#2 Jose Luis Brown, Argentina – 1986 World Cup
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The story of Jose Luis Brown at the 1986 World Cup couldn’t be more dramatic and you could easily articulate it into a novel or play. Brown was picked in the Argentine squad by Carlos Bilardo as a last-minute addition despite not fully recovering from a knee-injury he had sustained two years back.
He was chosen to start ahead of the legendary Daniel Passarella and was informed of this by manager Carlos Bilardo hours before the opening match.
The centre-back went on to play an integral role in the competition as Argentina reached the final and were up against last edition’s runners-up West Germany who were looking very sharp. Brown had a great tournament but his crowning moment came in the tournament decider. With just over twenty minutes gone, Argentina were awarded a free-kick that was taken by Jorge Burruchaga.Burruchaga’s cross found Brown who headed the ball in the back of the net to give Argentina the lead. Argentina doubled the lead but West Germany fought back to level the game at 2-2 before the provider of first goal Burruchaga netted the winner and Argentina won the match and the World Cup.
From a last-minute addition to the squad to playing every single minute of the tournament (despite injuring his shoulder in the final) and scoring your only international goal at the moment when it mattered the most, Jose Luis Brown’s story says it all.
