Independiente was founded 1 de enero de 1905, with Dr. Jorge Eduardo Bottaro as club president at the time of this guide. Club colors: roja, con vivos blancos. Home ground: Almirante Cordero 751/83 (1870) Avellaneda, Buenos Aires. Head coach for the 1996/97 preseason per the guide: César Luis Menotti. Leonardo Franco was one of 31 players listed in the Independiente first-team squad in this edition of the guide, playing as a goalkeeper (Arq.(1) in the source).
| Apellido/Nombres (as printed) | F./Nacim. | Lugar | Puesto | Procedencia | Condición |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRANCO, Leonardo Neoren | 20-05-77 | San Nicolás (BUE) | Arq.(1) | Somisa (San Nicolás) | Del club |
Transcribed verbatim from the club's page in the guide. This edition prints Procedencia and Condición as two separate columns (unlike the 1986/87 edition's single combined field). Not editorially expanded beyond common football-transfer shorthand: already registered with the club (“del club”); the source's “procedencia” field names Somisa (San Nicolás).
Solo Fútbol Guía 1996/97. Uploaded by Jim Totime, 1 September 2026. Cross-reference against a modern source (Transfermarkt / RSSSF) recommended before this is used for anything client-facing — this stub has not been independently verified against a second source.