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by | Mar 14, 2018 | Lavandula, Lavandula

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Oscar Alfredo Ruggeri (born 26 January 1962) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as centre-back. Nicknamed El Cabezón ("The Big-head One"), Ruggeri achieved success at the international level with the Argentina national team, being part of the teams that won the 1986 FIFA World Cup, two editions of the Copa América and the 1992 FIFA Confederations Cup. At the club level, Ruggeri's most successful stint was with Argentine club River Plate, where he won the 1986 Copa Libertadores (also the club's first title win in this tournament) the 1986 Copa Interamericana and the 1986 Intercontinental Cup. Known for his rough style of play when marking opposing players and aerial ability, Ruggeri is considered one of the all-time best defenders to come out of Argentina.[2] Following his retirement as a player, Ruggeri turned to managing, where he held posts in Argentina, Mexico and Spain. His last job as a manager was in 2006 with Argentine club San Lorenzo. Since then, Ruggeri went on to have a career on Argentine television, as commentator on football shows. He is currently a member of 90 Minutos de Fútbol, which airs on ESPN Argentina Latin America.

Career

Ruggeri started his career at Boca Juniors, playing with Diego Maradona, with whom he won a league title in 1981. In 1985, he moved to rivals River Plate, where he won the Copa Libertadores, the Intercontinental Cup and another league title in 1986. In 1988, he left for Europe where he played for Spanish clubs Logroñes and Real Madrid, where he won yet another league championship. He also played for Vélez Sarsfield, Ancona in Italy, América in Mexico, San Lorenzo and Lanús, where he ended his career.

Ruggeri (last from right, upper row) with the Argentina squad that won the 1991 Copa América held in Chile

During his career he represented his country in three World Cups, captaining Argentina in the final two games of the 1994 competition, after Diego Maradona was expelled from the tournament. Ruggeri was also a key piece in the Argentina teams that won the trophy in 1986 and lost the final to West-Germany in 1990.

After losing to Romania in the 1994 tournament, Ruggeri retired from international football, having played 97 international games, an Argentine record until it was surpassed by Diego Simeone.

With the Argentina national team he also won two consecutive Copa América titles (1991 and 1993), and the 1992 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Personal life

Ruggeri's son, Stephan, is a professional footballer.[3] Ruggeri himself appeared on the 2016 edition of Bailando por un Sueño with his daughter, Candela.[3]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season Apps Goals
Boca Juniors 1980 21 2
1981 31 1
1982 43 3
1983 19 1
1984 28 1
1985 13 1
River Plate 1985–86 35 1
1986–87 18 1
1987–88 28 2
Logroñés 1988–89 34 1
Real Madrid 1989–90 31 2
Vélez Sarsfield 1990–91 31 1
1991–92 24 4
Ancona 1992 7 1
América 1992–93 27 4
San Lorenzo 1994 22 1
1995 35 3
1996 27 5
1997 17 1
Lanús 1997 13 2

Honours

Club

Boca Juniors

River Plate

Real Madrid

América

San Lorenzo

International

Argentina

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Oscar Alfredo Ruggeri – International Appearances". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
  2. ^ Argentina's Greatest Defenders, Sky Sports, 8 June 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Conocé a Stephan Ruggeri, el hijo facherísimo del Cabezón". Ciudad Magazine. 23 July 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  4. ^ "South American Team of the Year". 16 January 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  5. ^ FIFA XI´s Matches - Full Info
  6. ^ "IFFHS ALL TIME ARGENTINA MEN'S DREAM TEAM". 26 August 2021.

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