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The term oriundo (; Italian plural ''oriundi'') is an
Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, a Romance ethnic group related to or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance languag ...
and Portuguese
noun In grammar, a noun is a word that represents a concrete or abstract thing, like living creatures, places, actions, qualities, states of existence, and ideas. A noun may serve as an Object (grammar), object or Subject (grammar), subject within a p ...
describing an
immigrant Immigration is the international movement of people to a destination country of which they are not usual residents or where they do not possess nationality in order to settle as permanent residents. Commuters, tourists, and other short- ...
in a country, whose ancestry is from that same country. It comes from the
Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...
verb ''oriri'' (''orior''), "be born", and is etymologically related to ''
Orient The Orient is a term referring to the East in relation to Europe, traditionally comprising anything belonging to the Eastern world. It is the antonym of the term ''Occident'', which refers to the Western world. In English, it is largely a meto ...
''. In
Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many countries in the Americas **Spanish cuisine **Spanish history **Spanish culture ...
oriundo means ''native'' or ''inhabitant'', but this term was also used in
Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
to refer to a series of athletes, born in
Latin America Latin America is the cultural region of the Americas where Romance languages are predominantly spoken, primarily Spanish language, Spanish and Portuguese language, Portuguese. Latin America is defined according to cultural identity, not geogr ...
, whose ancestors were Spanish emigrants. In
Italian culture The culture of Italy encompasses the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, and customs of the Italian peninsula throughout history. Italy has been a pivotal center of civilisation, playing a crucial role in the development of Western culture. I ...
, an ''oriundo'' is someone who is living in a country other than the one of his origins (i.e. being of Italian descent and residing outside of
Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
). Oriundi are usually foreigners to their country of origin in legal terms. Whether or not they maintain cultural and linguistic ties with their country of origin usually depends on their upbringing, family background and preservation of cultural values.


Overview

Some ''oriundi'' have played for the
Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
or
Spain national football team The Spain national football team () has represented Spain in men's international Association football, football competitions since 1920. It is governed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. Spain i ...
s in international competition; among these are some who had previously represented their native country.
FIFA The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (), more commonly known by its acronym FIFA ( ), is the international self-regulatory governing body of association football, beach soccer, and futsal. It was founded on 21 May 1904 to o ...
requires international footballers to have either citizenship of a country or close ancestral ties to it. ''Oriundi'' may qualify under the latter heading; in addition, they can acquire citizenship more easily than immigrants not of native extraction, owing to
jus sanguinis ( or , ), meaning 'right of blood', is a principle of nationality law by which nationality is determined or acquired by the nationality of one or both parents. Children at birth may be nationals of a particular state if either or both of thei ...
. When the
Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, a Romance ethnic group related to or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance languag ...
and
Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many countries in the Americas **Spanish cuisine **Spanish history **Spanish culture ...
leagues imposed quotas or bans on "foreign" players, ''oriundi'' were partially or totally exempt from these. Tours by European club sides of Latin America were common from the 1920s to the 1950s; tours in the reverse direction also occurred. European managers often recruited Latin Americans they had seen playing on these tours. The recruitment of dual internationals was greatly reduced by FIFA which ruled in 1964 that a player could not represent more than one country.Taylor, pg 97. In the 1960s, with incidents like the Battle of Santiago in the
1962 FIFA World Cup The 1962 FIFA World Cup was the 7th edition of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football championship for senior men's national teams. It was held from 30 May to 17 June 1962 in Chile. The qualification rounds took place between ...
and several finals of the Intercontinental Cup, South American football came to be seen as more violent and defensive, and hence fewer players were recruited.


Italian oriundi

The
Italian Americans Italian Americans () are Americans who have full or partial Italians, Italian ancestry. The largest concentrations of Italian Americans are in the urban Northeastern United States, Northeast and industrial Midwestern United States, Midwestern ...
who "returned" to Italy in the 1920s and '30s were known as ''rimpatriati'' ("repatriated people"). In
Fascist Italy Fascist Italy () is a term which is used in historiography to describe the Kingdom of Italy between 1922 and 1943, when Benito Mussolini and the National Fascist Party controlled the country, transforming it into a totalitarian dictatorship. Th ...
, they automatically had
dual citizenship Multiple citizenship (or multiple nationality) is a person's legal status in which a person is at the same time recognized by more than one sovereign state, country under its nationality law, nationality and citizenship law as a national or cit ...
and had no need to undergo naturalization.
Vittorio Pozzo Vittorio Pozzo (; 2 March 1886 – 21 December 1968) was an Italian association football, football player, manager (association football), manager and journalist. The creator of the ''Formation (association football)#Metodo (2–3–2–3), Me ...
, manager of the Italy national team, selected several for the victorious
1934 FIFA World Cup The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the 2nd edition of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international Association football, football championship for List of men's national association football teams, senior men's national teams. It took place in Kin ...
side. He rebutted critics of this policy by saying "if they can die for Italy, they can play for Italy", a reference to
conscription Conscription, also known as the draft in the United States and Israel, is the practice in which the compulsory enlistment in a national service, mainly a military service, is enforced by law. Conscription dates back to antiquity and it conti ...
.
Enrique Guaita Enrique Guaita (; 11 July 1910 – 18 May 1959), also known as Enrico Guaita (), was an Italian Argentine footballer who played for both Argentina and Italy as a forward. He helped win the 1933–35 Central European International Cup & the Wo ...
, Scopelli and Stagnaro tried to leave for
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
to avoid being called up for the Abyssinian campaign in 1936. ''Oriundi'' as a term in Italian football dates from the early 1950s. The category existed separately from native and foreign players at intervals until the 1970s.Taylor, pg 91.
Omar Sivori Umar ibn al-Khattab (; ), also spelled Omar, was the second Rashidun caliph, ruling from August 634 until his assassination in 644. He succeeded Abu Bakr () and is regarded as a senior companion and father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muh ...
, Humberto Maschio and Antonio Valentín Angelillo, the three stars of the Argentina national team that won the
1957 Events January * January 1 – The Saarland joins West Germany. * January 3 – Hamilton Watch Company introduces the first electric watch. * January 5 – South African player Russell Endean becomes the first batsman to be Dismissal (cricke ...
Copa América The CONMEBOL Copa América (; known until 1975 as the South American Football Championship), often simply called the Copa America, is the top men's quadrennial association football, football tournament contested among list of men's national ass ...
were signed by Italian clubs and given citizenship, thereby missing Argentina's disappointing showing at the
1958 FIFA World Cup The 1958 FIFA World Cup was the 6th FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial football tournament for men's senior national teams. It was played in Sweden from 8 to 29 June 1958. It was the first and only FIFA World Cup to be played in a Nordic country. Br ...
. In 1966, no new foreigners were admitted to the Italian league. Their presence was blamed for the continued underperformance of the national side, culminating at the humiliating defeat by
North Korea North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders China and Russia to the north at the Yalu River, Yalu (Amnok) an ...
at that year's World Cup.Taylor, pg 96. The ban was eased when one foreigner per
Serie A The Serie A (), officially known as Serie A Enilive in Italy and Serie A Made in Italy abroad for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in Italy and the highest tier of the Italian football league system. Establish ...
team was allowed from 1980.Taylor, pg 101. In recent years, the most famous Italian oriundo has been the former
Juventus Juventus Football Club (; from , ), commonly known as Juventus or colloquially as Juve (), is an Italian professional Association football, football List of football clubs in Italy, club based in Turin, Piedmont, who compete in Serie A, the ...
'
Italian Argentine Italian Argentines (; , or ''tanos'' in Rioplatense Spanish) are Argentine-born citizens who are fully or partially of Italian descent, whose ancestors were Italians who emigrated to Argentina during the Italian diaspora, or Italian-born people ...
footballer
Mauro Camoranesi Mauro Germán Camoranesi Serra (, ; born 4 October 1976) is an Argentinian-Italian association football, football manager and former player who played as a right midfielder or right winger. Camoranesi began his career in Argentina in 1995, whe ...
, who was eligible for
Italian citizenship The primary law governing nationality of Italy is Law 91/1992, which came into force on 16 August 1992. Italy is a member state of the European Union (EU), and all Italian nationals are EU citizens. They are entitled to free movement rights ...
through a great-grandfather who in 1873 emigrated from Potenza Picena, in Italy's
Marche Marche ( ; ), in English sometimes referred to as the Marches ( ) from the Italian name of the region (Le Marche), is one of the Regions of Italy, twenty regions of Italy. The region is located in the Central Italy, central area of the country, ...
region, to Argentina. Camoranesi won the
2006 FIFA World Cup The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international Association football, football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which had won the right to FIFA World Cup hosts ...
with the '' azzurri''.


List of Italian football oriundi

* – Ermanno Aebi – Inter – 1910–22 * - Valerio Alesi - Ascoli, Civitavecchia, Bolzano, Acri, Fermana, Maceratese, Santegidiese - 1985-1998 * - Daniel Alessi - Sasso Marconi - 2018–present * - John Aloisi - Cremonese - 1995-97 * - Ross Aloisi - Alzano Virescit, Pro Sesto - 2000-03 * –
José Altafini José João Altafini (; born 24 July 1938), also known as "Mazzola" in Brazil, is an Italian-Brazilian former association football, footballer, who played as a Forward (association football), forward. Although, he began his career with Sociedade ...
– Milan, Napoli, Juventus – 1958–76 * – Amauri Carvalho de Oliveira – Napoli, Piacenza, Chievo, Palermo, Juventus, Parma, Fiorentina, Torino – 2000–02, 2003–16 * – Michele Andreolo – Bologna, Lazio, Napoli – 1935–48 * – Antonio Angelillo – Inter, Roma, Milan, Lecco, Genoa – 1957–69 * - Cristian Ansaldi - Genoa, Internazionale, Torino - 2015–present * – Emil Audero – Juventus, Venezia, Sampdoria – 2016–present * - Felipe Avenatti - Ternana, Bologna - 2013-17, 2017–18 * – Emilio Badini – Bologna, Spal – 1913–22 * - Daniel Baldi - Treviso, Teramo - 2006, 2007 * - Amílcar Barbuy - Lazio - 1931-32 * - Walter Baseggio - Treviso - 2006 * - Josias Basso - Ravenna, Reggina - 2008-2010 * - Oscar Basso - Internazionale - 1949-50 * - Gabriel Omar Batistuta - Fiorentina, Roma, Inter - 1991-2003 * – Cristian Battocchio – Udinese- 2010–12 * - Fernando Belluschi - Genoa - 2012 * - Giulio Benedetti - Viterbese - 2021- * - Gaetano Berardi - Brescia, Sampdoria - 2010-14 * - Edenilson Bergonsi - Varese - 2010 * - Sergio Berti - Parma - 1992-93 * -
Daniel Bertoni Ricardo Daniel Bertoni (born 14 March 1955) is an Argentine former Association football, footballer who played as a Midfielder#Winger, right or left winger. In Argentina, he had a successful career at Club Atlético Independiente, where he won th ...
- Fiorentina, Napoli, Udinese - 1981-87 * - Daniel Bessa - Inter, Vicenza, Bologna, Como, Verona, Genoa - 2012-13, 2014–present * - Patrick Bettoni - Vicenza, Ascoli, Reggiana - 1998-2002 * - Ludovico Bidoglio - Palermo - 1916-17 * - Lucas Biglia - Lazio, Milan - 2013-2020 * - Mark Birighitti - Varese - 2015 * - Mario Bolatti - Fiorentina - 2010-11 * - Martino Borghese - Genoa, Viterbese, Pescara, Alghero, Gubbio, Bari, Pro Vercelli, Spezia, Varese, Como, Livorno, Seregno - 2006-2014, 2014–present * - Claudio Borghi - Como - 1987 * -
Mauro Boselli Mauro Boselli (born 22 May 1985) is an Argentine former professional association football, footballer who played as striker. Boselli began his career at Argentine Primera División, Argentine First Division clubs Boca Juniors and Estudiantes d ...
- Genoa, Palermo - 2011, 2013 * - Andrés Bottiglieri - Genzano, Valle d’Aosta, Savona, Voghera, Vado Ligure - 2006-2014 * - Daniel Bravo - Parma - 1996-97 * -
Mark Bresciano Mark Bresciano ( ; ; born 11 February 1980) is an Australian former professional soccer player who played as a midfielder. Born in Melbourne, Bresciano played youth football for Bulleen Lions, before moving into the National Soccer League wi ...
- Empoli, Parma, Palermo, Lazio - 1999-2011 * - Joshua Brillante - Fiorentina, Empoli, Como - 2014-16 * -
Daniel Caligiuri Daniel Caligiuri (; born 15 January 1988) is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Club career Born in Germany to an Italian father and a German mother, Caligiuri began his professional career with SC Freiburg. Caligiuri ...
- never played in Italy, called up for the Italy national team in 2015 * - Caetano Prósperi Calil - Siena, Crotone, Frosinone, Varese, Salernitana, Catania, Livorno, Siracusa - 2007-2018 * - Tiago Calvano - Perugia, Sambenedettese - 2002-03 * –
Mauro Camoranesi Mauro Germán Camoranesi Serra (, ; born 4 October 1976) is an Argentinian-Italian association football, football manager and former player who played as a right midfielder or right winger. Camoranesi began his career in Argentina in 1995, whe ...
– Verona, Juventus – 2000–10 * - Vincent Candela - Roma, Udinese, Siena, Messina - 1997-2005, 2005–07 * - Massimo Cannizzaro - Equipe Romagna - 2003-04 * - Mauro Cantoro - Ascoli - 2001 * — Elio Capradossi — Bari, Roma — 2017–present * - Wálter Casagrande - Ascoli, Torino - 1987-1993 * - Fabián Carini - Juventus, Internazionale, Cagliari - 2001-02, 2004–07 * - Diego Cavalieri - Cesena - 2010 * - Edinson Cavani - Palermo, Napoli - 2007-2013 * - Alessandro Celin - Juve Stabia - 2015-16 * - César Cervo de Luca - ChievoVerona, Catania, Padova, Juve Stabia, Cremonese, Virtus Entella, Marina Giulia - 2003-2015, 2018 * –
Renato Cesarini Renato Cesarini (; 11 April 1906 – 24 March 1969) was an Italian Argentine football player and coach who most notably played for Juventus in Italy as a midfielder or forward. He was a dual international footballer and played for both the Arg ...
– Juventus – 1929–35 * – Gastón Cellerino – Ligorna 1922 - 2021–present * –
Arturo Chini Ludueña Arturo Chini Ludueña (name also spelled Artur Quini Ludueña; October 21, 1904 – 1993) was an Argentine professional footballer who played as a striker. He held Italian citizenship and played for the Italian national B team. He played for 5 ...
– Roma – 1927–34 * - Davide Chiumiento - Juventus, Siena - 2004-07 * - Jonathan Cícero Moreira - Internazionale, Parma - 2011–2015 * - Gabriel Cichero - Lecce - 2006 * - Enzo Concina - Ravenna, Cesena, Pavia, Piacenza, Monza, Nola, Forlì - 1982-1994 * - Igor Coronado - Trapani, Palermo - 2015-18 * - Nicolás Corvetto - Udinese, Triestina, Taranto, Südtirol - 2008, 2009–10, 2015–16 * -
Hernán Crespo Hernán Jorge Crespo (; born 5 July 1975) is an Argentine professional football coach and former player. He was most recently the head coach of UAE Pro League club Al Ain. A prolific striker, Crespo scored over 300 goals in a career spanning ...
- Parma, Lazio, Internazionale, Milan, Genoa - 1996-2003, 2004–05, 2006-2012 * - Felipe Curcio - Foggia, Lupa Roma, Martina Franca, Fidelis Andria, Brescia - 2013–14, 2015–present * - Davis Curiale - Campobello di Mazara, Palermo, Sambenedettese, Vicenza, Ravenna, Cittadella, Crotone, Triestina, Grosseto, Frosinone, Trapani, Lecce, Catania - 2004–present * – Dino da Costa – Roma, Fiorentina, Atalanta, Juventus – 1955–66 * - Caio De Cenco - Boca San Lazzaro, Bellaria, Cesena, Reggiana, Monza, Pavia, SPAL, Pontedera, Pordenone, Trapani, Padova, Pistoiese, Südtirol - 2007–present * - Nicolas De Santis - Termoli - 1992-93 * - Yago Del Piero - San Marino, Cesena - 2013-15 * - João Paulo di Fabio - Cagliari, Como - 2002-05 * - Fabio Daprelà - Brescia, Palermo, Carpi, ChievoVerona, Bari - 2010-17 * – Alejandro Demaria – Lazio – 1931–34 * –
Paolo Dellafiore Paolo Hernán Dellafiore (born 2 February 1985) is an Argentine-born Italian association football, footballer, who plays as a Defender (association football), central defender for Serie D club Mantova 1911 S.S.D., Mantova. Club career Internazi ...
– Treviso, Palermo, Torino, Parma, Cesena, Novara, Siena – 2005–13 * – Attilio Demaria – Inter, Novara, Legnano – 1932–36, 1938–46 * - Mattia Desole - Monza, Foligno - 2012-13 * – Alfredo Devincenzi – Inter – 1934–36 * –
Roberto Di Matteo Roberto Di Matteo (; born 29 May 1970) is an Italian professional football manager and former player. A midfielder, he played for Swiss clubs Schaffhausen, Zürich and Aarau early in his career. After winning the Swiss league title with Aarau i ...
– Lazio – 1993–96 * - Daniele Dichio - Sampdoria, Lecce - 1997-98 * - Tony Dorigo - Torino - 1997-98 * - Dunga Bledorn Verri - Pisa, Fiorentina, Pescara - 1987-1993 * -
Paulo Dybala Paulo Exequiel Dybala (born 15 November 1993) is an Argentine professional Association football, footballer who plays as an Attacking Midfielder, attacking midfielder or Forward (association football), winger for club AS Roma, Roma and the Ar ...
- Palermo, Juventus - 2011-present * – Éder Citadin Martins – Empoli, Brescia, Cesena, Sampdoria, Inter – 2006–07, 2010–present * - Rodrigo Ely - Milan, Reggina, Varese, Avellino - 2012-17 * - Antonio Esposito - Cagliari, Varese - 2001-02, 2004–05 * - Christian Esposito - Albinoleffe, Novara, Pro Vercelli, Catanzaro, Savona - 2009-2012, 2013-4 * – Ricardo Faccio – Inter – 1933–36 * - César Falletti - Ternana, Bologna, Palermo - 2013–present * – Otávio Fantoni – Lazio – 1930–35 * -
Frank Farina Frank Farina Order of Australia, OAM (born 5 September 1964) is an Australian Association football, football (soccer) coach and former player who played as a Forward (association football), forward. His playing career spanned Australia, Belg ...
- Bari - 1991-92 * - Federico Fazio - Roma - 2016–present * - Adam Federici - Torres - 2003-04 * – Francisco Fedullo – Bologna – 1930–39 * -
Michael Ferrante Michael Ferrante (born 28 April 1981) is an Australian former footballer. He is currently the senior men's head coach of Essendon Royals SC. Biography He attended St. Joseph's College Melbourne from years 1992–1997 being a star week in wee ...
- Comprens Stabia, Benevento - 2001-04 * - Gabriel Ferrari - Perugia, Foggia, Ternana - 2008-2010 * - Matteo Ferrari - Genoa, Lecce, Bari, Internazionale, Parma, Roma, Genoa - 1997-2009 * - Gustavo Ferretti - Chioggia, Savona, Viterbese, Marsala, Venezia, Legnago, Marano, Padova, Imolese, Modena - 2004–present * – Emanuele Figliola – Genoa – 1935–38 * – Edwin Ronald Firmani – Sampdoria, Inter, Genoa – 1955–63 * – Enrique Flamini – Lazio – 1939–52, 1953–54 * – Fernando Forestieri – Genoa, Siena, Vicenza, Udinese, Empoli, Bari – 2006–09, 2010–12 * - Bruno Fornaroli - Sampdoria - 2008-09, 2010–11, 2011–12 * – Jorginho – Sambonifacese, Verona, Napoli – 2010–present * - Armando Frigo - Vicenza, Fiorentina, Spezia - 1934-1943 * –
Francesco Frione Francisco Frione, also known as Francesco Frione (21 July 1912 – 17 February 1935), was an Uruguayan-Italian professional football player. He was born in Uruguay and played for the Uruguay national football team, but later was naturalized as a ...
– Inter – 1932–35 * – Elisio Gabardo – Milan, Liguria, Genoa – 1935–41 * - Giancarlo Gallifuoco - Rieti - 2018–present * - Salvatore Gambino - Trapani, Gubbio, Grosseto - 2010-15 * - Gianluca Gaudino - ChievoVerona - 2017-18 * - Giuseppe Gemiti - Udinese, Genoa, Modena, ChievoVerona, Piacenza, Novara, Livorno, Bari, Cremonese - 2002-2017 * –
Alcides Ghiggia Alcides Edgardo Ghiggia Pereyra (; 22 December 1926 – 16 July 2015) was a Uruguayan football player, who played as a right winger. He achieved lasting fame for his decisive role in the final match of the 1950 World Cup, and at the time of ...
– Roma, Milan – 1953–62 * - Guillermo Giacomazzi - Lecce, Palermo, Empoli, Siena, Perugia - 2001-2015 * - Dez Giraldi - Empoli, Cuiopelli Cappiano - 2004-05 * – Guerino Gottardi – Lazio – 1995-05 * - Giulio Giuricich - Sassuolo, Montichiari, Castellana, Gallaratese - 2008-2012 * - Vincenzo Grella - Empoli, Ternana, Parma, Torino - 1998-2008 * -
Vincenzo Grifo Vincenzo Grifo (; born 7 April 1993) is a professional footballer who plays as a left winger or attacking midfielder for Bundesliga club SC Freiburg. Born in Germany, he plays for the Italy national team. Club career Early career Grifo began h ...
- never played in Italy, called up for the Italy national team in 2018 * -
Simone Grippo Simone Grippo (born 12 December 1988) is a Swiss former professional association football, footballer who played as central defender. He was a Swiss youth international footballer. Since January 2025 he works for FC Basel's youth department as co ...
- ChievoVerona, Piacenza, Lumezzane, Frosinone - 2008-2011 * –
Enrique Guaita Enrique Guaita (; 11 July 1910 – 18 May 1959), also known as Enrico Guaita (), was an Italian Argentine footballer who played for both Argentina and Italy as a forward. He helped win the 1933–35 Central European International Cup & the Wo ...
– Roma – 1933–35 * – Anfilogino Guarisi – Lazio – 1931–37 * - Nicola Guglielmelli - Hellas Verona, Prato, Mantova - 2017–present * - Andrés Guglielminpietro - Milan, Internazionale, Bologna - 1998-2004 * - Dennis Iapichino - Siena, Livorno - 2016–present * - Mauro Icardi - Sampdoria, Internazionale - 2012–present * – Paolo Innocenti – Bologna, Napoli – 1924–37 * – Ignacio Jeraldino – Parma – 2014–15 * - Frankie Lagana - Empoli - 2003-05 * - Vincent Laurini - Fossombrone, Carpi, Empoli, Fiorentina - 2008–present * – Cristian Ledesma – Lecce, Lazio, Pro Piacenza – 2001–15, 2018–present * - Lucas Pezzini Leiva - Lazio - 2017–present * –
Julio Libonatti Julio Libonatti (5 July 1901 – 9 October 1981) was an Italian Argentine football manager and footballer who played as a forward for the Argentina and Italy national teams. Born in Rosario, he started his career with Newell's Old Boys in 1917 ...
– Torino, Genoa – 1926–36 * – Francisco Lojacono – Vicenza, Fiorentina, Roma, Sampdoria – 1956–65 * –
Cesare Lovati Cesare Lovati (; 25 December 1891 – 22 July 1961) was an Argentine-born Italian professional footballer, who played as a midfielder, and football manager. He played for the Italy national team at the 1920 Summer Olympics The 1920 Summer Ol ...
- Milan - 1910-1922 * -
Adrian Madaschi Adrian Anthony Madaschi (born 11 July 1982) is an Australian association football, footballer who last played for Perth SC. He is a left-footed defender (association football), defender whose position is centre-back and can also play full-back ...
- Atalanta, Monza, Pistoiese, Grosseto, Portogruaro Summaga - 2000-03, 2005-2011 * - Mattia Maggio - Novara, Mantova - 2011-13, 2016 * - John Maisano - Atalanta - 1997-98 * - Thomas Mangani - ChievoVerona - 2014-15 * - Doni Marangon - Roma - 2005-2011 * - Luiz Felipe Ramos Marchi - Salernitana, Lazio - 2016–present * - Massimo Margiotta - Pescara, Cosenza, Lecce, Reggiana, Udinese, Vicenza, Perugia, Piacenza, Frosinone, Barletta - 1994-2011 * – Leandro Martínez – Parma – 2007–08 * – Rinaldo Martino – Juventus – 1949–50 * – Ernesto Mascheroni – Inter – 1934–36 * – Humberto Maschio – Bologna, Atalanta, Inter, Fiorentina – 1957–66 * – José Mauri – Parma, Milan – 2013–present * - Miguel Mea Vitali - Poggibonsi, Lazio, Sora - 2003, 2004–05 * - Cristian Menin - Pro Vasto, Massese - 2007-09 * - Joe Montemurro - Treviso - 1991-95 * -
Paolo Montero Rónald Paolo Montero Iglesias (born 3 September 1971) is a Uruguayan football manager and former player, who played as a central defender or left-back. Montero began his career in Uruguay with Peñarol in 1990 before moving to Italian side Ata ...
- Atalanta, Juventus - 1992-2005 * –
Luis Monti Luis Felipe Monti (15 May 1901 – 9 September 1983) was an Italian Argentine footballer who played as a midfielder and an Olympian. Monti has the distinction of having played in two FIFA World Cup final matches with two different national teams ...
– Juventus – 1930–39 * – Miguel Montuori – Fiorentina – 1956–61 * - Davide Moscardelli - Maccarese, Guidonia Montecelio, Sangiovannese, Triestina, Rimini, Cesena, Piacenza, ChievoVerona, Bologna, Lecce, Arezzo, Pisa - 1997–present * – Giovanni Moscardini – Lucchese, Pisa, Genoa – 1919–?? * –
Thiago Motta Thiago Motta (; ; born 28 August 1982) is a professional Association football, football manager and former player who was most recently the head coach of club Juventus FC, Juventus. A Midfielder#Defensive midfielder, defensive midfielder, Mott ...
– Genoa, Inter – 2008–12 * - Norberto Murata Neto - Fiorentina, Juventus - 2011-17 * -
Andrea Orlandi Andrea Orlandi Stabilin (born 3 August 1984) is a Spanish former footballer and who played as a winger or an attacking midfielder. He currently works as a scout as well as a pundit for LaLiga+ and Spanish outlet La Media Inglesa, specialize ...
- Novara - 2017-18 * –
Raimundo Orsi Raimundo Bibiani "Mumo" Orsi (2 December 1901 – 6 April 1986) was an Italian Argentine footballer who played as a winger or as a forward. At the international level, he represented both Argentina and Italy, winning the 1927 Copa América a ...
– Juventus – 1928–35 * – Pablo Daniel Osvaldo – Fiorentina, Bologna, Roma, Juventus, Inter – 2007–10, 2011–15 * – Gabriel Paletta – Parma, Milan, Atalanta – 2010–18 * – Emerson Palmieri – Roma – 2015–18 * - Vincenzo Palumbo - Fidelis Andria, Empoli, Pescara, Palermo, Torres, Pisa, Olbia, Virtus Casarano, Tavolara, Viterbese, Nuorese, Castelsardo, Calangianus, Albarossa, Golfo Aranci - 1995–present * - Howard Passadoro - Genoa - 1898-1903 * -
Daniel Passarella Daniel Alberto Passarella (born 25 May 1953) is an Argentine former Association football, footballer and Manager (association football), manager, who is considered one of the greatest Defender (association football), defenders of all time. As a ...
- Fiorentina, Internazionale - 1982-88 * -
Javier Pastore Javier Matías Pastore (; born 20 June 1989) is an Argentine professional association football, footballer who is currently a free agent. An attacking midfielder, Pastore began his club career with Talleres de Córdoba, Talleres and then Club ...
- Palermo, Roma - 2009-2011, 2018–present * — Simone Perrotta - Reggina, Juventus, Bari, Chievo, Roma — 1995-2013 * – Bruno Pesaola – Roma, Novara, Napoli, Genoa – 1947–62 * - Raoul Petretta - never played in Italy, but called up for the Under-21 national team in 2018 * - Germán Pezzella - Fiorentina - 2017–present * - Mauricio Pinilla - Internazionale, ChievoVerona, Grosseto, Palermo, Cagliari, Genoa, Atalanta - 2003-04, 2009-2017 * - Reno Piscopo - Renate - 2017–present * -
Michel Platini Michel François Platini (; born 21 June 1955) is a French association football, football Administrator (business), administrator and former player and manager. Regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Platini won the Ballon d'O ...
- Juventus - 1982-87 * - Sandro Porchia - Ragusa, Savoia, Crotone, Rimini, Grosseto, Cosenza, Bassano, San Nicolò, Ribelle - 1996-2014 * – Roberto Porta – Inter – 1934–36 * - Jacob Poscoliero - SandonàJesolo, Bassano - 2010-13 * -
Lucas Pratto Lucas David Pratto (; born 4 June 1988) is an Argentine professional Association football, footballer who plays as a Forward (association football)#Striker, striker for Paraguayan Primera División club Club Olimpia, Olimpia. Pratto has been de ...
- Genoa - 2011-12 * -
Silvio Proto Silvestro "Silvio" Proto (born 23 May 1983) is a Belgian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Career Proto spent the majority of his career with Anderlecht, for whom he made over 300 appearances, won 13 trophies and served ...
- Lazio - 2018-21 * – Ettore Puricelli – Bologna, Milan – 1938–49 * - Rafael Severo Refatti -Reggiana, Trento, Conegliano, Chioggia, Cervia - 2001-03, 2005–06, 2006–09 * - Gustavo Reggi - Reggina, Crotone - 1999-2001 * - Vincenzo Rennella - Cesena - 2011-12 * - Mateo Retegui - Genoa - 2023-present * – Eduardo Ricagni – Juventus, Milan, Torino – 1953–58 * - Nicholas Rizzo - Ternana, Ancona, Prato - 2000-04 * - Rômulo – Fiorentina, Verona, Juventus – 2011–present * – Humberto Rosa – Sampdoria, Padova, Juventus, Napoli – 1954–64 * - Giuseppe Rossi – Parma, Fiorentina, Genoa – 2007, 2013–2018 * - Hugo Rubini - Viterbese, Juventus, Tempio, Casale, Fiorenzuola, Ravenna, Ancona, Spezia, Forte dei Marmi, Carrarese - 1986-2008 * -
Oscar Ruggeri Oscar Alfredo Ruggeri (born 26 January 1962) is an Argentine former professional association football, footballer who played as centre-back. Nicknamed ''El Cabezón'' ("The Big-head One"), Ruggeri achieved success at the international level with ...
- Ancona - 1992 * – Attila Sallustro – Napoli – 1925–37 * - Nicola Sansone - Crotone, Parma, Sassuolo - 2011-16 * – Raffaele Sansone – Bologna, Napoli – 1931–45 * – Fabiano Santacroce – Napoli, Parma – 2008–13, 2014–15 * - Giovanni Savarese - Perugia, Viterbese, Torres - 2000, 2003 * – Ezequiel Schelotto – Cesena, Catania, Atalanta, Inter, Sassuolo, Parma, Chievo – 2010–15 * – Juan Alberto Schiaffino – Milan, Roma – 1954–62 * - Enzo Scifo - Inter, Torino - 1987-88, 1991–93 * – Alejandro Scopelli – Roma – 1933–35 * – Pedro Sernagiotto – Juventus – 1932–34 * - Franco Signorelli - Empoli, Ternana, Spezia, Salernitana - 2010–present * - Giovanni Simeone - Genoa, Fiorentina - 2016–present * –
Omar Sívori Enrique Omar Sívori (, ; 2 October 1935 – 17 February 2005) was an Argentine-Italian Association football, football player and manager who played as a Forward (association football), forward. At club level, he is known for his successful tim ...
– Juventus, Napoli – 1957–69 * - Simon Sluga - Spezia - 2015-16 * - Davide Somma - Pro Vasto, Olbia - 2005-08 * - Roberto Soriano - Empoli, Sampdoria, Torino - 2010-16, 2018–present * –
Angelo Sormani Angelo Benedicto Miguel Sormani (; ; born 3 July 1939) is a Brazilian-born Italian former football manager and player, who played as a forward; he was capable of playing anywhere along the front-line, as a centre-forward, as well as in an att ...
– Mantova, Roma, Sampdoria, Milan, Napoli, Fioentina, Vicenza – 1961–76 * — Gabriel Strefezza — SPAL, Juve Stabia — 2017–present * - Christian Stuani - Reggina - 2008-09 * - Dario Tanda - Montegiorgio - 2017 * - Alex Nicolao Telles - Internazionale - 2015-16 * - Daniele Tiatto - Salernitana - 1996-97 * - Rômulo Eugênio Togni - Bellunoponte, Mandfredonia, Arezzo, Sorrento, Pescara, Avellino, SPAL, Maceratese, Cuneo, Mezzolara - 2002-2017 * - Rafael Toloi – Roma, Atalanta – 2014–present * - James Troisi - Atalanta - 2012-13 * – Ulisse Uslenghi – Livorno, Napoli – 1933–38 * - Angelo Vaccaro - Sorrento - 2010-11 * - Carl Valeri - SPAL, Grosseto, Sassuolo, Ternana - 2004-2014 * –
Franco Vázquez Franco Damián Vázquez (; born 22 February 1989) is an Argentine professional Association football, footballer who plays as an Midfielder#Attacking midfielder, attacking midfielder for club US Cremonese, Cremonese. Beginning his career with Ar ...
– Palermo – 2011–12, 2014–16 * - André Viapiana - Triestina, Reggiana, Riese - 2004-05, 2009–14, 2014-present * - Massimiliano Vieri - Prato, Fano, Brescello, Ancona, Verona, Napoli, Ternana, Triestina, Arezzo, Novara, Lecco, Prato - 1997-2012 * – Giuseppe Wilson – Lazio – 1969–79 * - Antônio Carlos Zago - Roma - 1998-2002 * - Javier Zanetti - Inter - 1995-2014 * - Massimo Zappino - Catania, Acireale, Nocerina, Frosinone, ChievoVerona, Pro Sesto, Foggia, Lecco, Taranto, Como, Varese - 2000-2018


Italian rugby ''oriundi''

The number of Argentines playing rugby in Italy has increased since the sport embraced professionalism in 1995, while the Argentine league system remains
amateur An amateur () is generally considered a person who pursues an avocation independent from their source of income. Amateurs and their pursuits are also described as popular, informal, autodidacticism, self-taught, user-generated, do it yourself, DI ...
. (Professionals, however, including those based in Europe, are eligible to play for the Argentina national team, and the country's national federation has created a domestic professional player pool for the national team; see also
Pampas XV Pampas XV is an Argentine professional rugby union team that currently competes in Super Rugby Americas.Jaguares (Super Rugby) The Jaguares was an Argentine professional rugby union team based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. They were founded in 2015 and are the first Argentine team to play in SANZAAR's Super Rugby competition, participating from the 2016 Super Rugby seas ...
.) Italian rugby also allows naturalized foreigners. Restrictions on changing nationality are less strict in rugby than in soccer, and three years' residency qualifies. Oriundi capped by the Italy national team include:


List of Italian basketball oriundi

* - Pablo Albertinazzi - Rieti, San Severo, Catanzaro, Cagliari, Corato, Maddaloni, Capo d’Orlando - 2001-03, 2005–11 * - Patrick Baldassarre - Treviso, College Italia, Treviglio, Lago Maggiore, Sassari, Scafati, Fortitudo Bologna, Trapani, Reggio Calabria - 2002–present. * - Pablo Bertone - Pesaro, Varese- 2017–present. * - Anthony Binetti - Fortitudo Bologna, Castelletto Ticino, Cantù, Brindisi, Sassari, Veroli - 2006-07, 2008–13 * -
Yann Bonato Yann Jean Claude Bonato (born 4 March 1972 in Cannes) is a former professional basketball player from France, who won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics with the senior French Men's National Team. He was inducted into the French Baske ...
- Pesaro, Reggio Emilia - 1997-99 * - George Bucci - Siena, Fortitudo Bologna, Montecatini - 1977-92 * - Ryan Bucci - Ozzano, Ragusa, Osimo, Soresina, Juvi Cremona, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Ferentino, Ferrara, Agrigento - 2003-17 * - Sebastián Cacciola - Roseto, Montecatini, Sassari, Taranto, Napoli, Rimini - 2003-04, 2005, 2005–08, 2009 * - Dante Calabria - Livorno, Trieste, Treviso, Cantù, Milano, Fortitudo, Soresina, Sant’Antimo - 1996-97, 2000–01, 2002–09, 2010. * - Juan Marcos Casini - Jesi, Cantù, Pistoia, Scafati, Napoli, Ferentino, Casale, Reggio Calabria, Ravenna, Recanati, Rieti - 2003-08, 2009–present. * - Óscar Chiaramello - San Severo, Osimo, Montegranaro, Pistoia, Recanati, Stamura - 1999-01, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–13 * - Albano Chiarastella - Bernalda, Potenza, Massafra, Agrigento, Biella - 2006–present * - David Chiotti - Casale, Milano, Brindisi - 2009-14 * - Matt Costello - Avellino - 2018–present * -
Mike D'Antoni Michael Andrew D'Antoni (born May 8, 1951) is an American-Italian professional basketball coach and former player who most recently served as a coaching advisor for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). While h ...
- Milano as player - 1977-90 - Milano, Treviso as coach - 1990-97, 2001–02 * - Enrico De Carli - Mazzini Bologna, Varese, Cantù - 1958-60, 1963–65 * - Samuel Deguara - Treviso, Caorle, Bari, Reggio Emilia - 2007-13 * -
Carlos Delfino Carlos Francisco Delfino (born 29 August 1982) is an Argentine professional basketball player for Baltur Cento of the Italian Serie A2 Basket. Standing at , he plays at the small forward and shooting guard positions. He is also noted for his de ...
- Reggio Calabria, Fortitudo Bologna, Torino - 2000-04, 2018–present * -
Vinny Del Negro Vincent Joseph Del Negro (born August 9, 1966) is an American former professional basketball player. He was the head coach of the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls from 2008 to 2010, and the Los Angeles Clippers from 2010 to 2013. ...
- Treviso, Fortitudo Bologna - 1990-92, 1999 * - Ross DeRogatis - Capo d'Orlando - 2007 * - Agustín Fabi - Patti, Treviglio, Reggio Calabria, Treviso - 2010–present. * - Juan Manuel Fabi - Castellano Massafra, Capo d’Orlando, Imola - 2003-09 * - Daniel Farabello - Varese, Ferrara - 2003-06, 2007-11. * - Ariel Filloy - Sassari, Rimini, Milano, Soresina, Scafati, Pistoia, Trieste, Reggio Emilia, Venezia, Avellino - 2003–present * - Demián Filloy - Porto Torres, Rimini, Montegranaro, Reggio Emilia, Trapani, Roma - 2002-14, 2015–17, 2018-present. * - Bruno Fitipaldo - Capo d’Orlando, Avellino - 2016, 2017–present * - Toto Forray - Messina, Padova, Jesolo, Forlì, Trento - 2003–present. * - Frédéric Forte - Avellino, Scafati - 2003-05 * - Roberto Gabini - Rimini, Roma, Napoli, Jesi - 2003-04, 2007–10 * - Anthony Gennari - Varese, Forlì, Pall.Milano, Venezia, Rieti - 1964-76 * - Mario Ghersetti - Porto Torres, Veroli, Vigevano, Brescia, Verona, Ferentino, Reggio Calabria, Bergamo, Orzinuovi - 2001-13, 2014–present. * - Nicolás Gianella - Reggio Calabria, Scafati, Cantù - 2000-01, 2002–03, 2011–12 * - Mario Gigena - Livorno, Jesi, Varese, Milano, Rieti, Veroli, Ostuni, Fabriano, Recanati, Don Bosco Livorno, Piombino, Labronica Livorno, Cecina - 1995-2012, 2013–present. * - Silvio Gigena - Livorno, Virtus Bologna, Milano, Pesaro, Udine, Scafati, Soresina, Fortitudo Bologna, Massafra, Ostuni, Bari, Libertas Livorno - 1995-2013 * -
Manu Ginóbili Emanuel David "Manu" Ginóbili ( , ; born 28 July 1977) is an Argentine former professional basketball player. Credited for popularizing the Euro step move in the NBA, he is regarded as one of the greatest shooting guards and sixth men in the le ...
- Reggio Calabria, Virtus Bologna - 1998-02 * - Anthony Giovacchini - Avellino, Roseto, Montecatini, Virtus Bologna, Reggio Calabria, Casale, Fabriano, Napoli, Milano, Cantù, Brindisi, Veroli - 2002-12 * - Guilherme Giovannoni - Rimini, Biella, Treviso, Virtus Bologna - 2002-04, 2005–06, 2005–09 * - Peter Guarasci - Pesaro, Roseto, Rimini, Reggio Emilia - 1996-99, 2000–01, 2002–08 * - Mike Iuzzolino - Verona, Roma, Milano, Pavia - 1995-01, 2002–03 * - Antonio Maestranzi - Reggio Calabria, Jesi, Montegranaro, Roma - 2006-2012 * - Nicolás Mazzarino - Reggio Calabria, Cantù - 2001-13 * - Phil Melillo - Lazio, Treviso, Rieti, Roma as player - 1976-77, 1983-86 - Forlì, Verona, Siena, Roseto, Udine, Pesaro, Novara, Montecatini as coach - 1994-04, 2005–07, 2008–09, 2012-13 * - Alex Mitola - Ceglie - 2016-17 * -
Alejandro Montecchia Alejandro Ariel Montecchia (born 1972) is an Argentine retired professional basketball player. He played at the point guard The point guard (PG), also called the one or the point, is one of the Basketball positions, five positions in a regu ...
- Reggio Calabria, Milano - 1999-03, 2006 * - Paulo César Motta - Roseto, Trapani, Brindisi, Ostuni, Corato, Ceglie - 2001, 2002–13, 2014 * - Alejandro Muro - Scafati, Palestrina, Novara, Montegranaro, Casale, Firenze, Brindisi, Latina, Fortitudo Bologna - 2001, 2001–10 * - Bernardo Musso - Pergamino, Licata, Alghero, Olbia, Fossombrone, Udine, Brescia, Perugia, Napoli, Forlì, Pesaro, Ferentino, Treviso - 2002-15, 2016–present. * - Mike Nardi - Napoli, Montecatini, Avellino, Pesaro, Pavia, Milano, Forlì, Mantova, Latina - 2007-12, 2013–15 * - Ryan Pettinella - Montegranaro, Veroli, Recanati - 2008-09, 2013–14 * - Antonio Porta - Imola, Livorno, Biella, Avellino, Verona, Scafati, Udine - 2002-07, 2008–13, 2016 * - Anthony Raffa - Roma, Orzinuovi - 2016-17, 2017 * -
Nicolás Richotti Nicolás "Nico" Richotti (born 17 October 1986) is an Argentine former professional basketball player. At a height of , he played at both the point guard and shooting guard positions, with shooting guard being his main position. His most successf ...
- Bari, Agropoli, Rovigo - 2005-08 * -
Mason Rocca Richard Mason Rocca (born November 6, 1977) is an American born Italian retired professional basketball player who played for the Italy national basketball team, Italian National Basketball Team. Born in Evanston, Illinois, his father is of Ital ...
- Jesi, Napoli, Milano, Virtus Bologna - 2001-15 * - Joel Salvi - Jesi, Imola, Scafati, Ferrara, Vigevano, Reggio Emilia - 2004-11 * - Matt Santangelo - Cantù, Rieti, Treviso - 2000-01, 2005–06 * - Brian Scalabrine - Treviso - 2011 * - Germán Scarone - Treviso, Cervia, Rimini, Montecatini, Siena, Virtus Bologna, Pesaro, Reggio Calabria, Rimini, Piacenza, Monsummano, Bellaria - 1993–present. * - Laurent Sciarra - Treviso - 1997-98 * -
Hugo Sconochini Hugo Ariel Sconochini (born 10 April 1971) is an Argentine retired professional basketball player. He played at the shooting guard and small forward positions.
- Reggio Calabria, Milano, Roma, Virtus Bologna, Piacentina, Segrate, Monticelli - 1990-96, 1997-01, 2002–12 * - Jonathan Tavernari - Biella, Pistoia, Scafati, Tortona, Agropoli, Siena, Sassari - 2011-13, 2014–present. * - Joe Trapani - Casale, Forlì - 2011-12 * - Marc Trasolini - Pesaro, Avellino, Agropoli - 2013-16 * - Marko Verginella - Udine, Reggio Calabria, Fabriano, Rieti, Sassari - 2004-08 * - Jeff Viggiano - Pavia, Milano, Biella, Treviso, Brindisi, Siena, Venezia - 2008-17 * - Bruno Zanotti - Reggio Emilia, Jesi - 2006-07


Spanish ''oriundos''

Few South Americans played football in Spain before
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
.
Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
under General Franco allowed for dual nationality with Latin American countries from 1954. Players such as
Alfredo Di Stéfano Alfredo Stéfano Di Stéfano Laulhé (; 4 July 1926 – 7 July 2014) was an Argentine professional footballer and coach who played as a forward, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Nicknamed "Saeta Rubia" ("Blond A ...
, José Santamaría and Héctor Rial quickly transferred, and helped make
Real Madrid Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (), commonly referred to as Real Madrid, is a Spanish professional Football club (association football), football club based in Madrid. The club competes in La Liga, th ...
the dominant club of the early years of the
European Cup The UEFA Champions League (UCL) is an annual club association football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) that is contested by top-division European clubs. The competition begins with a round robi ...
. In 1962, the Spanish League banned all foreign players, as their presence was blamed for the poor performance of the national team. ''Oriundi'' were allowed if they had not been capped by their native country. As a result, clubs were anxious to prove Spanish ancestry for would-be imports, resulting in some dubious cases. Some players obtained forged
birth certificate A birth certificate is a vital record that documents the Childbirth, birth of a person. The term "birth certificate" can refer to either the original document certifying the circumstances of the birth or to a certified copy of or representation ...
s, providing spurious Spanish ancestors. This was easy in
Paraguay Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay, is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the Argentina–Paraguay border, south and southwest, Brazil to the Brazil–Paraguay border, east and northeast, and Boli ...
during the corrupt dictatorship of
Alfredo Stroessner Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda (; 3 November 1912 – 16 August 2006) was a Paraguayan politician, army general and Military dictatorship, military dictator who ruled as the 42nd president of Paraguay from 15 August 1954 until his overthrow in 19 ...
. Consequent scandals emerged at various times, including one exposed by
FC Barcelona Futbol Club Barcelona (), commonly known as FC Barcelona and colloquially as Barça (), is a professional Football club (association football), football club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, that competes in La Liga, the top flight of ...
in 1972. In 1973, to reduce the incentive for corruption, up to two non-''oriundi'' foreigners were allowed per team. Nevertheless, the recruiting of Latin American players continued so strong the Argentine FA in preparation for hosting the
1978 FIFA World Cup The 1978 FIFA World Cup was the 11th edition of the FIFA World Cup, a Anniversary#Latin-derived numerical names, quadrennial international Association football, football world championship tournament among the men's senior national teams. It wa ...
forbade its preliminary squad of 40 from moving abroad, lest they be "poached".Taylor, pg 99 Spain reduced the number of ''oriundi'' to one per team after another forgery scandal in 1979. From 1979 to 1982, no Argentines were allowed abroad, and many like
Mario Kempes Mario Alberto Kempes Chiodi (, ; born 15 July 1954) is an Argentine former professional Association football, footballer who played as a Forward (association football)#Striker, striker or Attacking Midfielder, attacking midfielder. A prolific g ...
returned home. Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stéfano is a notable example; he was born in Argentina and played for the Argentina national team, but later obtained Spanish citizenship and represented Spain at the
1962 FIFA World Cup The 1962 FIFA World Cup was the 7th edition of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football championship for senior men's national teams. It was held from 30 May to 17 June 1962 in Chile. The qualification rounds took place between ...
.


See also

* Grannygate * Haigui * List of naturalised Spanish international football players


External links


Oriundi: Games, goals, captains
from ''Forza Azzurri'' fansite.


References

* {{Reflist Spanish people of Italian descent Italian words and phrases Italian people of Spanish descent Spanish words and phrases Association football in South America Sport and nationality Portuguese words and phrases