8, 1953, in the city of Avellaneda in the Buenos Aires Province of Argentina. He played the vast majority of his career for Club Atlético Boca Juniors of the Primera Division Argentina.-Playing career:Mouzo started his...
, who played in 396 league matches.
His debut with Boca occurred on February 15, 1976. In 1977 he won the double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
of the Metropolitano
Metropolitano championship
The Metropolitano championship was an Argentine football tournament that existed between 1967 and 1984. The Metropolitano formed one half of the Argentine 1st division taking place in the first half of the year, the Nacional took place in the 2nd half of the year. This arrangement lasted until 1982...
and the Copa Libertadores. In the Copa Libertadores final, he saved a crucial penalty kick by 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...
player Vanderlei. The following year, Boca won the Copa Libertadores again, and then beat Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach is a German association football club based in Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia. The team plays in the Bundesliga and is one of the country's most well-known, well-supported, and successful teams. Borussia Mönchengladbach has over 40,000 members and is the sixth...
in the final of the 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...
. He won his third Metropolitano in 1981.
The 1980s were a difficult time for Boca, and Gatti had periods of inactivity during those years. His last match was on September 11, 1988, a day in which an error by him cost him Boca the result. He was made a reserve after that, and he would never play an official match again.
On January 24, 1984, a friendly match between Boca Juniors and Gimnasia y Esgrima was played as a tribute to him.
National team
With the Argentine national teamArgentina 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...
, Gatti won 18 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
. between 1967 and 1977. His international debut was on August 13, 1967 against Paraguay
Paraguay national football team
The Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
. He was part of the 1966 World Cup
1966 FIFA World Cup
The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from 11 July to 30 July. England beat West Germany 4–2 in the final, winning the World Cup for the first time, so becoming the first host to win the tournament since Italy in 1934.-Host selection:England was chosen as...
squad, but did not play as the first choice keeper was Antonio Roma
Antonio Roma
Antonio Roma is a former Argentine football goalkeeper.Nicknamed Tarzan for the way of throwing himself for the ball, he started his professional career with Ferrocarril Oeste in 1955, where he played until 1959...
. Argentina did not qualify for the 1970
1970 FIFA World Cup
The 1970 FIFA World Cup, the ninth staging of the World Cup, was held in Mexico, from 31 May to 21 June. The 1970 tournament was the first World Cup hosted in North America, and the first held outside South America and Europe. In a match-up of two-time World Cup champions, the final was won by...
, and for the 1974 tournament
1974 FIFA World Cup
The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded...
, he was not selected to the squad. He was a starter during many friendlies prior to the 1978 World Cup
1978 FIFA World Cup
The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
under coach Cesar Menotti, but Gatti was left out of the finals squad in favour of Ubaldo Fillol
Ubaldo Fillol
Ubaldo Matildo Fillol , nicknamed el Pato , is an Argentine football coach and former goalkeeper. He took part in the 1974, 1978 and 1982 World Cups representing the Argentine national team...
.
His last international match was on June 5, 1977.
Post-retirement
Gatti has continued to be involved in football since his retirement as a player, writing columns and opinions that have been controversial at times. As of 2010 he lives in Spain and collaborates with several media.Honours
Team honours - All with Boca JuniorsBoca 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....
- MetropolitanoMetropolitano championshipThe Metropolitano championship was an Argentine football tournament that existed between 1967 and 1984. The Metropolitano formed one half of the Argentine 1st division taking place in the first half of the year, the Nacional took place in the 2nd half of the year. This arrangement lasted until 1982...
: 1976, 1981 - NacionalNacional championshipThe Nacional championship was an Argentine football tournament that existed between 1967 and 1985. The Nacional formed one half of the Argentine 1st division taking place in the second half of the year, the Metropolitano took place in the first half of the year. This arrangement lasted until 1982...
: 1976 - Copa Libertadores: 1977, 1978
- 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...
: 1978
Individual honours
- Player of the Year of ArgentinaPlayer of the Year of ArgentinaThe Footballer of the Year of Argentina is a yearly award given by the Argentine Sports Journalists' Circle as one of the Olimpia Awards, the most important sports award in Argentina.The Olimpia...
: 1982
Fact
- In 1980, Gatti said of then youth player Diego MaradonaDiego MaradonaDiego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
: "...es un gordito que juega muy bien al fútbol" ([Maradona] "is a fattie who plays football very well"). In a subsequent match, Maradona, at the time playing for Argentinos JuniorsArgentinos JuniorsAsociación Atlética Argentinos Juniors is an Argentine football club based in La Paternal, Buenos Aires. Founded on August 15, 1904, the club was originally called the “Martyrs of Chicago”, in homage to the eight anarchists imprisoned or hanged after the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago.-Early...
, scored 4 times against Boca and Gatti in a 5-2 win. Before the match he said that he would "put four past him" and he did.