Gonzalo Quesada, born May 2, 1974 in Buenos Aires, is an Argentinian rugby union player and coach. He played mainly as half-fly, winning 39 caps for the Argentina national rugby team between 1996 and 2007, which included playing in two World Cups (1999 & 2003). He was best scorer and won the Golden Boot at the 1999 World Cups.
As a player, Gonzalo Quesada started his career playing with the Hindù Club (ARG) where he played till 1999. He then moved to France from 1999 till 2007, and played for R.C. Narbonne, A.S. Béziers, Stade Français Paris, Section Paloise and R.C. Toulon. From 2007 till 2008, he returned to Argentina to end his career with his debut club, the Hindù Club.
After a very successful career as a player, Gonzalo Quesada was appointed Assistant Coach of the French national rugby team (2008-2011). In such capacity, he won the 2010 Six Nations Grand Slam and was Finalist of the 2011 World Cup. He then moved on to become Head Coach of the French teams Racing Métro 92 (2011-2013), Stade Français Paris (2013-2017), and Biarritz Olympique (2017-2018). In 2015, he won French Championship with Stade Français Paris and in 2017, with the same team, he won the European Rugby Challenge Cup, In 2019, he was appointed Head Coach for the Super Rugby team Jaguares, and brought the teamto the final of the 2019 Super Rugby. In 2020, Gonzalo Quesada returned to Stade Français Paris to take up a new challenge.
Gonzalo Quesada (polo handicap 0) has had a real passion for the sport of polo from a very young age on. He was taught by his father, also a rugby and polo player. Gonzalo Quesada put this passion for polo on hold during his rugby career, but in the last couple of years, he has resumed playing again and enjoy the game.
Benoît Perrier, CEO & Co-Founder of GAME Polo, comments: “We are delighted that Gonzalo has agreed to become the Ambassador for the POLO Rider Cup. His passion and love for polo made him an obvious choice and we are excited to be working with Gonzalo on the promotion of the POLO Rider Cup.”
Gonzalo Quesada comments: “It’s an honour for me to become the Ambassador for the POLO Rider Cup as I have a real passion for the game. As an Argentinian, polo is in our DNA. Also, the concept of the POLO Rider Cup is similar to that of the Rugby Champions Cup, a club competition.”