Date of birth 1884 Date of death 1957 | Playing position Position Goalkeeper | |
Full name José María Buruca Laforia Place of death | ||
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.
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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.
Buruca started his career playing for Central Athletic Club, then moving to Barracas Athletic where he stayed until 1904. 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. 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. After his father died, Buruca decided to quit from football.
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.