Néstor Combin (born 29 December 1940) is a former professional footballer who played as a striker. Born in Argentina, he spent most of his professional career in France, most notably with Lyon, and represented the France national team at international level. He was dubbed "La Foudre" (The Lightning) in France, for his speed, and "Il Selvaggio" (the Savage) in Italy, for his fighting spirit.
Combin was born in Las Rosas, Argentina. During his time as a player in France, he scored 117 goals in the Division 1; 68 with Lyon and 49 with Red Star. In the 1973–74 season at Red Star, he formed a remarkable partnership in attack with Paraguayan forward Hugo González.[1] In France, he also played for Metz, and in Italy for Juventus, Varese, Torino, and Milan. Combin scored 10 goals in 38 games for Juventus and 32 goals in 99 games for Torino.
Combin was one of the first French internationals who played abroad in Italy's Serie A. He won several titles there, including a Coppa Italia with both Juventus and Torino, and an Intercontinental Cup with Milan.
Combin was born in Argentina, and was of French descent through his maternal grandmother.[2] He has 8 caps with the France national team, obtained between 1964 and 1968, and scored four goals. He played at the 1966 FIFA World Cup with France.
In a game between Milan and Argentine side Estudiantes for the 1969 Intercontinental Cup, Combin was dealt with aggressively by rival players and had his nose broken (the infamous "Bombonera Massacre"). When he was leaving the stadium, he was arrested, under a charge of desertion.[3] After international pressure and indignation rising, he was released. In 2015, Raúl Horacio Madero blamed Combin as the fighting inciter, by provoking Ramón Aguirre Suárez in the first match, in Italy, saying "negro, don't warm up anymore because in one month I earn the same money that you receive in two years".(El Negro was the disparaging nickname given to Suárez, who was of Paraguayan descent and had dark skin.)[4][5]
