Oscar Ruggeri facts for kids
Ruggeri with Boca Juniors in 1980
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Oscar Alfredo Ruggeri | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 26 January 1962 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Corral de Bustos, 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 | 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oscar Alfredo Ruggeri, born on January 26, 1962, is a famous former football player from Argentina. He was a strong defender, often called a "centre-back," which means he played in the middle of the defense. People nicknamed him El Cabezón, which means "The Big-head One."
Ruggeri was very successful playing for the Argentine national team. He helped them win the 1986 FIFA World Cup, which is one of the biggest football tournaments in the world. He also won two Copa América titles and the 1992 FIFA Confederations Cup with his country.
At the club level, he had a great time with River Plate in Argentina. There, he won the 1986 Copa Libertadores, the 1986 Copa Interamericana, and the 1986 Intercontinental Cup. Many people think Ruggeri is one of the best defenders Argentina has ever produced. He was known for being a tough player and great at heading the ball.
After he stopped playing, Ruggeri became a football manager. He coached teams in Argentina, Mexico, and Spain. His last coaching job was in 2006. Since then, he has worked on Argentine television as a football commentator. He is currently part of a show called 90 Minutos de Fútbol on ESPN Argentina.
Contents
Oscar Ruggeri's Amazing Football Journey
Oscar Ruggeri started his professional football career at Boca Juniors. He played alongside the legendary Diego Maradona there. Together, they won a league title in 1981.
Playing for Big Clubs
In 1985, Ruggeri made a big move to River Plate, who were rivals of Boca Juniors. This move was very successful for him. At River Plate, he won the Copa Libertadores, which is South America's biggest club competition. He also won the Intercontinental Cup and another league title in 1986.
In 1988, he moved to Europe to play for Spanish clubs. He played for Logroñes and then for Real Madrid, one of the most famous clubs in the world. With Real Madrid, he won another league championship.
After his time in Spain, he played for several other clubs. These included Vélez Sarsfield in Argentina, Ancona in Italy, and América in Mexico. He also played for San Lorenzo and Lanús in Argentina, where he finished his playing career.
Winning with Argentina
Oscar Ruggeri was a very important player for the Argentine national team. He played in three World Cups. He was a key part of the team that won the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. He also played in the 1990 FIFA World Cup where Argentina reached the final but lost to West Germany.
In the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Ruggeri was the captain for the last two games after Diego Maradona left the tournament. After Argentina lost to Romania in that tournament, Ruggeri retired from international football. He had played 97 games for Argentina, which was a record at the time.
Besides the World Cup, Ruggeri also helped Argentina win two Copa América titles in a row, in 1991 and 1993. He also won the 1992 FIFA Confederations Cup with his country.
Life Outside Football
Oscar Ruggeri has a son named Stephan, who is also a professional football player. Oscar himself appeared on an Argentine TV show called Bailando por un Sueño in 2016 with his daughter, Candela.
Career Achievements
Oscar Ruggeri won many important titles during his career:
With Boca Juniors
- Argentine Primera División: 1981 Metropolitano
With River Plate
- Argentine Primera División: 1985–86
- Copa Libertadores: 1986
- Intercontinental Cup: 1986
- Copa Interamericana: 1986
With Real Madrid
- La Liga: 1989–90
With América
- CONCACAF Champions' Cup: 1992
With San Lorenzo
- Argentine Primera División: 1995 Clausura
With Argentina National Team
- FIFA World Cup: 1986 (Winner); 1990 (Runner-up)
- Copa América: 1991, 1993
- FIFA Confederations Cup: 1992
- Kirin Cup: 1992
Individual Awards
- South American Team of the Year: 1986, 1991
- La Liga Foreign Player of the Year: 1989
- La Liga Team of The Year: 1989
- Footballer of the Year of Argentina: 1991
- South American Footballer of the Year: 1991
- Olimpia Award: 1991
See also
In Spanish: Oscar Ruggeri para niños
