Luis de la Fuente
Encyclopedia
Luis de la Fuente y Quesada (nicknamed "The Pirate") is one of the most successful Mexican
football
ers of all time. Born in the state of Veracruz on January 17, 1914, he was one of the most successful players to represent Aztec soccer in the world arena.
of Italy
. His performance with the national team attracted the interested of Spanish
club Racing de Santander
, who ended up signing him. After the Spanish Civil War
broke out he returned to Mexico to play for RC España and then Club América
.
In 1939, the Paraguay
an team Atlético Corrales
embarked on a Latin American tour and visited Mexico with a squad composed of great players, and during their exhibition games in Mexico they decided to sign De La Fuente. He played for Atlético Corrales for over a year and then signed for Vélez Sarsfield
of Argentina
before returning to Mexico to play for Marte and, finally, in 1943 sign for his native state team Tiburones Rojos of CD Veracruz
. At CD Veracruz he was part of the team that won two Primera División de México
championships in 1945 and 1949. It was here, as an already famous and accomplished footballer, that he reached legend status. De la Fuente is the first Mexican player to play in four different countries (Mexico, Spain, Paraguay and Argentina).
His natural position was the midfield, but his incredible ball skills and technique helped his overall field game, distributing precise passes and assisting goals when not scoring them himself. He was incredibly dangerous in the air game, where his athleticism propelled him to leap over rival defenses. He also possessed a powerful boot on both legs, being the left his strong side.
De La Fuente retired after a very accomplished 21 year career on June 13, 1954. He died in 1972 of a heart attack and is buried in Veracruz
, facing the Luis "Pirata" Fuente Stadium which carries his name and his legend.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
ers of all time. Born in the state of Veracruz on January 17, 1914, he was one of the most successful players to represent Aztec soccer in the world arena.
Career
He played professionally in Mexico for clubs like Aurrera, Marte and RC España. De La Fuente played for the Mexican national team that lost in qualifiers for the 1934 FIFA World Cup1934 FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. His performance with the national team attracted the interested of Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
club Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
, who ended up signing him. After the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
broke out he returned to Mexico to play for RC España and then Club América
Club América
Club América is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Primera División, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas ....
.
In 1939, the Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
an team Atlético Corrales
Club Atlético Corrales
Club Atlético Corrales, usually known simply as Atlético Corrales was a football club based in Asunción, Paraguay. It was founded in 1919 and dissolved in 1949.-History:...
embarked on a Latin American tour and visited Mexico with a squad composed of great players, and during their exhibition games in Mexico they decided to sign De La Fuente. He played for Atlético Corrales for over a year and then signed for Vélez Sarsfield
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...
of Argentina
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...
before returning to Mexico to play for Marte and, finally, in 1943 sign for his native state team Tiburones Rojos of CD Veracruz
CD Veracruz
Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz, known as Veracruz, is a Mexican professional football club. Veracruz plays in the Liga de Ascenso de México. Their nickname "Tiburones Rojos" means red sharks. The club was founded in 1943 after two clubs from the city state of Veracruz, Iberia de Córdoba and Veracruz...
. At CD Veracruz he was part of the team that won two Primera División de México
Primera División de México
The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
championships in 1945 and 1949. It was here, as an already famous and accomplished footballer, that he reached legend status. De la Fuente is the first Mexican player to play in four different countries (Mexico, Spain, Paraguay and Argentina).
His natural position was the midfield, but his incredible ball skills and technique helped his overall field game, distributing precise passes and assisting goals when not scoring them himself. He was incredibly dangerous in the air game, where his athleticism propelled him to leap over rival defenses. He also possessed a powerful boot on both legs, being the left his strong side.
De La Fuente retired after a very accomplished 21 year career on June 13, 1954. He died in 1972 of a heart attack and is buried in Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
, facing the Luis "Pirata" Fuente Stadium which carries his name and his legend.
Titles
| Season | Team | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1933/34 |  RC España |
Mexican Amateur Champion |
| 1934 |  Racing de SantanderRacing de Santander Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators.... |
Campeonato de Cantabria |
| 1935/36 | RC España |
Mexican Amateur Champion |
| 1942/43 | Club Deportivo Marte Club Deportivo Marte - History :The club‘s beginning was in Cuernavaca, Morelos. All of its amateur and part of the professional era were played in this city. The early club was mainly formed by the Mexican military.- Amateur era :... |
Mexican Amateur Champion |
| 1945/46 | CD Veracruz CD Veracruz Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz, known as Veracruz, is a Mexican professional football club. Veracruz plays in the Liga de Ascenso de México. Their nickname "Tiburones Rojos" means red sharks. The club was founded in 1943 after two clubs from the city state of Veracruz, Iberia de Córdoba and Veracruz... |
Mexican 1st division Mexican football champions The Mexican Football Champion is the winner of the Primera División of football in Mexico. Currently, there are two champions each calendar year with one champion for the Apertura competition held in the autumn and one for the Clausura competition in the spring.-Amateur Era Distrito Federal... |
| 1949/50 | CD Veracruz CD Veracruz Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz, known as Veracruz, is a Mexican professional football club. Veracruz plays in the Liga de Ascenso de México. Their nickname "Tiburones Rojos" means red sharks. The club was founded in 1943 after two clubs from the city state of Veracruz, Iberia de Córdoba and Veracruz... |
Mexican 1st division Mexican football champions The Mexican Football Champion is the winner of the Primera División of football in Mexico. Currently, there are two champions each calendar year with one champion for the Apertura competition held in the autumn and one for the Clausura competition in the spring.-Amateur Era Distrito Federal... |