Ubaldo Fillol, Goalkeeper (1974-83):
Nicknamed ‘El Pato’ (the Duck), Fillol is considered, along with fellow Millo idol Amadeos Carrizo one of the greatest goalkeepers in Argentine history, and just beats out the legend of La Maquina for our number one jersey. Fillol helped end River’s 18-year wait for a title in 1975, and would add six more to the trophy cabinet in his Monumental stay as well as lifting the World Cup in 1978 as a Millonario.
Norberto Yacono, defender (1938-1953):
Yacono appeared 393 times in the River jersey, making him the fifth highest appearing player of all time in the Millo history books after spending a trophy-laden 15-year spell at the club. Part of the legendary pre-war Maquina, the defender won six national championships at the Monumental and would return to River post-retirement to coach the youth side.
Daniel Passarella, defender (1974-82, 1988-89):
‘El Kaiser’, ‘El Gran Capitan’: no praise was too high for this true River legend. Despite only standing 1.73m tall Passarella was a talisman in defence for River and Argentina, and as coach the star would add three more titles to the six he won as a player in the Monumental, the stadium he now oversees as club president.
Roberto Perfumo, defender (1975-78):
A product of the Nunez club’s youth system, Perfumo went on to become a legend at bitter rivals Racing Club, winning the National championship, Copa Libertadores and Copa Intercontinental in 1967 as Racing became the first Argentine club to be crowned world champions. Already in his thirties when he returned to his first club, nevertheless the player who La Nacion dub “one of the best defenders in Argentine history” still had time to lead the Millo to three titles in as many years, playing over 100 games before finally retiring at the age of 36.
Eduardo Sapoletti, defender (1976-1987):
Arriving at the Monumental from Racing de Cordoba in 1976, ‘El Sapo’ (the toad) would play an impressive 321 games at right back for River, a record for a Millo right back. His time in Nunez would span one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, with six national titles and the club’s historic first Libertadores trophy adorning this battling defender’s mantelpiece.
‘Mostaza’ Merlo, midfielder (1969-84):
The only player here to have spent his entire career in the Monumental, Reinaldo Merlo combined with Fillol and Passarella to form the backbone of that incredibly successful team of the 1970s and 80s, as he does here. The tough-tackling defensive midfielder played over 500 times for River in a 15-year career, and his ball-winning skills helped the Millo to seven titles over that period; although a lack of talent with the ball at his feet limited his international career to just three caps.
Americo Gallego, midfielder (1981-88):
‘El Tolo’ first made his name in Rosario with Newell’s Old Boys, but in 1981 joined River Plate and formed a formidable midfield partnership with Merlo before succeeding him as the linchpin in the middle of the park. World Cup winner in 1978 with Argentina, the cultured passer’s biggest achievement with River was the club’s first ever Copa Libertadores trophy in 1986 against Colombia’s America.
Jose Maria Minella, midfielder (1935-42):
The oil that kept the Maquina running smoothly, Minella sat in midfield behind that famous five man attack and fed them the ammunition, becoming an integral part of the team widely regarded as the greatest in River’s, if not Argentine, football history. A winner of three championships with River, he would go on to repeat the success at international- helping Argentina to the 1937 and 1941 Copa America.
Alfredo di Stefano, enganche (1945-49):
An incredibly competitive position, with Ariel Ortega another choice for the number 10 role and club legends such as Hernan Crespo, Marcelo Salas, Omar Sivori and any of the iconic Maquina forward line giving a great argument to play three orthodox strikers. It is impossible however to ignore one of the greatest players ever to play the game; Di Stefano’s pass through Nunez was fleeting but glittering, boasting a record of 49 goals in 65 games and two national championships before he would eventually make history at Real Madrid.
Enzo Francescoli, striker (1983-86, 1994-97):
Quite simply one of the best players ever to play in South America, ‘El Principe’s’ two River spells coincided with two runs of brilliant success for the Millo, and players from Zinedine Zidane to Pele have recognized his grace and poise on the ball and eye for goal. Enzo missed out on River’s first Libertadores triumph in 1986 after being transferred to Racing Paris shortly before; there would be no denying him in 1996 though, and playing with the new generation of stars such as Marcelo Salas, Matias Almeyda and Crespo, the 34 year old led them to success for the second time.
Angel Labruna, striker (1939-59):
The top scorer in Argentine football history with 293 goals from 515 appearances, Labruna was the focal point of the legendary five man Maquina attack which swept aside almost every team in the period around the Second World War. Aided by Labruna and iconic teammates such as Moreno, Perdenera and Ferreyra, River won nine titles in his 20 -year spell at the club (in the days of one-championship seasons); and if that wasn’t enough the forward would lead the side to six more titles as manager in the 1970’s.
River Plate's Greatest XI (4-3-1-2):
Fillol
Sapoletti - Passarella - Perfumo - Yacono
Gallego - Merlo - Minella
Di Stefano
Francescoli - Labruna
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Nicknamed ‘El Pato’ (the Duck), Fillol is considered, along with fellow Millo idol Amadeos Carrizo one of the greatest goalkeepers in Argentine history, and just beats out the legend of La Maquina for our number one jersey. Fillol helped end River’s 18-year wait for a title in 1975, and would add six more to the trophy cabinet in his Monumental stay as well as lifting the World Cup in 1978 as a Millonario.
Norberto Yacono, defender (1938-1953):
Yacono appeared 393 times in the River jersey, making him the fifth highest appearing player of all time in the Millo history books after spending a trophy-laden 15-year spell at the club. Part of the legendary pre-war Maquina, the defender won six national championships at the Monumental and would return to River post-retirement to coach the youth side.
Daniel Passarella, defender (1974-82, 1988-89):
‘El Kaiser’, ‘El Gran Capitan’: no praise was too high for this true River legend. Despite only standing 1.73m tall Passarella was a talisman in defence for River and Argentina, and as coach the star would add three more titles to the six he won as a player in the Monumental, the stadium he now oversees as club president.
Roberto Perfumo, defender (1975-78):
A product of the Nunez club’s youth system, Perfumo went on to become a legend at bitter rivals Racing Club, winning the National championship, Copa Libertadores and Copa Intercontinental in 1967 as Racing became the first Argentine club to be crowned world champions. Already in his thirties when he returned to his first club, nevertheless the player who La Nacion dub “one of the best defenders in Argentine history” still had time to lead the Millo to three titles in as many years, playing over 100 games before finally retiring at the age of 36.
Eduardo Sapoletti, defender (1976-1987):
Arriving at the Monumental from Racing de Cordoba in 1976, ‘El Sapo’ (the toad) would play an impressive 321 games at right back for River, a record for a Millo right back. His time in Nunez would span one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, with six national titles and the club’s historic first Libertadores trophy adorning this battling defender’s mantelpiece.
‘Mostaza’ Merlo, midfielder (1969-84):
The only player here to have spent his entire career in the Monumental, Reinaldo Merlo combined with Fillol and Passarella to form the backbone of that incredibly successful team of the 1970s and 80s, as he does here. The tough-tackling defensive midfielder played over 500 times for River in a 15-year career, and his ball-winning skills helped the Millo to seven titles over that period; although a lack of talent with the ball at his feet limited his international career to just three caps.
Americo Gallego, midfielder (1981-88):
‘El Tolo’ first made his name in Rosario with Newell’s Old Boys, but in 1981 joined River Plate and formed a formidable midfield partnership with Merlo before succeeding him as the linchpin in the middle of the park. World Cup winner in 1978 with Argentina, the cultured passer’s biggest achievement with River was the club’s first ever Copa Libertadores trophy in 1986 against Colombia’s America.
Jose Maria Minella, midfielder (1935-42):
The oil that kept the Maquina running smoothly, Minella sat in midfield behind that famous five man attack and fed them the ammunition, becoming an integral part of the team widely regarded as the greatest in River’s, if not Argentine, football history. A winner of three championships with River, he would go on to repeat the success at international- helping Argentina to the 1937 and 1941 Copa America.
Alfredo di Stefano, enganche (1945-49):
An incredibly competitive position, with Ariel Ortega another choice for the number 10 role and club legends such as Hernan Crespo, Marcelo Salas, Omar Sivori and any of the iconic Maquina forward line giving a great argument to play three orthodox strikers. It is impossible however to ignore one of the greatest players ever to play the game; Di Stefano’s pass through Nunez was fleeting but glittering, boasting a record of 49 goals in 65 games and two national championships before he would eventually make history at Real Madrid.
Enzo Francescoli, striker (1983-86, 1994-97):
Quite simply one of the best players ever to play in South America, ‘El Principe’s’ two River spells coincided with two runs of brilliant success for the Millo, and players from Zinedine Zidane to Pele have recognized his grace and poise on the ball and eye for goal. Enzo missed out on River’s first Libertadores triumph in 1986 after being transferred to Racing Paris shortly before; there would be no denying him in 1996 though, and playing with the new generation of stars such as Marcelo Salas, Matias Almeyda and Crespo, the 34 year old led them to success for the second time.
Angel Labruna, striker (1939-59):
The top scorer in Argentine football history with 293 goals from 515 appearances, Labruna was the focal point of the legendary five man Maquina attack which swept aside almost every team in the period around the Second World War. Aided by Labruna and iconic teammates such as Moreno, Perdenera and Ferreyra, River won nine titles in his 20 -year spell at the club (in the days of one-championship seasons); and if that wasn’t enough the forward would lead the side to six more titles as manager in the 1970’s.
River Plate's Greatest XI (4-3-1-2):
Fillol
Sapoletti - Passarella - Perfumo - Yacono
Gallego - Merlo - Minella
Di Stefano
Francescoli - Labruna
Listen to Daniel, Dan and Sam on theHand of Pod, a new Argentine football podcast that starts on Monday with a Superclasico special...
Become a fan of Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game