Amadeo Carrizo
The Argentine pioneer who invented the modern goalkeeper role.
Amadeo Raúl Carrizo Larretape, known simply as Amadeo, was an Argentine football goalkeeper and manager born on June 12, 1926. He is widely regarded as a pioneer who revolutionized the position by innovating techniques and strategies that changed how goalkeepers played. In 1999, the IFFHS ranked him as the best South American keeper of the 20th century. Carrizo was the first Argentine goalkeeper to wear gloves, following Italy's Giovanni Viola, and he became the first to regularly leave his penalty area to defend or use goal kicks to start counterattacks. His unique style inspired future legends like Hugo Gatti, René Higuita, José Luis Chilavert, and more recently, Manuel Neuer.
- Role
- Goalkeeper
- Primary Club
- Club Atlético River Plate
- Key Era
- 1945–1970
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Carrizo's international journey was marked by both triumphs and harsh realities. He played for Argentina with significant success, particularly against Brazil, but also suffered a crushing 6–1 defeat against Czechoslovakia during the 1958 FIFA World Cup. A major high point came in 1964 when he won the Taça das Nações tournament held in Brazil to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Brazilian Football Confederation, featuring teams like England and Portugal. Domestically, his career at River Plate was defined by longevity and record-breaking performances. On July 14, 1968, the 42-year-old Carrizo set two records in a match against Atlético Vélez: most official matches for the club (521) and the longest run without conceding a goal at 769 minutes. This streak ended in that same match via a header from an 18-year-old Carlos Bianchi.
In Their Own Story
On May 6, 1945, Carrizo made his debut for River Plate against Independiente in a match the club won 2–1. Throughout his time there, he played alongside stars like José Manuel Moreno, Félix Loustau, Adolfo Pedernera, Ángel Labruna, and a young Alfredo Di Stéfano. He secured seven national Championship trophies in 1945, 1947, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, and 1957, alongside the Copa Aldao in 1945 and 1947, and the Copa Ibarguren in 1952. His final act at River Plate included reaching the 1966 Copa Libertadores Finals, where they lost to Uruguay's CA Peñarol after three matches. In March 1967, he made his 500th appearance for the club against San Lorenzo at the Estadio Gasómetro. After leaving Argentina in 1968, he played one match each for Peruvian sides Alianza Lima and Club Universitario de Deportes before joining Colombian team Millonarios in April 1969, where he retired in April 1970. His acrobatic saves there earned him the nickname 'Tarzan'.
Reader's Guide
Carrizo's influence extended beyond his playing days into management. In 1973, he managed Deportivo Armenio from the Province of Buenos Aires, leading them to promotion to the Primera C league. That same year, he returned to Colombia to manage the first division team Once Caldas (then known as Cristal Caldas) in Manizales. His playing career concluded at age 42 years and 7 months, making him one of the oldest players in Argentine top-flight history at the time, ranking fourth behind Pedro Catalano, Edgardo Andrada, and Hugo Gatti. The IFFHS later honored his legacy by including him in the South America Men's Team of All Time and the Argentina All Times Dream Team in 2021.
Did You Know?
- Carrizo was the first Argentine goalkeeper to wear gloves, adopting the practice from Italian keeper Giovanni Viola.
- He held two records simultaneously in a 1968 match: most official games for River Plate (521) and the longest clean sheet streak at 769 minutes.
- His final record-breaking streak ended only because of a header from an 18-year-old Carlos Bianchi.
- In 1969, he played one single match each for two different Peruvian teams: Alianza Lima and Club Universitario de Deportes.
- He earned the nickname 'Tarzan' in Colombia due to his acrobatic saves while playing for Millonarios.
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