South American player of the year. There was change – the Uruguayan newspaper ‘El Pais’ took over the trophy this year. One may suspect bias in the voting… One can pause and think about calculation of success. And also about the struggle of realities – the Europeans had a rule only European players to be chosen for their own trophy. It was easy for them… all European greats played in Europe. South Americans had to either ignore their players in Europe, or somewhat place their own football in secondary position – not something South American pride was prepared to swallow. Thus… no Maradona among the best three. No Francescoli either. The absence of Francescoli is easier to explain – no great success with Uruguay and no part of River Plate’s successes in 1986. No great triumph in France. Maradona meantime was hailed as the greatest player at the World Cup, he won it – for many alone. No success on club level, though. But the best player in the world in his arguably most important year. His absence could be explained only by decision to avoid European-based players and Uruguayan bias. Julio Cesar Romero (Paraguay and Fluminense) was voted 3rd – after winning the trophy the previous year, he was again among the best. Consistency. No doubt of his great talent. No success, though… neither Fluminense, nor Paraguay did anything significant in 1986. Careca (Sao Paulo and Brazil) was 2nd – some doubt can be cast as well. Careca was more or less new discovery, just coming to true stardom. Not the most impressive Brazilian at the World Cup. Winning nothing with Brazil, but Brazilian champion with Sao Paulo.
Antonio Alzamendi Casas was voted number one. Well, an Uruguayan… voted best by Uruguayan-run classification. Suspect… On the other hand…
The 30-years Alzamendi had a great season. With the ugly reputation Uruguay acquired at the World Cup, Alzamendi was somewhat lost as a name – nobody really looked for performance, only for brutality. Alzamendi may not have been spectacular at the World Cup, but let say he played solid and dependable football.
Aside from playing for Uruguay, the year was great for the right-winger, or ‘second striker’ (depending on what a particular generation is used to call).
Alzamendi won the Argentine championship, Copa Libertadores, the Intercontinental Cup, and, technically for 1986 – Copa Interamericana. He scored the winning goal in Tokyo. He played great for River Plate and he was already one of the key players and most instrumental after Francescoli departed to Europe. This was also his 15th year as a professional footballer – 30-years old now, Alzamendi debuted in the already very distant 1971 for the provincial Wanderers (Durazno, Uruguay). This was his second spell with River Plate after playing successfully for Independiente (Avellaneda), Nacional and Penarol (Montevideo), UAG (Mexico), and some lesser clubs. He was yet to play a bit in Europe – and that was perhaps the reason why his name hardly rings any bells for the Europeans – but he was more than well known in South America. A national player of Uruguay since 1978, which translates in something improtant – he was part of the Uruguayan revival after the disastrous 1970s. Brushing aside Uruguayan bias in the voting, Alzamendi had incredibly strong and successful season. If the idea was to ignore European-based players, Alzamandi deserved recognition and may be the trophy. May be… it was tough call with Argentina fresh World champion, even if Maradona was ignored. Yet, was he the best this year? Never mind… it is also interesting to see somebody less famous, somebody somewhat ignored so far, to win. Then again… if long career was to play a role, why not Norberto Alonso, the body and soul of River Plate? Depends on which coast of La Plata one votes, I guess.