Daniel Passarella

Daniel Passarella, born on May 25, 1953, is an iconic figure in Argentine football, renowned for his exceptional skills as a defender and his remarkable leadership on the field. He is celebrated as one of the greatest defenders in the history of the sport, having captained Argentina to victory in the 1978 FIFA World Cup, which Argentina hosted, and being a key player in the 1986 World Cup-winning team. Notably, he remains the only Argentine player to have won two World Cups.

Throughout his illustrious playing career, Passarella distinguished himself not only as a formidable centre-back but also as a prolific goalscorer. He achieved the remarkable feat of scoring one hundred thirty-four goals in four hundred fifty-one matches, a record for defenders that stood until it was surpassed by Ronald Koeman. His prowess on the pitch earned him recognition as one of the 125 greatest living footballers by Pelé in 2004, and in 2007, The Times ranked him as the thirty-sixth hardest footballer in history, highlighting his fierce tackling style.

In 2017, FourFourTwo included him in their list of the one hundred all-time greatest footballers, placing him at fifty-sixth. After retiring from playing, Passarella transitioned into coaching, leading both the Argentina and Uruguay national teams, as well as various club sides. His influence on the game extended beyond the pitch when he served as the president of River Plate for four years, following his election victory in December 2009.