Tonono Explained

Tonono
Fullname:Antonio Afonso Moreno
Birth Date:25 August 1943
Birth Place:Arucas, Spain
Death Place:Las Palmas, Spain
Height:1.75 m
Position:Sweeper
Youthclubs1:Arucas
Years1:1962–1975
Caps1:379
Goals1:2
Nationalyears1:1967–1972
Nationalcaps1:22
Nationalgoals1:0

Antonio Afonso Moreno (25 August 1943 – 9 June 1975), known as Tonono, was a Spanish footballer who played as a sweeper.[1]

Club career

Born in Arucas, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Tonono made his professional debut with hometown's UD Las Palmas, his first competitive appearance coming on 18 February 1962 at Real Murcia. His La Liga bow was in the 1964–65 season, playing 30 games as the Canary Islands team finished in ninth position; he would only represent one club in his career, being part of the squads that achieved three top-five finishes in the top flight – including a second place in 1969.[2]

Tonono amassed top-tier totals of 313 matches and two goals. He made his last appearance on 31 May 1975 in a Copa del Rey tie against CD Málaga, contracting a viral infection shortly after and dying on 9 June at only 31 in Las Palmas.[3] [4]

International career

Tonono made his debut for Spain on 1 October 1967 in an UEFA Euro 1968 qualifier against Czechoslovakia, a 1–0 loss in Prague in which the Himno de Riego was played before kick-off instead of that of Francoist Spain.[5] He did not appear, however, in any major international tournament, as the national team did not qualify for any during his international spell.

In his 22nd and final cap, on 19 October 1972, Tonono acted as captain in a 2–2 draw with Yugoslavia for the 1974 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, in a game played in Las Palmas; he was the first player ever from the region to be selected for the national side.[6]

Honours

1963–64[1]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Antonio Afonso ‘Tonono’: elegancia y regularidad en la defensa. Antonio Afonso 'Tonono': elegance and defensive consistency. Perarnau Magazine. Alberto. Cosín. Spanish. 23 September 2013. 21 September 2022.
  2. News: Se cumplen cuarenta años de la mejor clasificación de la UD Las Palmas. 40th anniversary of UD Las Palmas' best placement. Marca. Spanish. 6 April 2009. 21 September 2022.
  3. News: Ha muerto Tonono. Tonono has died. ABC. Spanish. 10 June 1975. 8 February 2016.
  4. News: Más de quince mil personas en el sepelio de Tonono. More than fifteen thousand people in Tonono's burial. ABC. Spanish. 11 June 1975. 8 February 2016.
  5. News: "¡O lo quitan o no salimos!". "Either you take that or we don't come out!". El País. Juan José. Mateo. Spanish. 18 June 2012. 8 February 2016.
  6. News: El adiós de Tonono a la selección. Tonono's farewell to the national team. La Provincia. José Miguel. Santana. Spanish. 19 October 2012. 8 February 2016.