player
Daniel Passarella: Career Stats, Clubs and Honours
Daniel Passarella career statistics, clubs, senior international record, major honours, playing style and all-time defender ranking case.
Summary
Passarella brought captaincy, aggression and an extraordinary scoring record to the centre of defence.
Quick facts
- Primary role
- Centre back
- Senior career
- 1971–1989
- Major clubs
- River Plate, Fiorentina, Inter
- Senior national record
- 70 caps / 22 goals for Argentina
- Defenders ranking
- #12 in The Top Football's all-time list
Verified record
Career statistics
Senior club league appearances and goals, plus official senior international caps and goals.
| Club | Years | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarmiento | 1971–1973 | 36 | 9 |
| River Plate | 1973–1982 | 266 | 90 |
| Fiorentina | 1982–1986 | 109 | 26 |
| Inter | 1986–1988 | 44 | 9 |
| River Plate | 1988–1989 | 24 | 7 |
| Club total | — | 479 | 141 |
| National team | Years | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 1976–1986 | 70 | 22 |
Major team honours
- Argentina FIFA World Cup ×2
- River Plate Argentine league championships ×6
Stats sources: WorldFootball — Daniel Passarella record .
Career path
Passarella became a River Plate leader before testing his game in Serie A with Fiorentina and Inter. He returned to River for the final season, closing a career in which goals were a repeatable part of the defensive package.
Playing style
He attacked aerial balls at both ends, struck penalties and free kicks, and defended with front-foot intensity. The scoring numbers are not decoration; they changed the match value expected from his position.
International record
Passarella captained Argentina’s 1978 World Cup winners and was part of the 1986 winning squad. His 22 senior international goals remain exceptional for a centre-back.
All-time ranking case
Any all-time defender list needs room for a player whose leadership and goal threat could tilt major matches from the back line. That is the basis for placing him at number 12 in our best football defenders of all time ranking.
Sources