José María Buruca Laforia (Atalaya, Spain, 16 May 1884 – Buenos Aires, Argentina, 6 Jun 1957) was an Argentine association football goalkeeper. Nicknamed El Vasco, Buruca Laforia is considered the first great goalkeeper of Argentina."Manos mágicas" by Pedro Uzquiza, Clarín, 13 Jan 2001
Career Although Buruca was short height to play as goalkeeper, his intuition made him to be just in time under the goal. His playing style (usually getting away from the goal area) made Alumni's captain Jorge Brown told him off several times. He is considered a predecessor of other goalkeepers such as Ubaldo Fillol or Hugo Gatti.
Buruca started his career playing for Central Athletic Club, then moving to Barracas A.C. where he stayed until 1904. That same year he was the goalkeeper in the first international match played by an Argentine side v. a British team, Southampton in Buenos Aires. In 1905 he moved to Alumni, along with forward Carlos Lett.Alumni, Cuna de Campeones y Escuela de Hidalguía by Ernesto Escobar Bavio - published by Editorial Difusión, Buenos Aires, 1953 Buruca won 3 Primera División championships among other titles.
In 1909 Buruca moved to Independiente where he played until 1911, then playing for Argentino de Quilmes and Racing Club de Avellaneda.Historia en Rojo y Negro by Carlos Durhand; Javier Parent - Ediciones La Capital, 2010 After his father died, Buruca decided to quit from football.
Buruca was the first goalkeeper to play for the Argentina national team in an official match, playing v. Uruguay in Montevideo on July 20, 1902. Buruca only played four times for Argentina, being his last match on August 15, 1907, vs. Uruguay for the Copa Lipton. He was injured at 60' and replaced by forward Alfredo Brown who had to switch to goalkeeper because substitutions were not allowed by then. His goal remained unbeaten, setting a record."Information on world records and short biographies of the record holders (1901-1910)", IFFHS (Archive, 7 Feb 2012)
Honours Alumni Primera División (3): 1905, 1906, 1907 Copa de Honor Municipalidad de Buenos Aires (2): 1905, 1906 Copa de Competencia Jockey Club (2): 1907, 1908 Tie Cup (6): 1906, 1907 Copa de Honor Cousenier (1): 1906
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