OSCAR RUGGERI

Oscar Alfredo Ruggeri (born 26 January 1962) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as defender. Nicknamed El Cabezón ("The Big-Headed One"), he was 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.

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 Sársfield, Ancona in Italy, América in Mexico, San Lorenzo and Lanús, where he ended his career.

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