Boca Juniors legend Rattin passes away at 89

Former midfielder Antonio Ubaldo Rattin, who is one of the biggest icons in Boca Juniors' history, died on July 11, 2026, at the age of 89, as confirmed by the club.

Antonio Rattin, who captained Argentina, was sent off during the 1966 World Cup quarter-final against England. His club, Boca Juniors, announced his passing on Saturday. This news came on the same day Argentina and England won their World Cup quarter-finals, setting up a match between the two rivals next Wednesday.

Boca Juniors shared their sorrow on social media: “With deep sorrow, we regret the passing of Antonio Ubaldo Rattin, an idol and emblem of our institution. We stand with his family and loved ones in this difficult moment. Farewell ‘Rata’.”

Rattin was born on May 16, 1937. He was a central midfielder with a strong character and spent his whole career at the Buenos Aires club. He played for Argentina 34 times, including in the 1962 and 1966 World Cups.

Outside Argentina, he is often remembered for his dismissal in 1966 at Wembley. He received a yellow card in the 35th minute for a tough tackle on England’s Roger Hunt. He argued with the German referee Rudolf Kreitlein, saying he did not speak German and could not understand him.

Kreitlein, who could not speak Spanish, lost patience and sent Rattin off for “violence of the tongue.” After a few minutes of delay, he finally left the field. He then crumpled an England corner flag and sat on a red carpet meant for Queen Elizabeth II.

Years later, he said, “When I got to the corner, I twisted the English flag and insulted them. Then I went over to the carpet the Queen used to enter the stadium and sat there for about five minutes. It was a very nice red carpet.”

The communication issue between Rattin and Kreitlein led to the introduction of red and yellow cards at the 1970 World Cup. Rattin played 382 matches for Boca Juniors, scoring 28 goals and winning four titles: the first division championships of 1962, 1964, and 1965, and the 1969 Copa Argentina.

He was part of the team that finished as runners-up in the 1963 Copa Libertadores, Boca's first final in the continental tournament, which they lost to Pele’s Santos. After retiring from playing, Rattin also coached Boca in the 1980 season.

He was always seen as a historic figure at the Xeneize club. In 2015, a statue of him was unveiled at La Bombonera stadium. After leaving football, Rattin entered politics and served as a national deputy from 2001 to 2005.