José Buruca Laforia

José María Buruca, also known as José Buruca Laforia (Atalaya, Spain, 16 May 1884 - Buenos Aires, Argentina, 6 Jun 1957) was an Argentine association football goalkeeper. Nicknamed El Vasco, Buruca Laforia is considered the first great goalkeeper of Argentina.[1]

José Buruca Laforia
Personal information
Full name José María Buruca Laforia
Date of birth 1884
Place of birth Atalaya, Spain
Date of death 1957
Place of death Buenos Aires, Argentina
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1900 Central A.C.
1901–1904 Barracas A.C.
1905–1908 Alumni
1908 Argentino (Q)
1909–11 Independiente
19?–12 Racing
National team
1902–1907 Argentina 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Although Buruca was short height to play as goalkeeper, his intuition made him to be just in time under the goal. His playing style (usually getting away from the goal area) made Alumni's captain Jorge Brown told him off several times. He is considered a predecessor of other goalkeepers such as Ubaldo Fillol or Hugo Gatti.[1]

Buruca started his career playing for Central Athletic Club, then moving to Barracas A.C. where he stayed until 1904.[2] That same year he was the goalkeeper in the first international match played by an Argentine side v. a British team, Southmapton in Buenos Aires. In 1905 he moved to Alumni, along with forward Carlos Lett.[3] Buruca won 3 Primera División championships among other titles.

In 1909 Buruca moved to Independiente where he play until 1911, then playing for Argentino de Quilmes and Racing Club de Avellaneda.[4] After his father died, Buruca decided to quit from football.[2]

...Because of his short stature, it was difficult (to Laforia) to touch the goal crossbar. He was happy when he could do it, saying that it was because of his knees. He was like a rubber or a spring. He stretched beyond the limits and was really fearless. He and Jorge Brown usually bet on who of them could touch the crossbar most times: Jorge, with the tips of her toes and Laforia with his hands. It was a very unequal challenge so Jorge could do it everytime he wanted while the Vasco fought for every attempt: he sometimes touched the goal, and barely...

— Ernesto Escobar Bavio [3]

Buruca was the first goalkeeper to play for the Argentina national team in an official match, playing v. Uruguay in Montevideo on July 20, 1902. Buruca only played four times for Argentina, being his last match on August 15, 1907 vs. Uruguay for the Copa Lipton. He was injured at 60' and replaced by forward Alfredo Brown who had to switch to goalkeeper because of substitutions were not allowed by then. His goal remained unbeaten, setting a record.[2]

Honours
Alumni
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References
  1. "Manos mágicas" by Pedro Uzquiza, Clarín, 13 Jan 2001
  2. "Information on world records and short biographies of the record holders (1901-1910)", IFFHS (Archive, 7 Feb 2012)
  3. Alumni, Cuna de Campeones y Escuela de Hidalguía by Ernesto Escobar Bavio - published by Editorial Difusión, Buenos Aires, 1953
  4. Historia en Rojo y Negro by Carlos Durhand; Javier Parent - Ediciones La Capital, 2010
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