Juan Francia

Juan Francia (20 March 1897 – 2 October 1962) was an Argentine footballer, who played as centre forward and left winger. Due to his slim body and great agility, he eventually received the nickname Mono ("Monkey"). Francia's career include tenures on the most renowned clubs of Rosario, such as Tiro Federal, Newell's Old Boys, Rosario Central, and Provincial. He won 6 titles with Rosario Central and 3 with Newell's Old Boys.

In international football, Francia played eight matches for the Argentina national football team from 1918 to 1922. He was also part of Argentina's squad for the 1922 South American Championship, being the top scorer of the tournament.

Biography

His beginnings in football found him playing at an early age for Rosarian Club Belgrano, but he was forced to leave the team due to his short age.

Apart from his football career, Francia worked at the Sunchales station of Central Argentine Railway.

Titles National Rosario Central Copa de Competencia (AAmF) (1): 1920 Regional Newell's Old Boys Copa Nicasio Vila (2): 1918, 1929 Copa Estímulo (1): 1925 Rosario Central Asociación Amateurs Rosarina de Football (2): 1920, 1921 Copa Estímulo (1): 1922 Copa Nicasio Vila (2): 1923, 1930

In his own words