Roberto Sensini Biography: Career Highlights and Personal Life
Roberto Sensini is a retired Argentine football player and current football manager. He is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, having won several accolades throughout his career. Sensini played as a center-back or defensive midfielder and was known for his excellent tackling, positional awareness, and leadership skills on the field.
Born on October 12, 1966, in General Lagos, Santa Fe, Sensini began his professional football career with Newell’s Old Boys. He quickly established himself as a promising young talent and was soon called up to the Argentine national team. Sensini went on to represent his country in three World Cups, finishing as the runner-up in 1990, and winning the Copa America twice in 1991 and 1993.
Throughout his playing career, Sensini played for several top clubs in Argentina and Europe, including Udinese, Parma, and Lazio. He retired from professional football in 2004 and subsequently turned to coaching. Sensini has since managed several teams in Argentina, including Colón, Estudiantes, and Racing Club. In this article, we will delve deeper into the life and career of Roberto Sensini, exploring his early years, professional football career, coaching career, legacy, and personal life.
Key Takeaways
- Roberto Sensini is a retired Argentine football player and current football manager known for his excellent defensive skills and leadership on the field.
- He won several accolades throughout his career, including two Copa America titles and finishing as the runner-up in the 1990 World Cup.
- Sensini has since turned to coaching and has managed several teams in Argentina.
Early Life and Education
Roberto Sensini was born on October 12, 1966, in Arroyo Seco, Argentina. He grew up in a family of football enthusiasts, with his father being a coach. Sensini started playing football at a young age, and his talent was evident from the beginning.
Sensini attended the local school in Arroyo Seco, where he also played football for the school team. He was a standout player, and his talent was soon recognized by scouts from professional clubs.
At the age of 17, Sensini joined Newell’s Old Boys, one of the top clubs in Argentina. He quickly established himself as a key player, and his performances caught the attention of the national team selectors.
Sensini continued to play for Newell’s Old Boys for several years, and he was part of the team that won the Argentine Primera Division in 1990. He also played in the Copa Libertadores, the most prestigious club competition in South America.
Despite his success at club level, Sensini’s ultimate goal was to play for the national team. He worked hard to improve his game, and his efforts paid off when he was called up to the Argentina squad for the 1989 Copa America.
Sensini’s performances in the tournament were impressive, and he helped Argentina to finish in third place. He went on to win the Copa America twice more with Argentina, in 1991 and 1993.
Professional Football Career
Club Career
Roberto Sensini started his professional football career in 1985 with Newell’s Old Boys, where he played as a center-back. He played with the club for ten years, winning the Argentine Primera División in 1990. In 1995, he transferred to Parma in Italy and played for five seasons. During his time in Italy, he won the UEFA Cup in 1999 and the Coppa Italia in 1999 and 2002. He also played for Udinese and Lazio in Italy before returning to Newell’s Old Boys in 2005 to finish his career.
International Career
Sensini played for the Argentina national team from 1989 to 2002, earning 59 caps and scoring 2 goals. He was part of the team that won the Copa América in 1991 and 1993, and he also played in the 1990, 1994, and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals. In the 1990 World Cup, he played in every game and helped Argentina reach the final, where they lost to West Germany. In the 1994 World Cup, he played in three games before being sent off in the quarter-finals against Romania. In the 1998 World Cup, he played in five games as Argentina finished in the quarter-finals.
During his international career, Sensini was known for his defensive skills and his ability to play as both a center-back and a defensive midfielder. He was also known for his leadership on the field and his ability to organize the defense.
Coaching Career
After retiring from professional football in 2006, Roberto Sensini transitioned into coaching. He started his coaching career as an assistant coach at Udinese in 2007, where he spent two seasons before being appointed as the head coach of the club in 2009. He led Udinese to a 15th place finish in the 2009-10 Serie A season.
In 2010, Sensini moved to Argentina to coach Estudiantes de La Plata. He led the team to the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores in his first season in charge. However, he resigned from his position in 2011 after a poor run of results.
Sensini returned to Italy in 2012 to become the head coach of Serie B club Siena. He was sacked after just six months in charge due to poor results.
In 2014, Sensini was appointed as the head coach of Atlético de Rafaela, a club in the Argentine Primera División. He led the team to a 9th place finish in his first season in charge. However, he resigned from his position in 2015 after a disagreement with the club’s board.
In December 2020, Sensini was announced as the new head coach of Everton de Viña del Mar, a club in the Chilean Primera División.
Legacy and Impact
Roberto Sensini’s legacy as a football player and manager is marked by his achievements on and off the field. As a player, he was known for his versatility, playing as a centre-back or defensive midfielder for both club and country. He won several major titles, including the Copa America in 1991 and 1993, as well as finishing third in the 1989 edition of the tournament. He also represented Argentina in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.
Sensini’s impact on the sport extends beyond his playing career. He has since become a successful manager, leading teams such as Estudiantes and Colón to success in the Argentine Primera Division. He has also been involved in youth development, working as a coach at the youth academy of his former club, Newell’s Old Boys.
Off the field, Sensini has been recognized for his contributions to society. In 2007, he was awarded the FIFA Fair Play Award for his role in helping to prevent a violent incident during a match between Argentina and Brazil. He has also been involved in charitable work, supporting organizations such as UNICEF.
Overall, Roberto Sensini’s legacy and impact on football and society are a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport. His achievements as a player and manager, as well as his contributions to youth development and charitable causes, have earned him a place of respect and admiration in the football community.
Personal Life
Roberto Sensini was born on October 12, 1966, in Arroyo Seco, Argentina. He is an Italian Argentine, and his grandfather Pacifico Sensini emigrated from Macerata to Rosario, Santa Fe in 1911. Sensini is married and has two children.
Sensini is known for his love of music and playing the guitar. He has also expressed his admiration for the works of Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges. Sensini is a devout Catholic and has been known to attend mass regularly.
Off the field, Sensini is involved in various charitable activities. He has been a supporter of the “Fundación Favaloro,” a foundation that provides medical care to underprivileged children in Argentina. Sensini has also been involved in raising awareness about the importance of organ donation.
Sensini is an avid reader and enjoys books on history and philosophy. He is also a fan of Italian cuisine and enjoys cooking for his family and friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Roberto Sensini and what is his background?
Roberto Sensini is an Argentine football manager and former player. He was born on October 12, 1966, in Santa Fe, Argentina. Sensini started his professional football career in 1985 with Newell’s Old Boys. He played for several teams in Argentina and Italy, including Udinese, Lazio, and Parma. Sensini also represented the Argentina national team in three World Cups.
What are some notable achievements in Roberto Sensini’s career?
As a player, Sensini won both the 1991 and 1993 Copa América with the Argentina national team. He also finished in third place in the 1989 edition of the tournament. Sensini played in three World Cups with Argentina, reaching the round of 16 in 1990 and 1998 and the quarter-finals in 1994. As a coach, Sensini led Godoy Cruz to the knockout stage of the Copa Libertadores for the first time in the club’s history.
What teams did Roberto Sensini play for in his career?
Sensini played for several teams in Argentina, including Newell’s Old Boys, Rosario Central, and Estudiantes de La Plata. He also played for Udinese, Lazio, and Parma in Italy.
What is Roberto Sensini doing now?
Sensini is currently the head coach of Atlético de Rafaela, a team in the Argentine Primera B Nacional.
How did Roberto Sensini become involved in football?
Sensini grew up playing football in Santa Fe, Argentina. He joined the youth academy of Newell’s Old Boys and made his professional debut with the club in 1985.
What is Roberto Sensini’s playing style known for?
Sensini was known for his versatility as a player, having played as a centre-back or defensive midfielder. He was a tough tackler and had excellent positional sense. Sensini was also a good passer of the ball and had a strong left foot.