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Santiago VernazzaArgentine footballer
Date of Birth: 29.12.1928
Country:  Argentina |
Content:
Early Life and Career
Argentine footballer Santiago Vernazza was born on December 29, 1928, in Buenos Aires. The son of Italian immigrants, Vernazza began his career with the youth team of Club Platense. In 1947, he made his debut for the club's first team against River Plate, the team he had supported as a child.
Success with River Plate
In 1951, Vernazza joined River Plate for $250,000. He quickly established himself as a prolific goalscorer, netting 22 goals in his first season and becoming the Argentine league's top scorer. Vernazza helped River Plate win four Argentine league titles and participated in a successful tour of Europe, where the team became the first Argentine side to defeat England on their home soil.
National Team Debut
During his time at River Plate, Vernazza made his debut for the Argentine national team. He participated in the 1955 South American Championship, where Argentina emerged victorious.
Career in Italy
In 1956, Vernazza moved to Italy to join Palermo. He made his debut for the club on January 13, 1957, against Sampdoria. Vernazza became Palermo's leading scorer but could not prevent the team from being relegated to Serie B. However, he helped Palermo secure promotion back to Serie A in the 1958-59 season, finishing as the league's top scorer with 19 goals.
Later Career
Vernazza left Palermo in 1960 to join AC Milan. He spent one season with the Rossoneri, scoring 14 goals in 29 appearances. However, the arrival of a group of promising young players, including Gianni Rivera and the Gre-No-Li trio, limited Vernazza's opportunities. He subsequently moved to Lanerossi Vicenza, where he retired at the age of 35.
