The eternal King Pelé, the Great Maradona… if you are a fan of sports, soccer, or sports betting in general, or even if you are not, you must already know these two legends. But there is a third legend, a player who came to impress these two giants. In this article, we will talk about this legend, the great “El Mago” Tomas Felipe Carlovich.
On April 19, 1946, an unknown soccer legend was born in Rosario, Argentina. His name was Tomás Felipe “El Trinche” Carlovich. He was a midfielder who wore the number 5 jersey. But had all the potential in the world to be a number 10.
Even with a small repertoire, he received a shirt from Diego Armando Maradona with the words “You were better than me”. If it was not enough to attract the attention of the greatest idol of Argentinean soccer, years later he would also awaken the interest of Pelé.
If it were today, it would certainly also arouse the interest of all the sites that provide the best soccer betting tips. After all, in this industry, you have to keep an eye on the new stars that come out.
The Start
During his career, El Trinche played mainly for smaller Argentine clubs. His greatest pride was serving his heart club, Central Córdoba de Rosario. Journalists have used a variety of descriptions to portray him. Ranging from “storybook figure” to “talented nonconformist.”
The captivating tale of his life has become so fascinating. It has been transformed into the storyline for a book, a theatrical performance, and innumerable articles. His soccer odyssey began with him playing on makeshift fields. So that he would demonstrate his prodigious talent while being a part of small teams. As he played on those dusty grounds, he managed to catch the attention of Rosario Central. This eventually led to him joining their ranks in 1970.
His initial opportunity to play in the first division finally arrived. But after only participating in a single game, he left completely disenchanted with the management’s attitude. The legendary player wouldn’t make a comeback in a major team for another seven years, until he was signed by Colón de Santa Fé. Regrettably, during his time there, injuries plagued him in all three matches he had the opportunity to be a part of. Nonetheless, his perseverance and skill would soon earn him recognition on many of the best soccer blogs and media outlets.
Showing Potential
El Trinche’s golden chance came in April 1974. That same month, on the 17th, the Argentine national team played a friendly match against Rosario, a regional team, in front of 35 thousand spectators. The event was to serve as preparation for the World Cup in Germany.
In a surprising turn of events, the team hailing from Rosario delivered a resounding “thrashing” to the chosen opposing teams. As legend has it, Argentina’s coach Vladislao Cap felt compelled to request that the regional team remove Carlovich from the field in order to prevent any further humiliation. Consequently, Carlovich was substituted during the 60th minute of the game when the score had already reached a staggering 3-0.
Rumor has it that several Argentine coaches wanted to have El Trinche’s talent on their teams. But he had no desire to leave Rosario and turned down several invitations. With this alone, even those who know only the basics of sports betting would already be aware that this guy has promise.
Meeting other Legends
According to the stories about the legend, he even received an offer from Milan. It was while he was playing for Independiente Rivadavia, a team that at the time was in the Argentinean B series. Not only that, he would have also received some letters written by King Pelé himself. The legend invites him to join the New York Cosmos, in the USA.
The meeting with Brazil’s historic number 10 never took place. But something equally remarkable was to come. Something remarkable was said by the perpetrator of “La Mano de Dios” when he came back to play for Newell’s Old Boys in 1993. Maradona said that he had always considered himself the best in the world. But after seeing El Trinche, he was no longer sure of the fact.
However, the two only got to meet in 2020, when El Trinche asked Maradona to autograph his Central Córdoba shirt. Months after the meeting, the anonymous Argentine star would be beaten to death after an attempted bicycle theft. His story on the field may not have been the most emblematic of all time. But it certainly left unforgettable memories of the places he passed through and the people he met during his life.
Truly, El Trinche, the great magician, is a true legend. He deserves to be much more recognized than he is today. And to finish, here’s a tip for you. If you like to know more about sports betting and the biggest UEFA and Fifa tournaments, check out the best betting software in sports, as we indicated in the article. Good luck and good betting!