We take a look at the stars of Argentina's rearguard.
We take a look at the stars of Argentina's rearguard
Roberto Ayala
Ayala is considered one of the finest defenders of his generation. He featured for Argentina over 100 times while he played at two World Cup finals. The former Argentine skipper particularly shone at the 2006 competition, scoring against Germany in the quarter-final and being named in the team of the tournament.
Jose Luis Brown
Brown was a first-choice defender for Argentina during their successful World Cup campaign in 1986. And he etched himself into Argentina folklore when he scored in the 3-2 final victory over Germany in Mexico City.
Jose Cuciuffo
Cuciuffo was a technically gifted defender who was a key member of Argentina's World Cup winning side in 1986. Indeed, he played in six of his nation's games at the tournament in Mexico, as Argentina saw off the Germans in the final.
Luis Galvan
Galvan was a gifted centre-back who tasted World Cup glory at the 1978 tournament. He was a key player as Argentina marched to success on their own turf, beating Holland in the showpiece. Galvan was also called upon four years later.
Luis Monti
Monti was a dogged defensive-minded player who finished as a World Cup runner-up at the tournament's debut in 1930. He scored versus France in the group stage before and against the USA in the semi-finals before his team lost 4-2 to hosts Uruguay.
Jorge Olguin
Olguin was a fine full-back during his heyday who played at two World Cup finals. His debut on the world stage came at the 1978 competition where he helped his country claim glory. The right-back also played four years later, where Argentina exited at the second round stage.
Daniel Passarella
Passarella was a brilliant centre-back who featured at two successive World Cup finals, starting at the 1978 competition. Indeed, during said tournament he captained his nation claim glory scoring once on his homesoil. He also featured against four years later, adding two more goals to his tally.
Fernando Paternoster
Paternoster was a member of Argentina's squad which competed at the first ever World Cup in Uruguay. He featured four times during said tournament, playing in the 4-2 final loss against the hosts.
Oscar Ruggeri
Ruggeri was an outstanding Argentine defender who played at three World Cup tournaments recording 16 appearances. Indeed, on his bow on the world stage he claimed success as he and his team-mates beat the Germans in the final. Four years later he finished as a runner-up before reaching the last-16 stage in 1994.
Roberto Nestor Sensini
Argentine defender Sensini played at three consecutive World Cup finals, debuting on football's grandest stage in 1990. Indeed, he featured in the group stage and also played against winners Germany in the final. He played three times four years later before also featuring at France 1998.
Juan Pablo Sorin
Sorin played as a left wing-back such were his attacking instincts while he was a hugely committed player. He played at the 2002 a World Cup before captaining his nation at the tournament four years later, as Argentina lost in the quarter-finals against the Germans.
Alberto Tarantini
Tarantini was renowned for his eagerness to bomb forwards from left-back such was his stamina, while he also boasted a fiery temperament. He played at the 1978 and 1982 World Cups, winning the competition in 1978 and scoring in the 6-0 win over Peru.
Jose Della Torre
Della Torre was a key member of Argentina's first ever World Cup squad which finished as runners-up at the 1930 World Cup hosted in Uruguay. He played in five matches at the tournament as his nation lost 4-2 to the hosts in the final.
Javier Zanetti
The brilliantly versatile Zanetti has played at two World Cup finals and was surprisingly overlooked for this summer's tournament in South Africa, for the second World Cup running. His most memorable World Cup moment arguably came against England when he scored his side's second goal to send the match to extra-time and penalties.
Adolfo Zumelzu
Zumelzu has just one World Cup appearance to his name but nonetheless made some impact during that solo outing. Indeed, the defender played in Argentina's 6-3 group match victory over Mexico, scoring twice for his country.
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