KANSAS CITY — A Tribute in the Match
During Argentina’s closely contested 3-1 win over Switzerland in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday night, one detail caught the eye: all players and coaches donned black armbands.
You might be curious about the reason behind Lionel Messi and his team’s choice to wear these armbands. It was to honor Antonio Rattin, a former captain of Argentina and a Boca Juniors icon, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 89 following a suspected stroke.
The Argentine Football Association requested FIFA’s permission for teams to wear these armbands in memory of Rattin.
Rattin was a celebrated midfielder who captained Argentina in the 1966 World Cup quarter-finals against England. Ironically, the same rivalry will be reignited this Wednesday in Atlanta. During that match, German referee Rudolf Kreitlein famously sent Rattin off. This decision came following a heated debate, during which Rattin insisted on an interpreter to clarify the situation.
“The coach told me if a bad call was made, he would ask for an interpreter because I was the captain,” Rattin recounted years later. “I did request it because the referee seemed unreasonable, and he ended up dismissing me.”
This dramatic scene lasted about 10 minutes, with Rattin refusing to exit the field, only leaving after police intervention and enduring a barrage of insults from the English fans.
Later, I came across Ken Aston’s thoughts on this match. Aston, who chaired the FIFA Referees Committee during the 1966 World Cup, pioneered the yellow and red card system, which was inspired by traffic lights, thanks in part to his wife’s influence.
FIFA eventually introduced the yellow and red card system at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Over 50 years later, Rattin’s ejection, often referred to as “the theft of the century,” is widely acknowledged as the catalyst for this system, which remains effective today.
After his football career, Rattin ventured into politics and continued to be influential. His legacy was celebrated by his former team during the match on Saturday night in Kansas City. The black armband symbolized more than just mourning; it served as a reminder of Rattin’s historical impact on the World Cup and a tribute to a man whose determined spirit changed the landscape of football forever.
