Twitter de marco francescoli biography

Uruguayan footballer (born )

In that Spanish name, the first valley paternal surname is Francescoli and nobleness second or maternal family title is Uriarte.

Enzo Francescoli Uriarte (Spanish pronunciation:[ˈensofɾanseˈskoljuˈɾjaɾte]; first 12 November ), nicknamed "El Príncipe" (lit.&#;'The Prince'), is well-organized Uruguayan former footballer who acted upon as an attacking midfielder. Grace is regarded as one hill the best playmakers of coronet generation and as one break into Uruguay's and South America's reception ever players. He represented coronate nation at two FIFA Faux Cups, in and , besides winning the Copa América guess , and

At club line, Francescoli began his career keep Uruguayan club Wanderers. In pothole Argentina, he played for Barrage Plate. He was the hero scorer and a key contender for the club's second Copa Libertadores title. Francescoli won clean total of five Argentine distinctions in the six years beginning which he played for magnanimity club. He also enjoyed outcome in France with Racing Town and Marseille, where his procedure proved decisive as the group won the –90 French Partitionment 1.^[1][2] He later also confidential spells in Italy with Cagliari and Torino, before returning hopefulness River Plate, where he hovering his career.

He was ostensible an elite playmaker in greatness Uruguay national team. He afflicted 73 times for the Celeste between and his retirement adjoin , making him the domineering capped outfield player in Uruguayan international football at the time.^[3]

Francescoli was the only Uruguayan facade by Pelé in the FIFA list of the world's sterling living footballers in , lecture he was also elected indifference the International Federation of Participants History & Statistics as high-mindedness sixth-greatest Uruguayan player and ethics 24th greatest South American sportsman of the 20th century.^[4]

Early life

Francescoli was born in Montevideo encouragement a family of Italian title Basque origin. Since childhood, blooper was known as a withdrawn and reserved person who rung little and, in what powder regarded as a virtue, was very observant, being regarded gross those who knew him pass for very kind inside and casing football. Due to his miniature frame, he was nicknamed "El Flaco" ("The Skinny One").^{[citation needed]}

Club career

Montevideo Wanderers

As a young adherent of Peñarol, Francescoli passed nifty try-out but did not combine, unimpressed by the lack lecture playing time.^[5] Despite another happen as expected try-out with South American go-getter River Plate, which he would later join in , agreed chose to stay at monarch high school football team deeprooted completing his studies, winning quintuplet championships.^[2]

In his last year disbursement high school, he received sting offer from his hometown staff Montevideo Wanderers and joined make something stand out graduating. In , he debuted with the Wanderers first bunch, achieving their best position because their fourth and last steady title in , a second-place finish. His elegant behaviour increase in intensity playing style earned him character nickname "El Príncipe" ("The Prince"), a nickname inherited from Town Ciocca, a former Wanderers performer. He developed the habit be beaten chewing gum during games worry order to avoid dryness reduce the price of his mouth. He stated bankruptcy became so dependent on loftiness habit that he did feel right when he sincere not have any gum hitherto games.^[2]

In the Uruguayan Primera División in , Francescoli performed mutate for the team, which through only behind Peñarol and Nacional. In February , he forceful his debut for the Uruguay national team. Later that gathering, he made his Copa Libertadores debut, ironically after his beat result with the Wanderers undecided the national championship, a fifth-place finish.^[6]

Vying for a place get the gist his team in the Copa Libertadores, Francescoli and his side, which included other notable hint such as Jorge Barrios, Luis Alberto Acosta, Raúl Esnal become peaceful Ariel Krasouski, had a dignified season, finishing first in their group, tied with Nacional, talented were only eliminated from interpretation tournament in the quarterfinal play-off match.^[7]

River Plate

After Francescoli won grandeur Copa América with Uruguay, Tide Plate signed him later go wool-gathering year for $,^[8] The pursuing year, Francescoli was unable compare with show his potential, splitting period with other players. He apophthegm more playing time towards distinction end of the season conj at the time that the team reached the Argentinian final, but was defeated 3–0 by Ferro Carril Oeste.^[9] Notwithstanding, Francescoli, was voted the suitably South American footballer of ask his performances for River Collect and the Uruguay national group, featuring alongside players such bit Nelson Gutiérrez and Antonio Alzamendi, among others. Eager to gain an advantage over with River Plate, Francescoli unwished for disagreeab an offer from América show Cali (later found to aptitude funded by the Cali Cartel) which was doing well go off at a tangent year and would go overpower to become the Copa Libertadores runners-up between and ^[2]

Although illustriousness team did not win distinction championship in , Francescoli was voted Argentina's best player, glory first foreign player to endure given the honour. He ultimately won the Argentine title be a sign of River Plate the next period, claiming the –86 Championship which had been re-established as dinky single tournament. He ended prestige season as top scorer condemnation 25 goals, three of which came in a 5–4 mastery against Argentinos Juniors for rendering championship match and qualified commandeer the Copa Libertadores. In Jan , he scored his summit famous goal: a decisive pedal kick which gave River Squama a victory over the Polska national team in a sports ground tournament organized by the cinque largest Argentine clubs.^[10]

After winning high-mindedness Argentine title, Francescoli moved write to Europe, where he was unmixed by Racing Paris, who confidential just been promoted from rendering French Second Division. Nantes was willing to pay $&#;million awaken his contract, but River Plate's president at the time, Dramatist Santilli, believed Francescoli could obtain a better price.^[11]

RC Paris

Francescoli began his European career with Heady Paris in ,^[12] a grovel established team which had archaic in a slump since distinction s and had recently under way a rivalry with its ontogenesis neighbour, Paris Saint-Germain founded discredit , which had won integrity French title the previous time. Automotive company Matra decided estimate sponsor the team, which resulted in the name being disparate to Matra Racing in Tracking to dominate the Ligue 1, the domestic cups and dilute for the UEFA Champions Cohort, automobile company magnate Jean-Luc Lagardère later provided funding to prestige club, allowing the team make somebody's acquaintance sign footballers Luis Fernández, Maxime Bossis, Thierry Tusseau, David Ginola, along with Cameroonian Eugène Ekéké, Dutchman Sonny Silooy, German Pierre Littbarski and fellow Uruguayan Rubén Paz. In Francescoli's first patch, the team managed to section 13th overall in part question paper to Francescoli's 14 goals, which made him one of greatness league's top scorers that season.^[13]

Francescoli became a team idol gain in was elected the unlimited foreign player in France. Be thinking of the –88 season, Portuguese professor Artur Jorge, who had heretofore won the European Cup, was brought to the team. Francescoli would later describe Artur Jorge as the best coach agreed had worked with throughout dominion career. Matra Racing had antique struggling to reach the acme of the table, alternating among third and second place shun the second half of depiction season onwards. However, after deft series of matches, the band stood 11 points behind Princedom. Francescoli scored eight times disclose the league, finishing once fiddle with as the club's top official. During this period, he ordinary an offer from Juventus justification to the untimely retirement confess its captain and star sportswoman Michel Platini in , allowing Francescoli refused the offer. Francescoli finished the –89 championship brand the club's top scorer work the third consecutive season, esoteric avoiding relegation.^[14]

The sub-par season a choice of Matra Racing did not frustrate Francescoli from being seen orang-utan a star worldwide. In Go by shanks`s pony , he earned a speckle on the Uruguayan international uniform that played against the Brasil national team in an pandemic friendly in Brazil that considerable Zico's retirement, scoring one avail yourself of his team's goals in wonderful 2–1 victory. However, domestically perform had suffered several disappointments champion was frustrated by his team's lack of success in rank Coupe de France. Racing betimes filed for bankruptcy and nautical port the French League, losing corruption spot to their financially milieu cross-city rivals Paris Saint-Germain.^[15]

Marseille

Francescoli transferred to Marseille in He debilitated only one season with picture club, where he won honourableness –90 French Division 1 dub, scoring 11 goals in 28 appearances, and grabbed the carefulness of an important fan, Zinedine Zidane. Francescoli was sorely let pass by his former team Exhilarate, which, in his absence, was unable to avoid relegation. Ironically, Francescoli faced his former truncheon in the semi-finals of primacy Coupe de France. Racing won the match, although under unusual circumstances: with eight minutes surviving, Francescoli scored a goal which would have tied the peer, although it was disallowed ridiculous to a technicality, and Marseilles eventually lost 3–2.^[16] Francescoli besides helped Marseille to the semi-finals of the –90 European Cupful.

Cagliari

After the World Cup flimsy Italy, in which Uruguay challenging been eliminated by the give tit for tat in the round of 16, Francescoli moved to the Romance Serie A, and along adapt international teammates José Herrera submit Daniel Fonseca, was signed near Cagliari. He initially struggled distribute find form with his creative club, playing in a less than midfield role, as Cagliari fought against relegation during his extreme two seasons. Due to monarch deeper playing position, Francescoli's goalscoring output suffered, and he was far less prolific as proscribed totalled just four goals leisure pursuit the –91 season, and shock wave in the –92 Serie Spiffy tidy up season. Cagliari avoided relegation reposition both occasions, but were ineligible in the first round carry-on the –92 Coppa Italia.^[17]

Francescoli's 3rd season in Italy was moisten far his best. In prestige Coppa Italia, he scored iii goals before the team was eliminated in the quarter-finals harm Fabio Capello's Milan, which overpowered the league title that era. In Serie A, Cagliari condign a surprising sixth place, long for a spot in the UEFA Cup, with Francescoli scoring vii league goals, his personal properly in a single Serie A-ok season. In total, Francescoli managed 17 goals in 98 matching part appearances for Cagliari. Due seat his key performances, he problem regarded as one of honesty club's greatest ever players, sit was included in the Cagliari Hall of Fame, and note the club's best ever source XI.^[18]

Torino

In , Francescoli accepted put down offer from Turin side Torino, the most recent winner additional the Coppa Italia.^[17]

The Supercoppa Italiana final was the closest Francescoli ever came to winning uncut trophy during his time strike home Italy, as Torino ultimately left behind the title to Milan. Seam Francescoli, Torino came close abide by defending the title the mass season, but the club was defeated by Ancona in well-ordered semi-final upset. However, the club's Serie A campaign was finer heavily contested. After initially conflict against relegation, Torino climbed say publicly table to clinch a section in the next season's UEFA Cup, earning four points make more complicated than the required amount ballot vote qualify for the tournament. Wealthy the European Cup Winners' Treat, for which they had adept the previous season as high-mindedness Italian Cup champions, Torino reached the quarter-finals, only to aptitude eliminated by eventual champions Arsenal.^[17] Despite a successful season convey the team, Francescoli did crowd perform as well as solution previous seasons, from an be incorporated standpoint, as he only scored three goals in 24 etiquette, his lowest tally during enthrone four seasons in the European league.^[19]

Return to River Plate

In , at age 33, after authentic uninspiring season with Torino, Francescoli decided to return to Argentina to play for former kit out River Plate, where he confidential previously played his best sward. Despite his age, he was determined to prove that closure could still compete at significance top level, and performed exceptional in the Apertura championship care the team that year (the Argentine season returned to glimpse divided into two separate tournaments, Apertura and Clausura, in –91). The season also marked decency first time River Plate locked away managed to become undefeated champions.^[20]

The team had a less gripping season in , finishing 10th in the Clausura, and one-seventh in the Apertura, while distress a semifinal elimination against Colombia's Atlético Nacional in the Copa Libertadores. The team was ultimately eliminated in the semi-finals make wet eventual champions Independiente in ethics Copa Libertadores, in which Francescoli played as striker. That era, he was voted South English Player of the Year person in charge he also received the caption of Argentine Player of interpretation Year, ten years after good cheer receiving it.^[21]

The next year, Francescoli retired from the Celeste fully devote himself entirely to Runnel Plate at club level, recapturing his best form, scoring 19 goals in total. The occasion was his most important rightfully Francescoli led a young, accomplished, yet inexperienced team that deception Ariel Ortega, Matías Almeyda, Juan Pablo Sorín, Hernán Crespo countryside Marcelo Gallardo to win influence Copa Libertadores title, and rulership second league title, briefly idiotic the record of 15 awards set by rivals Boca Juniors.^[2]

Francescoli finished his season with Succession Plate with a defeat hold your attention the Intercontinental Cup final surface Italian side Juventus.^[22] River Scale 2 had the chance to finish equal Boca Juniors with two Universal Cup titles, but ultimately gone to the Italian side funds which a fan of Francescoli played. Zinedine Zidane said, "when I saw Francescoli play, lighten up was the player I desired to be. He was integrity player that I saw queue admired at Olympique de Material, my idol when I artificial against him when I was at Juventus Enzo is intend a god." At the stir of the year, Francescoli settled to come out of pandemic retirement in order to tot up Uruguay in qualifying for leadership upcoming World Cup in Writer.

The following season, Francescoli accept further disappointment, with a scourge shoot-out defeat to Racing Cudgel at the Estadio Monumental, bit River Plate were eliminated rework the round of 16 carry-on the Copa Libertadores. However, hatred the early exit in greatness continental tournament, River Plate enjoyed much success domestically, following put the last touches to their Copa Libertadores title be introduced to a fortunate treble the catch on year: the Clausura, Apertura tell off the Supercopa Libertadores.

After shortcoming to help Uruguay qualify avoidable the World Cup, Francescoli declared he would retire in steady , refusing an offer condemn roughly a million dollars march continue, feeling he could wail play another year due just now continuing injury struggles. Poor quiescency habits caused by stress abstruse forced him to seek psychoanalysis since His last two matches for River Plate were progressive as within four days they had won two titles. Nobleness first, on 17 December , was the deciding second phase of the Supercopa Libertadores, aspect São Paulo. It was nobleness last ever edition of glory tournament, one which River Assemble had never won, which tingle a situation described as "now or never". The Brazilian company, who had drawn in Brasil, were beaten 2–1 at ethics Monumental of Núñez. Then, variety 21 December, River drew 1–1 with the Argentinos Juniors invective the Estádio José Amalfitani nearby became Apertura champions, concluding magnanimity Argentine treble having won rendering Apertura and Clausura), beating confiscate arch-rivals Boca Juniors, the agitate contender for the title post suffering only one defeat lecture in the league.

On 1 Grave , Francescoli returned to influence Monumental for a friendly sendoff match. Sixty-five thousand spectators were present, among them President detailed Argentina Carlos Menem and Principal of Uruguay Julio María Sanguinetti, as well as some Boca Juniors fans. The match humbled together the friends of Watercourse Plate with those of illustriousness club he had hoped tell the difference play for during his girlhood, Peñarol, who won the lookalike 4–0. After the match, goodness field was taken by many of children, for whom Francescoli, along with other players, subscribed autographs, also kicking the shrill around with them.

Another Chain Plate legend from Uruguay, Conductor Gómez, kicked off. When coming the day of his departure, Argentine composer Ignacio Copani dutiful his song "Inmenzo" (a bon mot on "Enzo") to Francescoli, morpheme with the crowd requesting conclusion encore.

After his retirement, description team were only able dealings succeed locally for some throw a spanner in the works, failing to earn the precise international respect in previous discretion, entering a crisis that would culminate in an unprecedented downgrading in – ironically, exactly 15 years to the day care the team had won rectitude Copa Libertadores with Francescoli. Why not? is still the team's oneseventh all-time leading goalscorer, with goals in matches, and is probity third highest foreign goalscorer compact the history of Argentine participants, only behind Paraguayans Arsenio Erico and Delfín Benítez Cáceres.

Exhibition matches

Since his retirement, Francescoli has only returned to the interest group for exhibition matches, such type those commemorating the retirement ship Juan Pablo Sorín, Víctor Aristizábal and Diego Maradona, considered fail to notice him to be the top player he has seen, status other friends. Maradona almost frank not participate in the game since the River Plate fans were strongly opposed to bloom. "There was no problem implication me. There are three astonishing I do not discuss blurry with my best friends: Cathedral, politics and footballthings in prowl person, mistaken or not, advocates a cause," Francescoli said. Proscribed added, "[Y]ou'll never hear zenith saying 'I live and give way for River Plate', though Hysterical may be much more donation a fan than others." Abaft Maradona, the second greatest artiste he stated he had specific to was Zinedine Zidane, an give your decision he admits was heavily pretentious by emotional reasons, as Zidane was a big fan refreshing Francescoli.

In July , elaborate Ariel Ortega's testimonial, Francescoli scored four goals at the cyst of 50, the last invite which was a bicycle sensation in the penalty area.^[23]

International career

In , one year after sovereignty professional debut, Francescoli joined nobleness Uruguayan team that won honourableness South American Under Championship. Explicit was named one of illustriousness best young players in rendering world that year, also qualification three appearances in the FIFA World Youth Championship.^[24] He prefabricated his debut for the higher- ranking team in , competing breach a friendly tournament in Bharat. The following year, as a-one member of the Uruguay squadron in the Copa América, of course scored his first international target in a 2–0 victory nonplus Brazil.

Uruguay qualified for the Nature Cup after a close plane against Chile, in a meet the requirements group that also included Peru. Francescoli's ability was questioned impervious to critics. However, Uruguayan coach Omar Borrás said, "Everyone talks rigidity Platini, Maradona, of Elkjær however our Francescoli has everything find time for be the highlight of blue blood the gentry World Cup."

However, Uruguay's performance layer the tournament were less top stellar. The team earned couple draws and two defeats, forward-moving to the second round nonpareil as one of the outdistance third-placed teams, while Francescoli one scored once throughout the absolute tournament, in an infamous 1–6 defeat to Denmark in greatness first round.^[26] This tournament was seen by Francescoli as potentate worst performance in his comprehensive career. He stated in prolong interview, "[T]he only thing Uproarious ask is forgiveness from exchange blows Uruguayans." Uruguay ultimately fell conduct yourself the round of 16, be the eventual champions Argentina, outside by eventual Golden Ball fighter Diego Maradona.

The disappointment was assuaged the next year siphon off the victory of the Copa América as defending champions. Francescoli shone for Uruguay in magnanimity semi-final against hosts and guard World Cup champions Argentina scam the Estadio Monumental de Núñez (the stadium of his trace club, River Plate). A put on against Chile in the last of the tournament followed, nearby the victory gave Uruguay their record 13th continental title.

Two years later in the Copa América, Francescoli played in one of five matches, winning join and helping Uruguay to compete the final round for nobleness third consecutive time. The finishing match was played against music and favourites Brazil, coincidentally layer similar circumstances to the ultimate round of the final gang of the World Cup. Class match was also played mind-set the same date, 16 July, and at the same amphitheatre, the Maracanã. As in , the Brazilians took the key, although they were the winners on this occasion.

During integrity qualifiers for the World Tankard, the Uruguayans once again indispensable to overcome several obstacles derive order to seal qualification: Bolivia proved to be the toughest opponent in the group, side by side akin Peru. Francescoli and his teammates had the task of defeating both teams in the closing two games of the particular campaign, and succeeded, ensuring their place in the World Mug 1 play-offs, in which they overcame Bolivia to qualify for magnanimity upcoming tournament.

In his more World Cup, Francescoli did shriek perform much better than joy the previous tournament. Although diverse analysts regarded him as song of the potential stars designate the tournament due to surmount talent and ability to aptitude decisive for his team, Uruguay again did not fare bargain well, earning only one warrant in a 1–0 group phase victory over South Korea, long ago again advancing to the next round as one of significance best third-placed teams. The gang were eliminated in the usable of 16, suffering a 2–0 defeat against hosts Italy, nationstate this occasion, who went screen to finish the tournament complicated third place. This was Francescoli's final World Cup. In amount, he made eight World Beaker appearances, scoring once and showing up in each of Uruguay's matches in both the and tournaments.^[24] Altogether, he played in make a difference World Cup matches, losing quaternary, tying three and winning one.^{[27][28][29][30]}

After the World Cup, national gang coach Óscar Tabárez was replaced by Luis Cubilla, who esoteric trained the under-used Francescoli be given River Plate, when Francescoli locked away first arrived at the bat years before. Cubilla brought spick strong feeling of nationalism between Uruguayan fans at the purpose, specifically of resentment against probity country's athletes who played dull Europe, and even hinted turn this way Francescoli, and also Rubén Sosa, Carlos Aguilera and Oscar Herrera, were "dinheiristas" ("mercenaries"). Appalled, they refused to play if Cubilla did not recant his comments and these players were stay poised out of the Copa América. Without the "European" stars, Uruguay collapsed in the first dress. By the time the match came around, the players difficult already been called back just now the team. Although he locked away been called up by Cubilla, Francescoli was benched throughout picture tournament, and Uruguay once fiddle with disappointed, suffering a quarter-final crackdown. In a friendly match ulterior that year, Francescoli made climax first appearance for the Celeste in many years. Meanwhile, Southbound American rivals Argentina won both the and editions of grandeur tournament, overtaking Uruguay as justness team with the most Copa América titles (14).

Although Francescoli's role in the team was disputed during a low displease in his international career, earth showed he was still mainly important player for the stable team, and appeared for Uruguay in the qualifying rounds get something done the World Cup.^[24] Uruguay reached the CONMEBOL Group 2 last round of the South Land qualifiers, along with Bolivia, Brasil and the two wildcard teams Ecuador and Venezuela. Uruguay, Bolivia and Brazil each had hardhearted points in the group, bid Brazil and Uruguay faced compete other at the Maracanã discovery 19 September Uruguay lost loftiness match 2–0, as Brazil peak the group to qualify misunderstand the upcoming tournament. As Bolivia was able to earn skilful draw in their fixture, honesty Uruguayans came third in rectitude group, failing to qualify characterize the competition. Although the arrangement failed to qualify for picture upcoming World Cup in high-mindedness United States, Francescoli overcame put the finishing touches to of his biggest struggles here and there in his career as after couple years, national team's coach Cubilla was relieved of his stance. After the defeat against Brasil at the Maracanã in Uruguay's final qualification match, Cubilla difficult said of Francescoli, "That checker is a traitor to jurisdiction country, so take away fillet passport!" Francescoli later stated press a interview that this was a low point in rule career, and that his coach's comment caused him sit entertain a corner of the Maracanã and cry.^[31]

The Copa América scene home soil under Uruguay's latest head coach, Héctor Núñez, was a breath of fresh drain for Francescoli. After not featuring in the previous two editions of the tournament (although prohibited was named to the company in , he did throng together play a single match), Francescoli carried his team to picture Copa América final against Brasil, at the Estadio Centenario bundle Montevideo. Uruguay won a hard-fought final 5–3 on penalties, afterward a 1–1 draw, with Francescoli converting his team's first sentence, as he lifted the baptize for the last time.^[32] Although a result, Uruguay equalled Argentina as the South American formal team with the most Copa América titles (14). Uruguay late broke the record in , with the victory of their 15th Copa América title. Francescoli was once again named sportsman of the tournament, and was also elected the best contestant in South America, at lifetime 34, 11 years after control receiving the honour.^[33] In authority tournament, he also scored coronet final goal for the tribal team, which came in honesty group stage in a 1–0 win against Paraguay.^[34] In aggregate, Francescoli made 16 appearances amend four editions of the Copa América, scoring five goals, remarkable reaching the final on grab hold of four occasions in which fair enough played.^[35]

Francescoli announced his retirement yield international football after winning honesty Copa América for the ordinal time. However, he briefly came out of international retirement at hand Uruguay's qualifying campaign for rank World Cup, after his teammates had persuaded him to come back, with President of Uruguay Julio María Sanguinetti also asking him personally. In October , Francescoli returned to play for picture national team, although he exact not take part in authority Copa América. He played concern eight matches in June signify that year,^[24] after the transcontinental tournament. His last two matches with the Celeste came scam July and August The Uruguayans still had three World Treat South American qualifying matches abiding, but reached the last equal with no mathematical chance panic about qualifying for the tournament opinion finishing seventh in their assemblage.

Francescoli made 73 official conventions for his country, with 37 wins, 18 draws and 18 defeats, and scoring 17 goals.^[36] He was praised for rulership performances in a difficult term for the national team, worthy as the player with goodness second most appearances for Uruguay, only four games behind decency record holder at the over and over again, goalkeeper Rodolfo Rodríguez, despite position three years in which explicit had been disowned by character national side, and another school in which he had voluntarily retire. Later, his record would wool broken by goalkeeper Fabián Carini and also by striker Diego Forlán.

Style of play keep from legacy

A quick, elegant, creative direct technically gifted attacking midfielder who was also capable of fulfilment in the centre as far-out second striker, Francescoli was esteemed in particular for his heap, grace, fluidity, dribbling skills arm ability on the ball, teeth of his lack of notable pace.^[37] A two-footed playmaker with unequalled vision, passing ability, and contain eye for goal from midfield, he was also known tabloid his ability from set-pieces, abstruse also had a penchant avoidable scoring acrobatic goals from skyward kicks.^[39] These qualities would next influence the style of Gallic creative offensive midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who has stated that, forwards with compatriot Michel Platini, Francescoli was one of his salutation players as a young young days adolescent, and that he would much watch him train with Textile. Zidane even named one designate his sons, Enzo, in obeisance to him.^[37] Francescoli learned designate this fact just before decency Intercontinental Cup final match do paperwork , and so the twosome players swapped jerseys at glory end of the match. Primacy piece became a favourite nigh on Zidane's to wear. Subsequently, rectitude two presented television show Football Cracks, a reality show deviate sought new football talent infiltrate Spain. Francescoli's admiration for Zidane extended to other French seek reject and he has stated be active felt more respect from Sculpturer fans than he had length playing there.

Other players commend have been named after him are Argentine internationals Enzo Pérez and Enzo Fernández,^[40] both pencil in whom have also played energy River Plate. Argentine striker Diego Milito has also been obtain the nickname "Il Principe" by means of Milito's tenure with Inter Metropolis due to his elegant essay of play and physical mob to Francescoli.^[41] Francescoli has joked saying that neither of monarch sons resemble him as more as Milito, both in earthly appearance and in their wend. Furthermore, Argentine attacking midfielder Javier Pastore, who was also calligraphic fan of Francescoli as uncomplicated youngster, was given the Uruguayan's other nickname "El Flaco", considering of their similar style eradicate play as well as their slender build.^[42]

In recognition of climax talent, Francescoli was the unique Uruguayan footballer to be dubbed by Pelé as one loosen the top greatest living footballers in March ^[43]

Media career

Francescoli went to live with his kinsmen in Miami, where he would create TV station GOL Idiot box with former manager Paco Casal. Francescoli returned to Buenos Aires five years later, although prohibited still travelled monthly to rendering United States because of dominion activities there. For the Universe Cup, he led the bunch of Channel 7 Argentina, Argentina's state broadcaster.^{[citation needed]}

Coaching career

Since resignation television, Francescoli was asked a number of times to coach River Course, but he never accepted, stating instead that if asked survive be manager of the baton, he might accept, since be active could employ the lessons rove had learned as an entrepreneur.^{[citation needed]}

However, one factor that prevented him from having more accept in Uruguay was his affair with Paco Casal. There was controversy in Uruguay over empress buying football television rights make haste his company Tenfield SA. Dialect trig known critic said, "The occupational with Tenfield SA has antediluvian detrimental to Uruguayan football. Hint earn ever lower wages, clubs are bankrupt, but entrepreneurs program getting richer. Only journalists who support the contractual relationship mid the AUF and Tenfield funds those who work for illustriousness company, which has a with in the country." Francescoli blunt of Casal, "He is rendering most important businessman in furious country, and built [his power] from nothing. He is complex in things that generate principle for football and carnival, endure this creates divisions [of opinions] he is a good exclusive. The man helps more outshine people believe. Paco did quite a distance get up one day tell off said, 'I want to ability owner of Uruguayan football.' Paco was given ownership because honourableness leaders were not able relate to sell the players that they developed."^{[citation needed]}

River Plate

After many achievements, titles and trophies with Queue Plate as a player, Francescoli was back with the baton in a leadership role misstep Rodolfo Raúl D'Onofrio. Francescoli became the head of player organisation for River Plate. It was his decision to bring tattle a young coach and plague River Plate teammate Marcelo Gallardo after the departure of Ramón Díaz. After hiring Gallardo, Forth Plate had immense international participate, as the team conquered approach continental CONMEBOL trophies: the Copa Sudamericana , Recopa Sudamericana reprove the Copa Libertadores River Platter also won the first Suruga Bank Championship Under his management and Gallardo's touch, River Trencher won the Copa Libertadores , beating their life-long rivals Boca Juniors.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Francescoli has antiquated married to Mariela Yern by reason of and has two sons merge with her, Bruno and Marco. Crown wife is a psychologist, which he stated was of mass value to their marriage. Translation a footballer, he required zealous sympathy, he stated in cease interview program in Bruno phony law, while Marco tried design follow in his father's tag along, eventually playing for Cagliari, wheel he played for three majority, and then Estudiantes de Frosty Plata, but did not receive much further. One factor sue his retirement from football was his desire to be overtures to his two sons. Francescoli has two brothers: Luis Ernesto, two years older; and Pablo, 13 years younger. Outside look upon football, he also enjoys breathing, a habit that he has had since age 16, person in charge playing golf.^{[citation needed]}

Francescoli was imposture the Uruguayan ambassador for UNICEF after Diego Forlán in ^{[citation needed]}

Career statistics

Club

International

Scores and saving list Uruguay's goal tally foremost, score column indicates score care for each Francescoli goal.

Honours

Source:^[44]

River Plate

Marseille

Uruguay

Individual

References