Deep sadness: ex-Colón player and icon Bustingorria dies | OneFootball

Born on February 21, 1960, in Santa Fe Capital, he began his football journey at the age of 12 at Ferro Carril Santa Fe, where he already showed a natural vocation for the game and a determination that would accompany him throughout his life.

At 16, he made the dream leap: he tried out for Colón, the club of his dreams. His initial practices quickly convinced the coaching staff, and he was soon confirmed as a player for the institution.

As a child, he admired figures like Edgar Fernández and Elvio Ricardo “Chivo” Pavoni, role models who also influenced his way of living football.

His debut in the first division came on August 31, 1980, in a friendly against Belgrano de Córdoba under the guidance of Miguel Antonio “Gitano” Juárez. With the red and black jersey, he fulfilled another of his great dreams: playing the classic against Unión, an experience he always remembered with pride.

In 1983, he was very close to moving to San Lorenzo de Almagro, but the transfer fell through when Colón decided to raise his valuation too high.

Ultimately, the position went to Enrique Hrabina. A year later, after continuing a season with Sabalero, he traveled to Buenos Aires to meet with coach Roberto “Pipo” Ferreiro and the president of Deportivo Morón.

The agreement came quickly, and the club bought his transfer, along with that of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado.

In Morón, Bustingorria earned everyone's respect. With sacrifice and performance, he displaced none other than an idol of the institution, the historic goalkeeper Vicente “Tano” Stagliano. His temperament, composure, and professionalism made him an immediate reference.

In 1988, he made an unusual decision for the time: he bought his own transfer from Deportivo Morón to move to Atlético Ituzaingó, which was building a competitive team with aspirations of promotion. It would be a wise move.

On May 27, 1989, Ituzaingó achieved the coveted promotion with Bustingorria as captain, one of the sports achievements he cherished the most.

He played one more year in the B Metropolitana and then signed with Excursionistas, where he stayed for a season and a half. Later, he played regional championships in General Villegas and Chivilcoy, finally accepting an offer from Central Ballester.

However, after just six or seven matches and facing managerial noncompliance, he decided to end his career at 36. He had played around 600 matches and scored more than 30 goals: numbers that speak of an extensive and rich career, built away from the spotlight but with the respect of the community.

A beloved mentor and a name that remains in memory

Life after football was not easy for Bustingorria. Without significant income and renting a home, he had to work in whatever was necessary to support his family. Even so, he never strayed from the sport he was passionate about.

He was a football coordinator for six years at Huracán de San Justo and in 1998 returned permanently to Santa Fe, where he continued to be involved in player development and teaching.

He built a solid family with his wife, Norma Beatriz. He had three children —Noelia, Andrea, and Manuel— and three grandsons, the pride of his life.

In the local sports scene, he left a deep mark: he coached San Cristóbal both in the Santafesina League and in Argentino B, worked at Colón for two years, went through Banco Provincial, returned to San Cristóbal, led Las Flores II, and, until before the pandemic, was in charge of El Cadi and Formadores FC.

Always generous, he was a reference for many clubs in the League, whom he advised and helped by taking young players to try out for teams in Buenos Aires.

In recent years, he actively participated in the Newell’s Old Boys Peña in the Roma neighborhood, where he was a regular guest due to his career and his connection with the Santa Fe football community.

The death of Alberto Bustingorria mourns Colón, the Santafesina League, and all regional football. A man who lived with passion, who fought, who mentored, and who left an indelible mark on every institution he touched has passed away.

His legacy endures in those who knew him and in every kid who dreamed, thanks to him, of an opportunity in football.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.