Antonio Rattín, Boca Juniors and Argentina football great, dies at 89

Argentine football mourns the loss of a historic icon, Antonio Ubaldo Rattín, who passed away at 89. Rattín, a former player and coach for Boca Juniors and the Argentine national team, left an indelible mark on the sport.

Known as "El Rata," Rattín achieved significant success with Boca Juniors, winning six titles and playing 382 matches, scoring 28 goals. His international career included appearances in the 1962 and 1966 World Cups, and he was twice a runner-up in the Copa América. His aggressive style and commanding presence as a defensive midfielder, standing at 1.90 meters, made him a distinctive figure.

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With great sorrow, we regret the passing of Antonio Ubaldo Rattín, an idol and emblem of our institution. We accompany his family and loved ones in this difficult time. Goodbye, Rata.

Rattín's legacy extends beyond his on-field achievements. His expulsion during the 1966 World Cup is famously cited as a catalyst for FIFA's decision to implement referee cards, a rule that fundamentally changed the game. This incident cemented his place in football lore.

Both Boca Juniors and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) shared their grief on social media. Boca Juniors posted, "With great sorrow, we regret the passing of Antonio Ubaldo Rattín, an idol and emblem of our institution. We accompany his family and loved ones in this difficult time. Goodbye, Rata." The AFA echoed these sentiments, honoring Rattín as a "historic emblem" of both Boca and the national team.

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The Argentine Football Association expresses its deepest regret for the passing of Antonio Ubaldo Rattín, a historic emblem of Boca Juniors and the Argentine National Team. We accompany with a big hug his family, loved ones in this difficult time.