José de la Cruz (footballer)


José de La Cruz Benitez Santa Cruz (born 3 May 1952 in Asunción), is a former football player who played as a goalkeeper.

Benítez
Personal information
Full name José de La Cruz Benítez Santa Cruz
Date of birth (1952-05-03) 3 May 1952 (age 72)
Place of birth Asunción, Paraguay
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
1966–1971 Club Olimpia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1971–1977 Club Olimpia
1977–1983 Internacional 85 (0)
1978Palmeiras (loan) 24 (0)
International career
1972–1977 Paraguay 8 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Benítez started in the youth divisions of Olimpia Asunción and made his debut with the first team squad in 1971. In 1977, he was transferred to Internacional of Brazil where he won several titles and became a favorite among the fans. In a friendly match on 4 December 1983, Benítez suffered a severe injury after colliding with another player during a game which forced Benítez to end his football career.[1]

He made 94 appearances in the Campeonato Brasileiro for Internacional and Palmeiras.[2]

Benítez made an appearance for the Paraguay national football team in a 1978 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Brazil.[3]

Titles

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References

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  1. ^ Simas, Vinicius (5 June 2007). "Benitez, goleiro campeão pelo Inter, vira "cartola" do Zequinha" (in Portuguese). Pelé.net.
  2. ^ "Futpedia: Benítez (José de la Cruz Benítez)" (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. Archived from the original on 20 December 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  3. ^ Arruda, Marcelo Leme de (20 July 2000). "Brazil – International Results, 1977/78". RSSSF.