1. Early Life and Background
Alberto César Tarantini was born on 3 December 1955, in Ezeiza, within the Buenos Aires Province of Argentina. He began his football journey by rising through the youth divisions of Boca Juniors in the early 1970s. Tarantini was distinctive for his afro hairstyle and prominent front teeth, which led to him being given the nickname `conejorabbitSpanish` (Spanish for "rabbit"). His brother, George Tarantini, also pursued a career in football, becoming a college soccer coach.
2. Club Career
Alberto Tarantini's club career saw him play for major clubs in Argentina, including Boca Juniors and River Plate, before stints in English and French leagues.
2.1. Boca Juniors
Tarantini made his professional debut with Boca Juniors in 1973, having developed through their youth ranks since the early 1970s. During his time with the club, he achieved significant success, most notably winning the 1977 Copa Libertadores. The final match against Cruzeiro ended in a goalless draw, with Boca Juniors ultimately securing the title with a 5-4 victory in a penalty shootout. This decisive match took place at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay, on 14 September 1977.
Before the 1978 FIFA World Cup, Tarantini became embroiled in a major contractual dispute with Boca Juniors, which resulted in his release from the club and left him without a team. Boca Juniors management reportedly exerted pressure on other Argentine clubs to prevent them from offering him a new contract. Despite this challenging situation, Tarantini's strong performances during the World Cup drew international attention. He played for Boca Juniors from 1973 to 1977, making 179 appearances.
2.2. Birmingham City
Following his impressive displays at the 1978 FIFA World Cup, Tarantini was signed by English club Birmingham City for a transfer fee of 295.00 K GBP. His tenure in England, however, was marked by disciplinary issues. During his 23-game spell with Birmingham City, he was notably involved in an incident where he confronted Manchester United defender Brian Greenhoff. His time at the club concluded with another controversial moment when he reportedly entered the stands to punch a heckler. He played for Birmingham City from 1978 to 1979, making 23 appearances and scoring 1 goal.
2.3. Return to Argentina and European Stints
After a single season with Birmingham City, Tarantini returned to Argentina, where he played for Talleres de Córdoba in 1979, making 13 appearances and scoring 1 goal. He then joined River Plate from 1980 to 1983, one of Argentina's two major clubs alongside Boca Juniors.
Following his second spell in Argentina, Tarantini moved to Europe. He played for French club SC Bastia from 1983 to 1984, where he made 29 appearances and scored 1 goal. He then transferred to Toulouse, another French team, playing there from 1984 to 1988, with a record of 130 appearances and 8 goals. Tarantini concluded his professional playing career in Switzerland, with FC St. Gallen, where he played from 1988 to 1989.
3. International Career
Tarantini's international career encompassed both youth and senior levels, culminating in significant achievements with the Argentina national team.
3.1. Youth Career
Tarantini was a key member of the Argentina under-23 team that achieved victory in the 1975 Toulon Tournament. This team featured other future stars such as Jorge Valdano and Américo Gallego, and was coached by the renowned César Luis Menotti.
3.2. Senior National Team
Tarantini established himself as the primary left-back for the Argentina national football team after Jorge Carrascosa's departure. At the age of 22, he was one of the youngest players in the squad that participated in the 1978 FIFA World Cup. He continued to represent Argentina at the highest level, also playing in the 1982 FIFA World Cup. He retired from international football immediately after the 1982 tournament. Throughout his senior international career, Tarantini made 61 appearances for Argentina, scoring 1 goal.
4. Playing Style and Personality
Alberto Tarantini was primarily known for his versatility and effectiveness as a defender on the left side of the pitch. Early in his career, he played as a defensive left-back, but later adapted his role to that of a wing-back, allowing him to contribute more to the attack. He was characterized by his strong physical presence, which made him a formidable opponent. Beyond his technical and physical attributes, Tarantini was also recognized for his passionate and sometimes fiery temperament, which added to his distinctive on-field personality.
5. Major Tournament Performances
Tarantini's career was highlighted by key performances in major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and the Copa Libertadores.
5.1. 1978 FIFA World Cup
Alberto Tarantini was an integral part of the Argentina national football team that won the 1978 FIFA World Cup on home soil. Despite being clubless at the time due to a contractual dispute with Boca Juniors, his performance was outstanding. He notably scored a goal in Argentina's dominant 6-0 victory against the Peru national team during the tournament. Tarantini also played in the final match against the Netherlands, where Argentina secured their first World Cup title. His participation while being unaffiliated with any club made him the first player in World Cup history to score in such circumstances.
5.2. 1977 Copa Libertadores
Tarantini played a pivotal role in Boca Juniors' triumph in the 1977 Copa Libertadores, one of the most prestigious club competitions in Latin America. The final was contested against Brazilian club Cruzeiro. After two legs and a playoff match, which ended in a goalless draw, Boca Juniors emerged victorious in a penalty shootout, winning 5-4. The decisive playoff match was held on 14 September 1977, at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay.
6. Honours
Tarantini received numerous team and individual honours throughout his career, recognizing his contributions at both club and international levels.
6.1. Club Honours
Boca Juniors
- Primera Division Argentina: Nacional 1976, Metropolitano 1976
- Copa Libertadores: 1977
River Plate
- Primera Division Argentina: Metropolitano 1980, Nacional 1981
6.2. International Honours
Argentina Youth
- Toulon Tournament: 1975
Argentina
- FIFA World Cup: 1978
6.3. Individual Honours
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1978
- AFA Team of All Time (published 2015)
- World Soccer World XI: 1978
- IFFHS Argentina All Times Dream Team (Team B): 2021
- Top Ten South America Player of the Year: 1982
7. Evaluation and Controversies
Alberto Tarantini's career, while highly successful, also included notable controversies and challenges. Prior to the 1978 FIFA World Cup, he became involved in a significant contractual dispute with Boca Juniors. This disagreement led to his release from the club, leaving him without a team just before the prestigious tournament. It was reported that Boca Juniors management actively pressured other Argentine clubs to prevent them from offering Tarantini a new contract, effectively blacklisting him domestically. Despite this, his strong performances during the World Cup, where he scored a goal, showcased his resilience and talent on the international stage.
His subsequent move to Birmingham City in England was also marked by disciplinary issues. During his relatively short spell with the club, Tarantini gained a reputation for poor discipline, which overshadowed his on-field contributions. Notable incidents included a confrontation with Manchester United defender Brian Greenhoff and an event where he reportedly punched a heckler in the crowd, leading to a tumultuous end to his time in Birmingham.
8. Personal Life
Alberto Tarantini was married to Patricia `PataSpanish` Villanueva, a fashion model. His brother, George Tarantini, was also involved in football, having worked as a college soccer coach.