It was almost a story akin to Striker in The Sun, or Roy of the Rover stuff when Luciano Becchio turned up with his boots to Leeds’ Ireland tour in 2008 and laced them up to face Shelbourne.
He knew that he was fighting to impress, fighting for a contract with the Whites. He was an unknown quantity, a player who appeared out of nowhere to play on trial. He’d flown into Leeds’ Ireland tour late from Spanish side Merida UD, a side playing out of the Spanish region of Extramadura in western-central Spain. He did enough against Shelbourne to win a further trial against Barnet later in that week, as Leeds returned to English soil.
He wasn’t a nobody, Becchio had a degree of pedigree about him. He’d been playing football in his native Argentina for Boca Juniors before moving to Spain and seeing action in the ‘B’ teams of La Liga sides Mallorca and world football giants Barcelona. In that Barcelona side he played alongside Pedro (now at Chelsea) and Bojan Krkic (now at Stoke City). He was only at Barςa for six months before a move to Merida, where Leeds United picked him up from.
His début season at Elland Road saw the likeable Argentinian notch double figures by mid-November, Becchio ending the season with 19 goals and a place in the League One play-off semi-finals. In this game he scored before seeing a late Millwall goal mean that Leeds lost out on a tilt at promotion.
In all, it was the 86 goals and industry that he showed for the cause that endeared him to the hearts of Leeds United fans. It is an endearment that last until today. Even now he is thought of most favourably when Leeds fans reminisce about past players.
Becchio is now playing in Spain for CD Atlètic Balears who play in the Segunda B – Spanish football’s third tier competition. It was his first home game yesterday against Cornellà, a feat he celebrated (below) after scoring his side’s only goal in the 25th minute and in front of around 700 fans braving the rain. Such was his all-round game that he made the team of the week.
Muy contento por mi debut en casa con victoria ⚽️💪🏻 @atleticbalears ## very happy for my debut at home with win gol#goal#becchioisback pic.twitter.com/d0o4YBipOb
— Luciano Becchio (@becchioluciano) January 22, 2017
Leeds United fans were quick to respond to the Becchio tweet as they continued to show the admiration that they have for him.
Becchio tweets news of goal for Spanish side, Leeds fans respond.
This conversation is typical of the endearment Leeds fans have, not sure about the stoning though – bit too Biblical for my liking.
https://twitter.com/sparkylufc1970/status/823234122458009600
This tweet reminds us of two things: love for Luci and the fact Berbatov was a bit rubbish.
cost less than Berbatov, and he scores more goals !!!!! #mot #legend
— Matt Duce (@matt_duce1980) January 22, 2017
The love for the former Leeds striker has broken out into song.
https://twitter.com/robbarberLU91/status/823224178937647105
This tweet from Leeds fan John-Michael says it all really.
all the best fella, were a great proffessional for Leeds!
— John-Michael Lloyd (@J_Mlloyd) January 22, 2017
Leeds fan Macca wants him back, well back on a shirt that is.
https://twitter.com/macca7292/status/823228708605587456
This just about says it all.
https://twitter.com/adambrown1992/status/823221506297724932
Whilst Becchio’s future is away from English football, it doesn’t stop that love flowing from Leeds United fans.