Rinaldo Martino

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Martino was signed by San Lorenzo de Almagro in 1941 at the age of 19 from Belgrano de Rosario. He made his debut in 1941 against Newell's Old Boys and in 1942 he became the top scorer in the Argentine Primera netting 25 goals in 30 games. In 1946, the team won the Primera División championship. In 1949, Martino moved to Italy, joining Juventus and helping them to record their first championship since the 1930s. During his time in Italy, he made one appearance for the Italy national team. Martino then moved to Uruguay to play for Nacional, helping them to win the Uruguayan Championship. In 1951, Martino returned to Argentina to play for Boca Juniors, but he was sold back to Nacional in 1952 for 300,000 pesos. He played there until 1953, helping the team to win another Uruguayan league title and several other minor titles. In 1953, Nacional released his pass, and Martino went to São Paulo FC, for a period of testing during the Rio–São Paulo Tournament. After five games, he didn't like it and was released. Still in 1953, he joined C.A. Cerro, who were his last club.

In Their Own Story

The year 1946 marked a turning point in Martino's career as San Lorenzo secured the Primera División title under his contributions. However, it was his move to Italy that truly defined his legacy on the international stage. Joining Juventus in 1949, he played a pivotal role in ending their championship drought since the 1930s. His versatility allowed him to excel as both a forward and a playmaker, earning him recognition across continents. Despite his success abroad, Martino's heart remained tied to Argentina, where he represented the national team in the 1940s, including a memorable debut in a 4–1 win over Uruguay in 1942. His ability to adapt to different leagues and cultures showcased his unique talent, making him a rare figure who could thrive in both Argentine and European football.

Reader's Guide

Martino played for Argentina in the 1940s. He made his debut in 1942 in a 4–1 win over Uruguay. He was part of the Argentina squads that won the Copa América in 1945 and 1946. During his time in Italy he also made a single appearance for the Italy national team. In 1964, he served as the president of the Argentine ex-footballers mutual society. Martino's love of Argentine Tango led him to establish a Casa Porteño called Caño 14 in the 1960s, which featured traditional tango music for 18 years. He died in Buenos Aires on 15 November 2000 at the age of 79.

Did You Know?

• Martino was the top scorer in the Argentine Primera in 1942 with 25 goals in 30 games.
• He helped Juventus win their first Serie A title since the 1930s in the 1949–50 season.
• Martino played for both Argentina and Italy at international level.
• He established a tango venue called Caño 14 in Buenos Aires in the 1960s.