Argentina football legend Antonio Rattin passes away at 89
Buenos Aires, July 12
Former Argentina international Antonio Rattin, regarded as one of the country's finest midfielders and a Boca Juniors legend, passed away on Saturday at the age of 89, the Argentine club announced, according to Reuters.
Rattin represented Argentina at the 1962 and 1966 FIFA World Cups and enjoyed a distinguished career for the national team during one of the country's most competitive eras.
"With great sorrow, we mourn the passing of Antonio Ubaldo Rattin, an idol and symbol of our institution. We stand with his family and loved ones at this difficult time. Farewell, Rata," Boca said in a post on X, as quoted by Reuters.
Rattin made 382 appearances for Boca Juniors between 1956 and 1970, scoring 28 goals and helping the club win four Argentine league titles. He also played a key role in Boca's run to the 1963 Copa Libertadores final.
At the international level, Rattin represented Argentina from 1959 to 1969 and featured in the 1962 and 1966 FIFA World Cups.
He is perhaps best remembered for one of the most controversial moments in World Cup history during Argentina's 1-0 quarterfinal defeat to hosts England at the 1966 tournament.
After being sent off by German referee Rudolf Kreitlein, Rattin refused to leave the field immediately, arguing that he did not understand the referee's decision as it was not communicated in Spanish. As he exited the pitch, he crumpled an England corner flag and sat briefly on a red carpet reserved for Queen Elizabeth II, a gesture that became one of the defining images of the tournament, according to Reuters.
After retiring as a player, he had a brief spell as Boca's coach in 1980 before serving as a member of Argentina's lower house of Congress for a centre-right political party.
— ANI
Reader Comments
So sad to see another World Cup legend go. He was a true fighter on and off the pitch - imagine being sent off just because the referee couldn't speak Spanish! That anger was justified. My heart goes out to his family.
I'm not sure I agree with his behaviour in 1966 - sitting on the royal carpet was disrespectful. But he was a great player nonetheless. RIP.
382 matches for Boca Juniors - waah! That's dedication. He lived through Argentina's golden era. And later becoming a Congressman shows he had substance beyond football too. Sad day for football lovers everywhere.
I remember reading about that 1966 incident. While his frustration was understandable, the way he handled it was poor. But he's still a legend for his contribution to the beautiful game. Rest well, Antonio.
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