I just found out about a pretty interesting story about the clash between Mexico and the United States in 1934, before the Mundiales de Italia. It turns out that a guy named Aldo Donelli—who played both soccer and American football—was Mexico’s nightmare that day in Rome.

What’s curious is how Donelli ended up on the U.S. national team. Coach David Gould saw him practicing at Duquesne University while watching American football players, was impressed by his physical power, and called him up at the last minute. Donelli came from a family of Italian immigrants in Pennsylvania, was formed in amateur leagues in Pittsburgh, and was known as “El Búfalo” for his goal-scoring ability.

In the match on May 24, 1934, Donelli was simply unstoppable. Mexico took the lead first with a goal by Manuel Alonso, but the “Búfalo” responded quickly. What’s impressive was that he scored four goals in that one game—something few have managed in the Mexico–United States rivalry. Only Landon Donovan, with 6 goals, surpasses him in the history of these head-to-head matchups.

The atmosphere at the Estadio Nacional del Partido Nacional Fascista was tense, with Mussolini present in the box. Days earlier, two Mexican players were detained by Italian authorities after an incident involving the Camisas Negras, which added even more drama to the whole situation.

After this match, Donelli continued his career in American football. He coached at Duquesne and was the only one to hold at the same time a position at a university and with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. After serving in the Marina during the Segunda Guerra Mundial, he went on to lead other teams and universities.

What’s interesting is that Donelli was recognized in the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1954 for that epic performance against Mexico. He died in 1994 at the age of 87, leaving a legacy in the history of the Mundiales that transcends decades. That 1934 match kicked off a rivalry that remains in effect to this day, and “El Búfalo” Donelli ended up as one of the most memorable figures from those international duels.