Boca Juniors Legend, Known for 1966 World Cup Controversy, Passes Away

Antonio Rattín, one of Argentina's greatest midfielders and a participant in the 1962 World Cup in Chile and the 1966 World Cup in England, has passed away at the age of 89. The sad news was announced by Boca Juniors, the only club Rattín played for throughout his career.

"With immense sorrow in our hearts, we collectively mourn the passing of Antonio Ubaldo Rattín – an idol and symbol of our institution. We stand with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Farewell, Rata," Boca Juniors posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Known as 'Rata' (the Rat), Rattín made 352 appearances for Boca Juniors between 1956 and 1970, scoring 28 goals and winning four Argentine championship titles. He also played a crucial role in reaching the Copa Libertadores final in 1963. For the Argentine national team, he competed from 1959 to 1969, participating in two World Cups.

Rattín was involved in one of the most controversial incidents in World Cup history when he was sent off during Argentina's 0-1 quarter-final loss to hosts England at Wembley in 1966. The captain refused to leave the pitch immediately after West German referee Rudolf Kreitlein dismissed him, claiming he didn't understand the decision because the referee didn't speak Spanish. On his way to the dressing room, the Argentine crushed the corner flag, which was effectively England's national flag, and then sat for several minutes on a red carpet intended for Queen Elizabeth II as a sign of protest.

"When I reached the corner flag, I twisted it and insulted the English. Then I went to the red carpet, which the Queen had walked on, and sat there for about five minutes. It was a very nice, thick red carpet," Rattín recounted years later in an interview.

"I only wore two jerseys my entire life – Boca Juniors and Argentina," Rattín said in one of his last interviews. After ending his football career, he had a brief stint as coach of his beloved and only club, then left football entirely to pursue politics. For many years, he served as a member of the lower house of the Argentine Congress for a center-right political party.