Wikipedia

Zenón Díaz

Zenón Díaz (31 December 1880 – 5 September 1948) was an Argentine footballer who played as a defender for Rosario Central, where he won four national cups.

Zenón Díaz
Personal information
Date of birth (1881-02-08)8 February 1881[1]
Place of birth San Marcos, Córdoba, Argentina
Date of death 5 September 1948(1948-09-05) (aged 67)
Place of death Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1903–1919 Rosario Central
International career
1905–1916 Argentina 10 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Díaz started playing as goalkeeper for Rosario Central after he was discovered by two club executives who had watched him playing la ronda in the streets.[2][1] Those executives had been impressed by Díaz's ability to use hands.[2] He debuted as goalkeeper in a match against Rosario A.C. in 1903, which Central lost 2–1.[1] Nevertheless, Díaz did not remain playing as a goalkeeper much longer because he preferred to play in a position where he could run.[1]

As a defender, Díaz consolidated as one of the most famous players of his time.[2] Díaz played for Rosario Central from 1903 to 1919,[3] when he retired after a match against the arch-rival Newell's Old Boys on 4 May.[2] Notably, Díaz played the last minutes as goalkeeper, replacing his nephew Octavio Díaz, who had left the field after being injured.[2]

Díaz played at least 175 games and scored at least eight goals,[2] winning four national cups and seven regional titles with Rosario Central.[1] Like other players during the amateur era, he also worked at the Central Argentine Railway.[4][5] Díaz's playing style was based on tough man-marking, and he was known for his slide tackles.[1]

International career

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With the Argentina national team, he debuted against the English club Nottingham Forest during their 1905 tour of South America.[2] His last match with Argentina was at the 1916 South American Championship against Uruguay.[3] Díaz was the first Argentine native (non-British origin) player to be capped for the national team.[6]

After retirement

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Díaz (right) with his son Oscar in a radio broadcast to commemorate Rosario Central's 50th. anniversary, 1949

Díaz attended the celebration of the 50th. anniversary of Club Rosario Central held in 1939, being honored by the club as one of its most notable players. He was also the flag bearer during the ceremony. Díaz also participated in the radio program La Voz del Deporte ("the voice of sports") where he was part of a special edition to commemorate the 50th. anniversary.[7]

Zenón Díaz died on 5 September 1948,[8] after battling against a disease.[9]

Honours

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Rosario Central
Argentina

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zenón Díaz.
  1. ^ a b c d e f Volpe, Leonardo (20 September 2010). "Zenón Díaz". Historia del Fútbol Rosarino. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Zenón Díaz". Futbolistas de Rosario Central. 14 April 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Zenón Díaz". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  4. ^ Brisaboa, Jorge (1996). De Rosario y de Central (First ed.). Rosario, Argentina: Homo Sapiens Ediciones. pp. 20 to 35. ISBN 9508081007.
  5. ^ Durhand, Carlos (2010). "Historia en Azul y Amarillo". La Capital.
  6. ^ "Who were ye?: Scot who brought football to Messi city". BBC. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  7. ^ Rosario Central. Cinquantenario (in Spanish). Rosario Central. 1940.
  8. ^ "La muerte de Zenón Díaz enluta al fútbol nacional". El Litoral (in Spanish). 5 September 1948. p. 5. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Es grave el estado de Zenón Díaz". El Litoral (in Spanish). 4 September 1948. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
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