Sports family mourns death of Jorge Griffa

Today is a sad day for the red and white family. Our club mourns the death of our former player Jorge Bernardo Griffa Monferoni, who was our team’s defender for ten seasons in the 1960s.

He leaves us at 88, a legend who made 291 official appearances for Atlético Madrid between the 1959/60 and 1968/69 seasons, being a mainstay of the defense alongside Rivilla and Calleja during that fruitful decade. His character and impressive stature led the team on the path to the achievements they achieved. During his time in Madrid, the Metropolitan fans scored eight goals. The Argentine held the record by a foreigner for the most games played for the red and white team for over 40 years, until Luis Amaranto Perea surpassed that number in 2011.

Jorge Griffa (7 May 1935, Casilda, Santa Fe, Argentina) took his first steps in the world of professional football with Atlético Newell Old Boys, with whom he made his First Division debut on 17 October 1954. The defender remained with the Lepers for 5 seasons and after winning the 1959 Copa America, he made the jump to Europe to join Atlético Madrid.

“Maestro”, as he was nicknamed, made his debut with his new team on September 13, 1959 in a match against Las Palmas, which ended 0:3 in favor of the Rojiblancos. Griffa enjoyed one of Atlético Madrid’s most fruitful decades at title level. In his first season, he managed to lift the title of champion of the Copa del Generalísimo, the current Copa del Rey, which, moreover, became the first in the history of the club. A title he would repeat the following season: 1960–61 and 1964–65. The defender also added to his league record, achieved in the 1965–66 season. In terms of international titles, he was part of the 1962 European Cup Winners’ Cup, the first trophy won by Atlético Madrid outside national borders.

After 10 years at the club, he went to Barcelona to sign a contract with Espanyol, who played in the second division. After two years at Barcelona and promotion to the first division, Jorge Griffa hung up his boots to begin a new phase as a coach in Argentine and Mexican football.

In his memory, and also in memory of Miguel Enriquez de Luna Treviño, our fifth partner, the flag in honor of our fans, located in the Cívitas Metropolitano, flies at half-mast.

With the departure of Jorge Griffa, the red and white family loses a symbol that gave everything to take Atlético Madrid to the top of national and continental football. Our President, CEO, other members of the Board of Directors and all employees wish to express our deepest condolences, and we join in the pain of his family and friends. Rest in peace.