Marcos Francisco Croce (6 March 1894 – 10 July 1978) was an Argentine footballer who played as goalkeeper. Croce spent most of his career at Racing Club, but he also played in Alumni, Estudiantes BA, and Sportivo Palermo.
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Personal information | |||
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Full name | Marcos Francisco Croce | ||
Date of birth | (1894-03-06)6 March 1894 | ||
Date of death | 10 July 1978(1978-07-10) (aged 84) | ||
Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1910–? | Alumni | ||
Estudiantes (BA) | |||
1917–1925 | Racing Club | ||
1928–1931 | Sp. Palermo | ||
National team | |||
1916–1919 | Argentina | 7 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Croce is regarded not only as the first great goalkeeper for Racing Club but one of the best in the history of the club.[1][2]
Croce debuted in Alumni with only 16 years old,[3] then moving to C.A. Estudiantes. In 1917 he was transferred to Racing Club, where he had a long tenure also winning 10 titles with the club between 1917 and 1925.[3] Besides, Croce also was one of the first Argentine goalkeeper to kick penalties, scoring several goals.[4]
Between 1920 and 1921, Croce set a record of 1,077 minutes keeping his goal unbeaten (for more than 11 consecutive matches).[2] This record still remains for Argentine Primera División matches. Croce broke the record set by another Racing goalkeeper, Syla Arduino, who had remained 891 minutes unbeaten.[5]
In 1928, Croce (who was playing for Sportivo Palermo) was part of the Capital Federal Combined that played two friendly matches v Scottish side Motherwell F.C. in Buenos Aires. Those exhibition games were scheduled as part of Motherwell tour of South America.[6] Croce's good performances gained him recognition by the press, even appearing on the cover of sports magazine El Gráfico.[7]
Croce retired from football in 1931 playing for Sportivo Palermo. He died on 10 July 1978 at 84 years old.[4]
Internationally, Croce played seven matches for the Argentina national football team.[4][8] He was also part of Argentina's squad for the 1917 South American Championship, sharing duties with River Plate goalkeeper Carlos Isola.[9]
In my career as footballer, I hold the honor of not having commercialised my efforts and to have played only for the love of the sport. I was an 'amateur' in the broadest sense of the word.[3]
— Croce about his career in football
Argentina squad – 1917 South American Championship runners-up | ||
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