Ángel Labruna

Football player infobox
playername = Ángel Labruna


fullname = Ángel Amadeo Labruna
height =
nickname =
dateofbirth = September 28 1918
cityofbirth = Buenos Aires
countryofbirth = Argentina
dateofdeath = September 20 1983 (Aged 64)
currentclub =
clubnumber =
position = Striker
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1939-1959
1960-1961
1961
1961
clubs = River Plate
Rampla Juniors
Platense
Rangers de Talca
caps(goals) = 515 (293)
016 0|00(3)
0|002 0|00(0)
0|005 0|00(0)
nationalyears = 1942-1958
nationalteam = Argentina
nationalcaps(goals) = 037 0(17)

pcupdate = July 2008

Angel Amadeo Labruna, (b. Buenos Aires September 28, 1918 - d. September 20 1983), was a football player and coach in Argentina. He is tied with Arsenio Erico as the all-time highest goalscorers in the Argentine first division. He was part of the celebrated River Plate forward, nicknamed "La Máquina" (The Machine), and he was considered one of the best South-American footballers of all time.

Biography

As Player

He started in River Plate on June 18, 1939 and played there for 20 years in the top league in his country. Won nine championships in the Argentina Tournament (1941, 1942, 1945, 1947, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956 y 1957) having the distinction of being top scorer twice (1943 with 23 goals and 1945 with 25) [ [http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/argtops.html rsssf topscorers in Argentina] ] .

He was part of his club's legendary team along with: Juan Carlos Muñoz, José Manuel Moreno, Adolfo Pedernera, and Félix Loustau, where he played as inner-left forward.

Labruna holds a number of records for River Plate, including his record 16 goals in the superclásico derby with fierce rivals Boca Juniors.

In 1959 Labruna left River Plate having defended their colors in 515 matches, scoring 293 goals making him the all-time highest goalscorer in the Argentine first division along with Arsenio Erico. He later played two seasons in the Chilean Rangers, and Uruguay's Rampla Juniors in Montevideo and Platense in Argentina, to retire when he was 43 years old.

Labruna played 37 matches for the Argentina National Team (scoring 17 goals). Won one Copa América (1955) and as a 40-year old he played in the final phase of World Cup in 1958 in Sweden [ [http://www.rsssf.com/tables/58full.html rsssf 1958 FIFA World Cup] ] .

Same as other greats of his generation he could not participate in other World Cups due to the event's suspension during World War II and later for his country's decision of not competing in the cups in Brazil and Switzerland.

As Coach

After ending his career as a player he became Assistant Coach and Coach in River Plate, Defensores de Belgrano, Platense, Rosario Central (where he won his first National Championship, in 1971), Talleres de Córdoba, Racing Club, Lanús, Chacarita Juniors and Argentinos Juniors.

Labruna's period in charge of River Plate brought the club much domestic success, a side endowed with players such as Daniel Passarella, Norberto Alonso and Leopoldo Luque.

He is interred at La Chacarita Cemetery in Buenos Aires. [ [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7053984 Find a Grave] ]

References

External links

* [http://riverplate.brinkster.net/Paginas/IN_Idolos_Labruna.asp River Plate's oficial site]
*Find A Grave|id=7053984
* [http://www.ole.clarin.com/notas/2008/07/02/futbollocal/01706216.html Goal credited to Angel Labruna]
* [http://www.elpatagonico.net/index.php?item=viewlast&ref=ultimas&id=60999&sec=dep Angel Labruna all-time highest goalscorer]