His career started as a defender with Estudiantes de La Plata, where his devotion was noted as one of the reasons the club returned from relegation in 1995.
Diagnosed with colon cancer in 2000, he broke the news himself in an unassuming way, quit the team after unsuccessful surgery, and fought his illness to the end.
After winning the Apertura 2006 championship in a play-off against Boca Juniors, many Estudiantes players displayed T-shirts in honour of Prátola.
Then-captain Juan Sebastian Verón mentioned him in an emotional victory speech broadcast around the stadium, leading to chanting of "Ruso" by Estudiantes fans.
Prátola was again remembered by Estudiantes following the club's triumph in the 2009 Copa Libertadores finals against Cruzeiro.