Newell's Old Boys Quiz
Test your Newell's Old Boys knowledge: Isaac Newell, the Bielsa years, the 1988 and 1992 Libertadores finals, Batistuta, Pochettino and Messi.
Free to play · no sign-up · plays in your browser
-
easy
Newell's fans became 'La Lepra' after the club agreed to play a charity match for a leprosy clinic early in its history. Which club reportedly turned the match down and was branded 'Canallas'?
WhyThe story goes that their city rivals declined the charity game, so those fans became the 'Canallas' (scoundrels) and Newell's the 'Leprosos'. It is the root of the Rosario derby's two nicknames. -
easy
Newell's Old Boys was founded in Rosario in 1903 and named after the teacher Isaac Newell. In which country was Isaac Newell born?
WhyIsaac Newell was born in England in 1853 and emigrated to Argentina as a teenager, where he founded a school in Rosario. Its former pupils, the 'old boys', founded the club. -
medium
Gabriel Batistuta started his career at Newell's. Which Argentine club did he join in 1989?
WhyBatistuta left for Buenos Aires in 1989, moved again a year later, and joined Fiorentina in 1991. -
medium
Éver Banega joined Newell's on loan in January 2014 from which club?
WhyHis club loaned him to Newell's for the rest of the season and sold him that summer. -
hard
Newell's academy defender Lisandro Martínez went on loan in 2017 to which Argentine club, which later sold him to Ajax in 2019?
WhyDefensa y Justicia took him on loan in August 2017, bought a share of his rights in 2018 and sold him to Ajax in 2019. -
medium
Who coached Newell's to the 1987‑88 Argentine championship with a side built largely from the club's own youth system?
WhyJosé 'Piojo' Yudica coached Newell's from 1987 to 1990 and won the 1987-88 title. Bielsa took over in 1990. -
medium
Mauricio Pochettino played centre-back for Newell's under Bielsa. Which Spanish club did he join in 1994?
WhyPochettino moved from Newell's to Espanyol in 1994. He later managed Espanyol too. -
hard
Jorge Valdano left Newell's in 1975 for his first club in Spain. Which club was it?
WhyValdano joined Deportivo Alavés in 1975 and stayed until 1979. After that came Real Zaragoza, and Real Madrid in 1984. -
medium
Which English club signed attacking midfielder Mauro Formica from Newell's in January 2011?
WhyFormica joined Blackburn Rovers in the January 2011 window, a rare Newell's export to the Premier League at the time. -
medium
Maxi Rodríguez left Newell's in July 2017 and signed for which Uruguayan club?
WhyHe won two Uruguayan titles with Peñarol, then went back to Newell's at the end of 2018. -
hard
Newell's won their first AFA league title in the 1974 Metropolitano with a coach who was only 31 years old. Who was he?
WhyJuan Carlos Montes joined Newell's as a player in 1969 and was 31 when he coached them to the 1974 title. He later gave Diego Maradona his debut at Argentinos Juniors. -
medium
Which former Fenerbahçe forward was the attacking star of Newell's 2004 Apertura title-winning side?
Why'El Burrito' Ariel Ortega joined Newell's in 2004 after his FIFA ban over leaving Fenerbahçe, and led the attack in Gallego's champions. -
medium
In the 2013 Copa Libertadores quarter-finals, Newell's knocked out which club on penalties after two goalless legs?
WhyNewell's beat Boca 10-9 in a 26-kick shootout in Rosario, with Maxi Rodríguez scoring the winning penalty. -
hard
Newell's played its first Primera División match on 19 March 1939 and won it 2‑1. Which Buenos Aires club did they beat?
WhyNewell's joined the national top flight in 1939, and their debut was a 2-1 win over San Lorenzo. -
medium
Gabriel Heinze returned to Newell's in 2012 after leaving which club?
WhyHeinze came back from Roma, where he spent 2011-12 after his Marseille spell, and won the 2013 title with Newell's. -
medium
Newell's ground has been in use since 1911 and is nicknamed 'El Coloso del Parque'. Which Rosario park does it stand in?
WhyThe stadium sits in Parque de la Independencia, which is where the 'del Parque' in its nickname comes from. -
hard
Newell's were relegated after the 1960 season and won Primera B in 1961, but were still kept out of the top flight. Why?
WhyA 10-point deduction for an alleged incentive offence cost Newell's promotion. They went to court, and a ruling in early 1964 made the AFA reinstate them to Primera División. -
medium
Ignacio Scocco left Newell's in mid-2017 for which club, where he scored five goals in an 8‑0 Libertadores quarter-final win over Jorge Wilstermann?
WhyScocco scored five of his new club's eight goals in the 8-0 win in September 2017, which overturned a 3-0 first-leg defeat. -
medium
After winning the 1992 Clausura, the Newell's coach nicknamed 'El Loco' left the club that year for which Mexican club?
WhyHe moved to Atlas of Guadalajara in 1992, first in a director's role before becoming head coach. -
medium
Newell's reached their first Copa Libertadores final in 1988 and won the first leg 1‑0. Which club then won the second leg 3‑0 to take the trophy?
WhyUruguay's Nacional won 3-0 at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, winning the final 3-1 on aggregate for their third Libertadores. -
medium
Newell's clinched the 1974 Metropolitano on 2 June 1974, coming back from 2‑0 down to draw 2‑2. At which club's stadium was that game played?
WhyThe title was sealed with a 2-2 draw at their great rivals' ground in Arroyito, with goals from Armando Capurro and Mario Zanabria. -
medium
Newell's won the 1990 Apertura and then a play-off for the 1990‑91 championship against the 1991 Clausura winners. Who were they?
WhyNewell's won the 1991 play-off on penalties to become 1990-91 champions. -
medium
Newell's lost the 2013 Copa Libertadores semi-final on penalties to which club?
WhyRonaldinho's Atlético Mineiro won the shootout in Belo Horizonte and went on to beat Olimpia in the final. -
medium
Lucas Bernardi returned to Newell's in 2009 after more than seven years at which French club?
WhyBernardi joined Monaco from Marseille in 2001, played in the 2004 Champions League final, and came home in 2009. -
medium
Centre-back Ezequiel Garay left Newell's midway through the 2005‑06 season for which Spanish club, before later joining Real Madrid?
WhyGaray moved to Racing Santander around the turn of 2006, and Real Madrid bought him from Racing in 2008. -
medium
Defender Walter Samuel came through Newell's and moved in 1997 to which Argentine club?
WhySamuel won titles at his new club and joined Roma in 2000. -
medium
Who coached Newell's to the 2004 Apertura title, the club's first league title in 12 years?
WhyAmérico 'Tolo' Gallego took over from Héctor Veira in February 2004 and won the Apertura that December. -
medium
Nahuel Guzmán, the goalkeeper of Newell's 2013 title side, joined which Mexican club in July 2014?
WhyGuzmán moved to Tigres in July 2014 and became a long-serving idol there, winning several Liga MX titles. -
medium
Diego Maradona played briefly for Newell's in 1993. Which club had he just left?
WhyMaradona spent the 1992-93 season at Sevilla, under Carlos Bilardo, and then signed for Newell's in 1993. -
easy
After winning the 2013 Torneo Final with Newell's, Gerardo 'Tata' Martino was appointed manager of which European club that July?
WhyMartino replaced Tito Vilanova in July 2013, straight after his title with Newell's. -
easy
In December 2009 Newell's renamed its stadium after a former player and coach. Who was it named after?
WhyOn 22 December 2009 the Coloso del Parque became the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa, honouring the man who led Newell's to the 1990-91 and 1992 Clausura titles. -
easy
Bielsa's Newell's reached the 1992 Copa Libertadores final. Which club beat them on penalties?
WhyTelê Santana's São Paulo beat Newell's on penalties in 1992, the club's second lost Libertadores final in five years. -
easy
Lionel Messi left Newell's youth ranks in 2000 to join which club's academy?
WhyMessi moved from Rosario to La Masia in 2000 and never played a senior game for Newell's. -
easy
Maxi Rodríguez came home to Newell's in 2012 after leaving which club?
WhyMaxi left Anfield in 2012 after two and a half seasons on Merseyside.
Also on your phone.
Streaks, reminders and live 1v1 against a mate — every quiz here, in the app. Free, like here.
More quizzes to try
Show all 190 quizzes
Want them as a printable list instead? Newell's Old Boys quiz questions and answers →
Newell's Old Boys in the record books
Free reference tables — every winner, every top scorer, checked and dated.
About Newell's Old Boys
Newell's Old Boys was founded in Rosario in 1903. It is named after Isaac Newell, a teacher born in England in 1853 who emigrated to Argentina as a teenager and founded a school in the city. The former pupils of that school, the 'old boys', founded the club. Newell's fans are known as 'La Lepra' because, early in the club's history, Newell's agreed to play a charity match for a leprosy clinic. The story goes that Rosario Central turned the match down, so their fans became the 'Canallas' (scoundrels). That is where the Rosario derby's two nicknames come from. The club's ground has been in use since 1911. It is nicknamed 'El Coloso del Parque' because it stands in Parque de la Independencia, and on 22 December 2009 it became the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa.
Newell's played their first Primera División match on 19 March 1939 and beat San Lorenzo 2-1. The club was relegated after the 1960 season and won Primera B in 1961, but a 10-point deduction over an alleged incentive-payment offence cost them promotion. Newell's took the case to court, and a ruling in early 1964 made the AFA put them back in Primera División. Their first AFA league title came in the 1974 Metropolitano under Juan Carlos Montes, who was only 31. They sealed it on 2 June 1974 at Rosario Central's ground in Arroyito, coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with goals from Armando Capurro and Mario Zanabria.
The club's best years started under José 'Piojo' Yudica, who won the 1987-88 championship with a side built largely from Newell's own youth system. In 1988 Newell's reached their first Copa Libertadores final and won the first leg 1-0, but Nacional won 3-0 in Montevideo to take the trophy. Marcelo Bielsa won the 1990 Apertura, beat Boca Juniors on penalties in the 1991 play-off for the 1990-91 championship, and then won the 1992 Clausura. That same year Newell's lost the Libertadores final on penalties to Telê Santana's São Paulo, and Bielsa left for Atlas in Mexico. Américo 'Tolo' Gallego won the 2004 Apertura, the club's first league title in 12 years, with Ariel Ortega leading the attack. Gerardo 'Tata' Martino won the 2013 Torneo Final and reached the Libertadores semi-finals. On the way, Newell's knocked out Boca Juniors 10-9 in a 26-kick shootout before losing to Ronaldinho's Atlético Mineiro on penalties.
Newell's has produced a long list of famous names. Gabriel Batistuta left for River Plate in 1989, Jorge Valdano joined Alavés in 1975, Mauricio Pochettino went to Espanyol in 1994 and Walter Samuel moved to Boca Juniors in 1997. Lionel Messi left the youth ranks for Barcelona's La Masia in 2000 without ever playing a senior game for the club. Diego Maradona had a short spell at Newell's in 1993 after leaving Sevilla. Gabriel Heinze came home from Roma and Maxi Rodríguez from Liverpool, and Lisandro Martínez went on loan to Defensa y Justicia, who sold him to Ajax in 2019. If you know your Lepra history from Isaac Newell to Tata Martino, this quiz will show it.
Newell's Old Boys quiz answers, explained
Every question from the quiz above. Play it first; each answer stays folded until you open it.
Newell's fans became 'La Lepra' after the club agreed to play a charity match for a leprosy clinic early in its history. Which club reportedly turned the match down and was branded 'Canallas'?
Show answer
Rosario Central. The story goes that their city rivals declined the charity game, so those fans became the 'Canallas' (scoundrels) and Newell's the 'Leprosos'. It is the root of the Rosario derby's two nicknames.
Newell's Old Boys was founded in Rosario in 1903 and named after the teacher Isaac Newell. In which country was Isaac Newell born?
Show answer
England. Isaac Newell was born in England in 1853 and emigrated to Argentina as a teenager, where he founded a school in Rosario. Its former pupils, the 'old boys', founded the club.
Gabriel Batistuta started his career at Newell's. Which Argentine club did he join in 1989?
Show answer
River Plate. Batistuta left for Buenos Aires in 1989, moved again a year later, and joined Fiorentina in 1991.
Éver Banega joined Newell's on loan in January 2014 from which club?
Show answer
Valencia. His club loaned him to Newell's for the rest of the season and sold him that summer.
Newell's academy defender Lisandro Martínez went on loan in 2017 to which Argentine club, which later sold him to Ajax in 2019?
Show answer
Defensa y Justicia. Defensa y Justicia took him on loan in August 2017, bought a share of his rights in 2018 and sold him to Ajax in 2019.
Who coached Newell's to the 1987‑88 Argentine championship with a side built largely from the club's own youth system?
Show answer
José Yudica. José 'Piojo' Yudica coached Newell's from 1987 to 1990 and won the 1987-88 title. Bielsa took over in 1990.
Mauricio Pochettino played centre-back for Newell's under Bielsa. Which Spanish club did he join in 1994?
Show answer
Espanyol. Pochettino moved from Newell's to Espanyol in 1994. He later managed Espanyol too.
Jorge Valdano left Newell's in 1975 for his first club in Spain. Which club was it?
Show answer
Alavés. Valdano joined Deportivo Alavés in 1975 and stayed until 1979. After that came Real Zaragoza, and Real Madrid in 1984.
Which English club signed attacking midfielder Mauro Formica from Newell's in January 2011?
Show answer
Blackburn Rovers. Formica joined Blackburn Rovers in the January 2011 window, a rare Newell's export to the Premier League at the time.
Maxi Rodríguez left Newell's in July 2017 and signed for which Uruguayan club?
Show answer
Peñarol. He won two Uruguayan titles with Peñarol, then went back to Newell's at the end of 2018.
Newell's won their first AFA league title in the 1974 Metropolitano with a coach who was only 31 years old. Who was he?
Show answer
Juan Carlos Montes. Juan Carlos Montes joined Newell's as a player in 1969 and was 31 when he coached them to the 1974 title. He later gave Diego Maradona his debut at Argentinos Juniors.
Which former Fenerbahçe forward was the attacking star of Newell's 2004 Apertura title-winning side?
Show answer
Ariel Ortega. 'El Burrito' Ariel Ortega joined Newell's in 2004 after his FIFA ban over leaving Fenerbahçe, and led the attack in Gallego's champions.
In the 2013 Copa Libertadores quarter-finals, Newell's knocked out which club on penalties after two goalless legs?
Show answer
Boca Juniors. Newell's beat Boca 10-9 in a 26-kick shootout in Rosario, with Maxi Rodríguez scoring the winning penalty.
Newell's played its first Primera División match on 19 March 1939 and won it 2‑1. Which Buenos Aires club did they beat?
Show answer
San Lorenzo. Newell's joined the national top flight in 1939, and their debut was a 2-1 win over San Lorenzo.
Gabriel Heinze returned to Newell's in 2012 after leaving which club?
Show answer
Roma. Heinze came back from Roma, where he spent 2011-12 after his Marseille spell, and won the 2013 title with Newell's.
Newell's ground has been in use since 1911 and is nicknamed 'El Coloso del Parque'. Which Rosario park does it stand in?
Show answer
Parque de la Independencia. The stadium sits in Parque de la Independencia, which is where the 'del Parque' in its nickname comes from.
Newell's were relegated after the 1960 season and won Primera B in 1961, but were still kept out of the top flight. Why?
Show answer
A points deduction over an alleged incentive-payment offence. A 10-point deduction for an alleged incentive offence cost Newell's promotion. They went to court, and a ruling in early 1964 made the AFA reinstate them to Primera División.
Ignacio Scocco left Newell's in mid-2017 for which club, where he scored five goals in an 8‑0 Libertadores quarter-final win over Jorge Wilstermann?
Show answer
River Plate. Scocco scored five of his new club's eight goals in the 8-0 win in September 2017, which overturned a 3-0 first-leg defeat.
After winning the 1992 Clausura, the Newell's coach nicknamed 'El Loco' left the club that year for which Mexican club?
Show answer
Atlas. He moved to Atlas of Guadalajara in 1992, first in a director's role before becoming head coach.
Newell's reached their first Copa Libertadores final in 1988 and won the first leg 1‑0. Which club then won the second leg 3‑0 to take the trophy?
Show answer
Nacional. Uruguay's Nacional won 3-0 at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, winning the final 3-1 on aggregate for their third Libertadores.
Newell's clinched the 1974 Metropolitano on 2 June 1974, coming back from 2‑0 down to draw 2‑2. At which club's stadium was that game played?
Show answer
Rosario Central. The title was sealed with a 2-2 draw at their great rivals' ground in Arroyito, with goals from Armando Capurro and Mario Zanabria.
Newell's won the 1990 Apertura and then a play-off for the 1990‑91 championship against the 1991 Clausura winners. Who were they?
Show answer
Boca Juniors. Newell's won the 1991 play-off on penalties to become 1990-91 champions.
Newell's lost the 2013 Copa Libertadores semi-final on penalties to which club?
Show answer
Atlético Mineiro. Ronaldinho's Atlético Mineiro won the shootout in Belo Horizonte and went on to beat Olimpia in the final.
Lucas Bernardi returned to Newell's in 2009 after more than seven years at which French club?
Show answer
Monaco. Bernardi joined Monaco from Marseille in 2001, played in the 2004 Champions League final, and came home in 2009.
Centre-back Ezequiel Garay left Newell's midway through the 2005‑06 season for which Spanish club, before later joining Real Madrid?
Show answer
Racing Santander. Garay moved to Racing Santander around the turn of 2006, and Real Madrid bought him from Racing in 2008.
Defender Walter Samuel came through Newell's and moved in 1997 to which Argentine club?
Show answer
Boca Juniors. Samuel won titles at his new club and joined Roma in 2000.
Who coached Newell's to the 2004 Apertura title, the club's first league title in 12 years?
Show answer
Américo Gallego. Américo 'Tolo' Gallego took over from Héctor Veira in February 2004 and won the Apertura that December.
Nahuel Guzmán, the goalkeeper of Newell's 2013 title side, joined which Mexican club in July 2014?
Show answer
Tigres UANL. Guzmán moved to Tigres in July 2014 and became a long-serving idol there, winning several Liga MX titles.
Diego Maradona played briefly for Newell's in 1993. Which club had he just left?
Show answer
Sevilla. Maradona spent the 1992-93 season at Sevilla, under Carlos Bilardo, and then signed for Newell's in 1993.
After winning the 2013 Torneo Final with Newell's, Gerardo 'Tata' Martino was appointed manager of which European club that July?
Show answer
Barcelona. Martino replaced Tito Vilanova in July 2013, straight after his title with Newell's.
In December 2009 Newell's renamed its stadium after a former player and coach. Who was it named after?
Show answer
Marcelo Bielsa. On 22 December 2009 the Coloso del Parque became the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa, honouring the man who led Newell's to the 1990-91 and 1992 Clausura titles.
Bielsa's Newell's reached the 1992 Copa Libertadores final. Which club beat them on penalties?
Show answer
São Paulo. Telê Santana's São Paulo beat Newell's on penalties in 1992, the club's second lost Libertadores final in five years.
Lionel Messi left Newell's youth ranks in 2000 to join which club's academy?
Show answer
Barcelona. Messi moved from Rosario to La Masia in 2000 and never played a senior game for Newell's.
Maxi Rodríguez came home to Newell's in 2012 after leaving which club?
Show answer
Liverpool. Maxi left Anfield in 2012 after two and a half seasons on Merseyside.
Every football question here, soccer if you're reading in the US, is researched against sources and checked before it goes live. How Ball IQ checks its questions → Spot something wrong? Tell us.