Biography
Who is Jorge Burruchaga?
Early football career
Born in Gualeguay, Argentina, Jorge Burruchaga began his professional path in 1980 with Arsenal de Sarandi. He played for the club during its time in the second division. In 1982, he moved to the top-tier club Independiente. He made his debut for the team on 12 February 1982 during a match against Estudiantes de La Plata.
During his first stint with Independiente, the team achieved significant success. Jorge contributed to winning the Metropolitano title in 1983. In 1984, he helped the club secure victories in the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup. These early achievements established him as a talented attacking midfielder and forward within the Argentine league system.
International success and French years
Jorge Burruchaga is most celebrated for his performance with the Argentina national football team. He participated in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, where he scored two goals. Most he netted the decisive goal in the final match, securing a 3-2 win against West Germany. He also played in every match for Argentina during the 1990 FIFA World Cup, where he scored one goal.
Following his initial success in Argentina, Jorge transferred to the French league. He spent seven years playing for Nantes. Later, he joined Valenciennes for one season. During his time at Valenciennes, he became involved in a high-profile bribery scandal. He was accused of being offered money by Olympique de Marseille officials to throw a match in May 1993. Although he stated he initially agreed, he changed his mind before the game. He ultimately received a suspended six-month prison sentence in 1995 regarding the incident.
Later playing career and coaching
After his time in France, Jorge returned to his home country. He rejoined Independiente for a final playing spell. During this period, he won both the Supercopa Sudamericana and the Recopa Sudamericana in 1995. He officially retired from professional football on 10 April 1998 following a match against Velez Sarsfield. Across his international career from 1983 to 1990, he scored 13 goals in 59 appearances.
Following his retirement as a player, Jorge transitioned into coaching. He began managing Arsenal de Sarandi in 2002 after the team reached the first division. Over the following years, he held various managerial roles across South America, including positions at Estudiantes de La Plata, Independiente, Banfield, Club Libertad, and Atletico Rafaela. Later, he returned to the national setup to serve as the general manager for the Argentina national team during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Personal life and family
Jorge Burruchaga has two children, Mauro Burruchaga and Roman Andres Burruchaga. His son Mauro pursued a career in professional football, while his son Roman became a tennis player. In 1995, his wife Laura Mendoza passed away following injuries sustained in a car accident. Throughout his career, Jorge has been recognized for his contributions to the sport, including being named to the IFFHS Argentina All Times Dream Team in 2021.
Birthday and age
Jorge Burruchaga was born on October 9, 1962, which makes Jorge 64 years old today. That birthday falls under the Libra sign. Jorge shares the date with 58 other famous people.
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