There are thousands of anecdotes of former footballers who dedicate themselves to a very different field after hanging up their boots. This is the story of Joaquín Irigoytíathe youth archer who became champion with the Argentine national team in Qatarand due to his great performances he was classified in the 90s as the “New Fillol”.
Today, at 48 years old, “El Vasco” couldn’t be further from a soccer field. The former player, who became inferior in a large club, is living in Pueblo General Belgrano, a few kilometers from Gualeguaychú, where he dedicates himself to family life and his legal study. What happened for Irigoytía to go from being the great promise in Argentina’s goal to failing to shine in the teams he played for?
What was Joaquín Irigoytía’s football career like?
Irigoytía arrived in River on the recommendation of a legend of the “Millonario” arch, Amadeo Carrizo. The legendary goalkeeper clarified to the player test coach that he pay special attention to the young goalkeeper: “Look, this is my chicken”. Once in the youth ranks, his talent led him to stand out in River’s youth categories, even becoming champion with the 5th in 1993, where he shared a squad with Hernan Crespo and Gustavo Lombardi. Some time later, thanks to his great performances, he reached the youth team of the Argentine National Team.
In the same year in which he debuted in River’s first team, he was the renowned coach, Joseph Pekermanwho called him to Vasco to be the starting goalkeeper of the Argentine under 20 team in the Qatar World Cup 1995. That squad with young promises like Juan Pablo Sorín, Gustavo Lombardi, Diego Crosa, Walter Coyette, Ariel Ibagaza, among others, managed to win the title by defeating difficult rivals (the Netherlands in groups, Spain in the semis and Brazil in the final). Joaquín Irigoytía was undoubtedly one of the great appearances of the tournament, showing his confidence under the three sticks; He even won the award as the best goalkeeper of the Cup.
After a very promising start, he returned from the competition to play for River until 1998. Although it was known that he had more than enough conditions, it was difficult for Irigoytía to have continuity during those years when competing with great goalkeepers such as Germán “Mono” Burgos and Roberto Bonano. It was thus that in that year, at Vasco’s express request, something that according to him aroused the anger of River’s directors, he switched to Spanish football to play on loan at Hércules.
However, the Spanish club faced many sporting, financial and managerial problems; Likewise, the former goalkeeper was able to play only two games in Spain. According to Irigoytía in an interview for La Nación, it was very difficult for him to stay there: “As I was taken by a faction that had the majority of the shares and that the fans did not want, they began to harass me before the plane landed. …the plan was to adapt to a small club in Spain and then join a big one, but my disappointment when I arrived there was such that a week later I already wanted to return to Argentina. I thought it was something else.”
After his poor time in Europe, he returned to River, but the Millonario club sold him on the last day of the 1999 transfer market to Columbus of Santa Fe. The transfer took place in a very strange way, which according to Irigoytía was a kind of revenge for having asked at the time to be transferred to Spain to have more continuity. “The managers at that time did not forgive me for my desire to add minutes and add experience to my game, and when I returned from my loan, which it is worth remembering had a truly priceless option, They told me that they were no longer going to count on meand they sold 50% of the pass to me and the other 50% was sold to Colón de Santa Fe, one day before closing the pass book, clearly to harm me,” Irigoytía commented on Infobae.
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The managerial dealings and extra-football things were slowly wearing down the young goalkeeper. “When I became a professional I started seeing things I didn’t like. Fundamentally, from managers and intermediaries or representatives. I had to endure those things that I didn’t like throughout my career, or rather, my career lasted until I couldn’t stand it anymore,” the former goalkeeper clarified for La Nación.
In any case, from 1999 to 2006 Vasco played for some teams, but in none of them could he be the same as before; They were even very short cycles in a matter of time. In Colón de Santa Fe he saved some games and rotated the position with Leo Diaz until 2002. Already in 2003 he played for Cerro Porteño (Paraguay) and CF of Works (Mexico). During those years, the goalkeeper realized that perhaps football wasn’t his thing and he decided to start a career in law while he was trying to Almagro and Lanus (2004-2005).
According to Irigoytía, the fact that a player studies is not something that is well regarded within the world of football, and although his coaches never expressly let him know, he knew that it was something that bothered both leaders and coaches.
After a short time in Lanús, the former goalkeeper decided to hang up his gloves in a not so dreamy way, until one day they called his house from Aldosivi, a team that had the mission of not being relegated. Joaquín accepted the proposal to get the desire to play, but with the condition that the contract was only for one year, so that he could then continue with his studies.
His participation in the “Shark” arc It was very surprising and in fact it was key in the last games to prevent the team from relegation. Once the year ended, the Mar del Plata club proposed to the former goalkeeper to continue on the team, but Irigoytía decided to end his career at the age of 32.
What happened to Joaquín Irigoytía’s life after his retirement from football?
Once he hung up his gloves, he decided to have nothing to do with the world of football. After his time at Aldosivi, the former goalkeeper decided finished his studies, he received his degree and currently practices as a lawyer. Likewise, Vasco is a family man and father of three women: Belén, Clara and Victoria.
Joaquín Irigoytía news
Vasco began studying law because it was his father’s profession. Besides, according to his view, his career as a lawyer meant that he could have knowledge of many other things. Irigoytía has his law firm in Gualeguaychú, but is also licensed to practice in Buenos Aires. In addition, Joaquín has a specialization in environmental law, but usually handles cases that are more linked to civil, commercial, labor and criminal matters.
With regard to sports, despite having visited the Monumental not long ago, the Entre Ríos native does not watch Argentine football. From time to time he watches the occasional Premier League match because he believes that is where the best players in the world play and where “the sport is played properly.”
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
