Oscar Ruggeri

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 King Fahd 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 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.

Oscar Ruggeri
Ruggeri with Boca Juniors in 1980
Personal information
Full name Oscar Alfredo Ruggeri
Date of birth (1962-01-26) 26 January 1962
Place of birth Rosario, Argentina
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Youth career
1970–1980 Boca Juniors
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1980–1985 Boca Juniors 147 (11)
1985–1988 River Plate 81 (4)
1988–1989 Logroñés 34 (1)
1989–1990 Real Madrid 31 (2)
1990–1992 Vélez Sarsfield 55 (5)
1992 Ancona 7 (1)
1992–1993 América 27 (4)
1993–1997 San Lorenzo 114 (12)
1997 Lanús 13 (2)
Total 517 (40)
International career
1983–1994[1] Argentina 97 (7)
Managerial career
1998–2001 San Lorenzo
2001–2002 Guadalajara
2003 Tecos UAG
2003 Independiente
2003–2004 Elche
2004 América
2006 San Lorenzo
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Argentina
FIFA World Cup
Winner1986 Mexico
Runner-up1990 Italy
Copa América
Winner1991 Chile
Winner1993 Ecuador
Third place1989 Brazil
King Fahd Cup
Winner1992 Saudi Arabia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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.

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.

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 212
1981 311
1982 433
1983 191
1984 281
1985 131
River Plate 1985–86 351
1986–87 181
1987–88 282
Logroñés 1988–89 341
Real Madrid 1989–90 312
Vélez Sarsfield 1990–91 311
1991–92 244
Ancona 1992 71
América 1992–93 274
San Lorenzo 1994 221
1995 353
1996 275
1997 171
Lanús 1997 132

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. "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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