Norberto Alonso
Encyclopedia
Norberto Osvaldo Alonso (born 4 January 1953), known colloquially as "Beto" Alonso, is a former Argentine
football midfielder
, who played the majority of his career for the Argentine club River Plate
. He remains one of their most iconic players. He stands in fifth place in River Plate's all time goalscoring records with 149 goals and in 7th place in their all time appearances record with 374 matches played.
, Buenos Aires province
, but grew up in the poor suburb of Los Polvorines. An attacking midfielder
, he rose through the ranks of River's youth divisions as the team was undergoing its infamous dry spell (18 years, 1957 to 1975, without a championship
title). When Angel Labruna
took the reins in 1975, Alonso was the team's anchor and holder of the No. 10 jersey.
With reinforcements Roberto Perfumo
and Ubaldo Fillol
, and the maturing of players like Daniel Passarella
, Carlos Morete
, J. J. López and Reinaldo Merlo, Alonso led the squad that won both the Metropolitano
and the Nacional
tournaments of 1975, ushering in a series of seven local titles in the period 1975-1981.
In 1976, Alonso was transferred to Olympique Marseille, but he was unsuccessful and appeared unhappy away from his adoring fans. River Plate arranged for his return in 1977.
Between the years 1979-1981, River won four local titles, and became one of the most expensive teams in the world, with a first team (Alonso-Luque
) playing in league games and an equally prestigious second team (Carrasco-Ramón Díaz
) used mostly in Copa Libertadores matches.
During the 1981 "Nacional" tournament (which River would eventually win), Alonso often clashed with then coach Alfredo Di Stéfano
(who seldom selected him for the first team and instead put younger players such as Carlos Daniel Tapia
and Jose Maria Vieta in his position). After the Nacional, Alonso was put on the transfer list and was sold to Vélez Sársfield
on 1982. After playing alongside veteran Carlos Bianchi
, he returned to River Plate once again for the 1984 season.
Many talented midfielders emerged from River Plate's youth system during Alonso's reign, including Tapia, Alejandro Sabella
, Néstor Gorosito
and Pedro Troglio.
Alonso was a key player of the successful team of 1985-1986 that won River Plate's first Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup. In 1985, his main partner was Enzo Francescoli
. By the time he retired, he had scored 166 goals in 464 matches.
for the 1978 FIFA World Cup
, but he got in the squad anyway, allegedly as a result of pressure by Admiral Lacoste
, an influential member of the military government. Menotti gave Alonso only a few minutes of play during the tournament. (Other talented midfielders such as Ricardo Bochini
were even more unlucky, as they did not have a top-ranking military connection.) Menotti used Daniel Valencia and later Mario Kempes
in his position; Argentina won the world title with Kempes as top scorer.
In 1983, national coach Carlos Bilardo
gave Alonso some playing time, but eventually used younger players Diego Maradona
, Jorge Burruchaga
, and Carlos Tapia in his position.
Together with Merlo, Alonso coached River Plate in 1989, but the duo was dismissed mid-season when new club president Alfredo Davicce made good on an election promise to bring in Daniel Passarella as coach. River eventually went on to win the championship.
While Alonso has serious competition for the title of River Plate's greatest ever player, he is maybe the fan's all-time favorite. The chant Alooo... Aloooo... was the war cry of the Monumental
stadium for years; rivals would reply with chants of their own, some of them berating Alonso, although fans of all persuasions acknowledge Beto as an elegant and effective player.
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
football midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, who played the majority of his career for the Argentine club River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
. He remains one of their most iconic players. He stands in fifth place in River Plate's all time goalscoring records with 149 goals and in 7th place in their all time appearances record with 374 matches played.
Club career
Alonso was born in Vicente LópezVicente López
Vicente López is a mainly residential neighbourhood in Vicente López Partido of Buenos Aires Province in Argentina, it forms part of the Greater Buenos Aires urban agglomeration...
, Buenos Aires province
Buenos Aires Province
The Province of Buenos Aires is the largest and most populous province of Argentina. It takes the name from the city of Buenos Aires, which used to be the provincial capital until it was federalized in 1880...
, but grew up in the poor suburb of Los Polvorines. An attacking midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, he rose through the ranks of River's youth divisions as the team was undergoing its infamous dry spell (18 years, 1957 to 1975, without a championship
Primera División Argentina
The Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs...
title). When Angel Labruna
Ángel Labruna
Angel Amadeo Labruna, , was a football player and coach in Argentina. He is tied with Arsenio Erico as the all-time highest goalscorers in the Argentine first division...
took the reins in 1975, Alonso was the team's anchor and holder of the No. 10 jersey.
With reinforcements Roberto Perfumo
Roberto Perfumo
Roberto Alfredo Perfumo is a former Argentine footballer.-Club career:El Mariscal won the Intercontinental Cup with Racing Club in 1967, as well as two Argentine leagues, and three with River Plate.-International career:...
and Ubaldo Fillol
Ubaldo Fillol
Ubaldo Matildo Fillol , nicknamed el Pato , is an Argentine football coach and former goalkeeper. He took part in the 1974, 1978 and 1982 World Cups representing the Argentine national team...
, and the maturing of players like Daniel Passarella
Daniel Passarella
Daniel Alberto Passarella is a former Argentine football centre back and former manager of the Argentine and Uruguayan national football teams. He was captain of the Argentina team that won the 1978 World Cup...
, Carlos Morete
Carlos Manuel Morete
Carlos Morete is a retired Argentine football striker. He was born on January 14, 1952, in the city of Munro in the Buenos Aires Province of Argentina. He is one of the few players to play for and won titles at Argentina's big three clubs River Plate, Boca Juniors and Club Atlético Independiente...
, J. J. López and Reinaldo Merlo, Alonso led the squad that won both the Metropolitano
Metropolitano championship
The Metropolitano championship was an Argentine football tournament that existed between 1967 and 1984. The Metropolitano formed one half of the Argentine 1st division taking place in the first half of the year, the Nacional took place in the 2nd half of the year. This arrangement lasted until 1982...
and the Nacional
Nacional championship
The Nacional championship was an Argentine football tournament that existed between 1967 and 1985. The Nacional formed one half of the Argentine 1st division taking place in the second half of the year, the Metropolitano took place in the first half of the year. This arrangement lasted until 1982...
tournaments of 1975, ushering in a series of seven local titles in the period 1975-1981.
In 1976, Alonso was transferred to Olympique Marseille, but he was unsuccessful and appeared unhappy away from his adoring fans. River Plate arranged for his return in 1977.
Between the years 1979-1981, River won four local titles, and became one of the most expensive teams in the world, with a first team (Alonso-Luque
Leopoldo Luque
Leopoldo Jacinto Luque is a former Argentine football striker.In a career spanning he played for Unión de Santa Fe, Rosario Central, River Plate, Racing Club de Avellaneda and Chacarita Juniors...
) playing in league games and an equally prestigious second team (Carrasco-Ramón Díaz
Ramón Díaz
Ramón Ángel Díaz , is a former Argentine football player. For most of his career, he played for, and later coached, Club Atlético River Plate. He is also known by the nickname of El Pelado ....
) used mostly in Copa Libertadores matches.
During the 1981 "Nacional" tournament (which River would eventually win), Alonso often clashed with then coach Alfredo Di Stéfano
Alfredo Di Stéfano
Alfredo Stéfano Di Stéfano Laulhé, born into a family of Italian immigrants from Capri, is a former Argentinian footballer and coach, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time...
(who seldom selected him for the first team and instead put younger players such as Carlos Daniel Tapia
Carlos Daniel Tapia
Carlos Daniel Tapia is a retired Argentine footballer.He started playing for River Plate in 1981, when then coach Alfredo Di Stéfano named him for the first team, replacing football legend Norberto Alonso....
and Jose Maria Vieta in his position). After the Nacional, Alonso was put on the transfer list and was sold to Vélez Sársfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield is a sports club based in the Liniers neighborhood of western Buenos Aires, Argentina. Vélez is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División, the top level of the Argentine league system...
on 1982. After playing alongside veteran Carlos Bianchi
Carlos Bianchi
Carlos Arcecio Bianchi , popularly known as El Virrey , is a prolific Argentine football forward turned manager...
, he returned to River Plate once again for the 1984 season.
Many talented midfielders emerged from River Plate's youth system during Alonso's reign, including Tapia, Alejandro Sabella
Alejandro Sabella
Alejandro Sabella is an Argentine football manager and former player. He is currently the coach of the Argentina national football team.-Early career:...
, Néstor Gorosito
Néstor Gorosito
Néstor Raúl Gorosito is a retired Argentine footballer.-Playing career:Néstor Pipo Gorosito began his playing career at River Plate, he had 3 spells at San Lorenzo where he scored 72 goals in 241 appearances...
and Pedro Troglio.
Alonso was a key player of the successful team of 1985-1986 that won River Plate's first Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup. In 1985, his main partner was Enzo Francescoli
Enzo Francescoli
Enzo Francescoli Uriarte is a former uruguayan football player of Italian and Spanish origin, who retired in 1997. An elegant and highly skillful dribbler, passer, and goal-scorer, Francescoli was nicknamed El Príncipe or Le Prince...
. By the time he retired, he had scored 166 goals in 464 matches.
National team
Alonso was not in the plans of coach César Luis MenottiCésar Luis Menotti
César Luis Menotti, known as El Flaco is an Argentine football coach and former player, who as coach, won the 1978 FIFA World Cup for Argentina.-Playing career:...
for the 1978 FIFA World Cup
1978 FIFA World Cup
The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
, but he got in the squad anyway, allegedly as a result of pressure by Admiral Lacoste
Carlos Lacoste
Carlos Alberto Lacoste was an Argentine navy vice-admiral and politician who briefly served as interim de facto President of Argentina.-Earlier years:...
, an influential member of the military government. Menotti gave Alonso only a few minutes of play during the tournament. (Other talented midfielders such as Ricardo Bochini
Ricardo Bochini
Ricardo Enrique Bochini is an Argentine former professional football player. He is nicknamed El Bocha. Bochini was a childhood idol of Diego Maradona....
were even more unlucky, as they did not have a top-ranking military connection.) Menotti used Daniel Valencia and later Mario Kempes
Mario Kempes
Mario Alberto Kempes Chiodi is a retired Argentine footballer. His father, Mario, also a footballer, inspired him to play from a young age. At the age of 7, he began playing with a junior team and at 14, he joined La Cuarta de Talleres...
in his position; Argentina won the world title with Kempes as top scorer.
In 1983, national coach Carlos Bilardo
Carlos Bilardo
Carlos Salvador Bilardo is an Argentine former football player and coach, who is currently the General Manager of the Argentina national football team....
gave Alonso some playing time, but eventually used younger players Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
, Jorge Burruchaga
Jorge Burruchaga
Jorge Luis Burruchaga is a former Argentine professional football player, and last manager of Arsenal de Sarandí in the Primera División Argentina...
, and Carlos Tapia in his position.
Post-retirement
After retiring from the pitch, Alonso opened an insurance agency. He was also a partner in several commercial ventures, even though he was not an advertising figurehead: his appeal for non-River fans was limited, and Maradona was Argentina's poster boy after his exploits in the 1986 World Cup.Together with Merlo, Alonso coached River Plate in 1989, but the duo was dismissed mid-season when new club president Alfredo Davicce made good on an election promise to bring in Daniel Passarella as coach. River eventually went on to win the championship.
While Alonso has serious competition for the title of River Plate's greatest ever player, he is maybe the fan's all-time favorite. The chant Alooo... Aloooo... was the war cry of the Monumental
Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti
Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, is a stadium in the Belgrano district of Buenos Aires, Argentina at the intersection of Figueroa Alcorta and Udaondo. It is the home venue of Club Atlético River Plate and is named after former club president Antonio Vespucio Liberti...
stadium for years; rivals would reply with chants of their own, some of them berating Alonso, although fans of all persuasions acknowledge Beto as an elegant and effective player.
World Cup numbering
For the 1978 World Cup, Argentina numbered players alphabetically, and as a result Alonso (a midfielder) wore the number 1 jersey (usually reserved for goalkeepers).Titles
| Season | Club | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 Nacional Nacional championship The Nacional championship was an Argentine football tournament that existed between 1967 and 1985. The Nacional formed one half of the Argentine 1st division taking place in the second half of the year, the Metropolitano took place in the first half of the year. This arrangement lasted until 1982... |
 River PlateClub Atlético River Plate Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football.... |
Primera Division Argentina Primera División Argentina The Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs... |
| 1975 Metropolitano Metropolitano championship The Metropolitano championship was an Argentine football tournament that existed between 1967 and 1984. The Metropolitano formed one half of the Argentine 1st division taking place in the first half of the year, the Nacional took place in the 2nd half of the year. This arrangement lasted until 1982... |
River Plate Club Atlético River Plate Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football.... |
Primera Division Argentina Primera División Argentina The Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs... |
| 1978 | Argentina Argentina national football team The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro... |
World Cup 1978 FIFA World Cup The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth... |
| 1979 Nacional Nacional championship The Nacional championship was an Argentine football tournament that existed between 1967 and 1985. The Nacional formed one half of the Argentine 1st division taking place in the second half of the year, the Metropolitano took place in the first half of the year. This arrangement lasted until 1982... |
River Plate Club Atlético River Plate Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football.... |
Primera Division Argentina Primera División Argentina The Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs... |
| 1979 Metropolitano Metropolitano championship The Metropolitano championship was an Argentine football tournament that existed between 1967 and 1984. The Metropolitano formed one half of the Argentine 1st division taking place in the first half of the year, the Nacional took place in the 2nd half of the year. This arrangement lasted until 1982... |
River Plate Club Atlético River Plate Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football.... |
Primera Division Argentina Primera División Argentina The Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs... |
| 1980 Metropolitano Metropolitano championship The Metropolitano championship was an Argentine football tournament that existed between 1967 and 1984. The Metropolitano formed one half of the Argentine 1st division taking place in the first half of the year, the Nacional took place in the 2nd half of the year. This arrangement lasted until 1982... |
River Plate Club Atlético River Plate Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football.... |
Primera Division Argentina Primera División Argentina The Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs... |
| 1981 Nacional Nacional championship The Nacional championship was an Argentine football tournament that existed between 1967 and 1985. The Nacional formed one half of the Argentine 1st division taking place in the second half of the year, the Metropolitano took place in the first half of the year. This arrangement lasted until 1982... |
River Plate Club Atlético River Plate Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football.... |
Primera Division Argentina Primera División Argentina The Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs... |
| 1985–1986 | River Plate Club Atlético River Plate Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football.... |
Primera Division Argentina Primera División Argentina The Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs... |
| 1986 | River Plate Club Atlético River Plate Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football.... |
Copa Libertadores |
| 1986 | River Plate Club Atlético River Plate Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football.... |
Copa Intercontinental Intercontinental Cup (football) The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores... |