 Suñéc. 1972 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rubén José Suñé | ||
| Date of birth | (1947-03-07)7 March 1947 | ||
| Place of birth | Buenos Aires,Argentina | ||
| Date of death | 20 June 2019(2019-06-20) (aged 72) | ||
| Place of death | Buenos Aires,Argentina | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1967–1972 | Boca Juniors | 186 | (32) |
| 1973–1974 | Huracán | 33 | (1) |
| 1975 | Unión de Santa Fe | 49 | (1) |
| 1976–1980 | Boca Juniors | 131 | (2) |
| 1981 | San Lorenzo | 20 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| 1969–1973 | Argentina | 6 | (3) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1993–1994 | Boca Juniors (women) | ||
| 1993–1994 | Argentina women | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Rubén José Suñé (7 March 1947,Buenos Aires – 20 June 2019) was anArgentinefootballmidfielder who won eight titles withBoca Juniors and also played for theArgentina national team,[1] With theArgentina national team, where he his international debut in 1969 and played a total of six games for the squad.
Suñé is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders and captains in Boca Juniors' history, apart from being one of the idols of the institution.[2][3] In his two periods with Boca Juniors (1967–72, 1976–80), Suñé played 377 matches, scoring 36 goals.[4] During his entire career, he totalised 527 matches and 52 goals scored.[5]
Suñé started his professional career in 1967 with Boca Juniors where he was part of the squad that won the1967Nacional championship. His first position on the field wasright back, then playing ascentral midfielder (from 1972), which would be his definitive position. When legendaryAntonio Rattín retired from football in 1970, Suñé was appointed as Boca Juniorscaptain.[5]
On 17 March1971 Suñé was involved in a notoriousCopa Libertadores match againstPeruvian sideSporting Cristal where all but two of theBoca Juniors players were sent off after an on pitch battle involving all the players exceptJulio Meléndez and the two goalkeepers. All the players involved in the riot were also arrested. This is considered the biggest scandal in the history of the continental competition. Due to having been one of the main actors in the violent incidents, Suñé was suspended for one year and a half although he would be pardoned by CONMEBOL.[6]
Suñé's career continued inHuracán, where he moved in 1973, then joiningUnión de Santa Fe in 1975. Managed byJuan Carlos Lorenzo, Unión made a great campaign in the1975 Nacional with Suñé, goalkeeperHugo Gatti, midfielderVictorio Cocco and forwardsErnesto Mastrángelo andLeopoldo Luque among others.[7]
When Boca Juniors hired Lorenzo in 1976, he brought Suñé back to the club. During the next few years Boca had one of the most successful periods in its history, claiming twoPrimera División championships, twoCopa Libertadores titles and the 1977Copa Intercontinental.[citation needed]
22 December 1976 was the most remembered day in Suñé's career, when he scored the only goal of the1976 final vsRiver Plate after shooting afree kick. The final was held inRacing Club Stadium and Suñé's goal allowed Boca Juniors to win not only theSuperclásico but their 20th. league title.[citation needed]
Suñé's professional career ended in1981 when he joinedSan Lorenzo for one final season. In 1984, he suffered a bout of severe depression and a suicide attempt, but he recovered and took up a coaching role with the Boca Juniors youth team.[8]
Suñé died at Hospital Británico of Buenos Aires, but the cause of his death is still unclear.[1]
... I can't hide the pride I feel entering the pitch with the captain's band on my arm. Because in some way it represents the Boca Juniors' symbol, a part of representing all my teammates. Being the captain represents a consent from the team, a validation of friendship, a proof of appreciation, of being a good teammate and having values... this distinction, given by my teammates, is a huge compliment for me. Furthermore in an institution (Boca Juniors) which is known worldwide.[5]
— Rubén Suñé talking about his role as captain in an interview
Despite the Boca–River match being broadcast on television, it was believed that there was no surviving record of that goal (only a photographic sequence published byEl Gráfico served as approach). Because of that, the goal was popularly known as "the ghost goal".[9] Nevertheless, in November 2019, Boca Juniors announced that a record of that goal had been found.
A short movie depicting some moments prior to the free kick and the goal was screened at thePassion for Boca Juniors Museum ofBuenos Aires. The release was attended by a select group of members and former players of the club.[10]
