Leonardo José Talamonti was born in Álvarez (Santa Fe), Argentina, on November 12, 1981.
He grew up in the Rosario Central academy. He then made his debut for the "Canallas" (The Rogues) in 2000. In four seasons he went on to play 93 league games with 7 goals plus 9 in the South-American Cups (Sudamericana and Libertadores).
In August 2005 he came to Europe and joined Lazio on loan. The Biancocelesti had a new owner, a mountain of debts and were building a team with several unknown entities.
The manager was former player Domenico Caso with club legend Cristiano Bergodi as assistant. Things did not go too well and they were sacked during the Christmas break after 4 wins, 5 draws (including Inter 1-1 away with a Talamonti 84th minute equaliser) and 7 defeats. In came Giuseppe Papadopulo, the derby and Talamonti's finest hour.
Roma were clear favourites against struggling Lazio. In addition, the Biancocelesti were missing both their central defenders, Fernando Couto and Sebastiano Siviglia. The solution chosen was to play midfielder Giuliano Giannichedda and Talamonti in the centre of the defence with Massimo Oddo and Emanuele Filippini at full-backs. Talamonti and the whole backline played an epic game and Lazio won 3-1.
Lazio eventually finished 13th and Talamonti played 12 league games with 1 goal (Inter) and 1 game in Coppa Italia.
The following year Delio Rossi arrived at Lazio as well as two central defenders; Guglielmo Stendardo and Emilson Cribari. Talamonti's loan period was over and he joined River Plate in Argentina. He played 25 league games with 2 goals and 8 games in the South-American cups. The Millonarios finished 6th and 3rd and reached the quarterfinal of the Copa Libertadores, under first Reinaldo Merlo and then Daniel Passarella.
In 2006-07 he was back in Europe. In August 2006 he joined Atalanta in Serie A. He stayed five years, the first four in A and the last in Serie B. The Bergamaschi finished 8th, 9th, 11th, 18th (relegated) and 1st (promoted). The managers were Stefano Colantuono, Luigi Del Neri for two seasons, a series in his fourth season including Angelo Gregucci and Antonio Conte and in his last, the promotion year, Stefano Colantuono again. Talamonti played 76 games in Serie A with 1 goal (Lazio in 1-0 away win...) and 1 game in Coppa Italia.
In 2011 he returned to Rosario Central in Primera B Nacional but in two seasons only played 14 league games and 2 in the Argentinian Cup. The "Academia Rosarina" finished 4th and 1st (promotion).
In 2013 he moved to Sporting Belgrano in Primera B. He stayed two seasons and played 15 league games. "La Verde" finished 15th and then bottom of their 11-team group but without relegation (the league was divided into two groups with ten promotions and no relegations due to a new 30 team Primera Division format).
In 2015 he joined Atlanta in the Primera B Metropolitana. "Los Bohemios" (The Bohemians) are a team from Buenos Aires and Talamonti played 30 league games with 1 goal.
In 2016 he joined Platense from Vicente López near Buenos Aires. "Los Calamares" (The Squids) played in the Primera B Metropolitana and Talamonti stayed two seasons, playing 44 league games with 2 goals. In his second season "Marron" won promotion in 1st place.
Talamonti then retired at 37.
Talamonti was a defender who could play either centrally or at right full-back. He is 1.83 and 77 kilos. He was a tenacious marker and good in the air. A decent defender who played 117 games in the Argentine top flight and 88 games in Serie A.
At Lazio he only stayed a year and played 12 league games but his name brings a smile to all Lazio fans. His equaliser away to Inter but above all his performance in the 3-1 derby win, where he blocked (alongside Giannichedda and the Filippini bulldogs) Totti, Cassano and Company, will never be forgotten.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
2004-05 | 13 (1) | 12 (1) | 1 |
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