Waldino Aguirre

Waldino Aguirre, nicknamed Torito -the Little bull- (Rosario, 18 November 1920 – 28 October 1977) was an Argentine footballer who played for Rosario Central, Racing and Huracán. He was notable for being a skillful and brave player, which added a great mischief, which led him to win the heart of Rosario Central supporters, club of which is one of his greatest idols.

Career He was born in Tablada neighborhood, in the city of Rosario. From humble beginnings, he spent a lot of time in the fields since he was a child, first at the Club La Aurora and later at Central Córdoba. He played as inside-left forward; When Vicente de la Mata was traded to Independiente, Aguirre started to play in the Central Córdoba senior team, which contested tournaments organised by "Asociación Rosarina de Fútbol". In 1939 he won the Torneo del Litoral, which was played in response to the incorporation of Rosario Central and Newell's Old Boys to the Primera División, the top league of Argentina; Aguirre played the last minutes v Unión de Santa Fe (2–1 win).

His good performances called the attention of Rosario Central, which hired him. He made a successful debut against Club Atlético Platense on 6 April 1941, scoring the winning goal for Central. In that first season Aguirre scored a total of 10 goals; Despite his goal accuracy, Rosario Central was relegated to Primera B Metropolitana, the second division by then.

In 1942 he was top scorer of the Second Division with 32 goals in 27 games, helping the team return to Primera with Rosario Central winning the title. Aguirre shared duties with other notable players such as Rubén Bravo, Bernardo Vilariño, Ernesto Vidal, and Ángel De Cicco. This offensive line was prolific in goals, as the Canallas scored 118 goals in all 32 games they played. Aguirre made six goals against Nueva Chicago (12–1) and Sportivo Dock Sud (9–0) in the same game, and four versus Almagro (6–3).

In the return of Central to the top division, Aguirre scored 7 goals in the 1943 season. The following year he played 12 matches and scored 3 goals, until he broke his leg, a serious injure that put him out of the fields for the rest of the season.

In the half of 1949, Aguirre returned to Rosario Central. During this year there was one of the most remembered moments in his career. In a derby against Newell's Old Boys, his team was losing and the Torito received insults from its rival's supporters; nevertheless, Central force a tie after a great play of Aguirre, with a goal celebration that included going to the women's grandstand, pulling down his pants and taking his testicles. He would be arrested for such misconduct. He scored a total of 3 goals in the championship.

Already in the decline of his career, he remained in the team when Rosario Central was relegated in 1950, contributing with 1 goal in 5 games to the return to the first division one year later.

Aguirre's character and personality (including some provocations to rivals) made him to be one of the most beloved players by Rosario Central's fans. His personal duels with Newell's player Ángel Perucca were also regarded by the supporters. Due to his style of play and high goal accuracy, Aguirre was admired and idolised by a young Ernesto Guevara and writer Osvaldo Bayer. He was the referent of the club during the decade of 1940 next to the great captain Alfredo Fógel.

He lived in a humble house in the Tablada neighborhood, when on 27 October 1977, he was arrested by police officers accused of being involved in the abduction of a woman; Apparently Aguirre had only officiated as a guide to a newly released ex-convict who sought to settle accounts with the father of the aforementioned. Even the woman, once normalized her situation, declared that he had not participated of the kidnapping.

Titles Club Rosario Central Primera B (2): 1942, 1951

Central Córdoba (R) Torneo del Litoral (1): 1939

Individual Primera B topscorer: 1942