24 Facts About Enzo Francescoli

1. Enzo Francescoli became the head of playing personnel for River Plate.

2. Enzo Francescoli never played for the two biggest clubs in his native Uruguay, Penarol nor Nacional.

3. Enzo Francescoli is a former Uruguayan footballer and sports director.

4. Enzo Francescoli is a former Uruguayan football player.

5. Enzo Francescoli learned of this fact just before the Intercontinental Cup final match of 1996, and so the two players swapped jerseys at the end of the match.

6. Enzo Francescoli became the head of player personnel for River Plate.

7. Enzo Francescoli went to live with his family in Miami, where he would create TV station GOL TV with former manager Paco Casal.

8. Enzo Francescoli was born in Montevideo into a family of Italian origin.

9. Enzo Francescoli has two brothers: Luis Ernesto, two years older; and Pablo, 13 years younger.

10. Enzo Francescoli is married to Mariela Yern since 1984 and has two sons with her, Bruno and Marco.

11. Enzo Francescoli announced his retirement from international football after winning the Copa America for the third time.

12. In total, Enzo Francescoli made 16 appearances over four editions of the Copa America, scoring five goals, and reaching the final on all four occasions in which he played.

13. Enzo Francescoli was named player of the tournament, and was elected the best player in South America, at age 34, 11 years after first receiving the honour.

14. Enzo Francescoli stated in an interview, "[T]he only thing I ask is forgiveness from all Uruguayans.

15. Enzo Francescoli made his debut for the senior team in 1982, competing in a friendly tournament in India.

16. Enzo Francescoli was named one of the best young players in the world that year, making three appearances in the 1981 FIFA World Youth Championship.

17. Enzo Francescoli played 73 times for the Uruguay national team scoring 17 goals, between 1982 and 1997.

18. Enzo Francescoli finished his season with River Plate with a defeat in the 1996 Intercontinental Cup final against Italian side Juventus.

19. In 1993, Enzo Francescoli accepted an offer from Turin side Torino, the most recent winner of the Coppa Italia.

20. Enzo Francescoli was sorely missed by his former team Racing, which, in his absence, was unable to avoid relegation.

21. Enzo Francescoli became a team idol and in 1987 was elected the best foreign player in France.

22. Enzo Francescoli won a total of five Argentine titles in the six years in which he played for the club.

23. Enzo Francescoli was the leading scorer and a key player for the club's second Copa Libertadores title.

24. Enzo Francescoli played 73 times for the Celeste between 1982 and his retirement in 1997, making him the most capped outfield player in Uruguayan international football at the time.