Francisco Varallo Biography: The Life And Achievements Of The Argentine Football Legend

Francisco Varallo was an Argentine footballer who made a name for himself in the 1930s. Born on February 5, 1910, in Los Hornos, a district of La Plata Partido in Buenos Aires Province, Varallo began his football career at the age of 14. He quickly gained a reputation for his sharpshooting ability and was nicknamed “cañoncito,” which translates to “little cannon.”

Varallo’s career spanned over two decades, during which he played for several clubs, including Boca Juniors and Gimnasia La Plata. He is best known for his time at Boca Juniors, where he scored 194 goals, making him the second-highest scorer in the club’s history behind Martin Palermo. Varallo also represented the Argentina national team, playing in the 1930 World Cup, where he helped his team reach the final.

Despite his impressive career, Varallo’s life was not without its challenges. He suffered a serious injury in 1931, which forced him to miss several games. He also had to retire from football due to financial difficulties. However, he remained involved in the sport, working as a coach and a scout. Varallo passed away on August 30, 2010, at the age of 100, leaving behind a legacy as one of Argentina’s greatest footballers.

Key Takeaways

Francisco Varallo was an Argentine footballer who played for several clubs, including Boca Juniors and Gimnasia La Plata.
Varallo is best known for his time at Boca Juniors, where he scored 194 goals, making him the second-highest scorer in the club’s history behind Martin Palermo.
Varallo represented the Argentina national team, playing in the 1930 World Cup, where he helped his team reach the final.

Early Life

Francisco Varallo was born on February 5, 1910, in the Los Hornos district of La Plata Partido in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. He grew up in a family of Italian immigrants and was the youngest of nine siblings.

Varallo began playing football at a very young age and quickly showed a natural talent for the sport. He made his debut at the age of 14 for the local team, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata. During his early career, he gained the nickname “cañoncito” (little cannon) due to his exceptional shooting ability.

Despite his talent on the field, Varallo faced many challenges in his early life. His father passed away when he was only six years old, and his mother struggled to support the family. As a result, Varallo had to work various odd jobs to help make ends meet. Despite these challenges, he remained dedicated to football and continued to train and play whenever he could.

In 1929, Varallo was recruited by the Boca Juniors, one of the top football clubs in Argentina. This marked the beginning of his professional football career and the start of a long and successful journey in the sport.

Career at Boca Juniors

Initial Years

Francisco Varallo began his professional football career at Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, where he played for two seasons before moving to Boca Juniors in 1931. He quickly established himself as a key player in the team and helped them win their first Primera División title in his debut season.

Peak Performance

Varallo’s peak years at Boca Juniors were between 1934 and 1937, during which he won three more Primera División titles. He was a prolific goalscorer, with 194 goals in 222 official matches, which makes him Boca Juniors’ third-highest all-time leading goalscorer.

Retirement

Varallo retired as a player in 1940 and worked as a coach with Boca’s lower-division teams. He also coached Gimnasia in 1957-59. Despite his impressive achievements, Varallo remained humble and dedicated to the sport throughout his career.

International Career

Varallo represented Argentina at the inaugural World Cup in 1930, held in Uruguay. He was the youngest player in the tournament. Argentina reached the final, but lost 4-2 to the hosts Uruguay. Varallo played in all four of Argentina’s matches and scored two goals, one in the 6-3 victory over Mexico and another in the 6-1 win against Chile.

Varallo continued to play for Argentina until 1937, making a total of 12 appearances and scoring 6 goals. He was also part of the Argentine squad that won the South American Championship in 1937.

In addition to his international career, Varallo played for Boca Juniors for 11 years, from 1928 to 1939. He won five league titles with the club and scored a total of 194 goals in 222 appearances. He was also the top scorer in the Argentine Primera División in 1931 and 1934. Varallo retired from football in 1940, at the age of 30.

Varallo’s contribution to Argentine football was recognized in 1994, when he was inducted into the Argentine Football Hall of Fame.

Post Retirement Life

After retiring from football in 1940, Francisco Varallo continued to be involved in the sport as a coach. He worked with Boca Juniors’ lower-division teams and coached Gimnasia from 1957 to 1959.

Varallo also gave an interview to FIFA earlier in the year before his passing, where he talked about his experiences in the 1930 World Cup and his love for the game. He remained a beloved and respected figure in the football community until his death in 2010 at the age of 100.

Outside of football, Varallo worked as an electrician and owned a hardware store. He was also a devoted family man and had five children with his wife, who passed away in 1999.

Despite his achievements on the pitch and his status as a national hero, Varallo remained humble and down-to-earth throughout his life. He was known for his kindness and generosity towards others, and his legacy as a football legend continues to inspire generations of players and fans alike.

Legacy and Honors

Varallo’s contributions to Argentine football were recognized throughout his life. In 2009, he was awarded the Konex Award for Sports as one of the five best strikers in Argentine football history. He was also inducted into the Argentine Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Varallo’s status as the last surviving player from the first World Cup in 1930 earned him widespread recognition. His death in 2010 was mourned by football fans around the world, and tributes poured in from players and officials alike.

In Argentina, Varallo is remembered as one of the greatest players of his generation. He played for Boca Juniors for much of his career and helped the team win multiple titles, including four Primera División championships.

Varallo’s legacy extends beyond his on-field achievements. He was known for his sportsmanship and dedication to the game, and his commitment to fair play earned him the respect of fans and opponents alike. He was also a mentor to many young players, and his influence can still be felt in Argentine football today.

Overall, Francisco Varallo’s legacy as a footballer and a sportsman is one of excellence, dedication, and fair play. His contributions to Argentine football will be remembered for generations to come.

Death

Francisco Varallo passed away on August 30, 2010, in his hometown of La Plata, Argentina, at the age of 100. He was the last surviving player from the original 1930 World Cup, where he played for Argentina.

Varallo’s death was confirmed by his former club, Gimnasia y Esgrima. The cause of death was not announced.

Varallo’s passing marked the end of an era in football history. He was one of the few remaining links to the inaugural World Cup and had lived to see the game transform into a global phenomenon.

Many tributes were paid to Varallo after his death, with football fans around the world mourning the loss of a true legend. His legacy lives on, not just in his achievements on the field but also in his contribution to the development of the sport.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Francisco Varallo born?

Francisco Varallo was born on February 5, 1910, in La Plata, Argentina.

What teams did Francisco Varallo play for?

Varallo played for several football clubs throughout his career, including Boca Juniors, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, and Huracán.

What position did Francisco Varallo play?

Varallo was a forward and is considered one of the greatest Argentine footballers of all time.

Did Francisco Varallo play in the 1930 World Cup?

Yes, Varallo played in the 1930 World Cup representing Argentina. He was part of the team that reached the final but lost to Uruguay.

What was Francisco Varallo’s nickname?

Varallo had the nickname “Cañoncito” which means “little cannon” in English, due to his powerful shooting ability.

What was Francisco Varallo’s impact on Argentine football?

Varallo is regarded as one of the greatest footballers in Argentine history. He won numerous titles with Boca Juniors and was the top scorer in the Argentine Primera División three times. His legacy continues to inspire young footballers in Argentina and beyond.