Antonio Vespucio Liberti
Antonio Vespucio Liberti (Spanish pronunciation: [anˈtonjo βeˈspusjo liˈβeɾti]; 1900 –1978) was a former chairman of Club Atlético River Plate, and is the namesake of their current stadium, Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti.
The son of Genoese immigrants, Liberti held the chairmanship multiple times: initially from 1933–35, in 1939, 1943–52, 1960–64, and finally, 1966-69. The golden era of River Plate is widely attributed to his management, though he also came under criticism for the large sums he devoted towards acquiring foreign players in what in some cases turned out as poor investments.
Liberti's most lasting achievement was arguably his persuading the River Plate directors to purchase a then flood-prone, 84,000 m² (900,000 ft²) lot near the northern end of Buenos Aires' Belgrano section for the development of a new stadium and other club facilities. Approved in October 1934, and over the objections of many fans and observers, the transaction included land donated by the city, and led to the construction of El Monumental, between 1935 and 1938.
Liberti died on November 28, 1978. Eight years after his death, the stadium was renamed in his honor.