Anhel Labruna
ArgentinaBiography of Angel Labruna
Angel Amadeo Labruna was born on September 26, 1918, in Argentina. He was an Argentine football player and forward. Labruna was known for his loyalty to the club "River Plate," dedicating his entire life to it from birth until his death. He never left or took on another citizenship, which made him relatively unknown in Europe. Labruna was a subject of discussions both on and off the field, and nobody remained indifferent towards him - he was either loved or hated.
Playing Career
Labruna played as a forward for several clubs during his career. He started his professional career with "River Plate" in Argentina, playing for the club from 1930 to 1959. He played 515 matches and scored 292 goals in the championship, and a total of 1150 matches and 475 goals for the club. In addition to "River Plate," he also played for "Rampla Juniors" in Montevideo, Uruguay, and "Rangers" in Talca, Chile. Labruna won several titles during his playing career, including being a 9-time champion of Argentina and the top scorer in Argentina in 1943 and 1945. He also won the South American Championship in 1946, 1947, 1955, and 1957. Labruna represented Argentina in the 1958 World Cup.
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Labruna became a coach and trained various clubs in Argentina. He achieved great success as a coach, winning 7 championships with "River Plate" and the Copa Libertadores in 1986. He also served as a leader for the Argentine Football Association.
International Career
Labruna represented the Argentine national team from 1942 to 1958, playing 36 matches and scoring 17 goals.
Legacy
Despite being relatively unknown in Europe, Angel Labruna left a lasting impact on Argentine football. He was a devoted player to "River Plate" and dedicated his life to the club. Labruna's son, Omar Labruna, also works for "River Plate." Angel Labruna passed away on September 19, 1983.
