José Sanfilippo: The Argentine football legend who embraced the villain's role

José Francisco Sanfilippo, an Argentine football icon, carved a unique legacy defined by his audacious talent and a persona that often cast him as a villain. His career, spanning 23 years and yielding 344 goals, was marked by a blend of arrogance, speed, and exceptional skill.

One of his most legendary moments occurred on October 12, 1962, during a match between San Lorenzo and Boca Juniors. Facing Boca's intimidating goalkeeper Antonio Roma, Sanfilippo famously declared he would score two goals. He delivered, netting both, with one particularly memorable strike executed with his heel over the charging goalkeeper.

This audacious goal, though subject to mythologizing and even recent online skepticism, is widely recounted in similar ways by contemporary media, suggesting its core elements are true. La Nación described the play as San Lorenzo initiating an attack, with Sanfilippo receiving the ball near the goal and deftly flicking it over Roma before the keeper could react.

Sanfilippo, often called "El Nene" in his youth, never shed this defiant identity. This unwavering self-belief and flair made him a polarizing figure, sometimes disliked, yet undeniably unforgettable in Argentine football history. His career continued to be a subject of discussion and legend long after his retirement.