Tata Martino’s lifelong soccer journey has taken him all over the world, but the formal start to his career began at a club in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, which also happens to sport red and black. To this day Martino will tell you he only roots for two club teams: wherever he’s coaching and Newell’s Old Boys.
“I started playing as a holding midfielder, but with me there was absolutely no holding,” Martino said. “I was always very technical, could hit the ball well, good vision, intelligent player. But I ran very little.”
He joined the Newell’s academy at 12 and developed into an attacking midfielder, progressing within the club until his first team debut in Rosario against River Plate at age 17.