Leopoldo Luque

Leopoldo Jacinto Luque (Spanish pronunciation: [leoˈpoldo xaˈsinto ˈluke]; 3 May 1949 – 15 February 2021) was an Argentine professional footballer who played as a striker. Regarded as one of the best forwards of the Argentina national team, he also won the 1978 FIFA World Cup.

In a career spanning from 1972 to 1984 he played for Unión de Santa Fe, Rosario Central, River Plate, Racing Club de Avellaneda and Chacarita Juniors.

On 22 February 1976, Luque scored all five goals in a game in which his team, River Plate, defeated San Lorenzo de Almagro 5–1.

With Argentina he was 1978 World Champion, scoring four goals in the tournament, including a spectacular long distance volley against France during the first round. During that tournament, his younger brother Oscar died in a traffic accident on the day that Argentina played against France. He also seriously injured his left elbow in the match against France, the second game of that championship, forcing him to miss two matches. He was back for the last three matches of the tournament, including the final against the Netherlands.

Luque was sports secretary of Mendoza Province.

In February 2007, Luque suffered a heart attack from which he recovered. He died from COVID-19 on 15 February 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina.

Scores and results list Argentina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Luque goal.

River Plate

• Primera División: 1975 Nacional, 1977 Metropolitano, 1979 Metropolitano, 1979 Nacional, 1980 Metropolitano
• Copa Libertadores Runner-up: 1976

Argentina

• FIFA World Cup: 1978

• Copa América Top Scorer: 1975