Alejandro Demaria, sometimes known in Italy as Alessandro De Maria, was born in Votorantim in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, on June 19, 1904.
He started playing football for Independencia in Rio Branco but moved to Corinthians in 1928 where he formed a very strong attacking partnership with José Castelli. He won three Paulista championships in 1928, 1929 and 1930 and even played four games for Brazil and scored three goals. In 1931 he moved to Lazio where he stayed for four seasons.
His legacy is surely in the derby, on March 11, 1934. Lazio were 0-3 down after just 15 minutes but his hat trick allowed the Biancocelesti to clinch a draw. This was the first hat trick scored by a Lazio player in a derby but there is a dispute over who scored the first goal. The Gazzetta dello Sport gives it to Filò Guarisi whilst Il Littoriale to Demaria. Romantically we prefer the hat trick!!! He scored five goals against the Giallorossi, just like Tommaso Rocchi, one behind Ciro Immobile and two short of Silvio Piola.
In 1935 he returned to Corinthians and retired a year later. He was a very good winger but also very tall (1.90m) so when he attempted shots at goal he often lost his step and fell.
He died in Santos on March 17, 1968.
Lazio Career
Season | Serie A appearances | Serie A goals |
1931-32 | 31 | 10 |
1932-33 | 29 | 7 |
1933-34 | 26 | 8 |
1934-35 | 17 | 4 |
Total | 103 | 29 |
Sources