Wave of mourning in the football world, Argentina’s great captain Antonio Rattin said goodbye to the world

Argentina Captain Antonio Rattin Passed Away: A wave of mourning ran in the football world today. Argentina’s great footballer and former captain Antonio Ubaldo Ratín passed away at the age of 89. There is a wave of mourning in Argentina and the world football world due to his death. Ratien was counted among the best midfielders and captains of the country. He represented the Argentina national team from 1959 to 1969, and also participated in the 1962 and 1966 FIFA World Cups.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has expressed deep sorrow over his death. “The Argentine Football Association, through its President Claudio Tapia, expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Antonio Ubaldo Ratín,” the association said in a statement. He was one of the greatest symbols of Argentina national team history and an undisputed icon of Argentine football, who died today at the age of 89.”

Was the captain of Argentina in 1966

Ratín was Argentina’s captain at the 1966 World Cup in England and was the central figure in an event that will forever remain in the memory of world football. In the quarter-final match against the host nation, he was sent off the field by German referee Rudolf Kraitlin, even though there was no yellow and red card system at that time.

#ProfundoDolor The Argentine Football Association expresses its deepest sorrow over the loss of Antonio Ubaldo Rattín, the historical emblem of Boca Juniors and the Argentine selection. Let us accompany you with a strong embrace to your family and loved ones in this difficult moment. pic.twitter.com/8lWijPJPGn

— AFA (@afa) July 11, 2026

He felt that he had been unfairly treated and was unable to understand the referee’s decision, so Ratin asked for a translator before leaving the field. His refusal to leave the field caused a historic scene: he sat down on the red carpet reserved for Queen Elizabeth II and twisted the British flag before leaving the stadium.

Card system implemented for penalties

That incident had such an international impact that a few years later, at the 1970 World Cup, FIFA officially implemented the card system to recognize referee penalties. “Rateen was more than just a memorable event. He epitomized a generation of footballers that saw wearing the national team jersey as a total commitment, where leadership was done by example, sacrifice and pride in representing the country.”

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The statement further said, ‘With Ratín’s passing, one of the greatest captains in the history of the Argentina national team is no longer with us. A footballer who made his personality his identity and left an indelible mark on the memories of world football. His legacy will forever remain in the history of the Argentine Football Association and in the memories of all those who understand that wearing the Argentina jersey means not just playing matches but representing the entire country. Antonio Rattin was included in these selected players.”

He spent his entire career with Buenos Aires club Boca Juniors and played 382 matches between 1956 and 1970, scoring 28 goals, winning four league titles and reaching the final of the Copa Libertadores in 1963. After retiring as a player, Ratín worked as a coach for Boca for some time before entering politics.

(with agency input)