El Trinche, Argentina’s cult enigma at the heart of a national team myth | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, a new long-read revisits Tomas Carlovich, known as El Trinche, the 1970s Argentine icon whose legend includes a disputed refusal to join the national team.

In Rosario, murals still honour him. Adored by Marcelo Bielsa and hailed by Diego Maradona as the world’s best player, he played only four top-flight matches, dazzled with the double nutmeg and valued calm over celebrity.

In 1976, César Luis Menotti, charmed by friendly displays, is said to have called him up. Menotti later recounted that Carlovich was reportedly stranded on an island by a high river and could not return, and he lamented a great talent who never fully showed it.

Others insist Carlovich chose fishing over representing Argentina, a version he rejected. His son Bruno, who died recently, believed he was never contacted and said he would have been told if his father had refused.

Carlovich died in 2020, and the stories remain unresolved. Those who crossed his path still speak of elegance, audacity and artistry, with José Pekerman likening him to an artist confined behind bars.

Source: L'Équipe