Daniel Passarella

Argentine World Cup-winning captain and legendary defender

Daniel Alberto Passarella (born 25 May 1953) is an Argentine former footballer and manager, considered one of the greatest defenders of all time. He captained Argentina to victory at the 1978 World Cup and was also part of the winning squad in 1986, making him the only Argentine player to win two World Cups. As a centre-back, he was a prolific goalscorer, with 134 goals in 451 matches, a record later broken by Ronald Koeman. He also served as president of River Plate from December 2009.

Quick Facts

Role: Argentina National Team Coach (at time of offer)
Key era: 1998

Lore & Background

Passarella was born in Chacabuco, Buenos Aires, and started his career at Sarmiento of Junín in 1971. He joined River Plate in 1973, then played for Fiorentina (1982–1986) and Internazionale (1986–1988) before returning to River Plate until retirement. Nicknamed 'El Gran Capitán', 'El Kaiser', or 'El Caudillo', he was known for his leadership, aerial ability, free-kick and penalty skills, and aggressive use of elbows. He missed the 1986 World Cup due to enterocolitis and had a fractious relationship with Diego Maradona and coach Carlos Bilardo during the tournament.

Reader's Guide

Passarella coached River Plate to three national championships (1989–90, 1991, 1993), then managed the Argentina national team (1994–1998), leading them to the 1998 World Cup quarter-finals. He later coached Uruguay, Parma (where he was sacked after five league losses), Monterrey (winning the Mexican league in 2003), Corinthians, and returned to River Plate as coach in 2006, resigning in 2007. He was elected president of River Plate in December 2009.

Did You Know?

Passarella is the only Argentine player to win two FIFA World Cups (1978 and 1986).
He scored 11 goals in the 1985–86 season for Fiorentina, a record for a defender at the time.
He banned long hair, earrings, and homosexuals from the Argentina national team during his coaching tenure.
Passarella was named one of the 125 greatest living footballers by Pelé in 2004.