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Luis Islas
Luis Islas
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Luis Alberto Islas Ranieri (born 22 December 1965 in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is an Argentine football manager and former player.

Key Information

A goalkeeper who won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in 1986, Islas played for the Argentina national team, Independiente, Estudiantes de La Plata and León.

Playing career

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Club

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Islas started his career as a goalkeeper in Chacarita Juniors in the early 1980s. He earned his nickname el loco ("crazy") because of his flair and temperament.

In late 1982 Islas was transferred to Estudiantes. There, he alternated with Carlos Bertero in the team that won the Nacional championship title in 1983.

He was transferred to Independiente in 1986 and played for two years. He then went to Atlético Madrid in 1988 but did not play a game and was loaned to CD Logroñés. He came back to Independiente in 1990 and helped the team win the Clausura 1994 and two international titles.

He retired in 2003 after playing 241 games for Independiente.

International

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Islas was part of Argentina's Youth Football Team that finished runner-up at the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Islas was the substitute goalkeeper during the 1986 World Cup, which Argentina won. Angry that he was still a substitute for Nery Pumpido, he resigned the national team just before the 1990 World Cup. Pumpido was injured in the second match during that cup, so third goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea was put to the fore, and was selected the best goalkeeper of the tournament. After the cup, Islas returned to the national team under new coach Alfio Basile. Because Goycochea had some weak matches during the qualifiers to the 1994 World Cup, Islas was the starting goalkeeper for Argentina during the 1994 World Cup.

Managerial career

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After a stint in Bolivia, Islas managed Argentine side Club Almagro from November 2006 to May 2007, after which Islas returned to Bolivia to manage Aurora but resigned in September 2007.[1]

Career statistics

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[2]

Argentina national team
Year Apps Goals
1984 3 0
1985 2 0
1986 1 0
1987 5 0
1988 4 0
1989 4 0
1990 0 0
1991 0 0
1992 3 0
1993 1 0
1994 7 0
Total 30 0

Honours

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Luis Alberto Islas Ranieri (born 22 December 1965) is an Argentine professional and former , best known for being part of the national team that won the as a backup player. Throughout his playing career, Islas featured for multiple clubs across , , and , including stints with (1983–1986), Independiente (1986–1988, 1990–1995, and 2003), (1989–1990), (1995), and (2000–2002), amassing over 200 league appearances while earning recognition as 's Player of the Year in 1992. Internationally, Islas earned 30 caps for between 1984 and 1994, serving as a reliable deputy ; he was an unused substitute during the 1986 World Cup triumph and the victory, but started four matches at the 1994 World Cup, including in the group stage and round of 16, alongside appearances in the 1987 and 1989 Copa Américas and the . Transitioning to management after retiring in 2003, Islas has coached various lower-division teams in , , , , , and the , with notable roles including head coach at (2006–2007), Sol de América (2020), Sacachispas (2023), and Ayacucho FC (2025), and as assistant manager to at Fujairah SC (2017–2018) and (2018–2019). As of November 2025, he is without a club. His career underscores a dedication to Argentine football, blending on-field experience with off-field leadership in diverse leagues.

Playing career

Club career

Luis Islas began his professional football career as a with in 1982, making his debut in the at the age of 16. In 1983, he joined , where he quickly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper and contributed to the club's success in winning the 1983 Metropolitano championship, their first league title in a decade. Islas remained with Estudiantes until 1986, appearing in over 100 league matches during this period and gaining recognition for his shot-stopping abilities and command in the . Islas transferred to Independiente in 1986, marking the start of a long association with the club that spanned multiple stints. During his initial spell from 1986 to 1988, he solidified his role as a key player in the team's defense, though major titles eluded them in those years. Seeking opportunities abroad, Islas moved to Spanish club CD Logroñés in 1989, where he played a full season in 1989-90, featuring in all 35 matches and helping the team avoid relegation with notable performances against top sides. Returning to Independiente in 1990, Islas enjoyed his most successful club phase, serving as the primary until 1995 and accumulating over 150 appearances. The team achieved significant honors under his watch, including the 1994 Torneo Clausura, where his consistent saves were instrumental in securing the domestic title. That same year, Independiente won the , defeating in a high-stakes final, with Islas earning praise for his penalty saves. In 1995, he played a pivotal role in the victory over Vélez Sársfield, keeping a clean sheet in the 1–0 win to clinch the continental super cup. After leaving Independiente, Islas had brief spells with in the second half of 1995 and Platense in early 1996, providing veteran stability but without adding to his trophy cabinet. He then ventured to , joining from 1996 to 1997, where he appeared in league and cup competitions, followed by a return to with from 1998 to 1999. In 2000, Islas signed with Tigre for a short stint before moving back to Mexico with , where he played from 2000 to 2002 and served as a mentor to younger players amid the club's mid-table campaigns. His final major move was to in 2002, helping the team in their fight against relegation through crucial interventions in goal. Islas concluded his playing career with a sentimental return to Independiente in 2003, appearing in several matches before retiring at age 37 later that year, having amassed over 400 professional appearances across his career.

International career

Luis Islas earned 30 caps for the Argentina national team between 1984 and 1994, during which he kept several clean sheets but did not score any goals. His international debut occurred on 1 September 1984 in a friendly against Switzerland, a 2–0 victory for Argentina in which Islas played the full match. Over the years, he appeared in various friendlies and tournaments, serving primarily as a reliable backup goalkeeper before becoming a starter in major competitions. Islas was part of Argentina's squad for the in , contributing to the team's triumphant campaign as the second-choice behind Nery Pumpido, though he did not feature in any of the seven matches en route to the title. Islas also represented at the in , appearing in matches as the team reached the quarter-finals. In the 1987 Copa América held in , he played four matches (group stage vs and , semi-final vs Uruguay, third-place match vs ), as finished fourth after a 1–2 loss to in the playoff. Two years later, at the 1989 Copa América in , Islas made two appearances in the group stage as exited in the first round. Islas was part of the squad that won the 1993 Copa América in , though he did not play in the tournament. Islas started all three of Argentina's matches in the (precursor to the ) in , keeping a clean sheet in the 1–0 win over the , contributing to a 2–1 win over , and a 3–1 victory over in the final to win the . His most prominent role came during the in the , where he assumed starting duties after Pumpido's in the second group . Islas played the full 90 minutes in the 4–0 rout of , the 2–1 win over , and the round-of-16 loss to (2–3), making crucial saves including a double stop early in the Romania match despite the eventual defeat that eliminated Argentina.

Managerial career

Assistant coaching roles

Luis Islas began his coaching career in assistant roles, leveraging his experience as a 1986 World Cup-winning to contribute to several prominent teams. His early positions often involved specialized responsibilities, such as goalkeeping , under established managers like . From 2004 to 2008, Islas served as goalkeeping coach for , , and the Argentina national team, working under Basile during successful campaigns that included Boca's 2005 and triumphs. In 2009, Islas transitioned to a more general assistant role with Américo Gallego at Independiente, where he supported the team's efforts in the as ayudante de campo, focusing on tactical preparation and player development during a challenging season for the club. Islas's most notable assistant tenures came alongside , his former teammate from the 1986 World Cup squad. In 2017, he joined Maradona as assistant manager at Al-Fujairah SC in the UAE Pro-League, helping implement an aggressive, attacking style that guided the team to promotion from the second division after a playoff victory over Al Urooba. Islas emphasized structured planning and player empowerment in this role, contributing to a historic campaign for the club. The following year, Islas reunited with Maradona at in Mexico's Liga de Ascenso, again as assistant coach. Under their leadership, achieved a remarkable turnaround, advancing to the Apertura 2018 final despite starting near the bottom of the standings; they secured promotion playoffs but fell short in the championship match against Atlante. Islas managed sideline duties during key games, including when Maradona watched from the stands due to health issues, and adapted strategies to the league's physical demands while handling intense media and fan pressure.

Head coaching positions

Luis Islas began his head coaching career in 2006 with short stints at in , where he managed the team twice during that year and the following one, focusing on stabilizing the squad in the Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano. In late 2006, Islas took over as head coach of in Argentina's Primera B Nacional, leading the team from December 2006 to March 2007, during which he aimed to improve defensive organization drawing from his goalkeeping background, though the tenure ended without significant league advancement. Islas returned to management in 2011 with Central Norte in Argentina's Torneo Argentino A, serving from February to August and guiding the club through regional competition with an emphasis on youth development. His next role came in 2013 at in the Torneo Argentino A, where he managed from March to September, implementing tactical adjustments to enhance midfield control amid a challenging season. In 2014, Islas coached Atlético Colegiales in Argentina's from June to November, prioritizing solid defensive setups that reflected his playing experience, resulting in mid-table stability. From June 2015 to October 2016, he led in the , focusing on team cohesion and gradual performance improvement over the extended period. Islas managed Sol de América in Paraguay's Primera División from February to July 2020, overseeing 6 matches with a points per match average of 1.17, amid the disruptions of the early . In 2021, he took charge of Sol de Mayo de Viedma in Argentina's Torneo Federal B from July to December, managing 17 matches and achieving a points per match of 1.76, which helped the team maintain competitiveness in regional play. A brief stint followed in 2022 at Sportivo Desamparados in the from May to June, covering 6 matches with a points per match of 0.67, aimed at averting relegation risks. From August to December 2023, Islas coached Sacachispas in Argentina's , emphasizing disciplined play to build squad resilience in the lower divisions. In December 2024, Islas had a very short tenure as of Club El Porvenir in Argentina's , appointed on December 23 but resigning on December 26 due to internal disagreements and suboptimal working conditions, without managing any matches. Most recently, in 2025, he served as head coach of Ayacucho FC in Peru's Liga 1 from May to June, managing 5 matches with a points per match of 0.60, focusing on integrating new players during a transitional phase for the club.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Luis Islas enjoyed a professional club career as a from 1982 to 2003, accumulating 214 appearances across leagues in , , and , during which he conceded 270 goals while securing 68 clean sheets. Detailed performance metrics from his stints at key clubs highlight his contributions in top-tier competitions, with a focus on appearances, goals conceded, and clean sheets. Note that comprehensive per-club breakdowns are partial; totals are aggregate from all competitions.
ClubAppearancesGoals ConcededClean Sheets
CA Independiente546423
374615
34439
Deportivo Toluca29456
CA Huracán17243
Club Estudiantes de La Plata19265
CA Talleres130
10122
Others (Platense, Tigre, etc.)1375
Total21427068
These figures represent tracked performances in major domestic and international club competitions, excluding lower-division or youth matches where data is less comprehensive. Islas's role was pivotal in defensive setups, particularly during his time at Independiente, where he achieved the highest number of clean sheets relative to appearances among his clubs.

International statistics

Luis Islas represented the national team at the senior level from 1984 to 1994, accumulating 30 caps without scoring any goals as a . His appearances spanned friendlies, qualifiers, and major tournaments, where he served primarily as a reliable deputy before becoming a starter later in his international career. Additionally, he made 4 appearances for Argentina at the . Islas was included in Argentina's squad for the in , which the team won, but he did not feature in any of the seven matches, acting as backup to Nery Pumpido. His debut came eight years later at the 1994 tournament , where he started all four games: the group stage victories over (4–0) and (2–1), the loss to (0–2), and the round-of-16 defeat to (2–2, 3–2 on penalties). In the Copa América, Islas participated in the 1987 edition in , playing three matches as the host nation finished fourth: the group wins over (1–0) and (3–0), and the third-place loss to (1–2). He also appeared in two group stage games at the 1989 Copa América in Brazil: a 0–1 loss to and a 1–1 draw with , as exited in the first round. He was an unused substitute in the 1993 Copa América victory. These five tournament appearances highlighted his growing role under coaches like and later successors. The remainder of his caps came in friendlies and qualifiers, including seven in 1994 alone during World Cup preparations. Below is a summary of his appearances by major competition:
CompetitionAppearancesYearsNotes
FIFA World Cup41994Started all matches; quarter-final exit
Copa América51987, 19893 in 1987 (4th place), 2 in 1989 (group stage); unused in 1993 win
Friendlies & Qualifiers211984–1994Includes 7 in 1994; total senior caps: 30
Summer Olympics41988U-23 level

Honours

As a player

Luis Islas won several major honours during his playing career, primarily as a for Argentine clubs and the national team. His most notable achievement came with at the international level, where he was part of the squad that secured the in , although he did not feature in the tournament as the second-choice goalkeeper behind Nery Pumpido, with as third choice. On the international stage, Islas was part of the squad that won the in , defeating 2–1 in the final held in , though he was an unused substitute. He was also part of the squad for Argentina's victory in the (now known as the ), defeating 3–1 in the final in , though he was an unused substitute. Additionally, Islas was part of the squad for Argentina's win in the (Artemio Franchi Trophy), a match against that ended 2–1 after extra time. At the club level, Islas earned two Argentine Primera División titles. His first came with in the 1983 Nacional championship, where the team clinched the title by defeating Independiente 3–2 on aggregate in the final playoff (2–0 first leg, 1–2 second leg). Later, with Independiente, he won the 1994 Clausura, as the club sealed the championship with a 4–0 victory over on the final day. Independiente also triumphed in the 1994 Supercopa Sudamericana under Islas's watch, defeating 2–1 on aggregate in the final (1–1 first leg, 1–0 second leg). The following year, 1995, he helped the team capture the , defeating Vélez Sarsfield 1–0 in a single match in . Individually, Islas was recognized as the in 1992, an accolade voted by the Argentine Sports Journalists' Circle for his performances with Independiente and the national team. He also received the Bronze Ball at the .

As a manager

Luis Islas has not secured any major honours or titles during his tenure as a . Despite managing multiple clubs across , , , , the , and , including notable stints at Racing Club, Al Wasl SC, and Sol de América, no championships, promotions, or significant accolades are recorded in his coaching record.

References

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