Former Argentina captain Antonio Ubaldo Rattin, famously sent off against England in the controversial 1966 World Cup quarterfinal, has passed away at the age of 89, according to his club Boca Juniors.
News of his death emerged on the exact day both nations advanced from their respective matches, setting up a highly anticipated semi-final clash between the two long-time football rivals next Wednesday.
“With deep sorrow, we regret the passing of Antonio Ubaldo Rattin, an idol and emblem of our institution,” Boca announced on social media.
“We stand with his family and loved ones in this difficult moment. Farewell ‘Rata’.”
Born on May 16, 1937, Rattin was a commanding central midfielder who spent his entire club career with Buenos Aires giant Boca Juniors. Internationally, he earned 34 caps for Argentina and featured in both the 1962 and 1966 World Cups.
Outside his home country, he remains most famous for his controversial dismissal at Wembley in 1966. After receiving a booking in the 35th minute for a heavy tackle on England’s Roger Hunt, Rattin vehemently protested to German referee Rudolf Kreitlein, arguing that he could not understand the official because he didn’t speak German.
Rattin entered politics after leaving football, holding the position of national deputy from 2001 to 2005.
Backstory…
Antonio Rattin’s death marks the passing of one of Argentina’s most influential footballers and one of the defining figures of the country’s golden generation in the 1960s.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in Argentine football history, Antonio Ubaldo Rattin spent almost his entire club career at Boca Juniors, where he won multiple league titles and established himself as the team’s captain and a fan favourite.
He also represented Argentina at the 1962 and 1966 FIFA World Cups, becoming an enduring symbol of the national team’s fighting spirit.
Rattin made 382 appearances for Boca between 1956 and 1970, scoring 28 goals and winning four league titles, and reaching the 1963 Copa Libertadores final.
Additionally, he represented Argentina from 1959 to 1969 and it was his sending-off in a 1-0 quarter-final loss to England that many outside his country would remember him for.
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