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Raimundo OrsiFootball player
Date of Birth: 02.12.1901
Country:  Argentina |
Content:
- Raimundo Orsi: The Argentinian Oriundo Who Conquered Europe
- Star of Juventus
- International Glory with Italy
- Later Years and Legacy
Raimundo Orsi: The Argentinian Oriundo Who Conquered Europe
Humble Beginnings in ArgentinaRaimundo Orsi was born on December 2, 1901, in Avellaneda, a suburb of Buenos Aires, to an Italian father and a Spanish mother. At the tender age of 14, he joined the local club, Independiente, and made his debut for the first team at 16 against Racing.
Over the course of 12 successful years with Independiente, Orsi became a two-time Argentine champion (1922, 1926) and a regular call-up to the national team. In 1928, he represented Argentina at the Amsterdam Olympics, where his remarkable skills caught the attention of Juventus, one of the richest clubs in the world at the time.
Star of Juventus
In the wake of the Olympics, Independiente sold Orsi to Juventus for a hefty sum. In Turin, he not only received a generous salary but also a luxurious car from the club's president, Agnelli. His stature and fine-tuned dribbling skills earned him the nickname "Mummò" (Little Boy).
It took some time for Orsi to find his rhythm at Juventus, but once he did, he became an integral part of the team. Within four months of his debut, he was called up to the Italian national team. In an unprecedented move, Italy's legendary coach, Vittorio Pozzo, declared that "If they can die for Italy, they can play football for her too."
Thus, Orsi became the first Italian "oriundo," a South American player who had adopted Italian citizenship. Over the following six seasons, Juventus won the Italian championship five consecutive times, and Orsi was one of the few players to participate in all five triumphs.
International Glory with Italy
Orsi's international career with Italy was equally remarkable. He made his debut in 1929, and a year and a half later, he scored a goal directly from a corner kick against Portugal. It was the first such goal in European international competition.
In 1934, Orsi played a crucial role in Italy's victory at the World Cup. Despite suffering a serious leg injury just two months prior, he returned to full fitness and scored a brace in the opening match against the United States. In the final against Czechoslovakia, he scored the equalizer with a legendary shot into the top corner.
Later Years and Legacy
After leading Italy to World Cup glory, Orsi returned to Argentina in 1935. He continued playing for Independiente and later ended his career at Flamengo in Brazil. After retiring, he coached in various clubs in Argentina, Chile, and Mexico.
Raimundo Orsi passed away in Chile on April 6, 1986. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest Argentine footballers of all time and a pioneering figure in the world of international football.
