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Synthetic turf, 3D players, and innovation: friends create foosball table that reached Ángel Di María
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

Synthetic turf, 3D players, and innovation: friends create foosball table that reached Ángel Di María

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Two friends, Juan Martín Uncal and Brian Margenet, have reinvented the classic foosball table with a modern, innovative version called Capocannoniere.
  • Their design features include thermal-coated cup holders, a larger playing surface, and a vertical storage system, addressing common limitations of traditional tables.
  • The project began as a hobby and has gained traction, even reaching football star Ángel Di María, as they aim to revitalize a stagnant market with outdated designs.

In the passionate atmosphere surrounding the 2026 World Cup and Argentina's strong performance, a unique story of innovation has emerged: two friends have revolutionized the classic foosball table. Juan Martín Uncal and Brian Margenet, both from Rosario, developed an updated version of the beloved game, branding their creation as Capocannoniere.

Their redesigned foosball table boasts several unconventional features aimed at enhancing the player experience and addressing the shortcomings of traditional models. These innovations include integrated thermal-coated cup holders, a playing surface that is wider than the standard dimensions, and a clever vertical storage system designed to save space. These thoughtful additions aim to offer a modern, functional, and more user-friendly alternative to the familiar game.

They are all made of aluminum, of metal. They are the ones that are abandoned, thrown away. Nowhere in the world do they make them like this.

— Juan Martín UncalUncal describing the outdated designs of traditional foosball tables.

What started as a weekend hobby among friends has evolved into a burgeoning entrepreneurial venture. Uncal explained that they identified a largely stagnant market, with many traditional foosball manufacturers having disappeared and existing models relying on outdated designs. "They are all made of aluminum, of metal. They are the ones that are abandoned, thrown away. Nowhere in the world do they make them like this," he noted, highlighting the lack of contemporary options.

The inspiration for Capocannoniere also draws from a sense of nostalgia. Uncal mentioned that for their generation, who grew up before video games like PlayStation became dominant, traditional social activities like playing cards, table tennis, or foosball were central to gatherings. With this sentiment in mind, they sought to revive a cherished traditional game while incorporating new technologies and modern design principles. Their innovative approach has already captured attention, notably reaching the hands of football star Ángel Di María, signaling a promising future for their unique venture.

We are people over 30, where PlayStation wasn't as much our taste. The barbecue gathering was truco, ping pong, or metegol.

— Juan Martín UncalUncal explaining the nostalgic inspiration behind their foosball table design.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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