# Rinaldo Martino: The Argentine Maestro Who Conquered Juventus and Left for Horses From Serie A glory to tango clubs, the enigmatic life of Rinaldo Martino. - **Source:** [Il Fatto Quotidiano](https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ac792904-ea15-441f-9f36-26f8b4deae4d ## A Strategic Signing In 1949, Juventus president Gianni Agnelli sought to rebuild the team following the tragic Superga air disaster. Renato Cesarini scouted Rinaldo Martino, an Argentine star known for his technical elegance. Martino arrived in Turin with a reputation as a creative playmaker, tasked with providing the finesse needed to complement the team's existing power. ## The Trio de Oro Before moving to Italy, Martino was part of the legendary San Lorenzo 'Trio de Oro' alongside Armando Farro and René Pontoni. This attacking unit scored 90 goals during their championship-winning season in Argentina. Martino was nicknamed 'Mamucho' after a linguistic gaffe, but his playing style was defined by precise, soft touches. ## Instant Impact in Italy Martino debuted for Juventus on September 11, 1949, scoring against Fiorentina in a 5-2 victory. Playing as an inside right alongside Boniperti, he quickly adapted to the Italian league. He finished the season with 18 goals, contributing significantly to the club's first Scudetto title in fifteen years, secured with four games remaining. ## International Dual Identity Born to Italian parents, Martino was eligible to represent Italy as an oriundo. He earned one cap for the Italian national team on November 30, 1949, in a match against England at White Hart Lane. This followed his successful career with Argentina, where he had already scored fifteen goals in twenty international appearances. ## A Sudden Departure Despite his immediate success and the Scudetto win, Martino left Juventus in 1950. While his wife struggled to adapt to life in Italy, Martino famously attributed his departure to his intense passion for horse racing. He preferred the track to the pitch, choosing to return to South America rather than continue his career. ## Post-Football Artistic Pursuits After leaving Turin, Martino played for clubs like Nacional de Montevideo and Boca Juniors before retiring. He transitioned from the football pitch to the world of tango in 1962. He co-founded Caño 14 in Buenos Aires, a venue that became a renowned hub for tango music and culture for nearly two decades. ## The Velvet Touch Legacy Martino was known as 'Zampa di velluto' or 'velvet paws' in Italy because he avoided powerful shots in favor of placement. His ability to navigate tight spaces and his creative vision made him a unique figure in the 1949-1950 Juventus squad, which scored 100 goals throughout the season under coach Jesse Carver. ## Enduring Cultural Influence The story of Rinaldo Martino highlights the intersection of mid-century European football and South American talent. His life reflects a transition from athletic excellence to artistic curation. By moving from the football field to the tango stage, Martino consistently pursued beauty, whether through a ball at his feet or music in Buenos Aires. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2026/11/06/rinaldo-martino-juventus-scudetto-chi-e-ti-ricordi-storia/8562181/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._