Ossie finally realises his dream as him and God hit The Park
October 29th 2009 03:23
Next Friday sees The Three Amigos roll into The Park for an evening of fun and games with a side order of Argentine chilli.
I thought I´d use my space in The Grecian this week to fill you in on how Pitón and Dios came to the fore in their homeland and the general perception of the duo round these parts.
Osvaldo César Ardiles was born and raised in Bell Ville, a city in the Argentine province of Córdoba. Bell Ville´s landscape is dominated by agricultural industry but the region also prides itself on being the country´s “National Capital of the Football”.
The vast majority of the leather that is stroked, punted and slotted in Argentina is manufactured in Ossie´s home town. With a wealth of footballs in the region Ardiles had ample chance to practice his dribbling skills for which his brother dubbed him Pitón (Python).
As a youngster Ossie was snapped up first by Instituto and then by Club Atlético Belgrano. It was not long however before interest came knocking from Buenos Aires and he was swept away from his home province.
His move to Huracán coincided with a rapid upturn in the club´s fortunes. The side from the East of Buenos Aires finished as league runners-up in two consecutive campaigns with Ossie and goalkeeper Héctor Baley taking the plaudits.
After starring in the 1978 World Cup where he scored in the final against the Dutch Ossie was transferred from Huracán to North London and never played competitive club football in his homeland again.
The star of Escape To Victory did however have some short spells managing back in Argentina. As recently as 2007 while managing Huracán he was baffling referees by lambasting them with some choice English language. Hopefully he keeps it clean next Friday.
After being turned down at trials for a number of clubs Ricardo Julio Villa was eventually signed by Quilmes alongside his cousin. Ricky made over 100 appearances for El Cervecero (The Brewers) before moving to Atlético de Tucumán in the north of Argentina.
It was during his time at Tucumán that Ricky was given his nickname Dios (God) on account of his beard, long hair and ability to find the target from anywhere on the pitch.
By the time the 1978 World Cup rolled around Ricky was back in Buenos Aires and playing for Racing Club. Chain-smoking perfectionist César Luis Menotti called Dios into the squad at the expense of a 17 year old wonderkid who also played in Ricky’s position.
Villa played the second halves of the hosts’ second round games against Poland and Brazil. You might want to ask Ossie who Ricky replaced at half time against the Brazilians.
After triumph in 1978 Villa never played for the national team again as Diego Maradona was not to be budged once he got his chance. Shortly after the World Cup Keith Burkinshaw shelled out £750,000 for Dios and Pitón and they rest, as they say, is history.
Just for you Dad... Ricky may have enjoyed his most successful moments for Spurs wearing his lucky number five jersey, but what is the only number from 1-11 that Villa did not wear in a game during his time at White Hart Lane?
Up the City!
Tim
http://timsturtridge.com/
I thought I´d use my space in The Grecian this week to fill you in on how Pitón and Dios came to the fore in their homeland and the general perception of the duo round these parts.
Osvaldo César Ardiles was born and raised in Bell Ville, a city in the Argentine province of Córdoba. Bell Ville´s landscape is dominated by agricultural industry but the region also prides itself on being the country´s “National Capital of the Football”.
The vast majority of the leather that is stroked, punted and slotted in Argentina is manufactured in Ossie´s home town. With a wealth of footballs in the region Ardiles had ample chance to practice his dribbling skills for which his brother dubbed him Pitón (Python).
As a youngster Ossie was snapped up first by Instituto and then by Club Atlético Belgrano. It was not long however before interest came knocking from Buenos Aires and he was swept away from his home province.
His move to Huracán coincided with a rapid upturn in the club´s fortunes. The side from the East of Buenos Aires finished as league runners-up in two consecutive campaigns with Ossie and goalkeeper Héctor Baley taking the plaudits.
After starring in the 1978 World Cup where he scored in the final against the Dutch Ossie was transferred from Huracán to North London and never played competitive club football in his homeland again.
The star of Escape To Victory did however have some short spells managing back in Argentina. As recently as 2007 while managing Huracán he was baffling referees by lambasting them with some choice English language. Hopefully he keeps it clean next Friday.
After being turned down at trials for a number of clubs Ricardo Julio Villa was eventually signed by Quilmes alongside his cousin. Ricky made over 100 appearances for El Cervecero (The Brewers) before moving to Atlético de Tucumán in the north of Argentina.
It was during his time at Tucumán that Ricky was given his nickname Dios (God) on account of his beard, long hair and ability to find the target from anywhere on the pitch.
By the time the 1978 World Cup rolled around Ricky was back in Buenos Aires and playing for Racing Club. Chain-smoking perfectionist César Luis Menotti called Dios into the squad at the expense of a 17 year old wonderkid who also played in Ricky’s position.
Villa played the second halves of the hosts’ second round games against Poland and Brazil. You might want to ask Ossie who Ricky replaced at half time against the Brazilians.
After triumph in 1978 Villa never played for the national team again as Diego Maradona was not to be budged once he got his chance. Shortly after the World Cup Keith Burkinshaw shelled out £750,000 for Dios and Pitón and they rest, as they say, is history.
Just for you Dad... Ricky may have enjoyed his most successful moments for Spurs wearing his lucky number five jersey, but what is the only number from 1-11 that Villa did not wear in a game during his time at White Hart Lane?
Up the City!
Tim
http://timsturtridge.com/
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