Argentine football is in mourning. José Francisco Sanfilippoone of the most outstanding forwards of his generation and top scorer of Saint Lawrencedied this Thursday in Buenos Aires at the age of 91.
The news was confirmed by the Barça club itself through a message spread on social networks, where it fired one of the most emblematic figures of its sporting identity.
“At 91 years old he left this plane José Francisco Sanfilippo. An indelible legend of Saint Lawrence and Argentine football that, forever, will rest in our hearts,” the Argentine club reported in a message posted on social networks.
At 91 years old, José Francisco Sanfilippo left this plane.
An indelible legend of San Lorenzo and Argentine football that will forever rest in our hearts.
Thank you so much, Nene. pic.twitter.com/FzeIzXXisF
— San Lorenzo (@SanLorenzo) June 4, 2026
The scorer who marked an era in San Lorenzo
With a total of 205 official goalsSanfilippo continues to be the leading scorer in the history of Saint Lawrencea brand that keeps him among the club’s most important names.
Popularly known as “Nene”, he debuted with the Barça team in 1953 and quickly became one of the great figures of the Argentine championship.
His scoring ability was reflected between 1958 and 1961, a period in which he finished as the tournament’s top scorer for four consecutive seasons. His best campaign came in 1960, when he recorded 34 touchdowns in 40 games.
In addition, he was a main player in the Argentine First Division titles won by Saint Lawrence in 1959 and later on two occasions during 1972.
His legacy with the Argentine team
Born on February 4, 1935 in Buenos Aires, Sanfilippo also left an important mark with the argentine national team.
He was part of the team that won the 1957 South American Championshipone of the great successes of the Albiceleste at that time. Two years later he also won the continental runners-up.
At the international level he competed World Cups in Sweden 1958 and Chile 1962tournaments in which Argentina failed to overcome the first phase.
During his time with the Albiceleste shirt he accumulated 29 games and 18 goals, figures that reflect his offensive impact on the national team.
Boca Juniors, Brazil and his return to the club of his loves
After a decade defending the colors of Saint Lawrencethe attacker had a brief passage through Boca Juniorswhere he reached the final of the Libertadores Cup 1963.
That xeneize team fell to the Saints led by Pelein one of the most remembered finals of the time.
He later developed an international stage in Uruguayan National and in Brazilian clubs Bangu and Baywhere he won the Bahia state championships in 1970 and 1971.
His career ended where it all began: in Saint Lawrencea club to which he returned in 1972 to close his professional career.
From stadiums to media
Once removed from the fields, Jose Sanfilippo He had a brief experience as a coach Velez Sarsfield before starting an extensive career in the media.
For years he worked as a sports commentator and panelist, gaining notoriety for his direct style, his forceful opinions and his constant debates on current events in Argentine soccer.
With his death, South American football loses one of the most prolific forwards of his generation and a figure who left an indelible mark on Saint Lawrencethe argentine national team and the sport of his country.
Continue reading:
· Mourning in Ecuador: Raúl Guerrón, 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup player and leader of the Tri, dies
· Billy Álvarez, former president of Cruz Azul, died
· Death of Miguel Ángel Russo puts Argentine football in mourning
· Panamanian “Cascarita” Tapia, “The Pelé of Central America,” dies
