emirates7 - Luis Galván, a key member of Argentina’s 1978 World Cup-winning squad, has passed away at the age of 77, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed on Monday. Galván had been hospitalized for several weeks in Córdoba due to kidney complications.
Renowned for his formidable central defensive partnership with team captain Daniel Passarella, Galván played in every match of Argentina’s victorious 1978 campaign. Their defensive solidity was crucial to the team’s triumph, which culminated in a 3-1 extra-time win over the Netherlands in Buenos Aires, thanks to two goals from top scorer Mario Kempes and another from Daniel Bertoni.
“The Argentine Football Association, through its President, Claudio Tapia, mourns the loss of Luis Galván, a World Cup-winning defender from 1978, and extends its heartfelt sympathies to his family and loved ones,” read an official AFA statement.
Galván spent the bulk of his club career at Talleres de Córdoba, where he made over 250 appearances. He also represented Argentina in the 1982 World Cup. However, like many of his 1978 teammates, he struggled in the title defense due to age. With few fresh faces in the squad—Diego Maradona being a notable exception—Argentina fell to Brazil and Italy in the second round, losing 3-1 and 2-1, respectively.
Paying tribute to his former teammate, legendary goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol said, “Luis was not only an outstanding defender but also an exceptional person. It was a true honor to share the pitch with him. I send my warmest condolences to his family and friends.”
Galván’s passing comes just over two weeks after the death of another Argentine football legend, goalkeeper Hugo Gatti, who died at age 80. Nicknamed "El Loco" ("The Madman"), Gatti was initially set to be Argentina’s starting goalkeeper in 1978 but was sidelined by a knee injury. He still holds the record for the most appearances in Argentina’s top division, playing 765 matches between 1962 and 1988.
Renowned for his formidable central defensive partnership with team captain Daniel Passarella, Galván played in every match of Argentina’s victorious 1978 campaign. Their defensive solidity was crucial to the team’s triumph, which culminated in a 3-1 extra-time win over the Netherlands in Buenos Aires, thanks to two goals from top scorer Mario Kempes and another from Daniel Bertoni.
“The Argentine Football Association, through its President, Claudio Tapia, mourns the loss of Luis Galván, a World Cup-winning defender from 1978, and extends its heartfelt sympathies to his family and loved ones,” read an official AFA statement.
Galván spent the bulk of his club career at Talleres de Córdoba, where he made over 250 appearances. He also represented Argentina in the 1982 World Cup. However, like many of his 1978 teammates, he struggled in the title defense due to age. With few fresh faces in the squad—Diego Maradona being a notable exception—Argentina fell to Brazil and Italy in the second round, losing 3-1 and 2-1, respectively.
Paying tribute to his former teammate, legendary goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol said, “Luis was not only an outstanding defender but also an exceptional person. It was a true honor to share the pitch with him. I send my warmest condolences to his family and friends.”
Galván’s passing comes just over two weeks after the death of another Argentine football legend, goalkeeper Hugo Gatti, who died at age 80. Nicknamed "El Loco" ("The Madman"), Gatti was initially set to be Argentina’s starting goalkeeper in 1978 but was sidelined by a knee injury. He still holds the record for the most appearances in Argentina’s top division, playing 765 matches between 1962 and 1988.